A chance for the Browns’ offense to be great again

On the field, it’s been a lot of out with the old, in with the new. Off the field, there’s still a 1-31 head coach in charge (Hue Jackson), and an owner (Jimmy Haslam) whose NFL track record isn’t cutting it.

Perhaps, though, General Manager John Dorsey is on the verge of changing fortunes on the lakefront, especially on offense.

Save for one season since 1999 (when the Browns were eighth in the NFL in scoring), it’s been a long time since fans could say, “Wow, that’s a fun offense to watch.”

So long that the last time that was a viable claim, pre-1999, President Ronald Reagan was in office.

The NFL had yet to see the run-and-shoot offense come and go, the late Earle Bruce was still coaching football at Ohio State, and former Buckeyes bosses Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer were making their bones under Bruce.

We’re talking the mid to late 1980s, when Bernie Kosar was flinging the ball to the likes of Webster Slaughter, Brian Brennan and Ozzie Newsome, who (if this isn’t a sign of how inept the Browns have been since the ’80s, nothing is) will retire as Ravens GM after the 2018 season.

On paper (I hate that term, but it’s all we got folks), this Browns offense might — just might — be entertaining to watch in 2018.

If the offensive line holds up, and second-round pick Austin Corbett of Nevada can find a spot up front, fans could be using words such as “wow” and “fun” instead of “awful“and “horrible“when mentioning the Browns’ offense.

As its constructed, the Browns’ offense has skill players. Yes, there’s skill

on a Browns offense, and it’s been a while since the high-water mark of the 1986 and 1987 Browns that went a combined 22-9, and were one game from the Super Bowl each season.

In 1986, the Kosarled Browns finished fifth in the league in scoring (24.4 points per game) and yards with 5,394. A season later, the offense was even better. It averaged 26 points per game, third in the NFL in 1987.

By comparison, the pathetic 0-16 Browns in 2017 were 24th in the league in yards (4,942) and last in scoring (14.6 points per game).

With 0-16 seasons (there’s been just two in NFL history), sweeping changes follow.

Let’s take a look at the new Browns’ offense:

Quarterback

WHO’S IN? » Tyrod Taylor, Baker Mayfield, Drew Stanton

WHO’S OUT? » DeShone Kizer, Kevin Hogan, Cody Kessler

Taylor averaged 2,952 passing yards, 525 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns the last three seasons in Buffalo. He also threw just 16 interceptions — in three seasons. Taylor is under contract for one season, so the smart move is having Mayfield watch and learn, then make him the starter

in 2019. Running back WHO’S IN? » Carlos Hyde, Nick Chubb

HOLDOVER » Duke Johnson WHO’S OUT? » Isaiah Crowell

THE OUTLOOK » Crowell (Jets) is gone, but the position got a big upgrade with Hyde, formerly of the 49ers, and especially Chubb. Only Herschel Walker (5,259) had more rushing yards than Chubb’s 4,796 in four seasons at Georgia. If Hyde (concussions) and Chubb (a knee injury in college) are healthy, they’ll form a solid 1-2 punch — perhaps as solid as the Kevin Mack-Earnest Byner tandem during the Kosar era.

Wide receiver

WHO’S IN? » Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway

HOLDOVERS » Josh Gordon, Corey Coleman WHO’S OUT? » Kenny Britt

THE OUTLOOK » Getting rid of Britt was a solid first step in revamping the position. Britt looked disinterested in 2017, and was a bad signing by former Executive Vice President Sashi Brown. Trading for Landry, formerly of the Dolphins, gives Taylor a bonafide target. Now the key is keeping Gordon on the straight and narrow, and Coleman healthy.

Tight end

HOLDOVERS » David Njoku, Seth DeValve

THE OUTLOOK » Njoku had 33 catches in 2017 and four touchdowns. DeValve had 33 receptions and a TD. Njoku was a first-round pick in 2017, and has a ton of athletic ability, but he needs to do more in his sophomore season. Good news for Njoku: Taylor loved looking for his tight end in Buffalo.

Offensive line

WHO’S IN? » Corbett, Chris Hubbard (right tackle)

HOLDOVERS » Shon Coleman (left tackle), Joel Bitonio (left guard), JC Tretter (center), Kevin Zeitler (right guard) WHO’S OUT? » Thomas (retired)

THE OUTLOOK » The competition all will be watching during training camp is at left tackle, where Coleman and Corbett could battle it out for the starting spot. Hubbard was a free-agent signee and would likely start at right tackle unless Corbett is at the left tackle and Coleman returns to right tackle, his position during 2017. The O-line was fine last season, but without its leader Thomas, all will need to step up big time in 2018.