Teicher: Albert shaping up at tackle for Chiefs

[Tribal Warfare]

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.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The running game has not been "good" without Jamaal Charles in these games. It's been average at best. The yards per carry between Charles and Jones is HUGE.

The Chiefs offensive line is NOT good. They're not even average right now. The pass blocking is well below average and the run blocking is average at best. Charles makes the line look better, Cassel makes the line look worse.

That's been a point I've been trying to make for a couple of weeks. People get so locked on the love/hate for Cassel that you can't say a word about line play without somebody tossing out "more excuses for Cassel ". Reality is that the line just isn't very good. It wasn't good when Charles got all those yards the second half of last year - I can't remember the last time I saw a guy make as much out of nothing as he did in '09 - and so far this preseason it's not looking much better.

Hope to christ they gel in the next three weeks, although I know what the chances of that are.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by milkman

Phil, no one wants to see Albert succeed more than me.

I have been on his bandwagon as a LT on this forum, or hell, anywhere, longer than anyone.

I was the first one anywhere, on here, the media, anywhere, that suggested he had the athletic ability to play LT.

If there's one guy who I want to succeed, it's Albert.

But I'm not going to close my eyes to the fact that he has not progressed from the end of last season.

That either suggests that he didn't work on improving his technique, or that he simply is not getting it.

I'd actually rather the former than the latter.

Or quite possibly that he's still warming up, like a lot of players are. His problem isn't that he has no technique or lacks it. He's not getting beat by pass rushers. He's not completely missing his assignment or blocking the wrong guy, as he was last year. He's not getting mauled or dominated. His problem right now is that every so often, he'll forget which technique he's supposed to use.

He's got to become more consistent and be able to hold his blocks for just a little bit longer, and he's got to get a better handle for what technique to use when. I think that's an entirely different problem than having poor technique. And it's one that could (maybe) improve with repetition and experience.

[Ralphy Boy]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Hope to christ they gel in the next three weeks, although I know what the chances of that are.

I thought you were an atheist?

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Ralphy Boy

I thought you were an atheist?

He's doing a preventive prayer.

Doesn't want the christians to slay him before God.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

That's been a point I've been trying to make for a couple of weeks. People get so locked on the love/hate for Cassel that you can't say a word about line play without somebody tossing out "more excuses for Cassel ". Reality is that the line just isn't very good. It wasn't good when Charles got all those yards the second half of last year - I can't remember the last time I saw a guy make as much out of nothing as he did in '09 - and so far this preseason it's not looking much better.

Hope to christ they gel in the next three weeks, although I know what the chances of that are.

The deal is that they are doing more enough for the offensive players to make plays. They've got holes and more weaknesses than strengths. But Cassel has more than enough time to throw and there are holes in the run game for RBs to run through, even if small. And it's not just Charles. They're doing it for McCluster too. They do it sometimes for Jones, but interior power blocking isn't what they're built to do. Albert, Lilja, and Wiegmann are all really good second-level blockers, which is good for the types of backs that we have.

I don't really know why we're hitting the crisis button on the o-line right now. Our running game's been outstanding this preseason and Cassel's had a chance to look at 1-2 reads on most plays without getting hit. What is it about our offensive line right now that people are so worried about?

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by Ralphy Boy

I thought you were an atheist?

I'm equal-opportunity. I used to praise Elune when I played World of Warcraft, and I sometimes mention the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

The deal is that they are doing more enough for the offensive players to make plays. They've got holes and more weaknesses than strengths. But Cassel has more than enough time to throw and there are holes in the run game for RBs to run through, even if small. And it's not just Charles. They're doing it for McCluster too. They do it sometimes for Jones, but interior power blocking isn't what they're built to do. Albert, Lilja, and Wiegmann are all really good second-level blockers, which is good for the types of backs that we have.

I don't really know why we're hitting the crisis button on the o-line right now. Our running game's been outstanding this preseason and Cassel's had a chance to look at 1-2 reads on most plays without getting hit. What is it about our offensive line right now that people are so worried about?

This is basically the way I feel about it, in a nutshell: if they're in an obvious passing situation, I expect Cassel to be hurried and/or hit, and if they're in a short yardage situation, I expect that they'll have trouble running the ball. I think the plays that they do make (and they will make some...) are going to have to be the result of scheme and playcall, because I don't think this is a unit that can just line up over the ball and do what they want to the defense. It is not a strong offensive line. They have not yet shown any ability to consistently pass protect, and while they're better with the run then they are the pass, I think Charles' uncanny tendency to generate yards after contact creates a kind of mirage as far as their ability to run block goes. I think Jones' numbers (right now @ 3 ypc) are more indicative of the line's quality.

That's what I've seen. Maybe I'm jaded. Maybe I expect too much. But I just don't feel good about the line at this point.

I also don't feel good about the quarterback, either. Which for me is a separate issue.

I hope in a month I look like an idiot for being at all concerned.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

This is basically the way I feel about it, in a nutshell: if they're in an obvious passing situation, I expect Cassel to be hurried and/or hit, and if they're in a short yardage situation, I expect that they'll have trouble running the ball. I think the plays that they do make (and they will make some...) are going to have to be the result of scheme and playcall, because I don't think this is a unit that can just line up over the ball and do what they want to the defense. It is not a strong offensive line. They have not yet shown any ability to consistently pass protect, and while they're better with the run then they are the pass, I think Charles' uncanny tendency to generate yards after contact creates a kind of mirage as far as their ability to run block goes. I think Jones' numbers (right now @ 3 ypc) are more indicative of the line's quality.

Those are good points and concerns. I still believe Cassel is a LOT more responsible for pass protection problems than the other way around. He doesn't find hot reads. He doesn't know how to move around in the pocket to buy time. The only way to protect him is to have a perfect pocket, and no o-line should be expected to do that every play of the game. The line isn't great, but they have been pretty consistent this preseason in giving Cassel his one or two reads. When Cassel can't find a read, he needs to learn how to extend the play. Sadly, he probably never will. The o-line could be much better particularly in the middle, but I don't see them as a liability.

As for Jones, I don't think the line is suited for him. I think he's there moreso to be a big body option. This o-line is built to block on the second level. Lilja and Albert are terrific second level blockers. Wiegmann's good too. And Waters isn't half bad. They're not great power blockers and can get outmatched, but in terms of blocking for speed backs, our line is actually very well built to do it. That's why Charles and McCluster are thriving and Jones is not.

That's what I've seen. Maybe I'm jaded. Maybe I expect too much. But I just don't feel good about the line at this point.

I also don't feel good about the quarterback, either. Which for me is a separate issue.

I hope in a month I look like an idiot for being at all concerned.

We need major upgrades. We need a Center with a little more balance (but athleticism should be the bigger priority). We need a RT with the same credentials. And we need Asamoah to eventually start. But they're going to be good run blockers for Charles/McCluster and they're adequate enough to get some momentum in the passing game, if only we had a QB who made them better instead of making them worse.