2016 player recap: LT Branden Albert

[Perfect72]

[FONT=&quot]Branden Albert has been on the Dolphins’ roster since joining the team as an unrestricted free agent on March 12, 2014. After playing for the Kansas City Chiefs for the first six years of his NFL career, the Dolphins signed Albert to a five-year, $47 million contract in 2014, including an $8.5 million signing bonus, $29 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $9.4 million. He served as the team’s starting left tackle in 2016.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]2016 review[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Albert started all 12 of the games that he played in during the 2016 season. He missed the Week 4 game against the Bengals with an ankle injury, and he left the Week 10 game against the Chargers with a dislocated wrist before returning in a cast a few weeks later to play against the Ravens. Albert had started and played in 14 games during the 2015 season.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]When on the field, Albert’s performance in 2016 was once again solid. Albert did a good job protecting Ryan Tannehill’s blindside while provide decent run blocking to Jay Ajayi and the other Miami running backs. In fact, Albert was flagged for penalties only 3 times during the regular season (2 false starts and 1 holding penalty). Although he did not have the Pro Bowl type season he enjoyed in 2015, he likely would have received more Pro Bowl consideration had he played in more games. Just as importantly, Albert served as a powerful veteran mentor to Laremy Tunsil, his likely replacement.

More at LINK: http://phinphanatic.com/2017/01/17/2016-player-recap-lt-branden-albert/

Your take? [/FONT]

 

[NorFlaFin]

Needs a paycut and position to RG, or hes tradebait.

 

[artdnj]

I was very happy to have BA around last year and he would certainly be welcome back at the right cost. I just don't know how he would fair as a guard. Anyone have an opinion?

 

[John813]

I liked the trade for him, and when he is healthy. However, age isn't on his side, we have a worthy(pedigree) replacement and well being healthy matters esepcially for a Left Tackle.

I still prefer cutting him, putting Tunsil at LT and then getting a road grader like Leary in FA.

 

[russianbear]

he's expensive, and he's likely not gonna play 16 games again....on top of that, we have a younger, cheaper, and hopefully a future all-pro LT waiting in the wings....

we have needs on defense, and have to pay landry, jones,and others....

i can see us keeping him another year , but don't be surprised if we cut bait

 

[Kdawg954]

he's expensive, and he's likely not gonna play 16 games again....on top of that, we have a younger, cheaper, and hopefully a future all-pro LT waiting in the wings....

we have needs on defense, and have to pay landry, jones,and others....

i can see us keeping him another year , but don't be surprised if we cut bait

Ultimately, I think the team rolls the dice on the health of Albert and Pouncey one more time. This is a good group when healthy and now is not the time to be shuffling around the line and dumping more assets into it when you have a defense that seriously needs all of your attention.

Like I said in another thread . . . 9th in rushing yards and 10th in least amount of sacks given up. That is not a bad group. Resign Bushrod for depth and versatility and sign a mid to high end RG in FA and call it a day. Draft a late round center/guard prospect and have a tackle prospect for the PS or to potentially compete for the 53 man.

At least we have our 10 year LT on the team already.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

My credit for the drop in sack numbers is directly related to Gase's coaching, technique change, and overall scheme.

Let's also keep in mind that the two biggest hits of the year on our QBs- injury to Tannehill, Moore obliterated - were ME/MA's by Albert.

I'd rather not continue to gamble w/ our o-line's health at the expense of our QB.

 

[Kdawg954]

My credit for the drop in sack numbers is directly related to Gase's coaching, technique change, and overall scheme.

Let's also keep in mind that the two biggest hits of the year on our QBs- injury to Tannehill, Moore obliterated - were ME/MA's by Albert.

I'd rather not continue to gamble w/ our o-line's health at the expense of our QB.

Unless Ryan Tannehill is going to magically turn into Aaron Rodgers . . . none of this is going to matter unless we fix the damn defense. When you signed Adam Gase, you invested in a major offensive weapon that can make changes to scheme and technique for the better.

So while I agree that we shouldn't jeopardize our QB with poor offensive line play . . . those stats we saw this year are certainly liveable.

Albert wasn't bad this year, but I agree he had a few lapses in which he was just flat out beat and it hurt our QB and that can't happen from one of the higher paid LTs in the game.

Priority has to be the defense. If Miami can shuffle the offensive line by cutting Albert, kicking Laremy out, finding 2 new guards and do better than they did this year . . . . all while fixing that LB group and finding a star pass rusher . . . by all means go for it.

Seems like a lot to handle in one offseason. Ultimately, everybody is better when they have Pouncey in there . . . he's the key to making it all come together.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

none of this is going to matter unless we fix the damn defense . . . Priority has to be the defense.