Tough test

Rookie tackle will be front and center Sunday

 Author Michael Lewis’ great book, “The Blind Side,” concludes that the left tackle — who protects the quarterback’s blind side — is one of the most important positions on a football field.

Herm Edwards must not be familiar with the work. The Chiefs coach is depending on rookie Branden Albert to protect the blind side of Kansas City quarterback Brodie Croyle against the Patriots in the season opener for both teams Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium.

Making matters even tougher, Albert, a guard in at the University of Virginia, injured his foot five days into training camp, and he had limited reps at his new position in the preseason.

“I’m going to have to be ready,” the 6-foot-5, 315-pounder Alberts told reporters earlier this week. “I’ve just got to keep working hard all through the week. Hopefully, I’ll be ready on Sunday.”    

Patriots defensive lineman Richard Seymour — who could be lining up opposite Alberts on Sunday — was low-key on Thursday when he was asked about Albert.

“We have to be prepared for whoever they put in the game,” Seymour shrugged. “I watched some film on him [when he was] at Virginia. He’s a big guy, an athletic guy, a first-round draft pick.”