The Kansas City Chiefs were the worst team in the NFL last season with a 2-14 record and after making Eric Fisher the first pick in the NFL draft, they may have alienated their franchise left tackle in Branden Albert, but after reporting to workouts, it appears all is well with the lineman and the team.
According to ESPN.com, Albert appeared at voluntary workouts with the Chiefs and expressed his happiness about being back with the team and that he was not disgruntled while being mentioned in trade discussions. It appeared as though Albert would be traded to the Dolphins at some point before or during the draft, but after those talks broke down it appeared that he would remain with the Chiefs.
When the Dolphins traded up to the third overall pick, many thought they would pick Lane Johnson and end all trade speculation, but once they selected Dion Jordan, it heated up again. The Chiefs wanted a second round pick for him to make up for the one they had to ditch in the Alex Smith trade, but they wouldn't work things out. Now Albert will take on his left tackle role again, while Fisher will be on the right side to start things off, giving quarterback Alex Smith two elite talents at the tackle position.
Fisher has experience on both sides despite being mainly a left tackle and head coach Andy Reid expects him to perform well in that position. Albert had previously missed a few weeks of workouts that were voluntary, but it is a good sign he has reported and now he will likely be on the franchise tag deal of about $10 million until the team can work out an extension for him.
Smith is the new quarterback in town after the trade with the 49ers and the Chiefs have also added a number of new players, including Sean Smith, Anthony Fasano and Dunta Robinson and on paper they should be better this year than last season, although they likely won't be challenging the Broncos for a division title quote yet, but it could be coming in a few years.
Albert wasn't happy about all the trade talk but after everything was all said and done, Reid was happy to have him back in the fold and Albert is ready to learn a new offense.
"I thought Branden came in in good shape," Reid said. "We moved at a pretty fast clip today and he was able to hang in there. I felt like he held his own."
