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Mike Pettine, shown in a file photo from earlier this year, met with reporters Tuesday in Orlando, Fla.

(Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer)

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Browns coach Mike Pettine, speaking to reporters for an hour at the NFL Annual Meeting AFC coaches breakfast Tuesday, said "it's a possibility'' the Browns will start a rookie quarterback in 2014, and he's looking for one who has that "it factor.''

Here are some quick notes from Pettine's comments:

• He said he'll attend all of the private workouts of quarterbacks, including Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater and Blake Bortles and "it's a big list.''

• For now, the schedule of private workouts contains quarterbacks only.

• He called Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr "the best natural thrower in the draft'' and added, "don't bet against family history (referring to his big brother, David, a former first-round pick).''

• He said he won't attend the Pro Day Thursday of Manziel. Neither will Browns general manager Ray Farmer, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan or quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains.

• He called Manziel "a gifted playmaker. The play starts when he makes the first guy miss.'' He said he doesn't think there's any reason that Manziel can't play in structure.

• He described Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins as "an explosive playmaker, plays violently, has passion, loves the game.'' They interviewed him at the NFL Scouting Combine.

• He said Bridgewater is "NFL-ready, extremely accurate, cerebral, has a calming presence and quiet confidence.''

•He said of Bortles: "If you draw me an NFL quarterback, that's probably who you'd draw.''

• On South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney: "He's a freakish athlete. As a defensive coach, I don't think I'd be too sad to turn in the card on Clowney at No. 4.''

• He said it's possible that the Browns will draft two quarterbacks.

• On top draft prospect Khalil Mack, the linebacker from the University of Buffalo: "He's an explosive athlete, can play on and off the ball, plays violently.'' He said his current strong crop of linebackers wouldn't preclude him from drafting Mack.

• He said the team will discuss free-agent quarterback Mark Sanchez, who is set to sign with the Eagles. He said he really likes Sanchez and was with with him when he took the Jets to the AFC Championship Game as a rookie. "I have a great relationship with him.''

• He said former Bills defensive end Alex Carrington, who visited the Browns last week, is still a possibility. Carrington started three games for Pettine last year before tearing his quadriceps and undergoing surgery.

• He acknowledged that the Browns "kicked around'' acquiring cornerback Darrelle Revis, but "I don't know how serious it ever got.'' Revis ended up signing with New England.

• He stressed that if a quarterback is the best available player at No. 4, the Browns will take him. If not, they can draft one later, and that even a later-round pick will have a chance to start. He used third-round pick Russell Wilson of the Super Bowl champion Seahawks as an example.

• He said running back Ben Tate can "absolutely'' be the Browns' featured back and that he's not concerned about his durability.

• He said Paul Kruger and Barkevious Mingo have "flashed the ability'' to disrupt the quarterback, and it's his staff's job to get them to do it on a consistent basis. He noted that Mingo has some "technique things'' that have to be cleared up.

• He said Karlos Dansby was the team's top target at inside linebacker and Donte Whitner was the club's top target at safety. He said the goal was to get tougher up the middle of the defense. As for Dansby's big playmaking ability, he said he's "really figured it out'' at this later stage in his career.