“Success would be winning a Super Bowl.”

Thirteen years later the words of the late great Al Lerner still ring around the city of Cleveland after the Browns were re-introduced to the NFL after a three year hiatus.

Thirteen years later the wait for the Super Bowl crown goes on, and on current evidence that wait will be a very long one.

Gone are the good times of the mid to late ’80s, when the Browns made the postseason for five straight years thanks chiefly to the defensive brilliance of former head coach Marty Schottenheimer.

2011 was another year of stagnation for the Ohio-based franchise, a 4-12 term to boot – a record that meant the Browns have now posted 11 losing records since re-entering the league in 1999.

With Cleveland being the only AFC North to miss the playoffs, as well, the 4-12 record can only equate to a lousy season for the Browns and make the postseason uncomfortable watching for fans.

“We had chances to have a better record and it didn’t happen for this reason or that. I’m not discouraged. I’m a little ticked off, but I’m not discouraged,” said Browns president Mike Holmgren in the team’s end of season press conference.

Indeed while the record is not good, there had been signs that the Browns are on the cusp, at least, of nearing a .500 record in the next two seasons.

Dick Jauron’s defense whilst not having a stellar year was solid, ranking 10th in the league in yards allowed per game and only gave up on average 19 points a game, fifth best in the league.

Led by the excellent D’Qwell Jackson, who must be a contender for Comeback Player of the year, the unit showed that in years to come it has the ability to lead the league.  It was such a good defense year, in fact, that half of the team’s losses came by seven points or less.

But Holmgren, in his usual direct manner, admitted: “The growing pains are difficult, but I think our defense took a big step. We had trouble — at times — with the run. In total defense, we were very, very competitive. Offensively, not so much.”  Unfortunately the term “not so much” is probably the understatement of the year.

In an age when scoring points is the norm, the Browns, seemingly, regressed to the 1970s scoring 20 points or more in just two fixtures – one of those coming against the dreadful Colts.

Much of the offensive problems came from the disappointing year from running back Peyton Hillis, who only averaged 3.4 yards a carry, and the weakness in the Browns receiving core. Greg Little, Mohamed Massaquoi and Josh Cribss are number two receivers at best.

Ultimately, though, the lack of offensive power meant that the Browns and first year head coach Pat Shurmur will have learnt a lot about quarterback Colt McCoy, and in turn will help to shape the future of the franchise during the offseason.

Despite drawing praise from Holmgren, who described the Texas Longhorn as having a “lot of the intangibles”, some will feel it is time for the Browns to move in a different direction.

It would seem that McCoy, at best, is a solid back-up option but is a QB that lacks the arm-strength to really stretch league defenses and turn games on their head. 

The problem facing Holmgren and GM Tom Heckert is that the Browns aren’t really in a position to trade up this year for an Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III because they need to utilise every pick they have, while the free agent QB class is slim.

Matt Flynn may be a solution but he is likely to get more attractive offers from Miami or Washington, so for the time being, at least, McCoy seems to be the man in Cleveland.

A proper off-season under Shurmur may help McCoy develop into a more-rounded starter but there is a sense now that the 25-year-old, who completed 265 of 463 attempts for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns against 11 interceptions in 13 starts, is on a tight leash.

“He can be (the guy), but I’m not ready to say that yet”, said Holmgren. “Ultimately, you’re judged on how well your team did. It’s hard to judge off this season because our offense, by anyone’s standards, was not good enough.”

The Browns best hope then will be to acquire some pieces to help McCoy win, whether it be in a running game or at least an elite calibre receiver. But with the former Packer and Seattle head coach expecting the side to “dramatically improve” in 2012, the QB will be expected to play at his top level from day one.

“What you want to do is develop a team that’s a playoff-caliber team. That’s really what you want to do,” added Holmgren.

“When we get into the playoffs, then you can make a better judgment on a timetable on getting to the Super Bowl.”

On the evidence of this year while things took a tiny step in the right direction, it may be years until the Browns challenge for their first playoff appearance since 2002.