Sep 16, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel (7) takes a snap from guard Ryan Lilja (65) as tackle Branden Albert (76) blocks during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Chiefs 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
The 2013 NFL Draft is tomorrow and the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins are trying to hammer out a last minute deal that will send LT Branden Albert to South Beach.
The news has broken that the Dolphins have the parameters of a deal worked out with Albert.
The #Dolphins are on board with the parameters of a contract with Branden Albert. They are ready to pay him elite LT money.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) April 24, 2013
The problem, as Steve Wyche of ESPN reported, is whether or not the Dolphins are willing to pay what the Chiefs are asking.
Chiefs GM Dorsey: trade compensation is the holdup in Albert trade w/Miami. Talks will continue into the night. Time is an issue.
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) April 24, 2013
"It is not known what the Chiefs want in return for Albert. It is not known what the Dolphins are willing to give for Albert. That part is all speculation. The consensus is that the exchange could involve a second round pick in the draft that begins Thursday night and continues Friday and Saturday.The Dolphins have two second-round selections.The Dolphins, as Steve Wyche of NFL-AM reported, are the only team talking to the Chiefs about trading for Albert.By the way, the Dolphins and the Chiefs are gaining quite a history of trade emnity. They disagreed on compensation for sending Patrick Surtain to KC before getting it done. They disagreed on compensation for sending Trent Green to Miami before getting it done."
This could be potentially problematic for the Chiefs. I think Miami has a bit of leverage here. The Chiefs owe Albert $9 million this season and KC is reportedly hoping to draft one of the top two LTs in the draft. If I had to guess, I’d say the Chiefs are asking for Miami’s high second-round pick and the Dolphins are offering up a third, hoping the Chiefs will meet them in the middle and request the late second-rounder.
If the Dolphins call KC’s bluff and waits until the second round begins Friday night, the Chiefs may panic and take the late second-rounder. Miami could even go so far as to wait until after the second round, forcing the Chiefs to part with Albert for a third.
The thinking here is that once the Chiefs make the pick at No. 1, the Dolphins will know how to proceed. If KC still takes a tackle, the Dolphins can be sure the Chiefs are probably still willing to deal Albert. If, however, the Chiefs pull a fast one and take a defensive player, Miami could panic and serve up what the Chiefs are asking. Or more.
This may come down to which organization blinks first. Who do you think it will be, Addicts?