BEREA, Ohio -- New Browns head coach Hue Jackson declined to confirm reports that he's ready to deflate Johnny Football and move on.

But was Manziel's last start in Kansas City his Browns' swan song -- so to speak?

Meanwhile, Jackson is confident he can win over nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas, who's said he might ask out if he doesn't like the new regime.

A source told cleveland.com that Jackson's initial thoughts are that he doesn't like Manziel as a quarterback and will not plan on him as his starter. ESPN also reported that Jackson was informed during his interview that parting ways with Manziel won't be a problem.

"This is what I would say to that: I need to get in this building and have an opportunity to sit down and watch tape,'' Jackson said during his introductory press conference Wednesday. "I don't know Johnny personally. I know who he is, but at the same time I think I have to give everybody on our football team a fair opportunity to see who they are, to truly learn who they are, and then make decisions from there.''

Jackson acknowledged that Manziel's name came up during the interview process, just not that he's ready to slam the door shut. The Browns are still miffed that Manziel skipped his concussion treatment the morning of the season finale and was reportedly spotted in Las Vegas wearing a blond wig and fake mustache the night before.

A source told cleveland.com that Manziel got the cold shoulder from the Browns when he showed up the day after the season-ending 28-12 loss to the Steelers for exit meetings. The Browns weren't able to reach him on gameday and were already starting their coaching search by the time Manziel wandered back into the fold on Monday.

"I never said that (his name wasn't mentioned),'' Jackson said. "I need to evaluate him as a football player and I know whatever incidents he's been involved in I wasn't a part of here. So I can't comment on those because I don't know anything about those."

The Browns can cut Manziel at any time, but must wait until the league year opens in mid-March to trade him. But will anyone want him? Even Cowboys owner Jerry Jones may have jumped off the Manziel bandwagon by then.

As for drafting a new quarterback of the future, Jackson is ready to dive in and study the top prospects. He also hinted the club would be open to all possibilities with the pick, including trading down.

"I'm going to know them pretty well, pretty soon,'' he said. "Having the No. 2 pick is great - and sometimes it's not. We as an organization have a lot of work to do to make sure that's where we need to be -- or where we don't need to be. But I think it's a great place to start as a new head coach because you have a chance to get a great player.''

Jackson also plans to persuade Thomas to stay. If he asks out, others, such as Pro Bowl center Alex Mack, are more likely to follow suit.

"Honestly I want to sit down and talk to all of our players,'' said Jackson. "Joe Thomas is one of the best left tackles in this league, bar none, and he does deserve an opportunity to win. He is a tremendous football player and has been one of the cornerstones of this organization and this football team, and I can't wait to have the opportunity to talk to him, to give him our plan and hopefully, I believe in my heart, that he's going to get excited about what we're trying to accomplish.''

Jackson, who's known as a players' coach and worked wonders with flamboyant Bengals receiver Chad Johnson, is also well aware that oft-suspended All-Pro receiver Josh Gordon will be eligible to apply for reinstatement from his indefinite drug suspension on Feb. 3. Sources close to the situation believes Jackson is just the man to get the most of Gordon.

"I'm anxious to evaluate him like we're going to evaluate every player on the roster and see if they are the right fit for the Cleveland Browns. And I think that's what we have to do every player from Josh Gordon to the last player on the roster.

Johnson, in quotes provided by the Browns, said of Jackson's hiring: "You get more than just a coach. Hue Jackson is a gem. He was a gem for me and I am speaking gem, g-e-m. He was a gem for me in really allowing me to see the game of football differently when he was in Cincinnati. Allowing me to flourish as a receiver. I know in Cleveland things didn't go as well as everyone would like.

"With Hue coming on board, being able to get the maximum amount of potential out of each player is what I know is going to happen because he was able to do it with me. I am sure he will be able to do it with them."