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Chicago Bears: Prior to Wednesday, the only team interested in trading for QB Tim Couch was the Packers. That changed when the Bears made a request to the Browns for permission to talk with Couch. Coach Butch Davis received the call from Bears GM Jerry Angelo and granted him permission to speak with the former No.1 pick. The Packers seemed on the verge of getting a deal done. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer their most recent offer was believed to be for $3 million over two years. The deal includes a $1 million signing bonus and base salaries of $1 million in 2004 and 2005. (That's less than half of the Browns' original offer to Couch of $6.5 million over two years.) But Couch wants a one-year contract or one that makes him a free agent in 2005 if QB Brett Favre returns as the Packers' starting quarterback.

Arizona Cardinals: Though reports have claimed the team is interested in QB Kerry Collins, VP of football operations Rod Graves said nothing could be further from the truth. The Cardinals were listed as one of the teams that had contacted Collins' agent David Dunn, but Graves told the Arizona Republic that no such contact was made. It's also been floated that the Cards may be interested in talking to QBs Kurt Warner and Tim Couch when they are cut after June 1, but the club denies that as well. Apparently, QB Josh McCown will go into this season as the undisputed starter.

Miami Dolphins: CB Patrick Surtain has been trying to get a new deal that will pay him like one of the better corners in the league but he hasn't made much progress. ''Nothing's really happened,'' Surtain told the Miami Herald. "My agent called the Dolphins a few weeks ago, and they said they wanted to get something done. But I haven't heard anything since. It's like they wanted to do something but haven't.'' Surtain has two years remaining on his contract and his cap figure for this season is $7.88 million. "I want to be compensated like I'm one of the best players at my position," Surtain said. You look at what guys are getting this year, and it makes you think. But it's not like I'm making demands. I still have two years left, so if it gets done fine. If not . . .''

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