Both 1st Round Picks Out - What's Next?
by Joel Thorman on Aug 4, 2008 7:44 AM CDT
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PrintGlenn Dorsey and Branden Albert are going to be absent for our first pre-season action against the Chicago Bears, Albert perhaps the entire pre-season.
Can Dorsey come back and continue to develop? Many have said they are less worried about him getting to camp on time and practicing injury-free than Albert.
If Branden Albert misses camp will it give him a mulligan his first NFL season? Albert will get a chance to play regardless of exactly when he comes back from the injury. However, his chances of having an effective year are going down the drain quickly.
Bob Gretz argues Dorsey and Albert's spot can be filled with guys that are under the "do your job" mindset.
I disagree - it's important not to start off a season negatively like this. Especially with younger players it can affect their morale much more.
What do you think - will these injuries be forgotten come November? Or will it start the season with a cloud causing a rippling effect the next 17 weeks?
Updates of the AM practice today will be posted this afternoon.
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While I think that Dorsey’s injury isn’t too serious based on what the media outlets seem to be saying, I don’t think it will have too much of a negative affect on his progression/outcome of the season.
The real concern is Albert’s injury. Learning a new position and trying to adjust to the pros is difficult enough, but now to have to be out multiple weeks missing valuable practice and game time (even if it is only preseason games) is going to hinder his development. While I wasn’t expecting a pro bowl year from him, I definitely think this will cast a shadow of doubt to start out the season, but starting at NE was already a pretty big shadow. Hopefully he heals up and is ready to go by week 2, anything after that would be a cause of great concern for the next 16 weeks.
by Chiefs n Chopper on Aug 4, 2008 8:33 AM CDT reply actions
Agreed
Albert was going to pretty much get a “pass” his first season anyway, since the Chiefs aren’t going to contend and it’s a learning season for most of the roster. If he’s out for the entire preseason, though, my own suspicion is that he’ll have to be eased into the lineup during the regular season, possibly as the backup LT for awhile. Or maybe they’ll stick him at guard for awhile until he gets used to the speed of the NFL.
Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.
If we are not contending from Week One
why would we ease Albert in, or play him at guard? If we are trying to build for the future, isn’t winning now less important than getting our young guys on the field at the positions they will be playing? If Albert misses game one against the Patriots, but is healed up by week 2, I want to see him at LT against the Raiders.
More To Keep Him From Getting Overwhelmed
Last thing you want is to toss a young player in over his head and either break his confidence or get him hurt when he tries to exceed his abilities (which has the potential to happen when he misses a lot of practice and the preseason his first year). Albert will be the starting left tackle this season, I just think if he misses a lot of time they might delay handing him the full-time job for a couple of games until they feel he’s full speed.
Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.
I gotcha
The confidence issue is big…though I think the fact that the coaches’ decision to draft him at 15 (implying that they thought that he could play LT very well in the NFL) has really helped his confidence get off to a good start.
If he comes back healthy
and looks like he will perform better at LT than Taylor, I would stick him in as soon as it is feasible. We need to make sure he’s healthy first and I wouldn’t push it if it seems like it could cost him more as the season progresses.
Dorsey should be good to go… I’m not worried about him…. yet.
by Ochophosphate on Aug 4, 2008 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Uhh Peyton Manning?
I think letting him learn his position under fire while we are not expecting to contend would be the better scenario. There are not as many expectations this year.
My point being aren't
first rounders expected to learn under fire?
Yes, But
I’m more concerned about him getting hurt than I am about him losing his confidence. In Peyton’s case, the rules are designed to help QBs stay healthy for the season…but offensive line is still a grind where serious injuries can happen quickly to players who aren’t physically or mentally ready for it. If he misses the entire preseason (games and practices) I’d rather they eased him into the role early on (first 2-4 games) so he can have a better chance at playing quality football in November and December and so he doesn’t pick up injuries that may carry into next season.
Like a lot of people have said, the Chiefs aren’t seriously competing for the playoffs this year, so we’ve got time…and while the Chiefs are most certainly going to throw them into the fire, it’s not like they can’t hose off a little of the gasoline on them first. :)
Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.
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