Football experts: Making the switch from left to right tackle

[RealSNR]

People are throwing this idea around a lot. Donald Stephenson and Jeff Allen get a shot at starting RT. Branden Albert should move from left to right. Jake Long should sign as a RT. Meanwhile, the Packers are openly entertaining the idea of moving Bryan Bulaga to from RT to LT, figuring that their best lineman on the roster needs to play the most important position.

My only experience with watching these side switches occurred in 2002 where John Tait moved over to RT to make room for Willie Roaf. Oh, and also when Damien McIntosh moved from LT to RT to make way for Branden Albert, but nobody really gives a shit about that.

However, I do remember the John Tait thing being considered a big deal. Tait did offseason interviews at OTAs and at training camp where he explained the sheer amount of work that is involved in making the switch. It's a muscle memory thing. You're taking everything you learned how to do with your right and left hands and feet and flip-flopping it all. Not only do your responsibilities in terms of the playbook change, but the entire TECHNIQUE is different, and requires careful, repetitive drills to be hammered out so the switch goes smoothly.

So my question is am I accurate with that description of making the switch? Or am I (and Tait) blowing shit out of proportion? Because to me, it seems like Albert is pretty resistant to making that change not only for the money and for his personal pride as a premier LT in the league, but also because he probably doesn't feel like re-learning how to play the tackle position in one offseason, where he would then potentially have to leave the team if the Chiefs want to go in a different direction. Why put in the work if the results aren't worth it, after all?

[penbrook]

Per Donald Stephenson

Chiefs fans need to start giving Brandon Albert his respect.. We are blessed with one of the top LT in the league.. Show some appreciation!!

[Fritz88]

Originally Posted by penbook

Per Donald Stephenson

Chiefs fans need to start giving Brandon Albert his respect.. We are blessed with one of the top LT in the league.. Show some appreciation!!

He doesn't want his spot threatened.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Easy 6]

Dear Donald, you are WAY late to the party, we already do, and have for the last several years.

Also, while its fashionable to hate everything ESPN, i just watched Schlereth talk about just how hard it really is to switch tackle positions... its a desperation move at best and usually isnt in the best interest of the player, particularly if he's been in the same spot for several years.

The thought of trying to switch Albert to LT? i'll have to see it to believe it... these guys cant possibly be that dumb.

[pr_capone]

Originally Posted by penbook

Per Donald Stephenson

Chiefs fans need to start giving Brandon Albert his respect.. We are blessed with one of the top LT in the league.. Show some appreciation!!

Mr. Stephenson:

Branden Albert is being paid top 5 LT money. If Coach Reid tell his to shag punts or block on ST... then he should be grateful for the opportunity to be paid that much money to do so. Chiefs fans have a very difficult time respecting ANY player who takes the stance of himself above the team. If moving to RT or LG improves the team... I expect him to do so while being paid more per game than the majority of us get paid per year to go to work every single day.

In the end. Branden Albert needs to cash his check and . Whining on Twitter is something I would expect from a drama queen like TO. Not a professional like B. Albert.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by pr_capone

Mr. Stephenson:

Branden Albert is being paid top 5 LT money. If Coach Reid tell his to shag punts or block on ST... then he should be grateful for the opportunity to be paid that much money to do so. Chiefs fans have a very difficult time respecting ANY player who takes the stance of himself above the team. If moving to RT or LG improves the team... I expect him to do so while being paid more per game than the majority of us get paid per year to go to work every single day.

In the end. Branden Albert needs to cash his check and . Whining on Twitter is something I would expect from a drama queen like TO. Not a professional like B. Albert.

Stupid as ****.

[WV]

Originally Posted by pr_capone

Mr. Stephenson:

Branden Albert is being paid top 5 LT money. If Coach Reid tell his to shag punts or block on ST... then he should be grateful for the opportunity to be paid that much money to do so. Chiefs fans have a very difficult time respecting ANY player who takes the stance of himself above the team. If moving to RT or LG improves the team... I expect him to do so while being paid more per game than the majority of us get paid per year to go to work every single day.

In the end. Branden Albert needs to cash his check and . Whining on Twitter is something I would expect from a drama queen like TO. Not a professional like B. Albert.

You have a point to a certain extent. Yes Albert will make a crap ton playing under the Tag, but if he switches to RT he will be costing himself money long term. I think people are glossing over this fact far too much. It's the same fight T. Suggs had when they tried to tag him as a DE instead of an OLB.
There isn't a person on this forum that would be willing to take what amounts to a demotion without bitching about it.

[Cephalic Trauma]

Originally Posted by WV

You have a point to a certain extent. Yes Albert will make a crap ton playing under the Tag, but if he switches to RT he will be costing himself money long term. I think people are glossing over this fact far too much. It's the same fight T. Suggs had when they tried to tag him as a DE instead of an OLB.
There isn't a person on this forum that would be willing to take what amounts to a demotion without bitching about it.

Great minds.

[Ace Gunner]

Originally Posted by Cephalic Trauma

Great minds.

great piles of shit.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by WV

You have a point to a certain extent. Yes Albert will make a crap ton playing under the Tag, but if he switches to RT he will be costing himself money long term. I think people are glossing over this fact far too much. It's the same fight T. Suggs had when they tried to tag him as a DE instead of an OLB.
There isn't a person on this forum that would be willing to take what amounts to a demotion without bitching about it.

Exactly.

[Cephalic Trauma]

Originally Posted by pr_capone

Mr. Stephenson:

Branden Albert is being paid top 5 LT money. If Coach Reid tell his to shag punts or block on ST... then he should be grateful for the opportunity to be paid that much money to do so. Chiefs fans have a very difficult time respecting ANY player who takes the stance of himself above the team. If moving to RT or LG improves the team... I expect him to do so while being paid more per game than the majority of us get paid per year to go to work every single day.

In the end. Branden Albert needs to cash his check and . Whining on Twitter is something I would expect from a drama queen like TO. Not a professional like B. Albert.

Mr. Capone:

What if your employer asked you to move to a new position, where you will be paid the same, but it will severely hinder your advancement in the future, and thus, your future earnings?

In Albert's case, if he hits FA, he may be paid RT money instead of LT money, or he'll have to hope a team will pay him LT money and go from LT-->RT-->LT. That's not fair to the player.

[Ace Gunner]

Originally Posted by Cephalic Trauma

Mr. Capone:

What if your employer asked you to move to a new position, where you will be paid the same, but it will severely hinder your advancement in the future, and thus, your future earnings?

In Albert's case, if he hits FA, he may be paid RT money instead of LT money, or he'll have to hope a team will pay him LT money and go from LT-->RT-->LT. That's not fair to the player.

wtf is wrong with you. if a player is good at LT and is moved to RT due to circumstance/needs and then hits the FA, other teams are going to know his history. those that aren't picked up and moved to LT again aren't good. JFC it's pro sports not high school.

[Cephalic Trauma]

Originally Posted by Buzz_TinBalls

wtf is wrong with you. if a player is good at LT and is moved to RT due to circumstance/needs and then hits the FA, other teams are going to know his history. those that aren't picked up and moved to LT again aren't good. JFC it's pro sports not high school.

Coming from the guy who just said, "As a former wideout..."

[Cephalic Trauma]

Originally Posted by Buzz_TinBalls

wtf is wrong with you. if a player is good at LT and is moved to RT due to circumstance/needs and then hits the FA, other teams are going to know his history. those that aren't picked up and moved to LT again aren't good. JFC it's pro sports not high school.

This also goes completely against your first post (which I agree with, but qualifying it with "As a former wideout..." is comical at best).

He has to learn what is essentially an entirely new position at a high level, and be effective. You are underestimating the difficulty of switching between the two sides. It's bad for both parties (player and team).

[mdchiefsfan]

Originally Posted by Buzz_TinBalls

wtf is wrong with you. if a player is good at LT and is moved to RT due to circumstance/needs and then hits the FA, other teams are going to know his history. those that aren't picked up and moved to LT again aren't good. JFC it's pro sports not high school.

They still have an advantage over him saying, "Well, two years ago you played LT well. I don't know if you're still a top 10 LT in the league since you played RT last year."

That will cost him money.