BEREA, Ohio -- Hue Jackson didn't want to get into great detail about the Cleveland Browns' roster, but the team's new coach was willing to talk about some of his key players.

Among them: left tackle Joe Thomas, whose disillusionment with the team's constant changes left him wondering when the season ended whether he wanted to be back in 2016. It was a shocking admission from the Browns' perennial Pro Bowler, who had always insisted he wanted to finish his career in Cleveland.

"The guy you mentioned, Joe Thomas, is one of the best left tackles in this league, bar none," Jackson said Wednesday of the 31-year-old. "He does deserve an opportunity to win. He is a tremendous football player and has been. He has been one of the cornerstones of this organization and this football team.

"I can’t wait to have the opportunity to talk to him and give him our plan, and hopefully, I believe in my heart, he is going to get excited about what we are trying to accomplish.”

Thomas had said he would make a decision based on the identity of the new coach. He would not want to play for a taskmaster, but in Jackson there might be a good personality mesh. If Thomas wants out, he would likely ask for a trade -- a request to which teams often accede when coming from a veteran like Thomas.

Jackson also addressed two other players.

Of suspended receiver Josh Gordon, who can apply for reinstatement, Jackson said: "What I’m anxious to do is evaluate him just like we’re going to evaluate every player on our roster and see if they are the right fit for the Cleveland Browns. That’s what we have to do with every player, whether that’s Josh Gordon to whoever the last guy is on the roster.”

Of quarterback Johnny Manziel and his off-field issues: "I think what’s important is that I evaluate him as a football player and then find out more about those [off-field] things as we move forward.”