There were lots of unknowns, but there were plenty of questions about Kolb that were known. Many posters on the board saw those questions and thought it was way too much to give up in terms of players (including this draft pick in a stout class) and contract given such unknowns. I agreed emphatically with them. Sure I hoped he did good, but the guy either is or isn't the guy based on everything, and I felt it wasn't even close to a sound judgment given those questions.
We also don't know what Fitz would have done. Our chances with just Skelton would have been less to keep him, but there were other options out there, and if we told Fitz that we just didn't think Kolb was worth the risk yet were willing to pay big money and draft picks plus players for a guy they thought was would have helped our chances.
I for one (but not only) even mentioned the concussion in limited playing time, and thought we gave up a pick, player, and huge contract to a guy that might have concussion issues which could render any discussion of talent moot. That's a huge unsure in my book. It's just not common for a guy who is going to start for a decade plus to get a concussion that early. Heck it was the first game of the season.
Given all of that, I felt he wasn't worth it. I think a front office has to always be making smart moves, and Kolb was not a smart move. Front offices that are good would convey to any player in a similar position to Fitz and say, just wait, we're on the ball, and looking, but Kolb isn't it. We gave up too much for real for the unknown.
Sure he could have worked out, and once in you hope he works out, but hope doesn't change a players ability or cures him of concussion proneness. But just because there is a chance, doesn't mean you take it, because someone can find a chance with anyone. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and wait for a better shot.
We are only guessing that Fitz would have gone somewhere else without Kolb on board. He wants a good QB throwing to him, but you can't manufacture one, he is either there or not. We sure paid like there was one, and we didn't get it, which only hurts our ability to get one now or later.
Personally I was willing to try Smith or Hasselbeck as stop gaps. I was also willing to go with Skelton if nothing materialized so that we could give him a shot being better than stunting his growth in favor of overpaying for the wrong guy. Forcing a choice because of being scared is no way to run a front office. I'm not saying they were 'scared', but really Fitz's contract should of had little impact. I can understand the issue to show him you're trying, but you don't have to follow through to show him you're trying.
I could roll with Blackmon too, I just see imo that Floyd is a perfect fit for us. I don't see how we get to choose between the two, thus if any of the two are on the board I would love if we drafted either.
It seems to me Floyd has a nice combination of traits. Some like Boldin, some like Larry. Our staff has used both very effectively. But I also wouldn't mind Blackmon. I'm also not set on any position to be drafted, I just hope we get a stud that we can use for many years. But Floyd if not my #1 choice, is definitely top three, of a list that is literally more than a dozen long that I'd be happy with.
