Miami Dolphins left tackle Branden Albert has gone through a lot of adversity during his two seasons with the team. Despite him trying to recover from a knee and a hamstring injury last season, Albert was named to the Pro Bowl for only the second time in his career.
At age 31, Albert told the media on Tuesday that he feels as great as he has since his first Pro Bowl season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013.
“Right now, I’m in the best shape I’ve been in in a long time,” Albert said. “It’s the lightest I’ve been since I left Kansas City. As of right now, I’m just trying to keep continuing to get my body together and learning the offense and just continuing to work.”
After not coming into training camp heavy last offseason because of his knee injury, Albert is noticeably thinner.
“I’m probably like 313 (pounds) right now, Albert said.”
As with most players in the NFL, being in the best possible shape can only help their game as they enter their 30s. Albert said that was a major reason for him lowering his weight.
“Basically, I am getting kind of older,” Albert said. “For the sake of my health and my joints and my knees, I just feel better. Right now I’m at a point that I’m strong enough to be lighter just for longevity in my career.”
In Week 10 of the 2014 season, Albert tore his ACL and MCL against the Detroit Lions and missed the rest of the season. He tried to practice with the rest of the Dolphins team during training camp last season, but he clearly wasn’t close to being 100 percent.
Injuries have been a common theme for not only Albert but the entire Dolphins offensive line. Right tackle Ju’Wuan James was limited to seven games last year because of a toe injury. Center Mike Pouncey underwent surgery on his foot that caused him to miss the team’s final two games of the 2015 regular season.
When the trio of Albert, James and Pouncey have all been healthy and in the Dolphins starting lineup, the team has a 6-1 record over the last two seasons.
“All of us were banged up,” Albert said. “But once we all stay healthy, we stay cohesive, and we find the right the five, I believe we could be a heck of an offensive line.”
During the last four seasons, no team has given up more sacks than the Dolphins. Since 2012, quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been sacked a total of 184 times, which is the most in the NFL during that span.
In order to address their futility on the offensive line, the Dolphins drafted tackle Laremy Tunsil with the No.13 in the 2016 NFL Draft. Many expected Tunsil to start at tackle this season, but he has been playing next to Albert at left guard.
Albert said when the team drafted Tunsil, he wasn’t worried about his place on the team.
“I’m the left tackle of this team, Albert said.” “I wasn’t worried about anything. I’m trying to bring him (Tunsil) along the best we can. The faster he moves along and the faster that his progress comes, and we get the five best offensive linemen on the field, we’re going to be the best offensive line we can be. That’s going to help this team out.”
If Albert, James and Pouncey can all remain healthy and play a full 16-game season for the Dolphins, that will benefit not only Tannehill but the Dolphins running game. Also, with many expecting Tunsil to supplant Albert someday at left tackle, it is crucial the nine-year veteran remains healthy if he wants to stay in Miami.
Twitter: @antwanstaley
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