|
2007 AFC West Preview
1. San Diego Chargers (14-2, 1st in Division, Divisional Loss to New England)
Key Signings: None
Key Losses: HC Marty Schottenheimer; MLB Donnie Edwards (KC); WR Keenan McCardell
Key Players: HB LaDanian Tomlinson, QB Phillip Rivers
Offense: The offense is the most potent in the NFL with All-Pro running back LaDanian Tomlinson, Pro Bowl Tight End Antonio Gates, and the quickly improving Phillip Rivers. 1st round draft pick Craig Davis from LSU will replace Keenan McCardell as Rivers' main target.
Defense: The defense will struggle to improve on its average performance in 06. Leading tackler Donnie Edwards, and Steve Foley left in free agency, so Shawne Merriman and the rest of the defensive will have to pick up the slack. New linebackers coach Ron Rivera brings an expert defensive mind and will only aide in the team's development. The Chargers also lost safety Terrence Kiel, which will hurt their secondary.
X-Factor: The Chargers lost all three of members of their coach staff. Cam Cameron left for the Dolphins head coaching job, Wade Phillips bolted for the Dallas Cowboys head coach job, while head coach Marty Schottenheimer was fired. Schottenheimer and general manager A.J. Smith were in the midst of a season long conflict, a conflict the team president said would distract from a season. If the Chargers can recover from the loss of three brilliant coaches, they can continue their Super Bowl run.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2. Denver Broncos (9-7, 3rd in AFC West, No Postseason)
Key Signings: DB Dre' Bly (DET); HB Travis Henry (TEN);
Key Losses: DB Darrent Williams; HB Tatum Bell (DET); LB Al Wilson
Key Players: QB Jay Cutler, DB Champ Bailey
Offense: The Broncos took their biggest step forward when they gave quarterback Jake Plummer the boot. Phenom Jay Cutler contributed nicely, but will be looked at to take an even bigger role in directing the offense. New running back Travis Henry should rack up 1000 yards as usual for a Denver back, but might take time to adjust to the offense.
Defense: The smash mouth Broncos defense has vastly improved during the course of the off season. With the tragic loss of Darrent Williams, the Broncos traded Tatum Bell for Pro Bowl defensive back Dre' Bly. Bly will team with All-Pro Champ Bailey, and safety John Lynch to give the team the leagues most feared secondary. The loss of Al Wilson sets the front seven back, but 1st rounder Jarvis Moss gives the team a pass rusher, and linebackers DJ Wilson and Ian Gold will try and make up for the loss of Al.
X-Factor: The success of the Denver Broncos will depend on the defense. The team has the best secondary, but the front four is sketchy. Moss is the lone threat, and no one has emerged to take Al Wilson's spot. Jay Cutler will need to step up to the learning curve quick and guide this offense, and hope the defense can keep up.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7, 2nd in Division, Wildcard Loss to Indianapolis)
Key Signings: OLB Napoleon Harris; MLB Donnie Edwards
Key Losses: OG Will Shields; MLB Kawika Mitchell; SS Sammy Knight
Key Players: HB Larry Johnson, OLB Derrick Johnson
Offense: Quarterback Damon Huard has emerged as the starter in Herm Edwards' conservative offensive gameplan. Trent Green is out, failing to recover from a severe concussion that sidelined him for the first 8 weeks of the season. Re-signed tight end Tony Gonzalez will team with 1st rounder Dwayne Bowe to give Huard a couple of pass catching threats. The star of the offense is still workhorse Larry Johnson. Johnson set an NFL record for carries in a season (416), but the track record of heavily used backs is not great. The offensive line is crumbling after the loss of All-Pro tackle Willie Roaf, and guard Will Shields. If the young players can pull together, Johnson can duplicate his success from 06.
Defense: The Chiefs defense took a massive step forward in 2006. Led by defensive ends Tamba Hali and Jared Allen, the Chiefs emerged as a defensive threat in the AFC. Allen will miss the first four games of the year due to suspension, so rookie Turk McBride from Tennessee will need to step up and fill Allen's big shoes. Linebacker Derrick Johnson is once again the star of the defense. Beginning his third season in the league, Johnson should set career highs and take the league by storm. Teamed with free agents Napoleon Harris and Donnie Edwards, the line backing corps will be the focal point. The veteran secondary, led by Ty Law and Patrick Surtain, is getting younger. 2nd year safeties Jarad Page and Bernard Pollard showed flashes of brilliance, and will soon make their debut into the starting lineup.
X-Factor: The winner of the quarterback race will show the direction the chiefs are heading. If veteran Damon Huard is given the start, expect the Chiefs to be as good as last year and contend for a playoff spot. If the young Brodie Croyle is given the chance, then 2007 might be a building year for the Chiefs. But KC is getting younger, and more talented with each key signing.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
4. Oakland Raiders (2-14, 4th in Division, No Postseason)
Key Signings: HB Dominic Rhodes; WR Mike Williams
Key Losses: HC Art Shell; WR Randy Moss
Key Players: OLB Kirk Morrison; QB JaMarcus Russell
Offense: The anemic Raiders offense is their biggest weakness. The team signed Cooper Carlisle from the Broncos to try and sure up their schotty offensive line. Rookie JaMarcus Russell brings unlimited potential to the quarterback position. Josh McCown will begin the year under center, but the transistion to Russell will be quick. Wide receiver Randy Moss was traded, but the team acquired the disgruntled Mike Williams. Williams, a first round draft pick in 2005, is a tall receiving threat that will team with Jerry Porter to give Russell two dynamic pass catchers. Running back LaMont Jordan's production should increase from 2006 with the addition of fullback Justin Griffith.
Defense: The lone bright spot on the Raiders team was their defense. Accounting for both of their wins, the Raiders are loaded with talented young players, and key veterans. Kirk Morrison is the teams leading tackler, and is looking to emerge as the team's defensive leader. Defensive backs Michael Huff and Stuart Schweigert lead the ball hawking secondary.
X-Factor: JaMarcus Russell. The success of this team will depend on new coach Lane Kiffin, and his decision on Russell. The rookie needs time to learn the offense, but Raider fans need a bright light to focus on, so the fans might pressure Kiffin into plugging in the quarterback early. Russell will benefit from the early experience. But Raider fans shouldn't get their hopes up, another Top 10 draft pick is coming up next year.
|
|
