Cleveland Browns: 5 Reasons for Browns Fans to Be Optimistic

Being a Cleveland Browns fan is often a tough pill to swallow. With only one playoff appearance since their return in 1999, optimism has not been a common feeling in Cleveland with regards to football. However, that may soon be changing.

Here are five reasons Browns fans should be optimistic about in 2011 and the future.

5. The Front Office

Although the Cleveland Browns have certainly lacked the players needed to achieve success in the NFL, their front office has also lacked proper leadership. Without a solid front office, a team's hopes of improving are usually just a distant pipe dream.

That has often been the case with the Browns since they returned to the league. Shoddy drafting and unwise free-agent signings and trades have made a mess of the Browns' roster.

However, that is all changing. Team president Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert both have the experience and credentials that it takes to turn a team into a winner.

With those two guys manning the helm, there is a lot of hope for the future of the Cleveland Browns.

4. Promising Young Players

After two straight solid drafts under the watchful eye of GM Tom Heckert, the Browns have a lot of promising young players on their roster. Those young players have been given the opportunity to grow together as a team which will prove to be important in both 2011 and beyond.

Several of the Browns' recent draft picks, such as Joe Haden and Colt McCoy, have already made a positive impact on the team. Those impacts should only increase as the young players develop and gain experience in the NFL.

It is an exciting time to be a Browns fans as the team is finally heading in the right direction.

3. An Easier Schedule

Last season, the Cleveland Browns had one of the toughest schedules in the entire NFL. It included an away game against the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints and home games against the New England Patriots and the New York Jets.

The Browns surprised many by winning their games against the Saints and Patriots and losing to the Jets in overtime. Those games were not only exciting to watch as a Browns fan, but they were also invaluable learning experiences for the team's plethora of young players.

In 2011, the Browns have a much easier schedule. Browns fans should be optimistic about that because the team showed last season that it has the ability to beat tough teams.

Playing an easier schedule should lead to more wins for the team and a much happier fanbase.

2. Joe Thomas

The Cleveland Browns have one of the best—if not the best—left tackles in the entire NFL in Joe Thomas. During training camp this year, the team signed Thomas to a seven-year contract that should ensure Thomas finishes his career as a Brown.

Thomas has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons. He offers outstanding protection to his quarterback and has never missed a snap in his NFL career.

Thomas not only helps the team with his playing ability, but he also has proven to be an invaluable teacher to the younger players on the team.

Thomas has the talent to play for any team in the NFL and he chose to play in Cleveland. He said he wanted to stay with the Browns because he really likes the direction the team is headed.

That should make fans very optimistic about the Browns in 2011 and beyond.

1. The West Coast Offense

New Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur's first order of business with the team was to implement a West Coast-style offense. He ran the same style of offense when he was the offensive coordinator with the St. Louis Rams last season and rookie quarterback Sam Bradford found great success in it.

Browns fans should be optimistic about the West Coast offense because it fits many of the players' skill sets like a glove. Quarterback Colt McCoy was known for his completion percentage when he played in college, and the West Coast offense is built around quick passes and timing.

Cleveland's wide receivers should also excel in the new system.

Although 2011 will be the first season that the Browns use the West Coast offense, it should make for a much more interesting season for fans of the team.