2010 AFC WEST
1.San Diego Chargers:
The race in the west is wide open in both conferences. The biggest thing SD has over all the other teams is quarterback play. Philip Rivers is a top 5 signal caller and with the departure of LT should have a monster season. Experts will point to the suspension/pending trade of Vincent Jackson as a reason for Rivers and SD to fall off the radar but as far as I remember who knew about Jackson before Philip made him an elite receiver. Answer; no one. Look for super freak Malcolm Floyd to fix his dropping problem and step right into the number 1 receiving spot. In the running game Ryan Matthews looks like the real deal so far and will put Darren Sproles back in his best role as a third town explosive threat. On defense SD lost another athletic playmaker in Antonio Cromartie and beast run stuffer Jamaal Williams. Cromartie fell apart after his pro-bowl year in 2007 and Williams living on the IR most of the last two years so neither are huge losses. Never the less the D is not deep and is lucky it plays in the worst offensive division in the NFL (see Oakland, KC, and Orton).
Bottom Line: San Diego will make the playoffs again but only because of the weak division they play in. Look for an early exit in early January.
Bottom Line: San Diego will make the playoffs again but only because of the weak division they play in. Look for an early exit in early January.
2. Oakland Raiders:
It may look foolish but I’m picking the Raiders to finish second, yes second in their division. Oakland has been one of the laughing stocks of the NFL over the last 5 years. This assumption that the team will continue to lose has been caused from their terrible draft day dentitions and lack of game day offensive production. Quarterback has always been the main problem. This plagued position on a plagued team continued to be an open void on the depth chart and held back the team from any possible success. (See Jamarcus Russell- 61 million dollars for 0 production). However this year looks to be the end of an era of doom for this franchise. They shocked the world by playing it safe and drafting talented MLB Renaldo McClain in the first round. Al Davis then continued to sure up holes in the teams line-up by drafting impact players such as Jacoby Ford and Bruce Campbell. However probably the biggest move of the Raiders offseason was the acquisition of QB Jason Campbell from Washington. Jason had had trouble with short accuracy, which was a necessary skill to running the west coast offence of Coach Jim Zorn. Jason’s biggest talent however has always been his deep ball and in Oakland’s offence he should excel. The Receiving corps is shallow but young and fast. Teamed with a competitive two headed monster at RB with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, the offence finally has the ability to catch up with its long waiting Defense anchored by all pro CB Nnamdi Asomugha.
Bottom Line: Watch for the Raiders to surpass the most optimistic expectations and finish above .500 and possibly squeak into a wild card spot.
Bottom Line: Watch for the Raiders to surpass the most optimistic expectations and finish above .500 and possibly squeak into a wild card spot.
3.Kansas City Chiefs:
General Manager Scott Pioli has done a marvelous job transforming the Chiefs into an up and coming franchise that in one or two years can contended for the division title. They have continued to add positional skill and depth on defense in the draft, *(see link below) while bringing in proven veteran leaders on offence like former jets RB Tomas Jones. Jones will likely over see tutoring of RB of the future Jamaal Charles and young QB Matt Cassel. Matt’s receiving core is light but contains a stud in Dwayne Bowe, newly added TE Lenard Pope, and leadership in Chris Chambers. In addition to the personnel additions the coaching staff has been revitalized. Pioli brought back his offensive and defensive coordinators from the dynasty he formed in New England. Both Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis are much more affective as assistants rather then head coaches as proven by their stints at Cleveland and Notre Dame. The defense is young and talented. Almost every position has a player formerly picked in the first round. Unfortunately none these players are all-pro type guys that can carry the D on their shoulders. In order to succeed they must learn to play as a unit or Kansas City will witness another 4th place finish.
Bottom Line: I really believe KC is headed in the right direction and this close to having a winner. Hopefully chief’s fans will witness their green team come together this year and start winning in the years to come.
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Texans_draft_history#2010
Bottom Line: I really believe KC is headed in the right direction and this close to having a winner. Hopefully chief’s fans will witness their green team come together this year and start winning in the years to come.
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Texans_draft_history#2010
4. Denver Broncos:
Denver is a young team with a ambitious young coach. The Broncos looked like they had put it all together in the first quarter of last season starting 6-0 last but crashed back down to earth after their bye; losing 8 of their last 10 including a ugly home loss to KC that could have clinched a playoff spot. Much like their late season struggles Devers offseason was just short of disaster. They failed to make amends with superstar receiver Brandon Marshall, followed that up with drafting a Side arm throwing full back from Florida with a first round pick, and then lost their best offensive and defensive players, Elvis Dumervil and Ryan Clady, to injury. Elvis for the whole 2010 season and Ryan for a undisclosed amount. Though Kyle Orton had his best year as a starter he lost his #1 weapon and his offensive line could struggle early. This team looks like it very well could be a sub .500 club. Never the less the Broncos could surprise people because of their young talent, like RB Knowshon Moreno and DE Robert Ayers, and veteran leadership from an experienced secondary with over 30 years of NFL experience.
Bottom Line: The Broncos had the pieces to be a good ball club but unfortunately some of the bigger pieces are injured or no longer on the team.
Bottom Line: The Broncos had the pieces to be a good ball club but unfortunately some of the bigger pieces are injured or no longer on the team.