The Miami Dolphins have been negotiating with LT Branden Albert for a few days now and what once was expected to be the final hang-up in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs has now turned into the first piece of the puzzle.  According to a report by Ian Rapoport VIA “Twitter”, the Dolphins are o.k. with the asking price from Albert’s camp.

The hang-up it seems is in the compensation the Dolphins would give the Chiefs.

Rapoport hypothesized the Chiefs are not comfortable with the unwillingness of the Dolphins to give up their 42nd overall selection.  It was rumored the team was willing to part with their 54th pick.  Thus making a trade look more like Vontae’ Davis for Branden Albert.

If the reports of Miami’s willingness to pay Albert are true, there will be plenty of fans wondering why Jeff Ireland was willing to pay 8 million or more to Albert but not to Jake Long.  While Long has been injured the past two years, Albert is not without an injury history himself.  Last year he played all 16 games and had a very productive season but it was his first 16 game season as a pro.

Albert and Long do not play the same style with Albert being a little better as a zone left tackle.  Jake Long struggled with the new system in Miami implemented last season by Joe Philbin.  The Dolphins tried to re-sign Long after a week long back and forth for Jake and the St. Louis Rams.  In the end, Long chose St. Louis.

“I’m told the Dolphins do not have a problem with that,” Rapoport said of Albert’s price tag. “I know some people are saying different. I’m told they don’t have a problem with it.” Per Rapoport, Albert wants “Duane Brown money” — not Jake Long money. Brown signed a six-year, $53.4 million extension last August, with $22.08 million guaranteed. It sounds like the Chiefs will send Albert to the Dolphins if the sides agree to trade terms. Miami has two second-rounders, but would prefer to part with No. 54 rather than 42. – Per RotoWorld.com

The Dolphins and the Chiefs have a short window ahead of them as the Dolphins can hold out making the trade until day two of the draft (Friday) allowing themselves an opportunity to see who slides to either 12 or into round 2.  It’s a risky move by Jeff Ireland as the Chiefs could stand pat and if the Phins used the 42nd pick the trade could immediately go off the table.  Or it could force the Chiefs to accept the Dolphins best offer, whatever that may be.

For now it’s all speculation regardless.  The Dolphins could, for all we know be offering a 3rd round pick while the Chiefs could simply be asking for the 54th and something else.  Either this year or next.  To read more on Branden Albert, visit Arrowheadaddict.com.  Another fantastic “FanSided” network site.

Nov 1, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tackle Branden Albert (76) walks to the locker room after the San Diego Chargers beat the Chiefs 31-13 at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

As I was sitting down to enjoy my cup of coffee last night before bed, one of my good friends texted me with a Miami Dolphin rumor informing me that Miami was working towards a deal to acquire Kansas City Chiefs‘ left tackle, Branden Albert.

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October 14, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tackle Branden Albert (76) points as he gets ready to block against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier tonight, Ian Rappaport of NFL.com sent the “Twitter” universe abuzz when he said that he has heard the Miami Dolphins are indeed interested in acquiring Kansas Chiefs LT Branden Albert.  The question he posed was KC willing to accept the Dolphins second 2nd round pick.  Number 54.

You can read more on this on Fansided.com and an earlier article written on ArrowheadAddict on this subject here.

A trade for Albert would put to rest any talk of a Dolphins trade up in next weeks draft to take Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher, or Lane Johnson.  It would also short them a 2nd round pick.  That wouldn’t be bad for a starting veteran left tackle but Albert isn’t exactly a stellar left tackle.

For starters, he is franchised.  Meaning the Dolphins would have to pay him 8-9 million dollars for one season and would have to ink him to a long term deal.  One that reportedly will come in around the same amount on a yearly base.  That’s an expensive price tag for a guy who hasn’t made the Pro-Bowl and likely won’t.

In addition, consider that he has been a Chief since coming into the league.  Hasn’t made the Pro-Bowl, was franchised, refused to move to the right side of the line, all so that K.C. could draft his replacement, presumably, with the first overall pick in next weeks draft.  Does that sound like a great left tackle to you?

For the record, I’m not against making a trade for the guy despite the fact that he will be costly, Dawn Aponte the Dolphins cap executive can work wonders with a players salary, nor am I worried that he will fail as our left tackle.  I don’t see the value in trading a 2nd round pick for the guy.

The Chiefs may believe him to be worth a 2nd rounder but let’s face a clear fact here.  They don’t have anyone knocking their doors down to get this guy.  Lack of interest pits no one against each other and the price tag falls.  Complicating matters more is the fact that after next Thursday evening, if he is still on the roster, the Chiefs will have to either trade out of the top spot and address another position, address another position with the number 1 slot, or draft either Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher.  They either keep Albert at LT or watch his value in a trade dissolve.

The Dolphins need a left tackle but they have more options than what the Chiefs do.  They can trade up for a LT in the draft, something that will cost them a pick or two extra but will save them a considerable amount of cash in the next four to five years, or they can move Jonathan Martin to LT and add a RT.

The Dolphins hold the cards right now and if I were Jeff Ireland, I would be holding the card that has a late third rounder on it.  I hold the card that may have a 4th rounder and a players name on it.  What I’m not holding is a card that has a 2nd round draft pick on it.  If the Chiefs don’t want to deal, then don’t deal.  Let them find another suitor who will eat 8 to 9 million a season and give up a draft pick.

And for some reason right about now, I’m wondering if the number 54 pick will be sent to K.C.