More Branden Albert talk: Why we should give him a fat contract if he plays guard

[RealSNR]

I think at this point the Chiefs need to go this direction with him rather than working to trade him. He's a valuable offensive linemen whether you think he's top 5, top 15, or even just meh. The Chiefs as of late haven't exactly been very lucky with drafting guards and finding replacements via free agency. The interior line needs to either do some gelling or we need to seek out replacements. Albert at LG (or RT) would help out tremendously.

I think we can afford to pay Albert what he wanted to play LT in Miami, and just make him one of the highest paid guards or RTs in the game. From the sportrac link that patteeu posted, here are the average salaries of the top 5 guards:

Carl Nicks (Bucs) $9,500,000
Logan Mankins (Pats) $8,500,000
Jahri Evans (Saints) $8,100,000
Andy Levitre (Titans) $7,800,000
Davin Joseph (Bucs) $7,500,000

I can't remember the exact figures Albert was supposedly seeking from Miami, but I believe it was around 5 years 50 million? 50-55 million?

Andy Levitre signed a 5 year 60 million with 27.5 million guaranteed. Depending on the guaranteed money, Albert would still receive less than that.

We also need to pay other players. However, perhaps not quite so immediately. We're in fairly good shape for the next two years. 2016 is a cluster****ing mess, but we're doing okay in the meantime:

Players and when their contracts will expire

Red = Player we might need to worry about extending or replacing

2014
Tyson Jackson
Branden Albert
Dexter McCluster
Javier Arenas
Jon Asamoah
Tony Moeaki
Kendrick Lewis
Terrance Copper
Geoff Schwartz
Husain Abdullah
Thomas Gafford

2015
Alex Smith
Johnathan Baldwin
Rodney Hudson
Justin Houston
Allen Bailey
Jalil Brown
Ricky Stanzi
Jerrell Powe
Tysyn Hartman

2016
Eric Berry
Tamba Hali
Derrick Johnson
Jamaal Charles
Sean Smith
Dunta Robinson
Mike Devito
Dontari Poe
Chase Daniel
Donnie Avery
Jeff Allen
Cory Greenwood
Donald Stephenson
Devon Wylie
Dequan Menzie
Cyrus Gray

Without any knowledge of how the cap will lay out in the coming seasons and what player contracts will do, it's impossible to know what kind of position we'll be in. A lot of the players on these lists are pretty interchangeable with rookies/free agents we bring in and out. Many of them could be cut immediately in Reid's first training camp.

However, given the expected ages of some of these players in 2016, I still think we're in okay shape. An extension wouldn't be as big of a deal if we still wanted to keep them around at a lower veteran salary. Or, we could just let them walk, which may need to happen especially with Hali, Johnson, or even Charles (no telling what wear and tear a RB will sustain in the coming years)

Essentially, I think it boils down to two MUST re-sign players: Eric Berry and Justin Houston. It's possible to keep guys we (may) like such as Asamoah, Hudson, Schwartz, and Poe. But for only two players that will demand some sizeable contracts, that's not bad.

It's why I think especially after some rich deals like Hali's and Alex Smith's are either re-structured or taken off, we can afford to keep Albert on a fat deal. And given the headache of trying to trade his ass, we could also just let him walk after this year, but I think he can still be pretty damn valuable to this team.

The key is of course if Albert is content with hush money. Time will tell if he backs down from his stance of "I'm a LT, damn it!"

[Marcellus]

Keep in mind Hali has a huge cap # next year as well.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Keep in mind Hali has a huge cap # next year as well.

I think it's a given that Hali will be re-structured.

[O.city]

Why do we think he will succeed at G?

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by SNR

I think it's a given that Hali will be re-structured.

He was asked to restructure this year and said no. (according to Athan this morning).

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

He was asked to restructure this year and said no. (according to Athan this morning).

You actually listen to Athan? What the **** is wrong with you?

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

He was asked to restructure this year and said no. (according to Athan this morning).

Sir, I think I've diagnosed your first problem.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by O.city

Why do we think he will succeed at G?

How many tackles that switch to guard do you know who have a tough time playing the position?

[O.city]

Originally Posted by SNR

How many tackles that switch to guard do you know who have a tough time playing the position?

I don't have any idea.

I'm just not understanding why his current skillset would translate to guard very well.

[Direckshun]

Because he was an outstanding guard at Virginia.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by SNR

How many tackles that switch to guard do you know who have a tough time playing the position?

None?

Gallery was a much better guard, Chris Williams, was a much better guard.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Because he was an outstanding guard at Virginia.

Sure, but that was a ways back. He's never played G in the NFL.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by O.city

Sure, but that was a ways back. He's never played G in the NFL.

I think his transition to guard, would be much much much easier, than to right tackle......

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith Fan

I think his transition to guard, would be much much much easier, than to right tackle......

I really don't want him at RT, at all.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by O.city

I really don't want him at RT, at all.

Nor do i. it seems like the damage is done, perhaps they should just move him for whatever they can get, and call it a day. Dont need guys who value themselves more than the team.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith Fan

Nor do i. it seems like the damage is done, perhaps they should just move him for whatever they can get, and call it a day. Dont need guys who value themselves more than the team.

And I'm sure he doesn't need pieces of shit franchises who ask him to protect the worst assortment of QBs the NFL has seen in a long time, go through drastic weight gains and losses, and then when a new regime comes in, they ask him to switch positions and after loading up on another shitty QB and drafting his replacement at #1 overall even though he's done nothing but improve and do a pretty good job.

Oh, and to top it off the fans call him not a team player.

Albert has been treated like ****ing shit by this team, and if I were him I'd be the same way. All he's doing is trying to retain some semblance of dignity and status by staying at LT, and the team by tagging him and then failing to send him to somebody else is preventing him from doing so.

If Albert quits on them, the Chiefs are the only ones to blame.