Cleveland Browns general manager Tom Heckert said on Thursday that his team would not pursue free agent quarterback Peyton Manning, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Heckert reiterated previous statements that the Browns are unlikely to pursue any of the top free agent quarterbacks this year. That would include Green Bay Packers backup Matt Flynn, widely considered the consolation prize for teams not landing Manning or picking one of the top quarterbacks available in the 2012 NFL Draft.
The Browns GM did mention that the team had its eyes on four quarterbacks available in the draft. One player he mentioned by name was Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden.
"I really like him a lot,'' Heckert said of Weeden. "We're going to see him (throw) tomorrow. He's mature and he's telling you it's a positive. He's a really interesting guy. He's super smart."
The knock on Weeden is that he is 28-years old, six years older than Robert Griffin III. Weeden could be the Browns' backup plan if they opt against trading up for Griffin.
Naturally, Heckert stressed that the teams still sees an NFL future for Colt McCoy.
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