The AFC West was expected to be a walk-over for the Chargers. It may have ended looking that way, but the ever-controversial Josh McDaniels made sure his off-season antics continued into Denver playing a big role in the way the division played out. The Broncos shot out of the gate, taking the entire NFL universe by surprise in 2009, whilst the Chargers played consistently throughout the year and in the end eased to the division, once the Broncos bright start petered out to nothing. The Chiefs and Raiders still wallowed down in the basement of the NFL. This time around, Josh McDaniels has still been making waves, most notably gambling his entire career on the drafting of Tim Tebow, the Chargers have moved on the legendary LT, and the Chiefs and Raiders have quietly been going about trying to rebuild their teams.
Denver Broncos Last season 8-8 Key additions Jamal Williams (NT), Brady Quinn (QB Cleveland), Akin Ayodele (LB Miami) Key losses Brandon Marshall (WR Miami), Tony Scheffler (TE Detroit), Andra Davis (LB Buffalo), Peyton Hillis (RB Cleveland) Draft picks include R1 Demaryius Thomas (WR, Georgia Tech), R1 Tim Tebow (QB Florida), R2 Zane Beadles (OT, Utah), R3 J.D. Walton (C, Baylor), R3 Eric Decker (WR, Minnesota)
DOC: One word Tebow. One question when will he be starting? One over-riding theme - Is Josh McDaniels a genius or a maverick with mad ideas and over-inflated opinion of his own ability? This is the year we'll find this out. He's surely now purged that entire roster of everyone who he didn't want; now with Brandon Marshall finally gone (to be replaced by a like for like in Demaryius Thomas) and Tony Sheffler shipped to Detroit also. So its time to see what he is all about. Kyle Orton will likely return as the starter under centre and can manage a team to the post-season; offensively though I do just wonder if the Tebow hype might end up engulfing the team. If he starts, what will he do? I've said before just what a big fan I am of his work ethic and attitude no matter how nauseating it can be, and if anyone can do what is required, then it is him. BUT, this early? Surely not? Much will depend I feel on how Thomas recovers from the injuries he was suffering in the run-up to the draft. The defence started fantastically last year but faded down the stretch and whilst Mike Nolan's move to Miami was a blow at the time, they've had time to adjust to this and the personnel appear suited to the system, which allowed McDaniels to focus on the offence with his draft. The Chargers remain the class in the division but just don't look as strong this year; the other two remain mired in the basement so there's a chance for the Broncos. Whisper it quietly; I could see them making the post-season this year.
DANG: I have to totally disagree with the post-season sentiment Doc. This is an average team at best who have now shipped out anyone who could make a play offensively replacing them with a College Quarterback, with so much hype around him it's ridiculous. If Tebow doesn't live up to the expected hype and bombs out, Josh McDaniels may never get another job in football. Denver finished 2009 2-8 after a 6-0 start, the reverse of what Tennessee managed. Knowshon Moreno will have it all going through him and will put up some impressive numbers in 2010 if he can recover from his hamstring injury received in day 1 of Training Camp, but Demariyous Thomas and Kyle Orton or Tim Tebow are simply not the answer to this team getting remotely within a sniff of a playoff place, it's just not going to happen.
I'm looking forward to seeing Tebow at Wembley, he'll be sure to be involved a little more than usual, being on the world stage, but an improving 49ers team will have too much for them. Defensively, the Broncos have got rid of Defensive guru Mike Nolan, a man who was responsible for the development of the likes of Elvis Dumervil and the 3-4 system implemented last season, McDaniels will find out this again, is another mistake he has made in his already short induction to Head Coach duties.
Don't expect big things Broncos fans, Kansas City are closing in behind you and Tebow is not the answer.
Kansas City Chiefs Last season 4-12 Key additions Thomas Jones (RB New York Jets), Ryan Lilja (OG Indianapolis) Draft picks include R1 Eric Berry (S, Tennessee), R2 Dexter McCluster (RB, Ole Miss), R2 Javier Arenas (CB, Alabama), R3 Jon Asamoah (G, Illinois), R3 Tony Moeaki (TE, Iowa)
DOC: So the Kansas City Patriots continue to take shape. Is Todd Haley on borrowed time before being shoved aside for someone coming from the Belichick coaching tree? Who knows? I've heard some people tell me that the Chiefs could be a dark horse team to fare quite well this year given some of the acquisitions they've made particularly from the veteran pool. I don't buy it sorry. The draft Eric Berry aside could have been a bit better. I'm intrigued to see how they're going to work their running back situation. The speedster Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones were added to with the talented Dexter McCluster, so I will be interested to see how new addition (and Notre Dame flop) Charlie Weis fares with them. It looks to me like they're going to be a run first team after building a young offensive line. They don't really have a lot of weapons in the passing game. Well, they've got Dwayne Bowe and that's it actually and even he is hardly the happiest camper at the moment. But I look at the bigger picture and ask what does all this tell us about Matt Cassel? Is he really the man for the job? I suppose this year will tell us. I can see them getting up towards perhaps six wins. But anyone more will be an absolute shock.
DANG: Eric Berry, Dexter McCluster, Javier Arenas nobody can accuse the Chiefs of not going out and getting playmakers in the draft. Add them to the blossoming Jamaal Charles, the wily old vets Thomas Jones and Chris Chambers and you start to put together the pieces of a team who should improve this year.
The problem though, lies with Matt Cassel, I simply don't think he's good enough to succeed in this team, he'd be at best, a backup on most other rosters, but is trying to earn his stripes, after receiving a ridiculous contract following his trade from the Patriots where he spent time behind one of the best O lines in the league, in the shotgun, with a couple of the best receivers catching his passes, he simply doesn't have that luxury in KC. Dexter McCluster is a pre-season candidate to be in the mix for Rookie of the year awards, expect to see him lined up at slot Receiver, outside receiver, Running back and possibly back returning kicks as well. He should split time with Arenas in KR duties, potentially a deadly pairing to help give the Chiefs some excellent field positions. Defensively, the Chiefs excellent young defensive backs are going to struggle once again if the Chiefs fail to get any push up front and looking at who they have, it's hard to see where the sacks and pressures are going to come from. Likewise with Doc, I don't see the Chiefs hitting more than half a dozen wins this season.
Oakland Raiders Last season 5-11 Key additions Quentin Groves (DE Jacksonville), Kamerion Wimbley (LB Cleveland), Jason Campbell (QB Washington), John Henderson (DT Jacksonville) Key losses Kirk Morrison (LB Jacksonville), Greg Ellis (DE), Javon Walker (WR), JaMarcus Russell (QB Burger King) Draft picks include R1 Rolando McClain (LB, Alabama), R2 Lamarr Houston (DT, Texas), R3 Jared Veldheer (OT, Hillsdale)
DOC: First and foremost a good draft from the Raiders! Some good pick ups assisted by some relatively shrewd moves in the free agent market and things suddenly aren't that bad. They finally saw the light, perhaps quite literally when they manoeuvred fat-ass JaMarcus Russell out the door. Whilst what they were left with probably don't have as much potential they're not fat, lazy, unprofessional and a complete waste of space like that whale is. And Jason Campbell is a QB who can make things happen. We saw that the team as a whole looked better when he wasn't involved and played towards the ability they probably can. The defence has always been pretty good and that should continue. The Cable Guy amazingly held onto his job and whilst he's not the best coach in the world at least finally, there's some continuity in Oakland (well you have to think it's a positive at least). The Raiders could do one of two things. They could continue to struggle and limp along to anywhere between a four and six win season. Or they could burst out and achieve I'm feeling optimistic I'll go 7-9.
DANG: This is where we have our usual effort of puns, Al bashing and Raider hating, however; I happen to think the Raiders might just be moving back in the right direction after a few seasons cut adrift in the wilderness from the rest of the NFL. Bruce Gradkowski finally showed Al what a huge mistake he made when drafting the fat and lazy JaMarcus Russell in ____ when an old vet would have steered them along until they could draft the right guy. As it was, they chucked a 4th round pick at Washington for Jason Campbell giving them decent depth at Quarterback for the first time in many a year. Campbell is a hard worker who was under-valued in Washington. In front of Campbell, the Raiders have stacked up some depth on its O line, in come rookies Jared Veldheer and Bruce Campbell (by the way, props to the Oakland Front office, how many draftniks had Bruce Campbell going to the Raiders in R1 only for them to take him in Round 4?
Defensively it appears that nobody is quite sure whether they will switch to a 3-4, continue with a 4-3 or mix it up with some interesting hybrid combination, but recruiting the likes of Kamerion Wimbley and Quentin Groves in FA and Rolando McClain in the draft and shipping out Kirk Morrison suggests they might well make the switch. I loved the pick of McClain by the way; he's going to be a super player in the NFL. So overall, where do I see the Raiders after such a gushing report? At least 8-8 and if they can produce the same efforts in 2010 as they did in 2009 beating the Eagles, Bengals and Steelers, dare I even suggest .. winning season?
San Diego Chargers Last season 13-3 lost in Divisional Playoff to New York Jets Key additions Nathan Vasher (CB), Tra Thomas (LT), Randy McMichael (TE), Josh Reed (WR) Key losses LaDainian Tomlinson (RB New York Jets), Jamal Williams (NT Denver), Antonio Cromartie (CB New York Jets), Charlie Whitehurst (QB Seattle), Brandon Manumaleuna (FB Chicago) Draft picks include R1 Ryan Matthews (RB, Fresno State), R3 Donald Butler (LB, Washington)
DOC: Ah, the Chargers. After breezing through the regular season they completely came a cropper in the playoffs and Norv Turner was exposed yet again. But alas, wait. How did the Chargers react to this? They gave him an extension, which I find incredibly odd. They did begin to look at the roster though because this team has been tipped to fulfil its potential for years now. And they haven't. The low-key piecemeal reform seems to have been replaced this off-season with a bit more than cosmetic surgery. After losing his face of the franchise tag to the phenomenal Philip Rivers, LT whinged his way out of the door. They traded away Antonio Cromartie, and I have no doubt that if they'd found a willing partner Shaun Merriman would be plying his trade elsewhere. Yet, despite this they still remain one very talented side. I loved the pick up of Ryan Matthews and whilst they probably overpaid to get their man that high, he's a lock to become an elite rusher in the league in my book. They'll win the West just because the competition aint all that great. The Raiders and Chiefs just aren't on the same level as the Bolts and no-one can really predict what's going to happen in Denver this year. The Chargers will win the division then fail in the playoffs that's Norv-ball for you.
DANG: The Chargers will get their wicked way the AFC West again this year and are likely to have wrapped up their playoff spot by around week 12-13 again. Losing Ladainan Tomlinson shouldn't hurt them too much after a dismal 2009 campaign, as Ryan Mathews comes in as the new workhorse and the guy to carry the load in San Diego. Darren Sproles will provide ample backup once again so I have no issues in the new running game. In the Receiving game, potentially losing Vincent Jackson to a hold out and suspension could well hurt them. A lot of emphasis will come on the likes of Malcolm Floyd, Craig Buster Davis to come to the fore and of course, Antonio Gates to carry them through any potential absence of Jackson. Defensively, there are concerns. The Defence will be the reason that they come unstuck in the post-season again, unless Shawne Merriman really can find his old self and lift the rest of his unit with him. Not one of the starters excelled themselves in 2009, if the Chargers and Norv are set on proving the doubters right, then this defence has to massively improve to stand a chance. Colts, Jets, Ravens, Texans should all have too much for the Chargers should they meet in post-season football.
The AFC West was expected to be a walk-over for the Chargers. It may have ended looking that way, but the ever-controversial Josh McDaniels made sure his off-season antics continued into Denver playing a big role in the way the division played out. The Broncos shot out of the gate, taking the entire NFL universe by surprise in 2009, whilst the Chargers played consistently throughout the year and in the end eased to the division, once the Broncos bright start petered out to nothing. The Chiefs and Raiders still wallowed down in the basement of the NFL. This time around, Josh McDaniels has still been making waves, most notably gambling his entire career on the drafting of Tim Tebow, the Chargers have moved on the legendary LT, and the Chiefs and Raiders have quietly been going about trying to rebuild their teams.