I can look at anybody's rookie stats and pick on some better and worse than Weeden's. Manning's maybe worse, but anyone with half a brain could see the potential to be great was above and beyond what Weeden could ever do.
I'm not talking about one player from each team who may be better or worse than the Browns best receiver or running back. The overall talent level at the skill positions is better than that of Washington or Seattle IMO...And if it isn't it's damn close. Yes I would say Lynch is better than TRich and Garcon maybe a slightly above average WR although I'd still probably take Gordon...but there certainly isn't a drastic drop off to Cleveland's group anymore...This isn't three years ago.
One thing to keep in mind in your anti-Russell Wilson paragraph is that Cam Newton got worse as the league adjusted to him as opposed to Wilson who is starting to see the field much better and making better decisions as he matures.
Just not sure where you're seeing this elite potential from Weeden while slamming these other guys as "products of the system" or "having superior supporting casts."
Weeden has been remarkably average, probably below average. He's got a great deep ball though, so I can see where people are getting excited about him given what they've seen from the Browns in the past.
It's not as simple as people think to just suddenly be able to read defenses, make good decisions under pressure and stop turning the ball over. It doesn't always come with experience.
