Chiefs Chiefs’ Reid addresses Albert’s status, cornerback competition

Mr. Laz · 03-19-2013, 03:18 PM

CHIEFS
Chiefs’ Reid addresses Albert’s status, cornerback competition
March 19
BY ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Andy Reid came close, but he didn’t end the mystery of Branden Albert and his standing with the Chiefs in an interview today.

“The thing I know is that he’s a Pro Bowl caliber left tackle,” Reid said from Phoenix, site of the NFL’s annual owners meetings. “I feel that way. He’s a very good player. I have no problem with saying that.”

With that said, Reid wouldn’t confirm Albert would be the Chiefs’ left tackle next season. Albert has told the team he plans to sign the club’s one-year, $9.83 million contract offer as their franchise player.

“I’m going to try to play the five best guys,” Reid said. “I’ve never, ever in my career put a guy into a position he hasn’t played. I had Shaun Andrews (with Philadelphia) and he might have been the finest left tackle in the National Football League had I played him there. He was playing guard for me and then he played a little bit of tackle but he was the best guard in football.

“I know (Albert) can play left tackle and I know he can play it at a championship caliber level. That’s a refreshing thing.”

Albert and his future with the Chiefs has been the subject of much public speculation. It hasn’t stopped even when Albert informed the Chiefs he would sign his one-year contract. One issue has been his position, even though Albert has been nothing but a left tackle since the Chiefs drafted him in the first round in 2008.

Another is whether the Chiefs would trade Albert. They can do so once he signs the contract.

If the Chiefs were to trade Albert or ask him to switch to guard or right tackle, they could select his replacement in either Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel or Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher with the first overall pick of the NFL Draft in April.

Both players are generally considered to be among the best players available in the draft.

Reid also addressed the issue at cornerback, which is suddenly crowded in Kansas City after the Chiefs signed veteran free agents Dunta Robinson and Sean Smith. They join last year’s starters, Brandon Flowers and Javier Arenas.

Flowers has been one of the league’s better cornerbacks almost since joining the Chiefs as a second-round draft pick in 2008, so he will keep one of the starting spots.

As for the other, Reid said, “They’re competing for that corner spot. Right now, if we were going to practice today, Dunta would be the first one in line. But they would be competing and making each other better. That will help all four of them. I’ll throw Arenas and Flowers into that mix, too.

“You know how it is with those guys. You can’t go into a season with just a couple of corners.”

Asked where Robinson, a starter the past nine seasons for Houston and Atlanta, would play if Smith wins the other starting spot, Reid said, “He’ll play somewhere. I don’t know where exactly. He’s a corner. He played safety in college so I know he can do that. But that’s not what I’m looking at right now.”

Smith, at 6 feet 3 and 218 pounds, is one of the biggest cornerbacks in the league. Reid indicated the Chiefs that size would be needed alongside the Flowers and Arenas at 5-9 and Robinson at 5-10.

“Teams are playing bigger receivers now, so it certainly doesn’t hurt,” Reid said. “It’s a positive. We want to play our corners in (tight) coverage. This will help.”

The Chiefs next season will try to catch in the AFC West standings the Denver Broncos, who have not only Peyton Manning at quarterback but Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, both 6-3, and the recently signed Wes Welker at wide receiver.

But Reid said the moves at cornerback were not aimed at the Broncos in particular.

“I didn’t do it as much for who the other teams had as much as I know what you have to have to play in this league,” he said.

keg in kc · 03-19-2013, 03:21 PM

That's a pretty strong statement.

mcaj22 · 03-19-2013, 03:22 PM

if they seriously play Dunta at CB2 barring injury then pfffffffffffffffffffffffffft

mr. tegu · 03-19-2013, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

“I’ve never, ever in my career put a guy into a position he hasn’t played. I had Shaun Andrews (with Philadelphia) and he might have been the finest left tackle in the National Football League had I played him there. He was playing guard for me and then he played a little bit of tackle but he was the best guard in football.

“I know (Albert) can play left tackle and I know he can play it at a championship caliber level. That’s a refreshing thing.”

Is this enough to squash the draft a Joekell or Fisher at 1.1 and move them to RT?

**Easy 6** · 03-19-2013, 03:22 PM

Hmmm, so Robinson isnt a lock at FS after all, interdasting.

"Yeah, hey... Alberts excellent, we all know that, doesnt mean i wont ship him out".

Direckshun · 03-19-2013, 03:24 PM

HE CAN PLAY IT

AT A CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL

God.

Hearing shit like that, makes me think Joeckel isn't happening.

Direckshun · 03-19-2013, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

Is this enough to squash the draft a Joekell or Fisher at 1.1 and move them to RT?

Joeckel played plenty of right tackle for the Aggies. He and Matthews have flipped tackle positions frequently, sometimes within the same game.

I'm not sure about Fisher.

RunKC · 03-19-2013, 03:27 PM

I hope we draft another CB in the 3rd or 4th round. There's going to be some talented guys in those rounds.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 03-19-2013, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

HE CAN PLAY IT

AT A CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL

God.

Hearing shit like that, makes me think Joeckel isn't happening.

It's meaningless hyperbole. Could just be to drive up his trade value.

Direckshun · 03-19-2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

It's meaningless hyperbole. Could just be to drive up his trade value.

It ain't meaningless.

It just confirms to me that Reid sees what we see.

Hoover · 03-19-2013, 03:29 PM

It is smart for the Chiefs to leave themselves open to all sorts of possibilities.

If someone wants to pony up for Albert, see what you can get. Otherwise lock him up, all hard feelings will be brushed aside when he signs a long term contract.

All the questions surrounding the Chiefs just help build the market for a 1st pick. Again, if someone wants it, consider their offer.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 03-19-2013, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

HE CAN PLAY IT

AT A CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL

God.

Hearing shit like that, makes me think Joeckel isn't happening.

So long Joker; we thankfully never knew ye.
Posted via Mobile Device

'Hamas' Jenkins · 03-19-2013, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

It ain't meaningless.

It just confirms to me that Reid sees what we see.

Ace Gunner · 03-19-2013, 03:34 PM

"With that said, Reid wouldn’t confirm Albert would be the Chiefs’ left tackle next season"

**kysirsoze** · 03-19-2013, 03:35 PM

Quote:

“You know how it is with those guys. You can’t go into a season with just a couple of corners.”

R...Really? -Pioli

03-19-2013, 03:18 PM
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Chiefs’ Reid addresses Albert’s status, cornerback competition CHIEFS Chiefs’ Reid addresses Albert’s status, cornerback competition March 19 BY ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Andy Reid came close, but he didn’t end the mystery of Branden Albert and his standing with the Chiefs in an interview today. “The thing I know is that he’s a Pro Bowl caliber left tackle,” Reid said from Phoenix, site of the NFL’s annual owners meetings. “I feel that way. He’s a very good player. I have no problem with saying that.” With that said, Reid wouldn’t confirm Albert would be the Chiefs’ left tackle next season. Albert has told the team he plans to sign the club’s one-year, $9.83 million contract offer as their franchise player. “I’m going to try to play the five best guys,” Reid said. “I’ve never, ever in my career put a guy into a position he hasn’t played. I had Shaun Andrews (with Philadelphia) and he might have been the finest left tackle in the National Football League had I played him there. He was playing guard for me and then he played a little bit of tackle but he was the best guard in football. “I know (Albert) can play left tackle and I know he can play it at a championship caliber level. That’s a refreshing thing.” Albert and his future with the Chiefs has been the subject of much public speculation. It hasn’t stopped even when Albert informed the Chiefs he would sign his one-year contract. One issue has been his position, even though Albert has been nothing but a left tackle since the Chiefs drafted him in the first round in 2008. Another is whether the Chiefs would trade Albert. They can do so once he signs the contract. If the Chiefs were to trade Albert or ask him to switch to guard or right tackle, they could select his replacement in either Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel or Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher with the first overall pick of the NFL Draft in April. Both players are generally considered to be among the best players available in the draft. Reid also addressed the issue at cornerback, which is suddenly crowded in Kansas City after the Chiefs signed veteran free agents Dunta Robinson and Sean Smith. They join last year’s starters, Brandon Flowers and Javier Arenas. Flowers has been one of the league’s better cornerbacks almost since joining the Chiefs as a second-round draft pick in 2008, so he will keep one of the starting spots. As for the other, Reid said, “They’re competing for that corner spot. Right now, if we were going to practice today, Dunta would be the first one in line. But they would be competing and making each other better. That will help all four of them. I’ll throw Arenas and Flowers into that mix, too. “You know how it is with those guys. You can’t go into a season with just a couple of corners.” Asked where Robinson, a starter the past nine seasons for Houston and Atlanta, would play if Smith wins the other starting spot, Reid said, “He’ll play somewhere. I don’t know where exactly. He’s a corner. He played safety in college so I know he can do that. But that’s not what I’m looking at right now.” Smith, at 6 feet 3 and 218 pounds, is one of the biggest cornerbacks in the league. Reid indicated the Chiefs that size would be needed alongside the Flowers and Arenas at 5-9 and Robinson at 5-10. “Teams are playing bigger receivers now, so it certainly doesn’t hurt,” Reid said. “It’s a positive. We want to play our corners in (tight) coverage. This will help.” The Chiefs next season will try to catch in the AFC West standings the Denver Broncos, who have not only Peyton Manning at quarterback but Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, both 6-3, and the recently signed Wes Welker at wide receiver. But Reid said the moves at cornerback were not aimed at the Broncos in particular. “I didn’t do it as much for who the other teams had as much as I know what you have to have to play in this league,” he said.
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03-19-2013, 03:21 PM	#2
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	That's a pretty strong statement.
Posts: 58,682

03-19-2013, 03:22 PM	#3
mcaj22 MVP Join Date: Feb 2010 Casino cash: $10014454	if they seriously play Dunta at CB2 barring injury then pfffffffffffffffffffffffffft
Posts: 11,886

03-19-2013, 03:22 PM	#5
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $3367775	Hmmm, so Robinson isnt a lock at FS after all, interdasting. "Yeah, hey... Alberts excellent, we all know that, doesnt mean i wont ship him out".
Posts: 92,099

03-19-2013, 03:24 PM	#6
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4173447	HE CAN PLAY IT AT A CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL God. Hearing shit like that, makes me think Joeckel isn't happening.
Posts: 59,314

03-19-2013, 03:27 PM	#8
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $1899611	I hope we draft another CB in the 3rd or 4th round. There's going to be some talented guys in those rounds. __________________ Mike Greenberg@Espngreeny I can’t fathom what it must be like to be a fan of the #Chiefs. Adopt a Chief: Jared Wiley
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03-19-2013, 03:29 PM	#11
Hoover Rufus Dawes Jr. Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $1318179	It is smart for the Chiefs to leave themselves open to all sorts of possibilities. If someone wants to pony up for Albert, see what you can get. Otherwise lock him up, all hard feelings will be brushed aside when he signs a long term contract. All the questions surrounding the Chiefs just help build the market for a 1st pick. Again, if someone wants it, consider their offer.
Posts: 17,389

03-19-2013, 03:34 PM	#14
Ace Gunner First Overall Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: kcmo Casino cash: $10007271	"With that said, Reid wouldn’t confirm Albert would be the Chiefs’ left tackle next season" __________________ The Greatest
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