Chiefs forced to spend $20 million to meet new salary floor?

[FloridaMan88]

So it appears from most reports that the agreed upon 2011 salary cap will be $120 million with the salary floor constituting AT LEAST (and this could be increased) 90% of the salary cap (about $108 million)

Most reports had the Chiefs payroll last season near $90 million.

This means that the Chiefs will be forced to spend about $20 million just to meet the salary floor.

Clark's Chiefs will be FORCED to pursue an aggressive approach in free agency.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Laz

because so far Albert hasn't been good enough at left tackle.

If we want an offense line that can hold their own against playoff caliber defenses then i'm not sure we can have Albert at left tackle. He's not a bust but so far i haven't seen elite left tackle either.

Light isn't that much of an upgrade if at all. And the Chiefs are completely stacked at Guard. If you move Albert to LG, his natural position, you're saying that you want to bench either Lilja, Hudson, or Asamoah. I want all three of those guys in the starting lineup for a long time (assuming, of course, Asamoah and Hudson are as good as advertised--I believe they will be). If you move Albert to RT, you're asking him to play a position he's just not going to do well with. So you're basically asking to pay a mega contract only to get small upgrades at LT for a few short years, probably pretty small upgrades at Guard, and force a promising younger player out of the starting lineup.

Plus, I don't think Albert is nearly as bad as you say. He's a terrific run blocker. And he continues to improve as a pass protector. He can handle fast pass rushers, he's just been really inconsistent.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by milkman

The reason that Albert has struggled so much at LT is the fact that he hasn't been able to adjust to the techniqe.

He damn near trips over his own feet when he comes out of his stance he's thinking so much.

The primary reason, though, that Albert was seen as a potential LT was the fact that he does have naturally quick feet and the strength of his game at the guard position was his ability to work out in space.

Return him to guard, and his natural ability should return.

Yup. And with experience, that overthinking should become less of a problem. Not to say he hasn't had time... But he is learning a very difficult position after playing an entire college career at Guard. He's a guy I'm willing to have just a little more patience with. He's entering year 4, but technically, feel his rookie season was a wash. I think he's technically entering year 3, which is usually the year you expect your LT to start hitting his own.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

If you move Albert to LG, his natural position, you're saying that you want to bench either Lilja, Hudson, or Asamoah.

I'm not

I want all three of those guys in the starting lineup for a long time

so do i

If you move Albert to RT, you're asking him to play a position he's just not going to do well with.

i disagree

I don't think Albert is nearly as bad as you say.

i never said he was bad, i said he wasn't elite enough.

He's a terrific run blocker. And he continues to improve as a pass protector.

terrific run blocker, improving pass blocker? you just described a right tackle.

He can handle fast pass rushers, he's just been really inconsistent.

NO,NO,NO ... He handles power fine, he struggles against fast guys. When a guy is quick enough to line up and go inside or outside then Albert struggles with it. He's much less likely to face quick guys at RT than he does at LT.

[Mr. Laz]

btw imo we are just wasting our breath, i don't think Pioli is going to make any significant changes on the Oline. He will sign a backup swing OT and that will be about it.

Hell i even think Waters might be starting at LG again.

Pioli is not a big change guy

[BossChief]

You know what's ****ed up?

I think Haley is gonna end up being a great head coach, but he has his faults as well.

I bet if he let Albert gain 15-20 pounds that he would return to his early, promising form.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Laz

btw imo we are just wasting our breath, i don't think Pioli is going to make any significant changes on the Oline. He will sign a backup swing OT and that will be about it.

Hell i even think Waters might be starting at LG again.

Pioli is not a big change guy

He's going to have to do more than that, at least to get through camp.

IIRC, Albert and Richardson are the only two tackles on the roster, ATM.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by BossChief

You know what's ****ed up?

I think Haley is gonna end up being a great head coach, but he has his faults as well.

I bet if he let Albert gain 15-20 pounds that he would return to his early, promising form.

Couldn't agree more.

The kid was much better at a higher weight.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

He's going to have to do more than that, at least to get through camp.

IIRC, Albert and Richardson are the only two tackles on the roster, ATM.

Keep ****ing doubting Bobby Greenwood.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Laz

btw imo we are just wasting our breath, i don't think Pioli is going to make any significant changes on the Oline. He will sign a backup swing OT and that will be about it.

Hell i even think Waters might be starting at LG again.

Pioli is not a big change guy

Don't ever forget that Cassel is Piolis golden boy, massive gamble.

That would be a glaring mistake, IMO.

If Pioli thinks Light has three or more years left, sign him and make the move.

Last year we drafted two players early that were drafted to be short field targets in Moeaki and Dexter. This year, we spent a first rounder on another receiver.

If we have to spend money, Light would be a good 3 year starter...not great, but pretty good.

I'd bet we do something to bolster the line and this would upgrade multiple spots.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by BossChief

You know what's ****ed up?

I think Haley is gonna end up being a great head coach, but he has his faults as well.

I bet if he let Albert gain 15-20 pounds that he would return to his early, promising form.

Why would you think that?

When he gets beat, he's getting beat with quickness because of poor technique. He's not getting beat because of his size or strength.

And playing at a light weight has made him a terrific run blocker. Lost in all this conversation is that he's not just good at run blocking, he's becoming really, really good.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Laz

I'm notso do ii disagree
i never said he was bad, i said he wasn't elite enough.terrific run blocker, improving pass blocker? you just described a right tackle.
NO,NO,NO ... He handles power fine, he struggles against fast guys. When a guy is quick enough to line up and go inside or outside then Albert struggles with it. He's much less likely to face quick guys at RT than he does at LT.

Run blocking on the Right and Left side are two totally different things. The reason you want your "quick feet" guy on the Left side is because you generally put your best pass rushers on that side. Well on the flip side, then you put your better run stuffer to line up against the Right Tackle. Because the offense typically loads the strong side with a tight end next to a RT, your defense is going to run right a lot of the time. You have to be strong, physical, and ready to move defensive player, who are usually bigger, stronger, and physical than those lined up against the LT. Different story to ask Albert to be a guy who has to covers, up his guy and block in space as he does at LT. Different story if he's a Guard who's either asked to hold at the point of attack, as he does at Guard, or to athletically move his feet to pull and block in space.

Again, his feet and arm length are ideal for a Left Tackle. He's not getting beat because he's slow. He's getting beat because his technique is inconsistent. He's still learning and I don't see why he couldn't get better. I'd be a lot more worried if he was just plain too slow.

[BossChief]

His best pass blocking year was his rookie season playing with more weight.

He HANDLED Richard Seymour in his first start.

I'm fine with moving him to guard and signing Light and think there is probably over a 50% chance of that scenario unfolding.

That would give us a window to draft another left tackle of a couple years.

It would also improve the depth.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Don't ever forget that Cassel is Piolis golden boy, massive gamble.

That would be a glaring mistake, IMO.

If Pioli thinks Light has three or more years left, sign him and make the move.

Last year we drafted two players early that were drafted to be short field targets in Moeaki and Dexter. This year, we spent a first rounder on another receiver.

If we have to spend money, Light would be a good 3 year starter...not great, but pretty good.

I'd bet we do something to bolster the line and this would upgrade multiple spots.

It would be spending a shitload of money for a mild upgrade at LT and a good not great upgrade at RT. If you want a RT, pay for a natural RT. Light isn't going to bring a whole lot more to the table than Albert, and Albert has both youth AND a ton of upside potential.

People forget that when Brady went down, the Pats' o-line looked like a complete mess until they went pure dink-and-dunk. Some of that is on Cassel, but a lot of that is because Brady is easily the best in the game at making adjustments that make the offensive line look good. It's very hard to blitz on Brady. And most of the time, he's going to get rid of the ball very quickly. Good way to make a good not great LT look like a pro bowler. I'm not convinced at all that Light is a whole lot better than Albert.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by BossChief

His best pass blocking year was his rookie season playing with more weight.

He HANDLED Richard Seymour in his first start.

I'm fine with moving him to guard and signing Light and think there is probably over a 50% chance of that scenario unfolding.

That would give us a window to draft another left tackle of a couple years.

It would also improve the depth.

Damn. You beat me to it. That game in NE was exactly what I was thinking about.

1st game ever and he shut down one of the best DL in the league.

[BossChief]

I'd say that Albert was a "b" as a rookie, but has regressed to a "c" quality left tackle since.

Light is a solid "b" quality left tackle.

I really like what that move would do to our interior line for the long term.

Albert
Hudson
Asamoah

That's a terrific and extremely young interior line.