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!"

[BossChief]

They never said Albert would play left tackle...but it's quite obvious that if they are working on a long term deal...it will be to play left tackle.

The only reason I would play him elsewhere is if he is only gonna be here one year.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by penbook

Rapoport saying Chiefs are working on a long term deal with Albert.

Dolphins only offered a third for Albert not the #54 pick.

And yes Albert will play LT.

You're damn right he will. Suck it.
Posted via Mobile Device

[BossChief]

Adding a right tackle that can play the left at a high level (if Alberts back issues pop back up) is a nice addition to team in the same division as Von Miller.

It's now in the top corner of Total Access that the Chiefs are working on an extension with Albert.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by BossChief

They never said Albert would play left tackle...but it's quite obvious that if they are working on a long term deal...it will be to play left tackle.

The only reason I would play him elsewhere is if he is only gonna be here one year.

So you resign your guy to a multi-year deal. That means in 4 years when your #1 overall draft pick comes up for this very scenario... he gets tagged for RT money. That could get ugly.

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by BossChief

They never said Albert would play left tackle...but it's quite obvious that if they are working on a long term deal...it will be to play left tackle.

The only reason I would play him elsewhere is if he is only gonna be here one year.

WUT? This is the exact OPPOSITE of a logical inference here. You pay him long term if you feel you have a long term spot for him. That long term spot isn't LT unless we do the unthinkable and put the 1.1 pick at RT for his career. I have not hear ONE intelligent person who has advocated for Fisher to be stuck at RT long term.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

WUT? This is the exact OPPOSITE of a logical inference here. You pay him long term if you feel you have a long term spot for him. That long term spot isn't LT unless we do the unthinkable and put the 1.1 pick at RT for his career. I have not hear ONE intelligent person who has advocated for Fisher to be stuck at RT long term.

[penbrook]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

WUT? This is the exact OPPOSITE of a logical inference here. You pay him long term if you feel you have a long term spot for him. That long term spot isn't LT unless we do the unthinkable and put the 1.1 pick at RT for his career. I have not hear ONE intelligent person who has advocated for Fisher to be stuck at RT long term.

Fisher is the better run blocker and Albert is the better pass blocker. Stick Albert at LT and Fisher at RT. Bookends for 5+ years.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Coogs

So you resign your guy to a multi-year deal. That means in 4 years when your #1 overall draft pick comes up for this very scenario... he gets tagged for RT money. That could get ugly.

I believe that franchise tag money for RT and LT (and every other OL position) is the same under the new CBA.

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by penbook

Fisher is the better run blocker and Albert is the better pass blocker. Stick Albert at LT and Fisher at RT. Bookends for 5+ years.

Fisher is a better pass blocker than he is a run blocker. (according to all the experts)

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by patteeu

I believe that franchise tag money for RT and LT (and every other OL position) is the same under the new CBA.

yup.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by patteeu

I believe that franchise tag money for RT and LT (and every other OL position) is the same under the new CBA.

Didn't know that. Thanks!