BEREA, Ohio (AP) -- The Cleveland Browns are not likely to enter the Peyton Manning sweepstakes.

General manager Tom Heckert said Thursday the Browns will "probably not" make any attempt to sign Manning, now a high-priced free agent after being released by the Indianapolis Colts.

Meeting with reporters for the first time since recent heart surgery, Heckert says Manning is a "great player and all that, but where we're at and we're he's at, it's probably not a direction we're going in."

Heckert was guarded about the team's plans in free agency and the draft. The Browns have the No. 4 overall pick and could trade up to select Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, whom Heckert described as a "special athlete."

Heckert says the Browns remain interested in re-signing running back Peyton Hillis.