The Cleveland Browns have a quarterback issue, two struggling guards, a lack of speed at the receiver spots and no healthy running backs.
Other than that all is right with the offense seven games into the season.
While adding up the problems, don't forget right tackle Tony Pashos. If his ankle is as bad as it seems to be, why not play someone else? Pashos' feeble attempt to block Ahmad Brooks on the second play of the game against the San Francisco 49res led to a strip sack of Colt McCoy that was the beginning of the end.
Coach Pat Shurmur finally admitted the obvious after the 20-10 loss to the 49ers. He could no longer go on acting as if the offense is making improvement and high-scoring games are on the horizon.
"Our margin for error on offense is very small," Shurmur said. "That's not an excuse. That's the reality. We have to hit on everything. We have to fight for every yard. We can't make mistakes, and if we do make a mistake we have to overcome it. We've struggled right now to overcome penalties."
Most of the criticism is rightly directed at McCoy, but it's more than just the struggles of a second-year quarterback. The line clearly misses left guard Eric Steinbach. He might not be a brute, drive blocker, but he pulls well and is solid in pass protection.
Rookie Jason Pinkston, who's replaced Steinbach, is playing like a fifth-round draft choice. Pinkston might have a long-term future in the works, but for now the best place for him is strictly on special teams.
Right guard Shawn Lauvao is essentially a rookie after playing in 10 games (one start) last season. Like Pinkston, Lauvao is still suffering through growing pains.
Keeping Pashos in the lineup is a mystery. The fact that neither Artis Hicks nor Oniel Cousins is good enough to start ahead of a banged up Pashos speaks volumes about their skills or lack of them.
What's taking place in the backfield should be no surprise to those that work in the front office. They knew that Peyton Hillis would probably have injury problems at some time because of his running style and muscle-bound frame. He's now dealing with a hamstring issue that's lingering like a nasty cold.
General manager Tom Heckert gambled and is losing on Montario Hardesty. He used a second-round pick in the 2010 draft knowing that Hardesty had trouble staying healthy getting out of bed.
Hardesty missed all of last season with the second major knee injury of his career. He tore his right calf muscle against the 49ers and will be out a minimum of two weeks.
Let's just say right now that Hardesty won't play much for a long time. He's a nice guy with loads of talent when healthy, but it doesn't look like that will ever be the case.
It all adds up to a mess that has tied Shurmur's hands as the offensive coordinator. It's not easy trying to be a creative play caller when there's not enough talent to be creative.
As more inept offensive performances are sure to follow (the Browns still have to play the Steelers and Ravens twice each after the start of December), there will certainly be calls for the hiring of an offensive coordinator next season. Team President Mike Holmgren is on record as saying it's possible a coordinator will be added in 2011.
It's doubtful that even a great offensive mind like the late Bill Walsh could have done much with the Browns' offense. Unless, of course, he had Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Randy Cross and a few other talented offensive players.
The Browns are almost at the .500 mark near the midpoint of the season for one reason an easy schedule. Among the remaining nine games are contests against the Texans, Bengals and the aforementioned Steelers and Ravens.
McCoy might wish he was back in Austin, Texas by the end of the season.