Everyone and their mother expects a 3rd round comp pick for Albert as it stands right now....

The Chiefs have lost what? 5 fulltime starters this offseason? Theyve signed 1?

Top notch? I don't know that just being better than what we had makes it top notch. I wouldn't necessarily agree with that.

I like Andy Reid, but the guy has never won a playoff game without Jim Johnson coordinating his defense. I think he's good, but I'd hesitate to say "top notch."

I think Toub is a great ST coach.

Not crazy about Sutton at DC, though I at least like his system more than Crennel's.

Re: Fisher...

You're correct that the book isn't written yet... but the first chapter sucked. Not a promising start... and one that DAMPENS expectations for him.

The odds that he's even as good at LT as Brandon Albert are lower now than when he was drafted (and even then, weren't slam-dunk level).

You were indeed right. And for being so, you may have this girl for the next 57 nights and **** her brains out...

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5t-wb-RjA1...i+body+(1).jpg

I would expect the coaches to be able to watch him and Stephenson take snaps at LT in practice and be able to determine which one is the better option, and then play that guy.

It's THEIR job to figure out if he's horrible or if he can handle it.

I really don't understand this thinking.

First, I don't think Smith was a different QB in the second half of the season than he was in the first. I think the level of competition changed, the performance of his own defense changed, and so he therefore had to change the way he "managed the game".

Second. If Smith is 30, why does everyone think he only has 3 or 4 years? Romo and Brees are 34 and 35 now -are very much considered to be among the leaders in the NFL and neither show any signs of being done anytime soon.

Brady is 37 and still playing at an extremely high level. Manning at 38 is still considered the top in the league and people expect he may go 1 or 2 more seasons.

QB's don't typically retire earlier than these guys because they can't play the position anymore, they retire or are replaced because teams draft a better QB under them. If that happens with the Chiefs then what are you worried about? If someone comes along in the draft and mentors under Smith and wins the job then the window is open. If not, then Smith is still likely performing at a high level after the 3 or 4 years you guys are constantly claiming as his lifespan.

I'll grant that our coaching staff has done wonders with Poe. Even so it just means that Fisher basically has to throw away a bunch of what he learned his rookie season to learn a new position.

I hope the kid
- heals quick
- gets WAY stronger
- is a quick learner

because the defenses he's going to face this season are another level up from what he played against last season. Frankly I'd feel way more comfortable if the front office hadn't fumbled around with the Albert situation and had Fisher at left tackle last year.

There is no substitute for actual playing time, and experience in order for a player to develop, and there just isn't any way to know how a player will respond until the actual bullets start flying.
This is not debatable.

This, exactly.

4 years of play in his prime, is the MINIMUM that should be expected out of a 30 year old QB.
He's not 25, but he's also not 35, which people tend to act like.
He is in the prime of his career, and should be for half a decade.

All the more reason to play for now instead of when he's 34. It's not like he hasn't had concussion problems or anything. Look what happened to Trent Green...

Ok... he might not be in his prime past 34 but he isn't going to be fitted for a walker on his 35 bday either. If his level of play drops off we'll hopefully have a QB that has been learning from one of the smartest QB's in the league for 4or 5 years. If his play doesn't fall off drastically, then you roll with him for as long as he is able to go.

Either way, Chiefs should be in good shape at QB for quite a while.

Trent got his brains scrambled at 36 yrs old.
That would give us 6 years of Smith in his prime.

I believe that any regime should have assembled their roster, and be ready to compete for a championship by year 3.
If this team is not ready by 2015, I view it as failure.

That's just wrong, completely wrong.

He doesn't have to throw anything away.

He just has to 'mirror' the hand/foot placements of what he has learned. He has predominantly played left tackle in the past as well.

How did the front office fumble the Albert situation?

Albert wanted to be paid more than they thought he was worth.
Miami wasn't offering anymore than the Chiefs would get for a compensation pick this year.
Having a rookie start at RT is probably better than having him start at LT
we had an incredible young Oline last year that would been even more of any issue had the traded Albert.

you can make a argument that the front office handled it perfectly

Only you would try to make that argument.

Albert asking for too much?

Tag him.

Draft tackle 1.1.

Let Albert, Schwartz, and Asamoah walk out the door.

/perfect