Well once again I am in the minority. I personally don't want a better QB, and good player, or 9-7 season this year. What I want is a GREAT QB, a GREAT player and a superbowl down the road. Now before you blast me, I will agree that there is no proof that throwing a QB to the wolves is going to kill his chances to be great, but the more I watch tape on this kid the more I see the potential for him to be something really special. The only way I can see him NOT making it big is if he gets his confidence blown so bad that it affects his passion for the game. Now before you say that is impossible I have to tell you that neither I nor you nor anyone else who hasn't played at the professional level can really imagine what it would be like to give your heart, soul, and every waking hour in the pursuit of greatness towards something, and then read in the paper every week that you are a no talent, overated, bum. Knowing that not only you, but also your wife and your family are hearing how you SUCK and how people hate you and people wish you have never came to town. Remember this guy is human, and not just human but a 22 year old. You can tell me how you they are told not to read the press and all that crap but there is no way that isn't going to affect you.
I really don't think we as fans understand the pressure we put on young atheletes. Ryan is a top 10 pick, by a team that hasn't used a 1st pick on a QB since Marino. Ryan was picked within a 6 picks of Luck and Griffin and every pass every win, loss, TD, and interception is going to be compared to how they did. Add to it that we have very little in the way of WR talent, a new right side of the OL, a new system, and new HC. Last year Andy Dalton went to a much more talented offense and had a magical year for a rookie. But he finished with a 80 QB rating. If Ryan came in and had a similiar year there would still be some around here saying "yeah but Moore had a much better year the year before".
What I am saying is no one is taking us to the super bowl this year, and I think everyone would agree there is a great chance our offense in 2013 will have more talent than the unit we field in 2012. Sitting a year will get him better up to speed, more experience handling the media, more time to get talent around him, and more time to learn the game. There won't be as much comparision to Luck and RG3 if we wait either. I can't imagine a situation where in 5 years we look back and say "WOW, we should have let him start rather than sitting him for a year", but I can easily see a situation where in 5 years we look back and say, "WOW maybe we SHOULD have let him sit a year.
I just think with his potential he is worth the wait. I guess it really comes down to this, what do YOU want for this team?? Do you want to be good again and a part of the playoff talk again, or do you want to be GREAT with some rings?? I want to see him play as much as anyone, but I think the safe bet is to let him SIT.