That Branden Albert, he's too modest for my tastes. He wants to win games and donate his time to community organizations and talk about the team instead of individuals.

Where's the "me" time? Or the self-promotion? Isn't this the NFL? Chad Ocho Cinco and Terrell Owens would take away Albert's players card.

I asked Albert last week whether it was too early to call him a potential Pro Bowler in 2009. This is what he said:

"It’s too early," he said. "I’m not going to toot my own horn like that. I’ve got a lot of work. That sets myself up for failure. I’m just going to keep working hard."

You might have heard this, but Albert has lost a few pounds. Thirty-six of them, actually. In three months. He's skipped the fatty foods and the long afternoons in the recliner and instead hit the treadmill.

Wait, isn't this the offseason? These are the months in which offensive linemen are supposed to try all 16 of the Doritos food groups, dip his toe into a new hobby like, say, training for the nap marathon, and watch the 13 hours a day of World's Strongest Man? Instead, this is how Albert is spending his free months. Not only is he wasting so many opportunities to slouch, he's making Moose Miller sick.

"I’m just trying to be a young guy," he said, "who’s trying to show everybody we can win games."

Well, with that kind of attitude, when the pool is waiting and the buffet is calling, it's tough to keep quiet. So I won't anymore: Whether he likes it or not, Albert is a potential Pro Bowler, if not this year, then 2010 should watch its back.

Albert has the locker room's best attitude and maybe its best work ethic. Chiefs coach Todd Haley would rather swallow a sleeve of razor blades than hand out compliments, but he gave a load of them this offseason to Albert. Talked about the kid's drive and potential and what might be possible if he keeps this up.

So sorry, Branden, but it has to be said again: The Pro Bowl is a possibility. No pressure, of course.

Then again, if he has warded off the temptations of the offseason, shooting for Honolulu should seem like a breeze. That's a realistic reward for Albert, who has punished the treadmill, ignored the cheeseburgers, and paid little attention to the television. All for the sake of team, fitness, and goals that shouldn't be discussed by most second-year players. Then again, most second-year players don't have Albert's discipline and restraint.

How boring.