AFC West football capsules
editor1 |Aug 29,2008
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By Ed Kacik
PA SportsTicker Staff Writer
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
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Biggest changes: The Chargers will be without backup running
back Michael Turner, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons during
the offseason. Turner proved to be a capable reserve, rushing
for 164 yards on 43 attempts in three playoff games as LaDainian
Tomlinson was limited by a knee injury. San Diego released
wide receiver Eric Parker, ending a disappointing five-year
stint. Chris Chambers enters his first full season with the
team; he was acquired in a trade from the Miami Dolphins last
season. Defensive end Luis Castillo returns after signing a
seven-year contract. Block-monster Lorenzo Neal also was
released, opening the door for rookie Jacob Hester, who helped
Louisiana State to the national championship last season.
Positives: General manager A.J. Smith was given a contract
extension in January after the Chargers fell one game short of a
trip to the Super Bowl. Coach Norv Turner overcame his 58-82-1
career coaching record by leading San Diego to an 11-5 mark.
Tomlinson remains the league's most versatile running back and
should continue his assault on the record books in 2008. Philip
Rivers made further strides in 2007, solidifying his title as
the team's starting quarterback. If he struggles to rebound
from a knee injury suffered in the AFC Championship, the
Chargers are protected after re-signing the capable Billy Volek
to a three-year deal.
Negatives: The Chargers have three huge questions marks entering
the 2008 campaign, centering around their trio of offensive
leaders. Tomlinson is coming off a hyperextended left knee
suffered in the AFC divisional playoff and was expected to be
back at full strength in six weeks. Rivers is coming off
surgery on his torn right ACL but has not been limited in
training camp. However, he admitted that the knee still has a
ways to go. Antonio Gates, arguably the best tight end in the
league, had surgery to repair his nagging left big toe in
February and could possibly miss the season opener as a result.
Gates has led San Diego in receiving each of the last four
years and would leave a gaping hole if he can't return at full
strength.
On the Spot: The Chargers have lacked a legitimate play-making
receiver over the past several years but believe they now have
one with the acquisition of Chambers. The 30-year-old had 35
catches for 555 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games for San
Diego in 2007. However, Chambers has registered 1,000 yards
once in his seven NFL seasons and will be counted on heavily to
open up space for Tomlinson and the rushing attack by stretching
the field.
Prediction: The Chargers are poised to earn their third straight
division title and 13 wins is definitely within reach. Turner
dismissed any thoughts that he couldn't win in the playoffs,
leading San Diego past the defending champion Indianapolis Colts
last year and, if Rivers, Tomlinson and Gates were at 100
percent, it may have been the Chargers who ended the New England
Patriots' unbeaten run in the AFC Championship. Without major
injuries, the Chargers could be headed to the Super Bowl for the
first time since 1995.
Tidbit: The Chargers won two games in the postseason in 2007 for
the first time since 1995 - the last time the team advanced to
the Super Bowl.
DENVER BRONCOS
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Biggest changes: The Broncos cut John Lynch in July after the
safety asked for his release. Lynch had been told he would be
allowed to compete for a position in the secondary but hardly
stepped on the field in training camp. Denver also cut RBs Mike
Bell and the troublesome Travis Henry, replacing the duo with
Michael Pittman. Linebacker Boss Bailey joins brother Champ on
the Broncos' defense after signing a five-year contract in
March. WR Rod Smith retired after playing his entire 13-year
career with the Broncos and fellow wideout Javon Walker was
waived by the team in March.
Positives: Jay Cutler has a full season under his belt as the
starting quarterback and will look to improve upon his
respectable 2007 campaign. Cutler threw for 3,497 yards and 20
touchdowns while completing 63 percent of his passes. He was
diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes during the offseason but has said
it won't affect his play. The Broncos addressed some of their
concerns in the draft, selecting tackle Ryan Clady and WR Eddie
Royal in the first two rounds. Clady will help bolster a
mediocre offensive line and Royal will have an immediate impact
on a shallow receiving corps.
Negatives: The Broncos are coming off their first losing season
since 1999 and don't appear to be returning to their winning
ways. Denver appears to be headed for a rebuilding project
after ridding itself of several underachievers, namely Walker
and Henry. Their departure leaves the Broncos thin at wide
receiver and running back. Selvin Young will take over the
starting running back duties while Darrell Jackson steps in as
the No. 1 wide receiver until Brandon Marshall returns from his
three-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct
policy. Denver did little to bolster a defense that ranked 30th
against the run last season.
On the spot: Few have questioned Mike Shanahan's ability as both
a head coach and vice president of football operations.
However, after two straight seasons without a playoff appearance
and several botched personnel decisions, Shanahan may be
walking a thin line. The Broncos, on paper at least, don't
appear to be a team destined for the playoffs. But, if Shanahan
can get his team back in the postseason, it may solidify his
position in Denver.
Prediction: Denver is headed for another losing season after
several key players failed to live up to their potential. The
Broncos could easily have been a playoff contender in the AFC
West, but with the massive turnover involving key pieces like
Walker, Henry and Lynch, as well as Marshall's suspension,
Denver doesn't have enough pieces in place to compete for a
postseason berth. Four of their first seven games come against
2007 playoff teams, meaning the Broncos' playoff hopes may be
gone before their bye week.
Tidbit: Last season was the Broncos' first losing campaign since
1999 (6-10). They have not had two straight sub-.500 seasons
since going 4-9 in 1971 and 5-9 in 1972.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
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Biggest changes: Oakland released running back LaMont Jordan,
replacing him with Darren McFadden, the No. 4 overall pick out
of Arkansas who finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting the
last two seasons. The Raiders acquired troubled cornerback
DeAngelo Hall from the Atlanta Falcons during the offseason and
improved their secondary further by signing safeties Adam
Archuleta and Gibril Wilson. Oakland will be without wide
receiver Jerry Porter, who joined the Jacksonville Jaguars, but
signed WR Javon Walker to take his place. Defensive end Warren
Sapp retired.
Positives: McFadden provides the Raiders with an explosive
offensive weapon out of the backfield. Combined with 1,000-yard
rusher Justin Fargas and the return of Michael Bush, who missed
his entire rookie season after breaking his leg late in 2006
while at Louisville, Oakland looks to have a lethal ground
attack. Despite missing two games early in 2007, DE Derrick
Burgess tied a career high with eight sacks. The addition of
Walker should help improve a passing offense which ranked 31st
in the NFL last season.
Negatives: JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007
NFL draft, didn't take the field until Week 13 last season and
was not impressive during his limited playing time. He completed
36-of-66 passes for 376 yards and two touchdowns against four
interceptions. The Raiders were 1-3 in games that featured
Russell. Oakland did nothing to improve a front seven that was
punished on the ground last season, surrendering 146 yards per
game - second worst in the NFL.
On the Spot: Russell needs to prove to fans and management alike
that he was worthy of the top overall selection and the
corresponding $61 million contract. Thus far, Russell is most
known for his contract holdout, which kept him out of training
camp entirely and didn't end until after the first week of 2007.
Once he stepped on the field, coach Lane Kiffin was not
impressed, joking to the media that he had a list of mistakes
his quarterback had made. Now with a full season and training
camp to learn the offense, Russell will be on the hot seat in
2008.
Predictions: Oakland won't compete for a playoff spot but could
be one of the most improved teams in the league with a couple of
breaks. If Russell can seize the reins of the offense and the
defensive front can play above their potential, the Raiders are
likely on the verge of an 8-8 record - especially in the AFC
West. However, if abrasive owner Al Davis and Kiffin continue
to butt heads, it will likely be yet another losing season in
Oakland.
Tidbit: The Raiders have lost 61 of their 80 games over the past
five years after advancing to the Super Bowl during the 2002
season.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
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Biggest changes: Defensive end Jared Allen, who led the NFL with
15 1/2 sacks in 2007, was designated as the team's franchise
player in February. However, after failing to come to agree on
a long-term contract, Allen was traded to the Minnesota Vikings
in exchange for a first-round pick and two third-round
selections. To help replace Allen, the Chiefs drafted tackle
Glenn Dorsey fifth overall. Kansas City used its second
first-round pick to bolster its offensive line, selecting guard
Branden Albert, arguably the best interior lineman in the draft.
Positives: Running back Larry Johnson missed the final eight
games of the regular season after suffering a broken right foot.
Johnson led the NFL with 416 carries in 2006 and, after rushing
for a touchdown in the Chiefs' first preseason game, appears to
fully healthy. Johnson's return should help open the field for
Tony Gonzalez, Dwayne Bowe and QB Brodie Croyle. Gonzalez
continues to be one of the game's top tight ends while Bowe
burst onto the scene last season, making 70 catches for 995
yards and five touchdowns in his rookie year. Croyle enters as
the starter after throwing for 1,227 yards and six touchdowns in
nine games - six starts.
Negatives: Croyle needs to impress or risks losing his job
completely in Kansas City. The Chiefs' offense was dismal.
With Allen gone, the defense could struggle to put pressure on
opposing quarterbacks, as Dorsey has been limited by a knee
injury in training camp. With a youthful secondary and the aging
Patrick Surtain manning one cornerback position, Kansas City
will need some help up front if it is going to avoid duplicating
its 2007 performance when it ranked 25th in yards surrendered
(362) and 17th in pass yards against (187).
On the spot: Dorsey is expected to anchor a defensive line which
is without its best player from a year ago. Although not known
for his ability to rush the passer, Dorsey should clog rushing
lanes and help a defense that ranked 29th, yielding 175 yards
per game on the ground. With a five-year, $51 million contract,
it will be interesting to see how the fans respond to a
franchise player who prided himself on playing through injuries
in college and already has missed a week of training camp with a
sprained knee.
Predictions: The Chiefs will be helped by a relatively easy
division but still don't have what it takes to finish with a
winning record. Allen was the lone bright spot on a dismal 2007
team but he is gone. Croyle has yet to prove that he can make
it as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Johnson will need to
step up huge if the Chiefs want to finish above .500. With an
inexperienced signal-caller, Kansas City likely is headed for a
5-11 finish.
Tidbit: The Chiefs lost all six games that Croyle started in
2007.
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