Chiefs Teicher: Albert shaping up at tackle for Chiefs - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-28-2010, 11:59 PM

Albert shaping up at tackle for Chiefs
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

When the 2009 season mercifully ended, Branden Albert was like everyone else and unsure whether he would be the Chiefs’ left tackle when they gathered again.

Albert was still trying to establish himself as a quality player at his position, a premium one because it protects the back side of quarterback Matt Cassel and battles each week against the NFL’s best pass rushers.

Albert decided shortly after season’s end that he would prepare as if he would have to battle to keep his job. That decision might have persuaded the Chiefs not to draft a left tackle.

In any case, it was an extremely quiet preseason for Albert until Friday night’s game against Philadelphia. Albert was penalized once for holding and another time for a false start.

Still, the Chiefs are encouraged by what they’ve seen from Albert. He ties that to his offseason decision.

“I really wasn’t thinking about what else would happen,” Albert said. “My thing was not to make the same mistake I did last offseason by getting out of shape. That’s what I was worried about. If I had done what I did last year, it would have been a big step back.

“I didn’t worry about what else was going on. I wanted to control what I could control and that was to come into the offseason in the best shape possible.”

In last year’s new world of coach Todd Haley, smaller was deemed to be better for a lot of Chiefs players and Albert was one of them. He had trouble getting to his prescribed weight of 316 pounds and then had trouble dealing with his new, slimmed-down body.

The result was a difficult season. Albert was among the league leaders in sacks allowed, sparking thoughts the Chiefs would look for a new left tackle with the fifth pick in the draft and then move Albert to right tackle or guard, where he played at Virginia.

Two things stopped the Chiefs — aside from the fact they fell in love with Tennessee safety Eric Berry. Albert improved toward the end of last season and attacked the offseason with a vengeance.

“I’ve felt that about Branden going back to last year, from the conditioning aspect to buying in to the thought process to believing what he was told, that he could be a better player if he was in better condition and at a certain weight,” Haley said.

“He went through an adjustment period of dealing with his new body. He stayed in shape when the season ended. He came into this offseason with a baseline of where he needed to be and then he built on it. He’s gotten stronger, he’s gotten quicker, he’s got better stamina.”

Veteran left guard Brian Waters last year was Albert’s biggest — and seemingly sometimes only — fan. He vigorously defended Albert, saying that given time, Albert could become a franchise left tackle for years.

Waters hoped the Chiefs wouldn’t draft a left tackle.

“I didn’t think it was necessary, to be honest with you,” Waters said. “He has the ability to be as good there is in this game. We had a lot of other pressing needs that were definitely more important than that one.

“I know how hard he works. He wants to be great. That’s one thing about him. His work ethic and his concentration in the classroom and on the field match what he wants out of life as far as being a football player. A lot of guys say they want it but they don’t want to put in the work and handle all the details. He’s one of those guys who if you give him something he did wrong, he’s going to work all week to fix that.

“He’s not one of those guys who thinks he has all the answers, which a lot of times those high draft picks … these days you don’t even need to be a high draft pick. He listens, takes everything in.”

The Chiefs were hopeful about Albert’s progress when camp started but unsure. So far, he’s been what they hoped.

“He’s got (Tamba Hali) lining up across from him every single day,” Haley said. “When Tamba brings in it like he’s bringing it in a game … he isn’t calling off the dogs very often. I see a good battle between Branden and Tamba on a consistent basis.

“He’s got good competition and that makes the game a little easier for him. He’s just got to keep it going.”

The Chiefs gave Albert a vote of confidence when they opted to pass on the chance to draft a left tackle, but Albert isn’t necessarily looking at it that way.

“I won’t say that,” Albert said. “I’ll just say that what I’ve done in the offseason showed people what I needed to show them.

“I’m not going to say I’m a better player. Let me go through the season first. I’ve started off on a good foot by staying in shape in the offseason and doing what I had to do. From January to March, I think I did a good job. We’ll see how everything plays out during the season.”

Sheffield out of hospital

The Chiefs confirmed Saturday that linebacker Cameron Sheffield, who was injured in Friday’s preseason game against Philadelphia, has been released from the hospital.

Sheffield, who suffered a neck injury on what appeared to be a helmet-to-helmet hit while making a tackle, was immobilized and carried off the field. He has movement in all of his extremities, the Chiefs said.

Sheffield was a fifth-round pick from Troy in this year’s draft.

chiefzilla1501 · 08-29-2010, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cool han Luke

Is it me? Or does any body else think Albert would play better with more weight? We drafted him becouse he was big and could play LT. I think his weight loss has significalty deminished his skills some how. Thought he had more potential with the bigger size than he has now. Just my thoughts. Now think he should just play guard and have to draft another LT next year. At least we would have a replacemnt for Brian Waters. Not sure how much longer Brian Waters is going to be around. He is getting up there in age.

In a Zone Blocking Scheme, his weight is just fine. If he adds weight, that's playing to the strengths of a totally different blocking scheme.

**Bane** · 08-29-2010, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

In a Zone Blocking Scheme, his weight is just fine. If he adds weight, that's playing to the strengths of a totally different blocking scheme.

That's all fine and dandy but he's a big nasty sumbitch,let him fuggn eat and play like a big nasty sumbitch!
Posted via Mobile Device

**Dave Lane** · 08-29-2010, 09:29 AM

What we don't need is a bunch of fat asses at any position. Adding weight by adding muscle is what wouldn't be bad. But just being fat and out of shape won't help his game.

**cabletech94** · 08-29-2010, 09:59 AM

as someone else called him......

"eagle eye" says it like it is.

*sarcasm pretty thick here*

RedThat · 08-29-2010, 10:07 AM

One thing I've noticed about Albert ever since we drafted him, he always gets off to slow starts. But he's had to make a lot of adjustments the last two years.

What I do like about him is he plays better as the season goes on. He just seems like one of those guys that starts off slow but finishes strong. Not sold on him being a franchise LT, but I think he will be solid.

chiefzilla1501 · 08-29-2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bane_58

That's all fine and dandy but he's a big nasty sumbitch,let him fuggn eat and play like a big nasty sumbitch!
Posted via Mobile Device

He's also athletic as shit and plays really well in space. His upside is in his feet, not in his size. I don't have a problem w/him playing at a lower weight. And for a ZBS, where pass protection tends not to be phenomenal, I think he's doing just fine.

Let's take Wiegmann vs. Niswanger, for example. The reason Wiegmann's been so much more effective is that he's a pretty terrific space blocker. In a ZBS, I'd rather have a space blocker who's outmatched by big blockers than the other way around.

Mr. Laz · 08-29-2010, 10:44 AM

weird how they write this piece after Alberts worse preseason game.

**QuikSsurfer** · 08-29-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I don't really understand why people have such issues with our o-line. It's not like Cassel is getting hit a lot. It's not like he's getting a ton of pressure. It's not like we're struggling to move the ball on the ground.

Jamaal Charles proved that our run blocking wasn't bad--we just need a RB with the vision to see the hole and hit it. Cassel, I believe, will prove that a good QB should do the same thing. A QB can spot a blitz from a mile away and get rid of the ball so fast, they really don't need to pass protect. If Cassel had any hint of pocket awareness, we'd eliminate a huge chunk of our sacks and pressures.

Wat

chiefzilla1501 · 08-29-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

weird how they write this piece after Alberts worse preseason game.

When you see what you want to see, yes.
http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2010/8...aking-down-the

This guy for Arrowhead Pride has been breaking down the o-line tape play by play. Albert has not been nearly as bad as some people want to make him out to be.

chiefzilla1501 · 08-29-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer

Wat

In the beginning of last season, Cassel was getting sacked a ton because the interior line was getting pushed into him. Since then, Cassel's mostly had a working pocket and 3-5 seconds to get rid of the ball untouched. In a lot of cases, I've seen Cassel take a sack, run forward, or fumble the ball because he didn't have the awareness to step up in the pocket.

Our run blocking hasn't been that bad. It's nowhere near the 2003 Chiefs, but it's looked pretty good this preseason. Our pass protection has struggled, but again, a lot of that is on the QB. I can guarantee that Drew Brees or Tom Brady would have this same offensive line look like a totally different pass protecting unit.

Mr. Laz · 08-29-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

When you see what you want to see, yes.
http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2010/8...aking-down-the

This guy for Arrowhead Pride has been breaking down the o-line tape play by play. Albert has not been nearly as bad as some people want to make him out to be.

where did i say he's been bad? link?

you can't because i didn't

i SAID ... "after his worse preseason game" ... Which is was.

now grab another glass of kool-aid and hush up

milkman · 08-29-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

When you see what you want to see, yes.
http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2010/8...aking-down-the

This guy for Arrowhead Pride has been breaking down the o-line tape play by play. Albert has not been nearly as bad as some people want to make him out to be.

I'd agree that Albert hasn't been nearly as bad as some want to make him out to be, but at the same time, he hasn't made the progress at this point that should have been expected if he had truly committed himself this offseason to improve.

philfree · 08-29-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

I'd agree that Albert hasn't been nearly as bad as some want to make him out to be, but at the same time, he hasn't made the progress at this point that should have been expected if he had truly committed himself this offseason to improve.

I agree with all but the bolded part. He came in at weight and passed the physical test and i've read no news of his commitment being questioned.
So what information are you forming this opinion on?

PhilFree

chiefzilla1501 · 08-29-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

I'd agree that Albert hasn't been nearly as bad as some want to make him out to be, but at the same time, he hasn't made the progress at this point that should have been expected if he had truly committed himself this offseason to improve.

I'm not saying he's an all-pro by any means. I'm just trying to figure out why people are saying he had such a bad game or that he hasn't improved or that he's having such a bad preseason that he shouldn't even be starting anymore. He needs to improve a lot. But these big mistakes people keep talking about, where are they? He hasn't been dominating the guys he's blocked, but he hasn't been getting beat or dominated by any stretch.

And the answer is that I think a lot of people see poor blocking or poor o-line play and just assume that the Left Tackle is responsible.

Jawshco · 08-29-2010, 11:28 AM

Terrible article. The commentary is total rehash from other articles, and those quotes are all old. Just awful! That's several lazy articles in a row from Tiecher. How is he still employed?

08-28-2010, 11:59 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3007187	Teicher: Albert shaping up at tackle for Chiefs Albert shaping up at tackle for Chiefs By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star When the 2009 season mercifully ended, Branden Albert was like everyone else and unsure whether he would be the Chiefs’ left tackle when they gathered again. Albert was still trying to establish himself as a quality player at his position, a premium one because it protects the back side of quarterback Matt Cassel and battles each week against the NFL’s best pass rushers. Albert decided shortly after season’s end that he would prepare as if he would have to battle to keep his job. That decision might have persuaded the Chiefs not to draft a left tackle. In any case, it was an extremely quiet preseason for Albert until Friday night’s game against Philadelphia. Albert was penalized once for holding and another time for a false start. Still, the Chiefs are encouraged by what they’ve seen from Albert. He ties that to his offseason decision. “I really wasn’t thinking about what else would happen,” Albert said. “My thing was not to make the same mistake I did last offseason by getting out of shape. That’s what I was worried about. If I had done what I did last year, it would have been a big step back. “I didn’t worry about what else was going on. I wanted to control what I could control and that was to come into the offseason in the best shape possible.” In last year’s new world of coach Todd Haley, smaller was deemed to be better for a lot of Chiefs players and Albert was one of them. He had trouble getting to his prescribed weight of 316 pounds and then had trouble dealing with his new, slimmed-down body. The result was a difficult season. Albert was among the league leaders in sacks allowed, sparking thoughts the Chiefs would look for a new left tackle with the fifth pick in the draft and then move Albert to right tackle or guard, where he played at Virginia. Two things stopped the Chiefs — aside from the fact they fell in love with Tennessee safety Eric Berry. Albert improved toward the end of last season and attacked the offseason with a vengeance. “I’ve felt that about Branden going back to last year, from the conditioning aspect to buying in to the thought process to believing what he was told, that he could be a better player if he was in better condition and at a certain weight,” Haley said. “He went through an adjustment period of dealing with his new body. He stayed in shape when the season ended. He came into this offseason with a baseline of where he needed to be and then he built on it. He’s gotten stronger, he’s gotten quicker, he’s got better stamina.” Veteran left guard Brian Waters last year was Albert’s biggest — and seemingly sometimes only — fan. He vigorously defended Albert, saying that given time, Albert could become a franchise left tackle for years. Waters hoped the Chiefs wouldn’t draft a left tackle. “I didn’t think it was necessary, to be honest with you,” Waters said. “He has the ability to be as good there is in this game. We had a lot of other pressing needs that were definitely more important than that one. “I know how hard he works. He wants to be great. That’s one thing about him. His work ethic and his concentration in the classroom and on the field match what he wants out of life as far as being a football player. A lot of guys say they want it but they don’t want to put in the work and handle all the details. He’s one of those guys who if you give him something he did wrong, he’s going to work all week to fix that. “He’s not one of those guys who thinks he has all the answers, which a lot of times those high draft picks … these days you don’t even need to be a high draft pick. He listens, takes everything in.” The Chiefs were hopeful about Albert’s progress when camp started but unsure. So far, he’s been what they hoped. “He’s got (Tamba Hali) lining up across from him every single day,” Haley said. “When Tamba brings in it like he’s bringing it in a game … he isn’t calling off the dogs very often. I see a good battle between Branden and Tamba on a consistent basis. “He’s got good competition and that makes the game a little easier for him. He’s just got to keep it going.” The Chiefs gave Albert a vote of confidence when they opted to pass on the chance to draft a left tackle, but Albert isn’t necessarily looking at it that way. “I won’t say that,” Albert said. “I’ll just say that what I’ve done in the offseason showed people what I needed to show them. “I’m not going to say I’m a better player. Let me go through the season first. I’ve started off on a good foot by staying in shape in the offseason and doing what I had to do. From January to March, I think I did a good job. We’ll see how everything plays out during the season.” Sheffield out of hospital The Chiefs confirmed Saturday that linebacker Cameron Sheffield, who was injured in Friday’s preseason game against Philadelphia, has been released from the hospital. Sheffield, who suffered a neck injury on what appeared to be a helmet-to-helmet hit while making a tackle, was immobilized and carried off the field. He has movement in all of his extremities, the Chiefs said. Sheffield was a fifth-round pick from Troy in this year’s draft.
Posts: 43,454

08-29-2010, 09:29 AM	#18
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	What we don't need is a bunch of fat asses at any position. Adding weight by adding muscle is what wouldn't be bad. But just being fat and out of shape won't help his game. __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
Posts: 40,584

08-29-2010, 09:59 AM	#19
cabletech94 Everything is Awesome!!!!! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Pitt Casino cash: $-1593195	as someone else called him...... "eagle eye" says it like it is. sarcasm pretty thick here
Posts: 11,586

08-29-2010, 10:07 AM	#20
RedThat Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Earth Casino cash: $10004900	One thing I've noticed about Albert ever since we drafted him, he always gets off to slow starts. But he's had to make a lot of adjustments the last two years. What I do like about him is he plays better as the season goes on. He just seems like one of those guys that starts off slow but finishes strong. Not sold on him being a franchise LT, but I think he will be solid.
Posts: 6,666

08-29-2010, 10:44 AM	#22
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	weird how they write this piece after Alberts worse preseason game. __________________
Posts: 95,626

08-29-2010, 11:28 AM	#30
Jawshco Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Clovis, CA Casino cash: $10004925	Terrible article. The commentary is total rehash from other articles, and those quotes are all old. Just awful! That's several lazy articles in a row from Tiecher. How is he still employed?
Posts: 1,079