The Sports Bizzo

Eric’s Preview of the AFC West

San Diego Chargers - Record: 12-4 - AFC West Division Champs

Easily one of the top three teams in the AFC, the Chargers approach this season stacked on both sides of the ball. Tomlinson, Rivers, Gates, the big three will have their way in the AFC West. When you finish up 11-7 and lose in the Divisional Championship to the unbeaten Patriots, there is not much you can improve upon. Having only 5 draft picks, the Chargers did make one other key move this offseason by adding veteran Tackle L.J. Shelton. This should give them some depth on the O-line and make it a little easier for Tomlinson to find holes to run through. When Tomlinson is not carrying the ball, the fourth year man out of Kansas State, Darren Sproles will finally get some actual playing time with the departure of Michael Turner to Atlanta.

Merriman will be anchoring a defense that gave up only 284 points last year making them 5th in the NFL in points allowed. If Merriman can return to his ’06 form and get pressure back onto the QB, San Diego could win the division. Obviously, we can’t forget about the Patriots, or the Colts, but San Diego has a chance to prove that Norv Turner may actually be able to win a big game on his own.

With all of the components in place for the Chargers to push deep into the playoffs, this may be their year. If Tomlinson can remain healthy and if Rivers continues to grow in his role as the leader in the locker room, look for San Diego, Spanish for whale’s vagina, to get back to the big one.

*Denver Broncos - Record: 6-10 - 2^nd Place

Javon Walker is gone. Travis Henry is gone. Jason Elam is gone. Matt Lepsis is gone. Chris Myers is gone. No other team in the AFC West has lost more talent than the Denver Broncos. Be it through free agency, retirement, or just plain ‘ol release, the Broncos will hit the turf this year with an all new pool of talent. Can Selvin Young become the next Bronco to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season?

Mike Shanahan has been just good enough to keep his job; one wonders when will he be held accountable for going further into the playoffs. Last year’s 7-9 record show a trend that is not going in a positive direction. Splitting games last year with the tragic Raiders does not inspire confidence. Sure he can produce an effective offense, with a running back that can gain on the ground, but can he beat the Chargers?

One bright spot for the Broncos is the return of a healthy Jay Cutler who threw for 3,497 last season and will approach this season with his diabetes diagnosed and managed. The subtraction of Javon Walker, who went to the rival Raiders, should not hurt Cutler’s numbers dramatically since Walker spent most of last season injured. If Young can’t relieve the blitz with his running, then free agent addition Michael Pittman may be the next Bronco to rush for a G.

In the end I think the Broncos fade, I don’t think Shanahan can keep pulling this rabbit out of his hat. 9-7 in 2006, 7-9 in 2007, expect the downfall to continue with a 6-10 record. This may be the last year we see Shanahan with the Broncos, if he can’t find some way to turn things around and get to at least the Divisional’s. Who is satisfied with being almost good enough?

*Kansas City Chiefs - Record: 5-11 - 3^rd Place

Out of all the teams in the AFC West, all three of them, sorry Oakland, the Chiefs had the best draft by far. The additions of LSU All-American DT, Glen Dorsey and Guard, Branden Albert from Virginia, were steals in the draft. In addition, they added former Longhorn RB Jamaal Charles, to a position that until last year was sured up by former All-Pro Larry Johnson.

Not all was green for the Chiefs this off-season, all of the draft picks they had this year came at a price. Jared Allen, who finished the season with 15.5 sacks, will be sporting the purple and gold of the Vikings. This leaves the Chiefs with no sizable threats on defense and a ton of questions on who will step up to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Speaking of quarterbacks, the Chiefs have their pick of two gems. Damon Huard, who finished the season 4-6, will most likely ride the pine as Head Coach Herm Edwards has donned 0-6 Brodie Croyle the Chiefs quarterback of the future. Whoever is taking snaps from under Center, their success will depend mainly on who’s getting the hand offs.

Larry Johnson is slated to be the starter in the Chiefs offense when the season kicks off, but how effective will he really be? The Running Back’s are short lived and Johnson has taken a beating over the past couple of years. This caught up to him; two seasons ago he set the record for carries, and last year he spent most of the time injured. At 29, Johnson is old for his position, and unfortunately I think he has taken too much damage to be effective. The Chiefs will continue to sell out tickets, but they are at least 3 or 4 seasons away from the postseason, regardless how good your tight end is.

*Oakland Raiders - Record: 5-11 - Last Place

I know that normally any team in the same division as the Oakland Raiders are guaranteed at least two victories, however, this year Al Davis and his pocket book may actually garner up a couple of W’s. The Steinbrenner of the NFL made some key additions this summer to try and buy himself out of the embarrassment that has become the once respectable franchise.

By adding defensive back Deangelo Hall, WR Javon Walker, Safety Gibril Wilson, and Offensive Lineman Kwame Harris the Raiders have at least assured themselves a new group of millionaires that have proven themselves in the past. Most recently they added former Rams star Adam Archuleta to strengthen up the linebacking corp - that’s right the linebacking corp. It seems as though Oakland is the place where former pro bowlers go to die, even if they have to switch positions.

Not everyone in Oakland is in the twilight of their career, former first round pick Jamarcus Russell should actually be having his break out year. With the addition of Walker, if he doesn’t retire, may actually give him a target. Lastly, depending on the play of rookie standout Darren McFadden the Raiders may actually have an offense.

What ever happens to the Raiders this year, you can’t say they aren’t at least trying to improve. I just don’t see them winning over 6 games. That being said, they have two young explosive players at key positions primed for the future. Whether or not they will flourish or fail sadly rests in the hands of Al Davis.