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Now that Jimmy Haslam's full attention is turned to the Browns, fans will likely soon learn how quickly he plans to make changes, says Bud Shaw.

(Photo by Lynn Ischay, The Plain Dealer)

New Orleans – Jimmy Haslam, who is enjoying his first Super Bowl experience as owner of the Browns, said Friday that Brandon Weeden will have competition for the starting quarterback's job this coming season.

“I think Norv [Turner] and [Rob] Chudzinski have been very open that they like a lot of what Brandon does, but we're going to have competition at that position, and I think competition makes us all better,” Haslam said after the Walton Payton Man of Year finalists' news conference.

up for the award tonight, along with Dallas' Jason Witten and Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald. “We'll see where that competition comes from.”

Two high-profile veteran quarterbacks expected to become available are the 49ers' Alex Smith,

, and Eagles quarterback

, who was with Browns CEO Joe Banner in Philadelphia. Banner likes Vick, according to sources, but he'll be 33 in June and is coming off a poor season.

The Boston Globe has speculated that Browns Vice President of Player Personnel Mike Lombardi might try to trade for New England backup Ryan Mallett, the Patriots' third-round pick in 2011.

The Browns might also try to trade for a quarterback or look for one in the draft, where they have the No. 6 overall pick. Top prospects include West Virginia's Geno Smith, Southern Cal's Matt Barkley and North Carolina State's Mike Glennon.

Thomas and Browns tight end Ben Watson, who is also in New Orleans participating in Super Bowl events, are all for competition at the quarterback spot.

“We have a couple of guys that have a lot of starting experience [Weeden and Colt McCoy], and we’ve got one guy who’s got a start [Thad Lewis],” Thomas said. “I don’t know what angle they’re going to take as far as the quarterback goes, but I imagine there will be a competition in the spring, and I’m excited to see who wins.”

Watson, who was a runner-up for the NFL Players Association Byron “Whizzer” White Award won Thursday by Pittsburgh’s Charlie Batch, agreed with Haslam that competition is key.

“For a new coach, I think it’s smart for him to be noncommittal,” Watson said. “Competition is what makes the NFL the best of the best. As you work against each other, it makes you a better player, and then, in turn, it makes the team better.”

Haslam on free agency:

The Browns reportedly have more than $48 million in cap space heading into free agency, but Haslam said he doesn’t expect the club to break the bank.

“I don’t think you’ll see us making any big, splashy, high-priced moves because I think we’ve said all along we’re going to build through the draft,” he said.

He said Lombardi’s “been working 24/7, studying, watching a lot of tape, and we’ll have a meeting in a couple of weeks” regarding the free-agency period that opens March 12.

Thomas on Man of the Year:

Thomas, fresh off his Pro Bowl trip to Hawaii, said being a finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which honors players for their community service as well as on-field excellence, means more to him than his six Pro Bowls.

“It kind of blows it out of the water,” Thomas said. “It’s humbling just to be named with Walter Payton in the same sentence and to see myself as a finalist with Larry Fitzgerald and Jason Witten, guys that I think that are going to be in the Hall of Fame, so it’s a humbling experience, no question.”

Haslam soaking it in:

Haslam attended an owners’ party hosted by Saints owner Tom Benson Thursday night and has participated in other Super Bowl festivities.

“It’s a lot of fun, and it’s obviously an honor,” Haslam said. “It’s just a privilege to get to meet and spend time with the other owners.”

The difference between coming as an owner and just another billionaire?

“You have a little more access,” he said with a laugh.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot