Chiefs Teicher: Haley wants Albert to be more consistent

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-03-2009, 03:34 AM

Haley wants Albert to be more consistent
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Todd Haley hasn’t shown much patience with underperforming players, as he’s demonstrated repeatedly since becoming the Chiefs’ head coach.

But Haley has revealed uncharacteristic restraint with left tackle Branden Albert, who is off to a rough start to his season.

“He can be a very good starting left tackle,” Haley said. “Right now he’s inconsistent. He needs to show that he can show up week in and week out against all levels of competition and be ready to play and bring the same game.”

The payoff could be great if Albert ever gets to that point. But right now, Haley has little choice but to stick with Albert because the Chiefs have no one else who’s ever played his position — a most important one — in an NFL game.

But the Chiefs can’t wait forever for an improved Albert. They could use one in Sunday’s game against the Giants at Arrowhead Stadium.

New York had 42 sacks last season but only three this year. That hasn’t been a problem because the Giants are 3-0, but coach Tom Coughlin said this week that he sensed New York was ready for a pass-rush breakout.

“It’s coming,” Coughlin said. “We’re not where we should be but we’re getting there, and we had more pressure on the quarterback the other day. We’re trying to improve our pressure package. Hopefully, that will continue.”

The Eagles brought pressure from every conceivable angle in their extensive blitz package in last week’s win against the Chiefs. They sacked Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel three times even though he tried only 18 passes.

The Giants don’t figure to blitz as frequently because they can get after the quarterback with their front four alone. One end, Justin Tuck, has 12 sacks last season. He has been bothered by a shoulder injury but was listed by the Giants on Friday’s injury report as probable for Sunday’s game.

The other end, Osi Umenyiora, missed all of last season because of an injury but had 13 sacks in 2007.

They are speed rushers, something the Chiefs haven’t seen since the season opener in Baltimore, so they will test Albert and right tackle Ryan O’Callaghan, who probably will get his first start of the season Sunday.

“The last couple of weeks we haven’t necessarily (played against) that,” O’Callaghan said. “You have to prepare a little bit differently.”

O’Callaghan was a part-time starter for New England in recent seasons at right tackle. That alone puts him ahead of Ikechuku Ndukwe, who played right tackle in the season’s first three games.

The Chiefs acquired Ndukwe from Miami in the preseason and tried to make a right tackle out of him after he played most of his pro career at guard. He didn’t respond as well as the Chiefs hoped.

“He knows … who to block,” Haley said of O’Callaghan, who replaced Ndukwe as the starter in practice this week. “That’s real important around here right now, as it always is. He’s been in there and he’s made very few errors, mental errors. He’s a big guy that has some experience under his belt.”

While it’s important for the Chiefs that O’Callaghan play well, it’s more critical that Albert improve. They have a lot invested in Albert, the second of their two first-round draft picks last year.

He was learning to play tackle as a rookie and while he wasn’t consistent then, he showed the Chiefs enough potential to lead them to believe he would be their left tackle for the long term.

He hasn’t demonstrated that type of ability this year. Between penalties and sacks allowed, his play has sometimes been up but mostly down.

Albert declined interview requests for this story.

“It’s a maturation process for him,” Haley said. “He’s got a very bright left guard (Brian Waters) next to him. I like the combination we have there. The two of them work after practice together, they talk, they communicate. If we can be more consistent, we’ll have a chance to be more secure on that side.”

Albert had a rough game in Philadelphia. The Chiefs seldom tried passes in the second half, partially in an effort to keep Cassel in one piece.

“I would say that (the Eagles game) was not his best and I think he would tell you that,” Haley said. “That’s a player who has worked hard and is trying to do all the right things that went south (last week). I think he’s as disappointed as we are and that’s a good thing.”

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-03-2009, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Teicher

He was learning to play tackle as a rookie and while he wasn’t consistent then, he showed the Chiefs enough potential to lead them to believe he would be their left tackle for the long term.

Wasn't consistent, the cat gave up only 4 sacks last year

booger · 10-03-2009, 05:23 AM

Originally Posted by Adam Teicher

The payoff could be great if Albert ever gets to that point. But right now, Haley has little choice but to stick with Albert because the Chiefs have no one else who’s ever played his position — a most important one — in an NFL game.

Pro Career
Versatile and experienced offensive lineman joined the Chiefs as an unrestricted free agent from the N.Y. Jets on April 21, 2008 … Worked primarily at tackle prior to arriving in Kansas City, but has seen the majority of his duty at right guard and center with the Chiefs … Former third-round selection of Miami started all 16 games at left tackle for the Dolphins as a rookie in 2003 … Spent two seasons with the N.Y. Jets (2006-07), working at both tackle and center … Has played in 60 regular season games with 18 starts at left tackle, six starts at right guard and one start at center … Has also played in one postseason contest.

http://www.kcchiefs.com/player/wade_smith/

Pioli Zombie · 10-03-2009, 05:30 AM

Thank God they didn't draft Monroe and move Albert back to his natural position!!! Just Thank God!
Posted via Mobile Device

teedubya · 10-03-2009, 05:31 AM

We may be having the funeral for Matt Cassel on Wednesday or Thursday of next week.

**Reaper16** · 10-03-2009, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

Thank God they didn't draft Monroe and move Albert back to his natural position!!! Just Thank God!
Posted via Mobile Device

ARYR++RRHWUGJKA

Marcellus · 10-03-2009, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

Thank God they didn't draft Monroe and move Albert back to his natural position!!! Just Thank God!
Posted via Mobile Device

Genious. $75Million bookends.

Too much money to have tied up in your right tackle.

htismaqe · 10-03-2009, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

Thank God they didn't draft Monroe and move Albert back to his natural position!!! Just Thank God!
Posted via Mobile Device

Yeah, especially when Albert might actually be more physically gifted and turn out to be the better LT.

Hog's Gone Fishin · 10-03-2009, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Genious. $75Million bookends.

Too much money to have tied up in your right tackle.

I don't give a **** if we have 4 billion dollars tied up if we build a great OL.

I'm tired of hearing that crap. You get what you pay for.

Marcellus · 10-03-2009, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

I don't give a **** if we have 4 billion dollars tied up if we build a great OL.

I'm tired of hearing that crap. You get what you pay for.

And that is reckless thinking. You overspend in certain areas you will be weak at others that are harder to fill.

Get what you pay for? You believe Oakland is getting their $25Million out of JaMarcus?

**Bane** · 10-03-2009, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

And that is reckless thinking. You overspend in certain areas you will be weak at others that are harder to fill.

Get what you pay for? You believe Oakland is getting their $25Million out of JaMarcus?

I dont believe if Oakland had paid $25 for Ja Fatass they'd be getting their moneys worth.

**notorious** · 10-03-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bane_58

I dont believe if Oakland had paid $25 for Ja Fatass they'd be getting their moneys worth.

Unless they were paying by the pound.....

chiefzilla1501 · 10-03-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

Thank God they didn't draft Monroe and move Albert back to his natural position!!! Just Thank God!
Posted via Mobile Device

Pretty simple. If Albert works this out, which I believe he will, and Jackson turns out to be even an average DE, then this comment will come back to haunt you.

Sure-Oz · 10-03-2009, 09:27 AM

I hope he bounces back, it doesn't make sense how he's sucking this year, is it really cause he weighs less?

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-03-2009, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

I hope he bounces back, it doesn't make sense how he's sucking this year, is it really cause he weighs less?

Well, if BigRedChief's report of Albert getting checked uup for fatigue and getting bloodwork done. I say yes, because it concerns low blood sugar. The docs will tell him and Haley he needs eat what he wants for a while until his electrolyte levels are up again.

10-03-2009, 03:34 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $992813	Teicher: Haley wants Albert to be more consistent Haley wants Albert to be more consistent By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Todd Haley hasn’t shown much patience with underperforming players, as he’s demonstrated repeatedly since becoming the Chiefs’ head coach. But Haley has revealed uncharacteristic restraint with left tackle Branden Albert, who is off to a rough start to his season. “He can be a very good starting left tackle,” Haley said. “Right now he’s inconsistent. He needs to show that he can show up week in and week out against all levels of competition and be ready to play and bring the same game.” The payoff could be great if Albert ever gets to that point. But right now, Haley has little choice but to stick with Albert because the Chiefs have no one else who’s ever played his position — a most important one — in an NFL game. But the Chiefs can’t wait forever for an improved Albert. They could use one in Sunday’s game against the Giants at Arrowhead Stadium. New York had 42 sacks last season but only three this year. That hasn’t been a problem because the Giants are 3-0, but coach Tom Coughlin said this week that he sensed New York was ready for a pass-rush breakout. “It’s coming,” Coughlin said. “We’re not where we should be but we’re getting there, and we had more pressure on the quarterback the other day. We’re trying to improve our pressure package. Hopefully, that will continue.” The Eagles brought pressure from every conceivable angle in their extensive blitz package in last week’s win against the Chiefs. They sacked Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel three times even though he tried only 18 passes. The Giants don’t figure to blitz as frequently because they can get after the quarterback with their front four alone. One end, Justin Tuck, has 12 sacks last season. He has been bothered by a shoulder injury but was listed by the Giants on Friday’s injury report as probable for Sunday’s game. The other end, Osi Umenyiora, missed all of last season because of an injury but had 13 sacks in 2007. They are speed rushers, something the Chiefs haven’t seen since the season opener in Baltimore, so they will test Albert and right tackle Ryan O’Callaghan, who probably will get his first start of the season Sunday. “The last couple of weeks we haven’t necessarily (played against) that,” O’Callaghan said. “You have to prepare a little bit differently.” O’Callaghan was a part-time starter for New England in recent seasons at right tackle. That alone puts him ahead of Ikechuku Ndukwe, who played right tackle in the season’s first three games. The Chiefs acquired Ndukwe from Miami in the preseason and tried to make a right tackle out of him after he played most of his pro career at guard. He didn’t respond as well as the Chiefs hoped. “He knows … who to block,” Haley said of O’Callaghan, who replaced Ndukwe as the starter in practice this week. “That’s real important around here right now, as it always is. He’s been in there and he’s made very few errors, mental errors. He’s a big guy that has some experience under his belt.” While it’s important for the Chiefs that O’Callaghan play well, it’s more critical that Albert improve. They have a lot invested in Albert, the second of their two first-round draft picks last year. He was learning to play tackle as a rookie and while he wasn’t consistent then, he showed the Chiefs enough potential to lead them to believe he would be their left tackle for the long term. He hasn’t demonstrated that type of ability this year. Between penalties and sacks allowed, his play has sometimes been up but mostly down. Albert declined interview requests for this story. “It’s a maturation process for him,” Haley said. “He’s got a very bright left guard (Brian Waters) next to him. I like the combination we have there. The two of them work after practice together, they talk, they communicate. If we can be more consistent, we’ll have a chance to be more secure on that side.” Albert had a rough game in Philadelphia. The Chiefs seldom tried passes in the second half, partially in an effort to keep Cassel in one piece. “I would say that (the Eagles game) was not his best and I think he would tell you that,” Haley said. “That’s a player who has worked hard and is trying to do all the right things that went south (last week). I think he’s as disappointed as we are and that’s a good thing.”
Posts: 42,027

10-03-2009, 05:23 AM	#3
booger Don't Tug on Superman's Cape Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: clear out in the sticks Casino cash: $1588550	Teicher do some research you lazy pig Originally Posted by Adam Teicher The payoff could be great if Albert ever gets to that point. But right now, Haley has little choice but to stick with Albert because the Chiefs have no one else who’s ever played his position — a most important one — in an NFL game. Pro Career Versatile and experienced offensive lineman joined the Chiefs as an unrestricted free agent from the N.Y. Jets on April 21, 2008 … Worked primarily at tackle prior to arriving in Kansas City, but has seen the majority of his duty at right guard and center with the Chiefs … Former third-round selection of Miami started all 16 games at left tackle for the Dolphins as a rookie in 2003 … Spent two seasons with the N.Y. Jets (2006-07), working at both tackle and center … Has played in 60 regular season games with 18 starts at left tackle, six starts at right guard and one start at center … Has also played in one postseason contest. http://www.kcchiefs.com/player/wade_smith/ __________________ 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Posts: 12,494

10-03-2009, 05:30 AM	#4
Pioli Zombie Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: olathe,kansas Casino cash: $10004900	Thank God they didn't draft Monroe and move Albert back to his natural position!!! Just Thank God! Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 11,077

10-03-2009, 05:31 AM	#5
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9490002	We may be having the funeral for Matt Cassel on Wednesday or Thursday of next week.
Posts: 36,649

10-03-2009, 09:27 AM	#14
Sure-Oz Stay positive, don't give up Join Date: Dec 2001 Casino cash: $3469383	I hope he bounces back, it doesn't make sense how he's sucking this year, is it really cause he weighs less?
Posts: 46,182