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According to Cleveland Plain Dealer reporter Tony Grossi, the Browns are prepared to end their relationship with Tim Couch and hand over their quarterback job to Jeff Garcia. All they need is for Garcia to accept their contract offer.

Citing an unnamed source with knowledge of the deal, Grossi reported the Browns have offered the 34-year-old Garcia a two-year deal worth about $8 million. It includes a signing bonus of between $4 million and $5 million and team incentives.

The total package is more than what the Browns offered Couch in their attempt to slash his salary. Garcia's deal also is sweeter in guarantees, reflecting head coach Butch Davis' determination to turn the page on Couch.

Garcia spent two nights in Cleveland and all of Friday at the team's facility in Berea. He impressed the Browns with his knowledge of offense and his passion to win. He did nothing on the field, but the team saw in Garcia the leadership qualities they have not seen in Couch. They also like the fact he is still mobile.

By the end of Garcia's visit, the Browns were convinced that Garcia is a better quarterback than Couch at present and has at least two good years left. Davis then decided not to extend a second proposal to Couch worth about $8.5 million over two years.

As of Sunday night, Garcia had not accepted the Browns' offer. He reportedly was in Tampa, mulling opportunities with the Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons, whom he visited on Saturday.

In an article published early Monday, St. Petersburg Times staff writer Roger Mills suggested the opportunity to play for a contender might be a factor in Garcia's decision. Mills further opined that Cleveland -- while offering a starting job -- are probably still a few years away from a Super Bowl.

The Falcons appear ready to become a consistent playoff contender, but Garcia certainly would be playing behind star quarterback Michael Vick.

The Falcons' attraction to Garcia is that new head coach Jim Mora Jr. and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp were with Garcia during his five seasons as 49ers' quarterback. Garcia made the Pro Bowl three times in that stretch.

In Tampa, however, Garcia, 34, could challenge incumbent Brad Johnson, 35, for a starting position and, at the very least, be a proven backup on a team one season removed from the Super Bowl.

Johnson and Chris Simms, who is entering his second season and did not take a snap as a rookie, are the only quarterbacks on the Bucs roster.

According to Grossi, the Browns hope Garcia will respond favorably today and return to Cleveland to seal the deal. If so, it could be announced late this afternoon. A source told Grossi the issue would not linger beyond Tuesday.

The Browns have the room under their salary cap to keep Garcia and Couch for a while. They probably will try to trade Couch but are resigned to having to release him.

Releasing or trading Couch would have the same impact on the Browns' salary cap. They would save about $5.8 million on the cap.

Garcia came to the 49ers in 1999 the same year Couch was drafted No. 1 by the expansion Browns as a free agent from the Canadian Football League.

In five seasons in San Francisco, the 49ers were 37-37 with Garcia as the starting quarterback. He completed 61.4 percent of his passes in the team's West Coast offense with 113 touchdowns and 56 interceptions. His cumulative passer rating was 88.3, with a high of 97.6 in 2000, the first of his three Pro Bowl seasons.

Couch was the Browns' cornerstone first draft choice in 1999 and was thrust into the starting role in the franchise's second game by then-head coach Chris Palmer.

In five years, the Browns were 22-37 with Couch as the starting quarterback. He had 64 touchdowns and 67 interceptions and a passer rating of 75.1.

Stay tuned. ... I'll continue to follow this one closely and bring you developments as circumstances dictate.