Branden Albert still hasn’t spoken to Jaguars head coach

Branden Albert isn’t doing anything to endear himself to his new teammates or head coach as he continues to miss Jaguars offseason activities.

When the Jacksonville Jaguars first swung a deal with the Miami Dolphins at the eleventh hour that kept them from outright releasing offensive lineman Branden Albert, the veteran said all the right things about his new team. He used the word “excited” and expressed joy knowing he was wanted by another team. Three months later, he still hasn’t reported to the Jags offseason activities or even responded to phone calls from the team’s new head coach, Doug Marrone.

"“I just want to know [his status] so when you ask me a question, I can answer it or if Dave Caldwell asks me a question I can answer it,” Marrone told reporters Saturday. “I think that is the more frustrating thing. I’ve been in this situation a lot where players are on a tag … [and they’ve said] ‘Coach I’m on a tag. I’m not signing the tag … I’m not going to come for anything but hey I’ll be working out and training.’ You just want to know where everyone is at and that’s all I was expecting. I can’t tell you what’s true and not true. I can’t speak for Branden. I can only tell you I have not talked to him.”"

Albert was acquired earlier this offseason for a 7th round choice as the Jaguars sought to solve their ongoing line issues by picking up a dependable linemen who still has some quality years left. Albert might not be a Pro Bowler at this point and his injury history makes him a good bet to not make a full year’s worth of starts, but if a team can afford to stomach his contract, it was a good move on the part of the Jags. Unfortunately the former Chiefs lineman has refused to report or even check in.

The Jaguars made a move in the draft with Cam Robinson, an offensive tackle from Alabama, so they’re not without options moving forward, but clearly the plan was for Albert to learn the offense, meet his teammates, help make an impression and build chemistry with his line. Instead, he’s only causing more confusions, raising questions and distracting everyone with the mystery.

Albert is a nine-year NFL veteran who will turn 33 in November. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler who even made it as recently as 2015.