Chiefs can rescind the tag on Albert

[FRCDFED]

I thought I saw a comment yesterday that Albert could hold out if he thought there was a chance they were going to have him play guard. I am in no way condoning that; however, it appears from this article that it would be in his best interest to sign his tender and show up.

13 fewer tags than last year

Posted by Mike Florio on March 5, 2013, 8:39 AM EST

The dust has settled on the franchise-tag designation period. Unlike last year, when 21 tags flew, only three were applied in 2013.

So what gives?

The easy explanation is that this year’s crop of players eligible for the tag wasn’t as good as last year’s. But it’s likely more complicated than that.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco would have been this year’s Drew Brees, if the Ravens had been willing or able to carry his exclusive franchise tender, like the Saints did last year with Brees. These deals get done on a deadline basis, and for the Ravens the real deadline was having to choose between two equally bad evils: more than $19 million under the exclusive tag or nearly $15 million under the non-exclusive tag, along with an opportunity for the Browns to try to steal the Super Bowl MVP.

The Titans got cold feet regarding the possibility of using the franchise tag on tight end Jared Cook. or he would have been No. 9. If he’d signed the offer and if he’d then won the inevitable grievance arguing that he’s a receiver, the Titans would have been paying Cook more in 2013 than they’ll be paying Chris Johnson.

The Titans could have instead used the tag on kicker Rob Bironas. Last year, the tag was applied to six punter/kickers. But with the market for kickers and punters expected to be soft this year, teams other than the Colts apparently opted not to invest nearly $3 million in a veteran, given that low-cost options like Blair Walsh and Greg Zeuerlein were floating in last year’s draft pool.

The biggest factor for the lack of tags could have been the salary cap. Even though the franchise tenders are now based on the five-year average cap percentage consumed by the five highest-paid players at each position, it becomes more difficult to give one large chunk of cap space to one player at a time when the total cap grew by only 0.5 percent in 2012 and 1.9 percent in 2013. For too many teams, the upward pressure of salary increases coupled with a relatively static total spending limit has made eight-figure salaries for non-superstar players a luxury that no longer can be afforded.

It should be no surprise, for example, that the Patriots didn’t use it. At a time when quarterback Tom Brady’s cap number will be $13.8 million, how could they justify tying up $10.8 million in cornerback Aqib Talib or $9.8 million in tackle Sebastian Vollmer or $11.4 million in receiver Wes Welker?

The next question is whether the one-year franchise tenders will become long-term deals. Teams have until July 15 to make that transformation.

If not, the players who have received the franchise tenders but who won’t be signing them any time soon need to worry about something that hasn’t happened in eight years: A team rescinding the tag.

Chiefs left tackle Branden Albert should be specifically concerned about that. After all, his new head coach, Andy Reid, did it twice in Philly, to defensive tackle Corey Simon in 2005 and to linebacker Jeremiah Trotter three years earlier. If/when the Chiefs take left tackle Luke Joeckel with the first pick in the 2013 draft, Albert may want to quickly put pen to paper for his $9.828 million salary, or the chance to do so may permanently evaporate.

Then, he would end up on the open market in May, long after the big money has flowed for the year.

Given the new realities of a cap-strapped NFL, that’s a real concern that every franchise player should now have.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by patteeu

The Ravens are going to have challenges in 2013. I won't say their window is closed, but it's not nearly as open as it was last year. They were in "win now, and I mean right now" mode last year. Unless you think the Chiefs are ready to take a run at the Super Bowl in 2013 and you're willing to take a step back in 2014 to rebuild/retool, it's not really an apt comparison.

The Chiefs should be building toward a freshly opened window over the next 2 years, not acting like the window is about to close.

Pat, this practice is by no means limited to the Ravens. Look at San Fran's depth chart. Who's their backup tackles?

San Fran depth chart: http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/depth/_/...rancisco-49ers

How about the Patriots?

http://www.patriots.com/games-and-st...pth-chart.html

Or the Packers, where Dorsey was involved?

http://www.packers.com/team/depth-chart.html

Look at the way these playoff teams handled their backup OLine situation. You'll find in many cases there are no backup tackles, or they have 1 backup for multiple positions. You're grossly overestimating how they supply the OLine position.

[RyFo18]

How many more ****ing Albert scenarios do I have to live through? What about the one where he our starting LT in 2013? I haven't heard that one.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

I'm envious the Ravens won another Super Bowl but I don't see them as a contender next year...I see them as a quality, but aging team that would need another Rahim Moore to go their way...honestly, gun to head, I feel like they could miss the playoffs next year.

I could be wrong, I'm anti-flacco so that plays a part in it for me

You are so butt hurt over the Rahim Moore deal. Every Super Bowl champ has a break that goes there way.

[KC_Lee]

Originally Posted by RyFo18

How many more ****ing Albert scenarios do I have to live through? What about the one where he our starting LT in 2013? I haven't heard that one.

Get out of here with that sort of talk!!

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by patteeu

The Chiefs should be building toward a freshly opened window over the next 2 years, not acting like the window is about to close.

Too bad the Chiefs don't agree with you.

They're TOTALLY operating as if the window is open RIGHT NOW.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Too bad the Chiefs don't agree with you.

They're TOTALLY operating as if the window is open RIGHT NOW.

They'd be foolish not to believe that.

Just two years ago, this team went 7-9 without Eric Berry, Tony Moeaki and Jamaal Charles. They had Matt Cassel, Tyler Palko and Kyle Orton as QB's.

Fast forward two seasons and not only do they have six Pro Bowlers and all of those players back from major injury, they've added a very good "game manager" in Alex Smith and one of the best offensive minds in the NFL as head coach. They've also finally switched to an attacking "1 gap" defense, something me and others have been screaming for since the 3-4 conversion.

If the Chiefs continue to have a good offseason, I see no reason why they shouldn't feel like the window is open.

It's not like the AFC is loaded with great teams right now.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Fish

The point is that the Superbowl champions didn't feel it necessary to have a LTotF even on the roster. Their starting RT was their backup LT. They won the Superbowl with that approach.

Yet you're advocating that a 2-14 team spend a first round pick on a LT this year, when we not only already have a 1st round pick already playing there, but we spent the #74 overall pick on his backup just last season. You outright admit that we still don't know how good Stephenson is. Yet you're ready to spend a high pick on a replacement already.

The Ravens are currently in a different phase of their roster cycle than we are. In 2008, the Ravens LT was Jared Gaither. He started 15 games that year and played pretty well. The Ravens drafted a LTotF in the first round of the 2009 draft even though Gaither was going to be back. In 2009, Gaither continued to play LT for them (although that year he had signficant injury issues) while Michael Oher was introduced to the line at RT.

The next year, Oher moved to the left side and Gaither was released.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Fish

Pat, this practice is by no means limited to the Ravens. Look at San Fran's depth chart. Who's their backup tackles?

San Fran depth chart: http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/depth/_/...rancisco-49ers

How about the Patriots?

http://www.patriots.com/games-and-st...pth-chart.html

Or the Packers, where Dorsey was involved?

http://www.packers.com/team/depth-chart.html

Look at the way these playoff teams handled their backup OLine situation. You'll find in many cases there are no backup tackles, or they have 1 backup for multiple positions. You're grossly overestimating how they supply the OLine position.

No one is advocating that we carry a front-line-quality, ready-to-start-now offensive tackle as a backup. That shouldn't be so hard to understand.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Too bad the Chiefs don't agree with you.

They're TOTALLY operating as if the window is open RIGHT NOW.

They're operating as if the window is opening. They're not (and they should not be) acting as if the window is closing. I doubt seriously that they think a Super Bowl run is much more than a small possibility in 2013. I wouldn't be surprised if they think contention in the division and a playoff appearance are pretty possible though and if you get that far, anything can happen (Carl!).

[Fish]

Originally Posted by patteeu

No one is advocating that we carry a front-line-quality, ready-to-start-now offensive tackle as a backup. That shouldn't be so hard to understand.

Could have fooled me....

Originally Posted by patteeu

I don't accept your evaluation. Replacing the worst member of the line with a guy talented enough to be considered for the 1.1 pick is going to make the line better. More importantly, it's likely to make the line better over the next several years, not just in year one.

Originally Posted by patteeu

I'm one of the dumb****s who thinks the line is important and that it's long term quality should be treated as a high priority.

Originally Posted by patteeu

Offensive line isn't a place where you want just-in-time replacements, particularly if you're going to rely on mid-to-late round picks. Waiting until next year to decide that you need an immediate replacement for BA and that Stephenson isn't going to cut it is a bad position to end up in.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Fish

Could have fooled me....

I guess I did. Nowhere have I advocated carrying a starter as a backup. If anything, I've suggested the possibility that Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson would go back to being backups where they can continue to develop and maybe, a year from now, one of them might be ready to step in somewhere along the line.

And FTR, I'm also not advocating a LT at 1.1, but if it happens, I'll understand it.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by patteeu

I guess I did. Nowhere have I advocated carrying a starter as a backup. If anything, I've suggested the possibility that Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson would go back to being backups where they can continue to develop and maybe, a year from now, one of them might be ready to step in somewhere along the line.

And FTR, I'm also not advocating a LT at 1.1, but if it happens, I'll understand it.

Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson are the current backups. We still don't know how good they will be. If we draft other linemen, we will not retain those new rookies plus Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson. Because teams don't carry that many OLinemen. So at the least, you're advocating that we give up on previous #44 overall pick and #74 overall picks, and replace them with other unknowns before you yourself are even sure about their potential. So any outcome is going to be a waste of good draft picks.

It's a dumb approach. Our current linemen are good enough, and our currently backups have enough potential, that OLine is very far from a need that should be addressed before QB and even other positions.

[Nightfyre]

Originally Posted by Fish

Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson are the current backups. We still don't know how good they will be. If we draft other linemen, we will not retain those new rookies plus Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson. Because teams don't carry that many OLinemen. So at the least, you're advocating that we give up on previous #44 overall pick and #74 overall picks, and replace them with other unknowns before you yourself are even sure about their potential. So any outcome is going to be a waste of good draft picks.

It's a dumb approach. Our current linemen are good enough, and our currently backups have enough potential, that OLine is very far from a need that should be addressed before QB and even other positions.

I have to agree with the fish. Stephenson is a quality backup with starter potential at this point in my mind. He flashed a lot last year, but also made some rookie mistakes. Allen appears to have a bit further to go, but is certainly serviceable at this juncture.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Fish

Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson are the current backups. We still don't know how good they will be. If we draft other linemen, we will not retain those new rookies plus Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson. Because teams don't carry that many OLinemen. So at the least, you're advocating that we give up on previous #44 overall pick and #74 overall picks, and replace them with other unknowns before you yourself are even sure about their potential. So any outcome is going to be a waste of good draft picks.

It's a dumb approach. Our current linemen are good enough, and our currently backups have enough potential, that OLine is very far from a need that should be addressed before QB and even other positions.

Someone has to start at LG. If those two are current backups, we have an empty spot on the line. And a second spot is up in the air for 2014 depending on what happens with Albert.

So no. What you say I'm advocating is not what I'm advocating. You're building a strawman (perhaps unintentionally if you didn't realize that Ryan Lilja is retiring). OLine is a need.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by patteeu

Someone has to start at LG. If those two are current backups, we have an empty spot on the line. And a second spot is up in the air for 2014 depending on what happens with Albert.

So no. What you say I'm advocating is not what I'm advocating. You're building a strawman (perhaps unintentionally if you didn't realize that Ryan Lilja is retiring). OLine is a need.

Allen is starting at LG, and Hochstein is backing him up. So not really......