No big surprise with Joeckel out there. Wonder how hard Jeff will go at it or what KC is willing to accept. Branden Albert
I think there are, if not better, but cheaper options for us...I don't think giving up a pick and the big contract to replace Long would be wise and certainly wouldn't endear Irish to many fans. I think if they wanted to go that route, they'd have sweetened the pot for Long... On the other side of this, there's no doubt, if healthy, Long is an upgrade to Albert, but what does is say that they wanted so much to replace him in StL ?? They will likely sign someone to replace Long who could start at one or the other T spots in FA but will look to upgrade the position in the draft...probably not the 1st, but could be one of the 2nd or 3rd round pick. Or they could double up on the OL and take both G and T in the first 2 days of the draft... I'm actually getting a little antsy about Winston...sounds like (and this is pure speculation on my part) he wants to come here and we have an offer on the table (that likely isn't what he is looking for) and someone is waiting to blink... EDIT: Oops...got KC and StL mixed up...
I'm not sure how a deal for Albert would work. As I understand it he would be traded with the franchise tag, but a team can only use one franchise tag per year and the Dolphins already have one on Starks. Maybe we'd have to sign Starks to a long term deal before doing such a trade (or the Chiefs do a sign-and-trade, but that is very cap unfriendly)?
That seems to be the way we do business under Ireland. Ireland has a number he will not go past and he is willing to let players walk if they dont like the offer. Honestly, I dont have a problem with that… at all.
Apparently he ranked 20th among LTs according to the too-oft-cited PFF. I wish we knew how Winston would look at LT. I feel like, whatever happens, we need two tackles. One starter and a half... In case Martin doesn't improve significantly. I'd rather not move Martin back to the right side, since Big Weakling would have to be stronger there than at LT.
I think that any team trading for Albert would have to work out a long term deal prior to the trade taking place. I certainly wouldn't trade for a guy who could turn into a one year rental. I also don't think all that highly of Albert as a LT. He's a better fit at RT or G. He thinks he's a LT, but I suspect that's mainly because he's looking for left tackle money. My guess is that the Chiefs are looking to recapture that second rounder they sent over to San Fran for Alex Smith. They could draft Joekel at #1 overall and then look for a solid QB prospect in the second round.
I don't think PFF is too often cited. Better than going by someone who sees some of the players some of the time and think they have a good handle on how they all compare. As for pass blocking efficiency in 2012, among offensive tackles who played in 25% or more of their team's snaps, Albert was tied for 7th. In 2011, he was 8th. In the past two seasons, Winston was 28th of 72 and 21st of 76. Jake was 21st in 2012, and 25th in 2011.
I don't mind that strategy either. And there was an article somewhere with him saying he underestimated the market for free agent WR's last year. But it seems he has a pretty good idea on the money in this years free agency, and he's learned from years past. As an example, I was perfectly fine with Ireland letting Jake walk because he wouldn't up his offer.
I'd do the deal for the right price long term, and a 3rd or later...even a 4th and Bess as someone mentioned. My main concern is the long term cap hit. I'd still be looking to bring in Winston, and probably try to grab a developmental OL guy later in the draft. It would be nice to open our 1st and 2nds for "BPA", and these 2 moves do that. The exception to all of this is that you're gambling on Johnson at 12, or have someone else in mind for the 2nd I suppose?
Brandon Albert is a pretty good player and I think there's a pretty good chance he's worth the price for the Dolphins. He's got the least questions of everyone else on the market.
I been thinking about this for a couple of days now and have come to prefer a different course of action. The rumor is a 2nd round 2013 pick and a pick in the 2014 draft. If we are hell bent on trading a pick for LT then I'd rather we just trade up and take Johnson. Cheaper contract and they don't have to give up a '14 pick
I absolutely agree, it's just hard to give up the pick and the cap space..I'm thinking to just say fu&' it and swap out that Long contract with a 12 th pick contract and a relatively similar talent level...this is a tough call.
I don't know it would seem like a better idea to just have kept Long rather than give up a pick(s) and a huge contract for Albert.
Reportedly KC wants two picks for him. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9...-city-chiefs-want-2-picks-branden-albert-deal
At this stage of their careers, Albert is a better tackle than Long. I would much rather the Dolphins trade a second round selection for Albert than rely on a second round pick coming in and sitting on the bench in 2013. Ireland has done fairly well in trading for established veterans and even in free agency. What he hasn't done too well is draft college players after the first round, who actually have come in and made a big impact in the NFL. I think Albert will be better than any player Ireland would draft in the second round. Tannehill needs a player the caliber of Albert protecting him on the offensive line, far more than the Dolphins need a rookie who will see limited action or no action at all, in the 2013 season. Trade for Albert and use the first round pick to select a CB or DE.
Miami's second round draft record is putrid and their third round record isn't overwhelming. I don't see any reason why getting one of the best LTs in the game is a problem. I realize Jake Long would have cost nothing, but that's over with. Go get this guy, he takes of your young QB and he only costs a 2nd. No big deal, get it done. Same with Dumervil, put him at ROLB for a number of years.
Well I don't either but sadly they aren't offering one of the best LTs in the game, they are offering Albert.
I think there is a tendency to overvalue draft picks because they each feel like lottery picks, each one has homerun potential. But I'd hazard a guess that we've been more unsuccessful than successful with second rounders in our recent history. With Albert, you gets odds that are like 90% successful (barring injury) and one that is directly and obviously correlated with your franchise right-handed QB's health. It's a no brainer, they only real worry is the cap consequences for future seasons. He'll be paid as a top LT, so two 2nd rounders seem out of the question to me. Maybe a 2nd and a conditional 4th or something.
Considering the FA market, depth in the draft, and his salary, I'd say one pick and that's it. Add into the fact they're clearly telegraphing the #1 overall pick (LJ), no conditional anything. They have no leverage.
That's true. For 2008-2010, Long was decidedly better than Albert in Pass Blocking Efficiency, but the last two seasons that has completely reversed. Albert has gotten much better, while Long fell off a cliff.
Depends what Albert wants long term. If he'd sign for the last offer that was on the table for Long, then it's pretty obvious we could afford it, and would be getting a better pass blocker. Giving them a 2nd this year and a conditional 4th in '14 if Albert played like 90% of the offensive snaps, that IMO would be fair.
I wouldn't say that Long fell off a cliff, that implies that it was something to do with him. He was decimated by injuries. To me that's something different.
If you think Jonathan Martin is the eventual answer at LT, I can totally see why you don't trade for Brandon Albert. You might instead opt for a shorter rental like Winston. But I think you could also kick Albert inside with a ton of success as he ages some.
