How to Fix the Cleveland Browns' Offense

In considering what area of the Cleveland Browns that I chose to single out for improvement, I realized one key thing: It's not just the running game or the passing game or the offensive line that was the team's biggest liability last season—it was all of them.

So while it seems simplistic to just say "here's how to fix the entire Browns' offense," it seemed foolish to consider one aspect of the offense over another, with all three components directly affecting each other.

It was quite the disappointing 2011 for the Browns' offense—nothing went as it was supposed to. Running back Peyton Hillis regressed in a big way from his breakout 2010 season, resulting in the Browns averaging just 95.7 rushing yards per game, good for 28th in the league.

Their passing game didn't fare much better either—they were 24th overall in passing yards per game, at 193.1, with Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace coming in as the 30th- and 31st-best quarterbacks in the league according to Football Outsiders (with 47 quarterbacks ranked).

It's no surprise, therefore, that the Browns had trouble scoring touchdowns. In fact, they had just 20 total touchdowns last season—16 passing and four rushing—and averaged 13.6 points per game.

Scoring a ton of points isn't the only way a team can win games—an effective defense can work wonders for struggling offenses—but it's the most reliable method for winning. If the Browns are going to be a more competitive team in 2012, then improvements to all parts of their offense are necessary.

Luckily, they've taken a few steps in the right direction this offseason, especially when it comes to the draft. Cleveland selected three offensive players in the first two rounds—running back Trent Richardson, quarterback Brandon Weeden and offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz—all of whom should be making major contributions in their rookie seasons.

Of course, both Weeden's (or Colt McCoy's should he win the starting job) and Richardson's success depends much on Schwartz and the rest of the Browns' offensive line. Last year, they were dreadful when it came to run-blocking, especially in their efforts to help Hillis and company gain 10 or more yards per carry. 

Granted, the run game's struggles weren't the line's alone, considering Hillis' notable drop-off, but they need more consistent protection out of their line this season if the two rookies charged with leading both facets of the offense are to make as big an impact as we all know they're capable.

At least the offensive line will get a bit of a break this year with Richardson handling the majority of the carries. Even if they don't improve all that significantly, Richardson's ability to shed tacklers, gain yards and score touchdowns should still remain solid.

Even if Richardson scores half as many rushing touchdowns as he did last year at Alabama, that's still 10 or 11 scores coming on the ground for Cleveland this year—a clear improvement.

That's doubly good news for the Browns right now, considering that many questions still remain about their passing game. It's not just that Weeden's a rookie or that McCoy has several drawbacks to being named the starter—it's also that their receiving corps is one of the least dynamic in the league.

Thanks to not playing college ball in 2010 due to suspension, Greg Little was thrust into the WR 1 spot cold in a year without Oraginized Team Activities and minicamps, thanks to the lockout. Mohamed Massaquoi isn't reliable nor durable. Josh Cribbs hasn't developed as hoped and the rest of their receiving depth consists of afterthoughts.

The Browns also waited until the fourth round of this year's draft to pick up a new receiver, Travis Benjamin. Benjamin was relatively impressive at rookie minicamp earlier this month and seems to have developed the beginnings of a solid rapport with Weeden. If that can continue, then perhaps the Browns will find themselves with a truly effective receiver-quarterback tandem for the first time in what seems like forever.

On one hand, it seems like child's play to diagnose and improve the areas on offense where the Browns have been struggling—run the ball better, have a more dynamic and explosive passing game populated by playmakers, and have a strong offensive line to make both the run and the pass flow smoothly.

However, to think this can happen overnight (or in the course of a few short days or weeks) is foolish thinking. What the Browns need is an offense, after all, not just a better one. The blueprint is far less complex than the actual construction and this will be a summer of intense work for the Browns if they are to look significantly improved in 2012.

Follow @FBALL_Andrea