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ESPN reported earlieron Thursday that the Kansas City Chiefs had given the Miami Dolphins permission to speak with Branden Albert and that Albert had a visit to the Dolphins facilities planned along with a physical. KC Chiefs head coach Andy Reid denied that was the case to reporters on Thursday but later clarified things to ESPN's Chris Mortensen:
Andy Reid just clarified KC has given permission to Dolphins to speak with Brandon Albert's agent but no visit or physical allowed yet.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) April 18, 2013
Reid says he was so engaged in football he misunderstood GM John Dorsey, leading to his refute of reports re: Albert & possible trade.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) April 18, 2013
Reid thought it was dead issue because no talks between teams for 2 days & Dorsey declined Albert visit without substantive trade offer.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) April 18, 2013
That last bit is interesting. Is it true that the Dolphins don't have a good enough offer? Or is this the Chiefs playing the negotiating game? Part of me is inclined to think it's the latter, that the Chiefs are trying to get a good offer out of this. The Dolphins have two second round picks -- No. 42 and No. 54. Obviously, the Chiefs would prefer the higher of those two. It was previously reported that the Chiefs were looking for a "high second round pick" in a trade for Albert.
Also, Reid saying there hadn't been any talks for two days also confirms that there are indeed talks. Not that we didn't already know that given all the rumors. I mean, there are already predictions on which day it will happen.
Bottom line is that Dolphins have clarity on what Albert wants $$-wise. If trade happens -- still a big if -- would most likely be Friday.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 18, 2013
If the Chiefs and Dolphins can agree on trade terms (draft picks) then Albert's agent could be facilitating a trade by speaking with the Dolphins about a new contract. That's how this would get done.
There just seems to be too much smoke for this not to happen.