Albert may not be done here !

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Branden Albert, Chiefs hoping to work out contract0By Chris Wesseling
Around the League Writer

Published: Feb. 22, 2014 at 12:08 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Despite rampant speculation to the contrary, the Kansas City Chiefs have not decided to let left tackle Branden Albert walk in free agency.

General manager John Dorsey told NFL Media's Steve Wyche on Friday that the Chiefs are still hoping to work out a deal for Albert before free agency begins in March.


Dorsey declined to say if the franchise tag would be an option should the sides fail to reach an accord. Because he was tagged last year, Albert would merit a 120 percent raise on his $9.828 million contract from 2013.

More proof that Albert remains in the team's plans? Dorsey told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday that 2013 No. 1 overall draft pick Eric Fisher is still penciled in as a right tackle, not a left tackle.

Albert is one of this year's top 10 free agents. If he's kept off the market, tackle-needy teams such as the Arizona Cardinals will be disappointed.

As for quarterback Alex Smith, Dorsey confirmed to Wyche that an extension is on the agenda, but there is no rush to complete a deal.

Neither Albert nor Smith can be blamed for the Chiefs' late-season collapse. This offense scored 35 points in five of their last seven games, including four games with more than 40 points.

[planetdoc]

Originally Posted by milkman

The Chiefs can tag him and rescind the offer at any time prior to signing.

I realize that. That is why I said, "Once he signs."

Albert too knows this, that is why he signed his tag quickly last yr and likely would do the same if he is tagged again. Chiefs cant afford that bluff. Other teams know that as well.

Its like playing a game of high stakes poker with poor cards and everyone else knows your hand. You have to know when to hold 'em, fold 'em and walk away.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

No, he's not wrong on the value. I don't have a problem with Branden Albert. I think he's a solidly good Left Tackle.

So, let's review.

SNR is not wrong about Albert's value as a "solidly good" LT, IYO.
A "solidly good" LT is worth about 8 to 11 mil a year, IYO.

But Albert is not worth 8 to 11 mil a year, IYO.

Contradictory much?

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by milkman

So, let's review.

SNR is not wrong about Albert's value as a "solidly good" LT, IYO.
A "solidly good" LT is worth about 8 to 11 mil a year, IYO.

But Albert is not worth 8 to 11 mil a year, IYO.

Contradictory much?

No, it's not contradictory. I think 8 to 11 mil a year is too much for a "solidly good" Left Tackle. Just as I thought 1.1 was a reach for a Left Tackle.

At least I'm being consistent. I think they're low positional value in terms of draft stock and compensation. You don't think it's a little strange that the same people who fought against picking a Left Tackle (largely because of positional value) are suddenly acting like Albert is unreplaceable?

[milkman]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

SNR is pretty directly saying that he should be paid "solidly good" Left Tackle money. With a new salary cap, that means he deserves $8-11M per year.

.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by milkman

.

I don't understand what your point is. SNR and I both agree that Albert's value is about $8-11M (or at least I assume he thinks that). He thinks we should pay it, I don't.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I don't understand what your point is. SNR and I both agree that Albert's value is about $8-11M (or at least I assume he thinks that). He thinks we should pay it, I don't.

My point is pretty clear.

[Mother****erJones]

Albert is worth 8-10 mil IMO. Myself unless it's Willie Roaf I wouldn't because I'd spend that on some playmakers.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

I really don't care about all the money, that's what Dorsey is here for. I just know we are better off as a team to NOT have to replace him.

[OrtonsPiercedTaint]

Since Smith can be mobile, the value of a LT over a RT may be lessened somewhat. Though he is getting older.

[Mother****erJones]

Originally Posted by OrtonsPiercedTaint

Since Smith can be mobile, the value of a LT over a RT may be lessened somewhat. Though he is getting older.

Not at all. He was running for his life at times.

[OrtonsPiercedTaint]

He was pretty decent at it. But if he has to do it more often(more, less BA) the succes rate could drop.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Weren't you one of the big leaders of the charge that Left Tackles should never be 1.1's? Especially if they're not elite?

If they shouldn't be 1.1's, then what makes you think they should be worth $10M+? Or that these guys are irreplaceable?

It's pretty hypocritical. I know you don't like Fisher, but if we assume we give the job to Stephenson, the drop off in losing Albert looks like it won't be very big.

Also... of course the team loses a starting talent. But guess what, you can spend that $10M+ elsewhere. So yes, the team probably does better if they start Fisher and Stephenson and use that $10M to sign a free safety.

Orlando Paces should be 1.1s. If the player is good enough and enters the draft in just the right year, you can probably make a case for a lot of unorthodox positions going at 1.1. Eric Fisher is not Orlando Pace, and neither was Luke Joeckel or Lane Johnson. Therefore, the team should have went to a different player.

Didn't we just franchise Albert and pay him the average 1-year salary of the top 5 tackles in the NFL? Wasn't that number under 10 million? I'm pretty sure it was 9.5 or something like that. If we pay Albert like a top 5-10 tackle, his average salary per year figures to be around 8 or 8.5 I would assume. I don't know the numbers or the feasibility of that, I'm just making guesses based on what little I know about salary caps.

You're not willing to pay that in order to solve this offensive line garbage once and for all? So we can finally stop wasting so many 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks on offensive linemen who suck? That's a bargain, to me.

But whatever.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by milkman

My point is pretty clear.

No, your point isn't clear. Mother****er Jones' is saying the same exact thing as me. And he's spot on.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by SNR

Orlando Paces should be 1.1s. If the player is good enough and enters the draft in just the right year, you can probably make a case for a lot of unorthodox positions going at 1.1. Eric Fisher is not Orlando Pace, and neither was Luke Joeckel or Lane Johnson. Therefore, the team should have went to a different player.

I agree with you. But Orlando Paces are also worth the $8-10M. A "solidly good" left tackle like Albert is not, even if the market will pay him that.

Didn't we just franchise Albert and pay him the average 1-year salary of the top 5 tackles in the NFL? Wasn't that number under 10 million? I'm pretty sure it was 9.5 or something like that. If we pay Albert like a top 5-10 tackle, his average salary per year figures to be around 8 or 8.5 I would assume. I don't know the numbers or the feasibility of that, I'm just making guesses based on what little I know about salary caps.

I think we both agree on market value

You're not willing to pay that in order to solve this offensive line garbage once and for all? So we can finally stop wasting so many 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks on offensive linemen who suck? That's a bargain, to me.

I don't want to draft a 1.1 left tackle because you can use that on a playmaker
I don't want to spend $8-11M on a left tackle because you can use that same money on a playmaker

The real bargain is if Stephenson and/or Fisher comes close to Albert level play. Based on how Stephenson played, no reason to think there will be a huge dropoff. And no, I don't have a problem with continually pumping draft picks into offensive linemen, if it means that a few years from now when Stephenson is up for a new contract, you aren't obligated to pay him $10M.

[RealSNR]

When did I say Albert was irreplaceable, zilla? He's a valuable part of this team; he's not irreplaceable, but he's certainly not something to be celebrated when he leaves like Matt Cassel or Kendrick Lewis (hopefully). I said fans around here don't give him enough credit for the quality of player that he is. He was by far our best offensive lineman last season, yet whenever a conversation about Fisher/Albert is had on this forum, it usually devolves into, "Branden Albert just isn't that great of a LT because penalties/was a guard in college/injuries/etc." And that becomes an overreaction to biting the bullet and letting him walk to justify letting Fisher take over.