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.

That's a pretty strong statement.

if they seriously play Dunta at CB2 barring injury then pfffffffffffffffffffffffffft

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

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".

HE CAN PLAY IT

AT A CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL

God.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

R...Really? -Pioli

Kind of hard to confirm that when he's not signed.

(not that signing automatically confirms it, either...)

He IS signed...


Branden Albert - T - Chiefs

Chiefs signed franchise player LT Brandon Albert to a one-year, $9.828 million contract.
It's a smart move by Albert, whose $9.8 million is now fully guaranteed for the 2013 season. The move could also expedite a trade out of Kansas City, although we tentatively anticipate Albert staying with the Chiefs. The team could still entertain trade inquiries closer to the draft, especially if GM John Dorsey has already decided on selecting a left tackle at No. 1 overall.

Everything I've seen is that agreed to sign the tender, not that he has actually signed it. Maybe I've missed something today. Although the article also says "Albert has told the team he plans to sign the club’s one-year, $9.83 million contract offer as their franchise player."

You may have missed the first sentence:

Chiefs signed franchise player LT Brandon Albert to a one-year, $9.828 million contract.

If we trade Albert, our best and most experienced player on the offensive line becomes Jon Asamoah.

Rodney Hudson played meh at center before he was injured. Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson are still question marks. Geoff Schwartz is a bit of a relief, because at least he's experienced, but he IS new to the team.

And then we would have one or two rookies.

Chew on that one a second. That's one enigma of an offensive line. Nobody ****ing knows how that could go.

So much for "guaranteeing" protection for our new franchise QB Alex Smith :rolleyes:

I'm not missing anything. I have not yet seen it reported by a reputable source, although he's supposed to do it today.

The point remains: when Teicher spoke to Reid, Reid could not have confirmed Albert as the starting LT because Albert hadn't yet signed with the team.

Dude, he signed yesterday! I gave you a credible source. HE IS SIGNED. Really, I swear.

http://www.rotoworld.com/playernews/...ll-player-news

Not to mention that there's little to no value in committing to ANYTHING at this point. If he officially declared Albert to be our LT, it restricts options for the wheeling and dealing we could do with 1.1.

As I understand it, he did not sign yesterday. He told the team that he intended to sign. And it was reported that he's expected to do it today. At least that's what Teicher at the star, espn and NFL.com all said 24 hours ago. I haven't seen anything updated from any of those sources, and I don't see anything about him signing his tender on kcchiefs.com.

No, he INTENDS to sign.

These are both on rotoworld, yesterday...


Branden Albert - T - Chiefs

Citing chatter at the NFL Owners Meetings, ESPN's John Clayton believes the Dolphins could acquire franchise player LT Branden Albert from the Chiefs in exchange for a second-round draft pick.
Albert signed his one-year, $9.828 million tender on Monday and is available for trade. Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland has a need at left tackle and two second-round picks: Nos. 42 and 54. Trading for Albert would likely also require Miami signing him to a long-term extension. The Dolphins have structured their free-agent contracts in a backloaded manner and still have $15 million in cap room.
Related: Dolphins
Source: John Clayton on Twitter
Mar 18 - 6:06 PM

Player Outlook
Game Log
Career Stats
Draft Advice

Branden Albert - T - Chiefs

Chiefs signed franchise player LT Brandon Albert to a one-year, $9.828 million contract.
It's a smart move by Albert, whose $9.8 million is now fully guaranteed for the 2013 season. The move could also expedite a trade out of Kansas City, although we tentatively anticipate Albert staying with the Chiefs. The team could still entertain trade inquiries closer to the draft, especially if GM John Dorsey has already decided on selecting a left tackle at No. 1 overall.
Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter
Mar 18 - 1:15 PM

You're using rotoworld as a source?

There's your problem right there...

Several places reported that he signed (Examiner.com was one IIRC). They're incorrect. They reference Teicher's article, but misrepresent what he actually reported.

The source is Mike Garafolo actually. Rotoworld isnt a source they just regurgitate what others report

How about Pro Football Talk:

Branden Albert signs his franchise tender
March 18, 2013, 1:20 PM EDT

Just hours after reports surfaced that the Chiefs were open to a trade for offensive tackle Branden Albert, Albert has decided to remove any uncertainty about his current contractual status. Albert has accepted his franchise tender, Mike Garafolo of USA Today reports. That means Albert won’t be a training camp holdout and will play this…

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...s-city-chiefs/

Well, if there's one guy on twitter saying one thing, and literally everybody else in print and online media saying something else, I'm probably going to stick with the print and online guys.

Seriously, people. It doesn't matter.

Believe what you want, he signed YESTERDAY.

Believe what you want. He didn't.

Actually, it does. He cant be traded if he isnt under contract. He will need to negotiate a new contract with another team in order to facilitate a trade.

No it doesn't, really, aside from my point that one reason why Reid could not have confirmed him as the left tackle is the fact that he hadn't signed his tender and so wasn't on the team at the time of the question.

(the other reasons of course being that they may hope to trade him, or want to be careful what they say since they're in the middle of long-term contract negotiations)

Their source is the same guy.

Yep.

FFS...here's their source...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Chiefs OT Branden Albert has accepted his franchise tender. Will sign it soon. $9.828 million for this season. Smart move.</p>&mdash; Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/313699583039516672">March 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hah, and even he says "has accepted and will sign it soon".

Did he say "Eliminate bad football" at any point?

John Clayton of ESPN also reported it but whatever.

If the Chiefs are in trade talks with other teams, he must be signed.

Given Andys comments, I think it would take a substantial offer to make the trade.

That's another misrepresentation of a source (by roto, not by you). All Clayton said yesterday was "Updating from owners meetings, I think the Dolphins could offer a No. 2 pick to KC to land LT Branden Albert. They have 2 No. 2s".

I do not feel like that's correct, as New England traded their prized Hat Cassel to the Chefs after he had tagged with the Pats.

OK,

Branden Albert - T - Chiefs

Citing chatter at the NFL Owners Meetings, ESPN's John Clayton believes the Dolphins could acquire franchise player LT Branden Albert from the Chiefs in exchange for a second-round draft pick.
Albert signed his one-year, $9.828 million tender on Monday and is available for trade. Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland has a need at left tackle and two second-round picks: Nos. 42 and 54. Trading for Albert would likely also require Miami signing him to a long-term extension. The Dolphins have structured their free-agent contracts in a backloaded manner and still have $15 million in cap room.
Related: Dolphins
Source: John Clayton on Twitter
Mar 18 - 6:06 PM

Maybe its wrong but I have always found Rotoworld to be faster and very reliable as any other site.

Dude, I just gave you John Clayton's twitter post from yesterday that they referenced there and somehow magically turned into him saying Albert signed his deal and is available for trade.

Albert Breer said yesterday.

As*@MikeGarafolo *reported, Branden Albert notified the Chiefs today that he'll accept his franchise tender, and plans to sign it tomorrow.

Which means he signed it today guys.

Actually you posted Garafolo's, this was John Claytons.

Anyway, I believe he is signed. That does allow the Chiefs to pursue a trade. I'm not sure I want to trade him but I suppose if we are offered a very nice deal and the Chiefs are set on one of the two LTs in the draft then what the hell.

MAKE IT STOP!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

Simmer down, Pot Roast...:D:D

Thats pretty much the only thing i can take from the Reid-Dorsey duo... right now, everything means nothing.

These guys can play the cloak and dagger, room of mirrors chess game like ascended masters.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3ema7lfEAMk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

:popcorn:ROFL

bevis ate popcorn

If Reid knew what you have to have to play in this league, he would draft the only franchise QB in the draft. You have to have a Top 15 QB. We don't have one.

I like Branden Albert as a player. he plays with heart and I like that. But I understand he is not all the size/technique Reid likes in an LT. We shall see.

Holy cow. Smith is a monstrous cornerback. I didn't know his size. Has there ever been a bigger cornerback than him?

Brandon Browner. 6'4, 221

Nah, somebody else posted a pic of Garafolo's. I gave you John Clayton's off his twitter page.

We need more Brandons.

Reid had a hard on for him when it came draft day. He wanted to trade up to get Branden Albert.

Lenny walls was also 6'4". I think he barely scratched 205 though.

OK, cool. Apparently people get really upset when we try to clarify recent news. I didnt intend it to become an argument just thought the fact that he was signed could lead to trade talk between teams and player.

I think we can agree that if he isnt, he will be soon. ;)

I was bored and procrastinating, myself.

Hopefully he's done it by now. A little strange there hasn't been any news on it today.

Oh Shiet!! WalterFootball is saying a deal with us and the Eagles could already be in place.

The Eagles drafting Geno

Well, at least we could stop obsessing about it.

Let's see:

1.1 for
1.4, 2.35, and the next two year's firsts?
That's where I would start negotiating.

Seems fair..

The only downside is that I would have to root for Geno and Chip Kelly to fail HARD, despite the fact that they were both my preferred candidates for their respective positions.

Yup.

Alex Smith - Chase Daniel - Nick Foles
It will have to do.

as a LG dumbshit. and Branden Albert could have been better than Brian Waters as a LG in the NFL. Effin A.

No way in Hell B Albert would of been better than Brian Waters.

Shit, shittier and shittiest.

THIS A 1000x !!!!:thumb:

I don't think we are getting two firsts the following two years. I know that's where you are saying you would start, and that's fine, but I would be shocked if we got that.

Same, I couldn't knowingly root against them either.
I'd like for both to succeed.

At least pull a first next year.

Need our 2nd rounder back.