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SunSentenel: What will Dolphins decide on Branden Albert?

Perfect72

Perfect72

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Perhaps the toughest question for the Miami Dolphins this offseason revolves around left tackle Branden Albert. He turns 33 next season, which isn’t too old for a good tackle. And Albert is good. He’s also a great veteran presence. He helps the younger players.

That’s what makes this such a dilemma.

Albert also hasn’t played a full season since 2010 with Kansas City. The last three seasons, he’s played nine, 14 and 12 games. Some of this is due to major injury – in 2014 he blew out his knee. This past season he missed four games due to an ankle sprain, food poisoning and a wrist injury. He played the final weeks with a cast on his wrist. Beyond that, only the Dolphins really know how much and hard he practiced and to what degree he was rested in weeks. The bottom line here is the body doesn't get healthier in football as it ages.

So here’s the dilemma for an offensive line that already has another fragile player in center Mike Pouncey: Do you accept Albert playing perhaps, what, 12 games in 2017? Or do you move second-year player Laremy Tunsil to his natural left tackle position and buy a younger, healthier guard to play beside Tunsil for the next several years?

Tough call.

Maybe there's some middle ground. Maybe Albert would accept a re-done deal. But that would probably involved taking a second year, which would had added ramifications.

If the contract remains as is, I grit my teeth, take that $7.2 million cap savings from releasing Albert and get a younger, healthier guard, as I wrote in my column about my 10 off-season steps. I wanted to expound a little on the reasons why here. Essentially, Tunsil needs to get to left tackle, if not this year then next year when Albert’s contract is done. But the key here is you can set the left side of the line up for the next several years while decreasing the odds having to juggle the line again in 2017.

More at LINK: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...ns-call-of-branden-albert-20170215-story.html

Your thoughts? :ponder:
 
I don't think we cut him. It creates an unnecessary hole along the offensive line. We already have to find a starter at one guard spot, it makes no sense to make it two.
 
Perfect72 said:
Perhaps the toughest question for the Miami Dolphins this offseason revolves around left tackle Branden Albert. He turns 33 next season, which isn’t too old for a good tackle. And Albert is good. He’s also a great veteran presence. He helps the younger players. That’s what makes this such a dilemma. Albert also hasn’t played a full season since 2010 with Kansas City. The last three seasons, he’s played nine, 14 and 12 games. Some of this is due to major injury – in 2014 he blew out his knee. This past season he missed four games due to an ankle sprain, food poisoning and a wrist injury. He played the final weeks with a cast on his wrist. Beyond that, only the Dolphins really know how much and hard he practiced and to what degree he was rested in weeks. The bottom line here is the body doesn't get healthier in football as it ages. So here’s the dilemma for an offensive line that already has another fragile player in center Mike Pouncey: Do you accept Albert playing perhaps, what, 12 games in 2017? Or do you move second-year player Laremy Tunsil to his natural left tackle position and buy a younger, healthier guard to play beside Tunsil for the next several years? Tough call. Maybe there's some middle ground. Maybe Albert would accept a re-done deal. But that would probably involved taking a second year, which would had added ramifications. If the contract remains as is, I grit my teeth, take that $7.2 million cap savings from releasing Albert and get a younger, healthier guard, as I wrote in my column about my 10 off-season steps. I wanted to expound a little on the reasons why here. Essentially, Tunsil needs to get to left tackle, if not this year then next year when Albert’s contract is done. But the key here is you can set the left side of the line up for the next several years while decreasing the odds having to juggle the line again in 2017. More at LINK: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...ns-call-of-branden-albert-20170215-story.html Your thoughts? :ponder:
Click to expand...
Miami's preference (IMO), restructure. Failing that, I suspect they'll see what FA OGs are available to replace Tunsil - doesn't mean they'll DO it, but due diligence. Default is keep Albert one more year. My preference, is 1) restructure, 2) replace, 3) keep. There will likely be a backup OG on the OL for half the games anyway (due to Albert's injuries). May as well get the best OG possible and let Tunsil play OT 16 games.
 
I'd hold on to him for one more year, even at his current price (prefer he'd take a pay cut though). I agree with the thought of not creating another hole. It will be a lot easier for us to solve the RG spot this year, then the LG spot next year, instead of both at once. I can live with Urbik starting a few games when BA gets injured if we sign a stud like Larry Warford in FA this year.
 
My bet is that we keep him at LT in 2017. I think Gase values his play and leadership enough to take the risk on injury...especially with Tunsil waiting in the wings if/when there is an injury.

I'd keep him as a starter for this year. Maybe then see if he'd take a big pay cut to back up Tunsil next year
 
this will be his last yr as dolphins... or move him to rt
 
How many years are we gonna continue to do this? Every year we need to fix this oline. I'm in the cut BA kick Tunsil outside and sign 2 quality younger guards and let this line be stable for a few years.
 
Cut him , take his money and use it on a Guard in free agency. I love Albert as a veteran presence but paying a guard, who more likely than not, will play more games than Albert seems to be a smarter choice.
 
I think if Miami signs or drafts a LG then Albert is gone. Given the lack of draft picks (since we haven't received any comp picks yet I don't count them) and the overwhelming need on defense I think we hold on to him for another year. There are 3 or 4 OGs in this draft that would be a really nice fit at LG but We already have Tunsil who played there last year, Albert's in place and we have this gaping hole in our defense where most teams have a front 7...we have a front two...Wake and Suh...and Wake is 35.
 
He didn't have any really bad injuries last season. He is much healthier than Pouncey who could break down any time with that hip problem. I say that he is a quality individual and still a damn good LT so sit him down and see what can be done as far as BA helping the team with a cap friendly restructure. What if we cut BA and then Tunsil misses time with an injury? Be aggressive in FA and get one of the top tier Guards, it would be nice to get a guy that could swing to center if need be. The draft has to be defense except for the first round. If an amazing talent drops to us at #22 we have to think hard about it. Gase's offense really requires an excellent Tight End so if Howard or the kid from the Canes falls to us I think you have to make that pick and be happy about it.
 
We are stuck with Pouncey and his injury problems so to mitigate inevitable issues two-fold, I may lean towards cutting Albert and putting that 7.2M towards a TRUE LG like Leary, who happens to be a monster at 6'3, 324.

Maybe a trade with Dave Gettelmen who could have a hard time keeping both his DT's. They just drafted a DT (Vernon Butler) in round 1 last year and Star Lotulelei is a FA in 2018. This would allow them to re-sign Kawaan Short, who is the better player. Albert for Star, straight up. They need a good LT by the way and Oher is a FA and he may even retire. He was not great to begin with and their RT is also a free agent. They do have 47M in cap space but also need some help after finishing with 6 wins.
 
Sorry my friends....but it's time to cut bait...we need to move on unless he is ready to accept a pay cut and a back up role...we need our team to continue the identity change...where does it end? what message do you keep sending to younger guys?...Tunsil is our left tackle and we need to improve the guards.....just do it already
 
Gilmore or Bouye, Zach Brown, Melvin Ingram, Kevin Zeitler

Give me any two of those and a couple midlevel legit starters(not superstar $) and resign Stills, Sims, Alonso, Bushrod for depth, with Jenkins and Michael Thomas...
*If you get one of the corners, cut Maxwell and use that $ on another one of the 3 guys above.

Then I'm ready for the draft.

This implies keeping Albert for one more year.
 
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