(Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images)
The AFC West, a division comprised of underachievers in 2008, should continue a battle this year that ended on the last week of last season.
The San Diego Chargers edged out the Denver Broncos in the final week of competition in 2008 by lighting up the scoreboard, ending up ahead 52-21 in Qualcomm Stadium.
In 2009, the AFC West looks to be a more competitive and much more exciting division. Kansas City and Oakland should make a stronger run for the division title, after setting up shop near the bottom of the conference in 2008.
San Diego Chargers
We'll start at the top of the division. What will San Diego need in order to continue its stay as AFC West Champions?
The first question mark lies next to LaDainian Tomlinson. Who knows which L.T. will grace the field in San Diego this season? A look in the past shows uncertain waters, he might not be a sure bet to reclaim his starring role in San Diego.
Looking back to 2006, LaDainian Tomlinson ran the NFL rushing show with 1,815 rushing yards. A dominant season performance that has lost its shine after only two years.
L.T. ran for only 1,110 yards last season in what seemed to be his worst season rushing in the NFL; failing to beat his rookie mark set in 2001.
Flip the coin however, and L.T. still remained a standout figure in San Diego's passing game. Matching up with Phillip Rivers 52 times for 426 yards, it wasn't a career year for L.T. in that department, but certainly a big help to the offense.
San Diego's best approach to this season will be to keep L.T. as healthy and fresh as possible heading into January.
Darren Sproles should carry half the load, if not more, during the regular season.
Distributing an even load to both backs will be the key to keeping them healthy and running for longer.
It's easy enough to say that after the age of 30, running backs start to see their way down the ladder in the league. This will need to be the season where San Diego makes a very serious push for a Super Bowl title; their roster should see significant changes in the 2010 season.
On a more upbeat note, Phillip Rivers should have a great season for San Diego once again.
Trent Green, writing in place for Peter King on Monday Morning Quarterback, guarantees Phillip Rivers will be one of as many as 10 QB's to pass the 4,000 yard mark this season in passing.
Without Jay Cutler in the mix of the AFC West, Rivers won't have to worry about the constant competition and back-and-forth that used to make up their entire relationship. I think we all remember the Christmas Day shouting match that dropped both of their reputations for a year.
The San Diego Super Chargers, not so super of late, should have a great season in 2009. With healthy backs and a strong quarterback, they are my pick to win the division again.
Denver Broncos
Enough has been said about the Denver Broncos this offseason to know that nobody knows how they will perform come September.
New faces make up an almost entirely new organization this year for Denver. Excitement and uncertainty are the best words I can find to describe the Bronco's feelings when looking forward to the new team.
Kyle Orton heads an offensive unit that should play well in Coach McDaniels' new scheme.
A stout offensive line, maybe the best in the league, provides the front for what always tends to be an electrifying running game.
Knowshon Moreno, Correll Buckhalter, and my personal favorite, Peyton Hillis should combine to be a very balanced attack from the backfield. This spells good news for Orton, who should take advantage of a clean, concise, short passing game.
With Eddie Royal running quick slants, and Tony Scheffler finding himself open on most every play, Orton should have plenty of options over the middle. Good blocking tight ends in Daniel Graham and Quinn (if he makes the team) should make the pocket that much more comfortable for Kyle as he backs into his stance.
The biggest question marks for Denver: Brandon Marshall and their defense.
Marshall stays on top of the headlines in Denver this week, as fans struggle to understand whether or not he will be part of the team when play begins. He's already missed mandatory OTA's, and has publicly asked for a trade.
This is on top of his hip-injury, which should be fully healed by the end of July.
Whether or not Marshall deserves a better contract, which he does, this is not the most opportunistic time to demand it.
His legal issues off the field provide a cloud of poor judgement over his young career, and make it difficult for the Broncos to seek negotiations with him.
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