Slowing down the blue wave that is the New York Giants’ front four is a chore for even the most capable offensive line.
For one that’s been struggling, it can be a nightmare.
So the Chiefs are hoping that their two offensive tackles — Branden Albert on the left and Ryan O’Callaghan on the right — are up to the challenge of keeping quarterback Matt Cassel upright against Big Blue on Sunday.
Albert in particular, according to Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star.
Teicher notes that hard-line head coach Todd Haley has been relatively tender in propping up Albert, a first-round pick in 2008
“He can be a very good starting left tackle,” Haley said, per Teicher. “Right now he’s inconsistent. He needs to show that he can show up week in and week out against all levels of competition and be ready to play and bring the same game.”
Teicher says that between penalties and sacks allowed, the 2009 season has so far been a forgettable one for Albert. He was particularly ineffective last week against the Eagles.
“I would say that [the Eagles game] was not his best and I think he would tell you that,” Haley said. “That’s a player who has worked hard and is trying to do all the right things that went south [last week]. I think he’s as disappointed as we are and that’s a good thing.”
If the 0-3 Chiefs are to have a shot at pulling off the weekend’s biggest upset, Albert’s going to have to be very, very good against Osi Umenyiora and Co.
Chief host a NY Giant team on the road for third straight week.
But if Chief is upset of the week what does that say for Raider? They have been called out publicly and go up against an inconsistent Texan team. Texans apparently not strong against the run.
Let’s see which team steps up?
imagine what the line would look like if they took Clady at 5 last year instead of Dorsey and still took Albert at 15.
Clady, Waters, Niswanger, Goff, Albert
If the Cheifs don’t want him, I’m sure the Chargers could use him as a bookend with McNeill
Want to pull for the Chiefs but don’t see a chance for them to pull an upset here. Cassel is still shaky and seems unsure of himself or his linemen and to add on to that the coach publicly questioned his decision making.
albert is a converted guard he has the tools and apparently the work ethic to be great I just dont believe this season and this sunday in preticular will be his best. 3 or 4 years from now he’ll be playin at an all pro level
chinoo411, the problem is that in 3 or 4 years he’ll be a free agent. Paying a rookie the big bucks of a high first round draft pick means he has to contribute right away and play at a high level within a year or two, not 5-6. The Chiefs knew he played guard his senior year (left tackle as a junior) because Eugene Monroe took his left tackle spot, i.e. was the better left tackle in 2007/2008 at Virginia. Not to say he can’t develop into a great NFL left tackle, but clearly he was going to need time. Still, they drafted him high, and that leads to high expectations. There aren’t many teams that wouldn’t love to have him, but not at his current price tag, and not playing left tackle.
If he couldn’t get it done against the Eagles’ front four, he won’t against the Giants either. Trent Cole ate him up and spat him back out and I think Osi’s gonna do the same.