Webnews: Chiefs, Branden Albert talking contract, but no deal yet

[Coach]

By Michael David Smith
The status of Chiefs left tackle Branden Albert has been a topic of conversation throughout the offseason, and with the deadline for franchise players to sign long-term contracts looming, it continues to be a situation that bears monitoring. Albert has signed his franchise tender, so there are no concerns about a training camp holdout, but… Read more…

[brdempsey69]

There you have it. The deadline has passed and there has been no long-term deal announced -- just as I predicted. The Chiefs don't need to hand out a long-term contract to Albert in 2013. Eric Fisher will probably take over the LT spot in 2014, anyway, and the Chiefs already have two candidates on their roster for the RT spot in 2014 in Allen and Stephenson.

Kudos to John Dorsey for playing the cards correctly on this one & having the balls to draft Fisher -- something Pioli would not have had the courage to do.

Now let's hope Fisher gets signed in time for training camp.

[jap1]

There you have it. The deadline has passed and there has been no long-term deal announced -- just as I predicted. The Chiefs don't need to hand out a long-term contract to Albert in 2013. Eric Fisher will probably take over the LT spot in 2014, anyway, and the Chiefs already have two candidates on their roster for the RT spot in 2014 in Allen and Stephenson.

Kudos to John Dorsey for playing the cards correctly on this one & having the balls to draft Fisher -- something Pioli would not have had the courage to do.

Now let's hope Fisher gets signed in time for training camp.

My biggest concern is now how are they going to sign Fisher without restructuring someone else. We only have $3mil and change left in salary cap room.

[brdempsey69]

My biggest concern is now how are they going to sign Fisher without restructuring someone else. We only have $3mil and change left in salary cap room.

I am thinking the same thought. Somebody is going to be traded or just flat out get axe, obviously.

[jap1]

I am thinking the same thought. Somebody is going to be traded or just flat out get axe, obviously.

I could see someone getting restructured. I believe Hali's cap hit is 15 mil this year and 11 next year. I am sure he would consider restructuring to move 2 mil from this year to next year, especially if we make more of it guaranteed. Granted the team is taking more of a risk if he gets injured by doing that, but it beats cutting some people who we may need to contribute.

Im curious to see how this is handled.

[Chiefster]

My biggest concern is now how are they going to sign Fisher without restructuring someone else. We only have $3mil and change left in salary cap room.

I am thinking the same thought. Somebody is going to be traded or just flat out get axe, obviously.

Help me out guys because I really don't know. How does the rookie cap fit in all this. Will we have restructure contracts even with the cap?

[brdempsey69]

Help me out guys because I really don't know. How does the rookie cap fit in all this. Will we have restructure contracts even with the cap?

AFAIK, the rookie salary cap DOES fit in towards the overall team salary cap. Meaning they will have to free up some space somehow to sign Fisher as I believe what jap1 said about being 3 mill under the cap right now is accurate.

[jap1]

Here is the source for salary cap info that I use: http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/cap-hit/

I was under the impression that the rookie's salaries counted against the cap, and thus we would have to include Fisher's numbers. However, looking at the salary signed by the #2 pick, he is getting 3mil/yr plus like a 10+mil signing bonus. So that may be what ends up happening with Fisher.

[jap1]

After a quick google search, here are some articles that say the "Rookie pool" comes out of your salary cap.

http://overthecap.com/explaining-the...he-salary-cap/ (this one even references the Chiefs!)

http://russellstreetreport.com/expla...ctually-works/

[brdempsey69]

Thanks jap for the links. Whatever happens, I hope they sign Fisher and get him going from training camp day 1, so he doesn't miss a beat.