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.

[mr. tegu]

Originally Posted by patteeu

And it would be great if Donald Stephenson had already emerged as the second coming of Anthony Munoz. As of now, though, he's still something of a question mark AFAICT. He's the only possible LTotF on the roster right now though. I'm not sure that's the best position to be in a year from now if BA is gone. That doesn't mean that 2013 1.1 is the only possible solution, but it is one of the possible solutions.

Stephenson may or may not be. Regardless though, as of now Albert is the LT of the future. And when you have a LT for at least one more year and a young backup to him on the roster already, a replacement backup at 1.1 is simply not an option that has any resemblance of making sense.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

Stephenson may or may not be. Regardless though, as of now Albert is the LT of the future. And when you have a LT for at least one more year and a young backup to him on the roster already, a replacement backup at 1.1 is simply not an option that has any resemblance of making sense.

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.

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

All 8 teams can rescind the tag Mike Florio

[ToxSocks]

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.

Quarterback 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 AS and that Stanzi isn't going to cut it is a bad position to end up in.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Quarterback 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 AS and that Stanzi isn't going to cut it is a bad position to end up in.

Alex Smith is under contract for at least 2 more years. Other than that, I agree with you.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by patteeu

And it would be great if Donald Stephenson had already emerged as the second coming of Anthony Munoz. As of now, though, he's still something of a question mark AFAICT. He's the only possible LTotF on the roster right now though. I'm not sure that's the best position to be in a year from now if BA is gone. That doesn't mean that 2013 1.1 is the only possible solution, but it is one of the possible solutions. (And the other solution, obviously, is to sign BA long term).

I'm on board for the BPA (at an impact position) at 1.1, whoever that is.

You didn't answer the first time I asked. Who's the backup LT for the Superbowl champs?

A 2-14 team drafting a LTotF with a ~top 10 LT former first round pick still on the roster is a waste of a high pick.

[BossChief]

The Chiefs can recind the tag...and the chiefs can also back out of the Alex Smith trade.

Neither will happen.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Fish

You didn't answer the first time I asked. Who's the backup LT for the Superbowl champs?

A 2-14 team drafting a LTotF with a ~top 10 LT former first round still on the roster is a waste of a high pick.

I assume the backup LT for the Ravens was Michael Oher, but I don't know for sure. I'm not sure that helps you make your point.

[B14ckmon]

ProFootballTalk: Sam Mellinger of KC Star on PFT Live says he believes there's a chance LT Branden Albert will be traded.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by B14ckmon

ProFootballTalk: Sam Mellinger of KC Star on PFT Live says he believes there's a chance LT Branden Albert will be traded.

Q you ****ing reerun.

[B14ckmon]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Q you ****ing reerun.

Not my tweet.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by B14ckmon

Not my tweet.

boy, if they traded albert for a second round pick, and then turned around and drafted joeckel anyway, this board would come crashing down.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by patteeu

Alex Smith is under contract for at least 2 more years. Other than that, I agree with you.

See, your logic makes sense when it is applied to the QB position, not the LT position. Sure, LT is an important position, but its importance is far over blown with the "Truefans" and isn't nearly as important as the QB.

Your concern shouldn't be developing the next LT, it should be developing your next QB. We have a young LT, and a young developmental LT. We have nothing at QB.

You're so concerned with Albert's back. Why aren't you just as concerned with Alex Smith's injury history?

You're so concerned with grooming a LT in case Albert doesn't work out. Why aren't you concerned with grooming a QB, the most important position the field, in case Alex Smith doesn't work out?

Maybe you're right, maybe Albert's back is an issue. Maybe im right, and Alex Smith isn't going to work out well for us either.

Maybe.....after the 2013 season both of these guys have failed to live up to expectations.....if that scenario were to occur, which of the following scenarios would be best:

1. A Geno/Barkley that has been under the tutelage of Andy Reid for the past season, knows the offense and his teammates + Some mid round LT

or

2. Joeckel + Some mid round QB who will be expected to come in and turn the franchise around?

Basically.....Which is the better investment; LT or QB? Which position will benefit the Chiefs more from sitting and learning for a season? If both Albert and Smith live up to their expectations and are retained, which position would have higher trade value, LT or QB? I think the answers are pretty damn obvious to anyone who's followed the NFL.

[BossChief]

Why would they trade him?

They have openly said that they want to sign him long term.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

You don't need a Munoz to win a Super Bowl, let alone BACKUP Munoz's

You do need a quality QB though and we didn't have one.