BEREA, Ohio (AP) – Kelly Holcomb will begin the season as Cleveland’s starting quarterback after beating out Tim Couch for the job.

Holcomb, a career backup, had been locked in a heated competition since training camp opened with Couch, a four-year starter once called one the franchise’s “cornerstones” who will make $6.2 million this season.

But coach Butch Davis ended months of debate Sunday by announcing that Holcomb will be his starter when the Browns open the regular season Sept. 7 against Indianapolis.

“It’s a gut feeling,” Davis said. “I believe Kelly Holcomb should be given the opportunity to start.”

Holcomb has outplayed Couch in the Browns’ two exhibition games, completing 14 of 21 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns.

The 30-year-old Holcomb may have confirmed what Davis had been planning all along with a dazzling performance in the first half Friday night against Green Bay.

Holcomb led the Browns on TD drives on their first two possessions, and finished 7-of-10 for 166 yards with two TD passes.

Davis decided to open the quarterback competition in January after Holcomb passed for 429 yards in a playoff loss to Pittsburgh. It was the third highest total in NFL postseason history.

Couch, meanwhile, will begin the 2003 season watching from the sideline, something he hasn’t had to do – other than when he has been injured – since his first game as a rookie in 1999.

The former No. 1 overall draft pick is 8-of-15 for 68 yards in Cleveland’s two exhibition games.

AP-ES-08-17-03 1810EDT