Miami Dolphins: Branden Albert grooming Laremy Tunsil

Miami Dolphins veteran left tackle Branden Albert is taking rookie Laremy Tunsil under his wing…

Miami Dolphins left tackle Branden Albert knows the value of mentorship in the NFL. In such a cutthroat business where players are constantly vying for the opportunity to take someone else’s job, Albert seems to have embraced his role as the guy who will eventually be replaced by first round pick Laremy Tunsil.

Albert, 31, is no Spring chicken, but he’s also not an afterthought. He’s still a major part of the Dolphins’ offensive line, but when the team had an opportunity to get a top five talent like Tunsil, he knew eventually, the left tackle job would belong to the former Ole Miss star.

Instead of marking his territory and turning the other way at Tunsil, Albert has embraced him and taken him under his wing. According to The Miami Herald, it’s something Albert takes great pride in.

“He is the future left tackle of this team,” Albert said. “When my time is done, he’s going to step in [and] I’m going to make sure [he’s prepared]. That’s how you leave your legacy.

“You teach a young guy and sit at home retired and see that young guy flourish [and know] I helped him on his way and have the potential to make a lot of money and change the future of his family generation after generation… They learn something from me and can say, ‘Branden Albert was a great mentor.’”

That’s great news for Tunsil, who is going to have to start his NFL career in an unfamiliar position and with high expectations. Not only high expectations for his on-field abilities, but also for his off-field character.

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Tunsil’s draft night slide was hardly a surprise after video surfaced of him wearing a mask and apparently inhaling marijuana. The Dolphins felt comfortable enough with his character to end his slide, and they wound up with one of the best value picks of the entire draft.

The question for Tunsil is how he responds to all of this. How will he respond to the adversity of his past being brought to the attention of the entire football world on National TV? How will he respond to the tutelage and mentoring of Branden Albert?

The Dolphins should be encouraged, not only for the present, but the future as well.

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