GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Many fans deemed the Cincinnati Bengals’ play-calling perfunctory and predictable last season under offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski.

The harsh reality of another losing (4-12) season set in and Bratkowski was fired during the offseason. The organization hired Jay Gruden as offensive coordinator and is counting on him to bring some creativity to the unit.

Gruden seems to know what is expected.

“I think versatility is a must in this offense,” Gruden said. “We could line up with three receivers and two backs or three tight ends and one back. That’s important because of injuries and pace of the game. Hopefully, multiple is the main word for our offense as well as unpredictable.”

The team will debut its new look offense in a preseason matchup against the Lions in Detroit on Friday, Aug. 12. There is ongoing speculation that Gruden will run a West Coast-style offense much like older brother Jon Gruden ran with Oakland and Tampa Bay, where he won a Super Bowl.

Gruden’s philosophy appears simple: Keep ’em guessing.

“We’ll have to wait and see,” he said. “We might run it between the tackles 40 times and throw it five, I don’t know. I don’t really have an exact science or name for our offense. We’re just trying to put guys in the best position to make plays. The game will dictate what our formations may be. When you can run the ball it opens up a big playbook and the pass.”

The Bengals ranked 20th overall on offense last season but expectations are high this year. The team has a group of young, talented receivers and the coach believes they will contribute right away.

“We have some young guys that are buying in,” Gruden said. “We’re going to turn the page. What happened here the last 20 years doesn’t matter. We’re looking for our first game against Detroit and Cleveland. That’s all that matter to these guys.

“It’s a brand new season for everybody in the NFL. We have a lot of guys who want to win.”