Chiefs LT Branden Albert Returns to Practice

by Joel Thorman on Oct 23, 2009 11:33 AM CDT in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Branden Albert is dressed and practicing with the other offensive linemen according to Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star. Just yesterday, Babb thought the odds of Albert playing on Sunday against the San Diego Chargers were going down so this is encouraging news.

Update 12:00 PM: Per Bob Gretz, Albert was not participating with the first or second team so his availability for Sunday is still in doubt.

Albert hadn't practiced with the team all week instead jogging and walking on his own in the rehab area. He has been listed on the injury report as limited with an ankle injury.

Practice reports from Mr. Looney and Mr. Gretz should be coming out soon. Here are a few of the injuries we're keeping our eye on.

Ryan O'Callaghan: A surprise addition to the injury report yesterday. He's got a shoulder problem and that's about the extent that we know. He was listed as limited yesterday.

Update 12:00 PM: Per Bob Gretz, O'Callaghan was with the first team today wearing a neck roll.

Jarrad Page: A full participant yesterday with a lingering shoulder injury that kept him out of last week's game. We expect him to practice today. The only question is whether it's with the first team.

Brian Waters: He was upgraded yesterday from limited to a full participant in practice with an ankle injury. This appears to be the same ankle injury that kept him out of a few plays in the Washington Redskins game.

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good to hear hope he has been atleast studying

Check out the gun show over here FIYA POWA

by redmedicone on Oct 23, 2009 11:35 AM CDT reply actions

Page would be a BIG plus to be starting Safety

He is a very special player who needs his time on the field much like DJ.

"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden

by Matt_Grbac on Oct 23, 2009 11:38 AM CDT reply actions

meh, I'd argue that McGraw has been better this year

I think you may see them both on the field in the nickel formation still, but if they start McGraw (he’s now first on the depth chart) I’m fine with that.

It's a good thing Pioli and Haley aren't running AP or a lot of you guys would of been traded or cut for cast offs from the Pats Pulpit.

by KCporkchop on Oct 23, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Well yeah I guess

starting or not….I think Page needs as much playing time as possible. He is a ball hawk.

"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden

by Matt_Grbac on Oct 23, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Page has always played well against Rivers.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Oct 23, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions

agreed, but if they can use him as a 3rd safety off the bench, maybe he plays like DJ did

DJ had as many snaps as other LB’s he just went in on nickel downs only…they can find a niche for page.

Also, Wow, that sean ryan 5 sacks stat is SCARY bad…sorry for judging albert…

by SDChief on Oct 23, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions

Page is better than McGraw

McGraw is the niche guy…..to bring him in on blitzes and st. Page is young and only gonna get better,

"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden

by Matt_Grbac on Oct 23, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions

Albert back...YAAAY!!!

If O’Call can play, we will be in business. HUGE game this week.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Oct 23, 2009 11:41 AM CDT reply actions

Yeah cause the Chargers run D is bad....

We need to exploit that in the worst way with our best olinemen

"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden

by Matt_Grbac on Oct 23, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Happiest man on earth

The Chiefs are on their way to an 11-5 season...I think....

by mushin on Oct 23, 2009 11:50 AM CDT reply actions

Im diggin the Visor, Shirt, and Background lol

by Wrestler189s on Oct 23, 2009 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions

You dont like that...

Joker-esque smile he has going on….

Looks like we have the next guy to play in Batman

"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden

by Matt_Grbac on Oct 23, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

very mischevious

by HeatherChiefsLvr on Oct 23, 2009 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Smiling but has the worst intentions...lol

"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden

by Matt_Grbac on Oct 23, 2009 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Lol why so serious?

by Wrestler189s on Oct 23, 2009 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Brian Waters

Has anyone else been screaming for this guys head while watching the games? How long has his ankle been a problem? Apparently he can not block anymore without holding… At this point I wish Haley would have Axed this guy when he was all pissy during the preseason… With that said, I am Soooo glad Albert is back, so maybe they can move Wade over and replave Waters…

by Stone Throwers on Oct 23, 2009 11:53 AM CDT reply actions

Nope.

Can’t say that I have.

It’s interesting how many “new” people keep popping up and spouting off about Waters, though. Saying almost exactly the same thing you just said.

I guess I just don’t see how cutting a Pro Bowl calibre Guard and fixture on our O-Line when our line is already shaky (at best) and two of our main contributors on that line (Albert and O’Callaghan) are either injured or coming back from injuries is a great game-winning strategy.

Guess that’s why you’re not the coach, huh?

by JacinB on Oct 23, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions

No one is saying cut him, at least I'm not.

Just that he’s washed up and should be replaced next year. Or that he should move to center (he’s still clearly better than Niswanger, and plus someone else in at guard.

Guess that’s why you’re not the coach, huh?
Shittiest argument in the history of arguments.

"What?!?! I aint no Obama for the weed!"
-Turk McBride

by HIV 2 Elway on Oct 23, 2009 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions

He might be "washed up" but he is still better than anybody on our line.

Some of the reasons why Waters isnt performing well is because Albert isn’t performing well either. When 1 struggles, the other struggles. When 1 is strong, they both are, usually, strong. Who do you think would be better at Guard? Ndukwe? He is probably better than Goff but not Waters.
I don’t think he will be replaced next year..maybe the year after but we need him until he retires..that will be just one more hole to fill.

by Wrestler189s on Oct 23, 2009 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions

I think the weakest link on the line is Niswanger.

Waters can play center, moving anyone else at guard would be an overall upgrade (I’m still anxious to see Collin Brown at guard). Again, I’m not saying he needs to be replaced now, just that its another line position that should be addressed this offseason. He seems to be declining and declining fast. I can’t ever remember him getting some many holding penalties.

"What?!?! I aint no Obama for the weed!"
-Turk McBride

by HIV 2 Elway on Oct 23, 2009 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Part of those holding penalties, though, are because he’s trying to make up the difference for the guys playing around him. Covering for an inadequate Center. Or a back-up Left Tackle whose more suited to play Guard himself.

I’m not going to fault him, necessarily, for trying to keep Cassel alive.

by JacinB on Oct 23, 2009 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions

somewhat agree

I think he’s still among the better linemen on the team, maybe not as dominant as he used to be…

but, then again, it’s a totally new offense that they didnt’ get to run through camp.
the protections seem complex, and often I see the line looking for whom they should be blocking… rather than actually hitting someone

Eventually, Albert and Waters will get back to playing the way they are capable of playing, and O’Callaghan will continue to develop at RT.

Goff and Niswanger may be beyond “hope”… and need to take a seat on the pine

* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season

by stagdsp on Oct 23, 2009 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions

I still see Waters making some plays bustin through chumps.

He still has a couple good years left.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Oct 23, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I think a big part of that is the TEs.

I’ve seen a number of times (the Eagles game comes immediately to mind) where we’ve put in a protection package with two TEs only to have blitzers go around the TEs and leave the ‘regular’ O-Line with no one to pick up and keeping them from being able to get outside to block.

Sean Ryan, for example, has allowed 5 sacks this season. The next closest TE has allowed 2. That’s an issue.

by JacinB on Oct 23, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions

my points exactly. blame it on someone else and never let waters have it. hang on to a declining player til its too late. nice KING CARL

by emmy12 on Oct 23, 2009 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions

only way he should be on the team next year is if he is playing center. that may work and make him a plus agian. but if thats something they might have in mind then try it now so u know what ya got. just think his past might bring him decent value and give SP as many picks as we can and let him and his scouting department go to work.

by emmy12 on Oct 23, 2009 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions

"Shittiest argument in the history of arguments."

Take it out of the context with the paragraph above it and, sure, it’s a weak argument. Put it back with the paragraph above it.

No one is saying cut him, at least I’m not.

No one is saying cut him? Sorry. Guess I took something different from:

At this point I wish Haley would have Axed this guy when he was all pissy during the preseason…

You’re right. It wasn’t your comment. But that’s not ‘No one is saying cut him’ either.

by JacinB on Oct 23, 2009 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions

has nothing to do with the context...

that arguement could be used for any arguement that questions a Chiefs move. It really doens’t say anything, kind of like replying with “your mama.”

Chiefs should have gone for 2 against Dallas. “Guess thats why you’re not the coach”

Chiefs should have drafted Curry. “Guess thats why you’re not the coach”

Chiefs should not have signed Goff. “Guess thats why you’re not the coach”

DJ should be playing more. “Guess thats why you’re not the coach”

Bench LJ, give Charles more touches. “Guess thats why you’re not the coach”

"What?!?! I aint no Obama for the weed!"
-Turk McBride

by HIV 2 Elway on Oct 23, 2009 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions

that arguement could be used for any arguement

Nice sentence, asshole.
/facepalm

"What?!?! I aint no Obama for the weed!"
-Turk McBride

by HIV 2 Elway on Oct 23, 2009 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions

I disagree.

It’s different, in my opinion.

“Guess that’s why you’re not the coach” wasn’t the entirety of the reply (as it was in your examples). There was an explanation of why what was being demanded was a bone-headed move.

And, secondarily, the points that you made were all things that could be debated and are things that have arguable merits on both sides.

I fail to see where there’s any merit whatsoever in “axing” Waters before the season starts, particularly when we have noone capable of stepping up behind him and even less merit in doing so now when his only potential replacement is busy filling in for other injured players.

by JacinB on Oct 23, 2009 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm nit picking rhetoric, I'm a dbag like that.

"What?!?! I aint no Obama for the weed!"
-Turk McBride

by HIV 2 Elway on Oct 23, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I cant really say I've seen this...

But how much of Waters struggles are a result of the guys on either side of him? Maybe he’s hesitant or compensating for them alot and in doing too much or worrying about too much down after down he’s making his own mistakes?

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on Oct 23, 2009 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions

FINALLY!!!

someone thats seeing the same thing as i me!!! i watch every game at least 3 times and repeatedly cuss how badly over rated waters is!!! and yet time after time i’m on here reading everone bashing the o-line for how horrible they are, cut this guy trade that guy replace this guy and yet NO ONE EVER calls waters out on his play. trade him in the off-season cuz im sure his past pro bowl will still keep his value fairly high. im thinkin possibly 3rd round at very worst 5th.

by emmy12 on Oct 23, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

It's hard to make out the funkiest piece of corn when their are 5 to 7 floating in the toilet

The Chiefs are on their way to an 11-5 season...I think....

by mushin on Oct 23, 2009 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions

lol nice

by emmy12 on Oct 23, 2009 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Chargers fans piss me off!

They think it will be a cake walk on Sunday. I can’t wait to end their season and playoff hopes on Sunday. Go Chiefs!

by casselreadychiefs on Oct 23, 2009 12:00 PM CDT reply actions

Updated this post with info on Albert

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Oct 23, 2009 12:01 PM CDT reply actions

Wow...

I thought that they would be out for Sunday. Lets hope they all are 100% by Sunday. Im hopeful for O Callaghan and Page but im not so sure that Albert will be ok enough to play…
Is this Waters injury the same one that took him out for a couple plays earlier in the season? (i cant remember which game it was)

by Wrestler189s on Oct 23, 2009 12:45 PM CDT reply actions

its going to be a long year for our line regardless of whos out there

we no longer have tony g to tie up 2 rushers and every defense in the league knows this. the only passing threat we have is Bowe so now any d can throw whomever they want in the box and get after Cassel.
We have been lucky thru the years with stellar playmakers that took the pass rush away out of fear that tony, kennison, and bowe would go deep on them.

by jrcnc on Oct 23, 2009 1:51 PM CDT reply actions

we do badly need some speed on our WR corp. no threat deep make the throwing windows very tight. also need to get better beating press coverage and getting open. the inability of our recievers to get open has cost us as many sacks as our weak o-line

by emmy12 on Oct 23, 2009 6:24 PM CDT reply actions