AFC WEST: Winners, Losers, and Underdogs

The 2008 Gods that were supposed to watch over the AFC West last season were obviously sleeping. All of the teams in the AFC West were on the bottom half of the NFL Draft this year. The Denver Broncos, and the San Diego Chargers were the top of the class with 8-8 records. As you can see below the AFC West was the worst in the conference  and second worst division in the NFL with a record of 23-4 1(a close second with the NFC West at a 22-42 record).

NFC East 38-25-1

NFC North 25-39

NFC South 40-24

NFC West 22-42

AFC East 38-26

AFC North 31-32-1

AFC South 38-26

AFC West 23-41

As one might assume the AFC West needs to drastically improve if they want to compete in the NFL. These records do not show that the Chargers did make it into the Playoffs. The Chargers also went on to lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game.

Since the Arizona Cardinals and San Diego Chargers both play in weak conferences it can be assumed that they are quality caliber teams playing in a weak conference. So lets take a look at the teams in the AFC West, and how they stack up.

BRONCOS

Last season Mike Shanahan and the Denver Broncos gave the San Diego Chargers a birth into the playoffs with three straight loses at the end of the season. Pat Bowlen decided that things needed a shake-up and fired Mike Shanahan, and brought in Josh McDaniels offensive coordinator from the Patriots.

Josh McDaniels had been flirting with the idea of bringing Matt Cassel in on a trade, and move Jay Cutler out of Denver. Jay Cutler per usual started whining about the situation, and requested a trade. As a result Jay Cutler was traded for Kyle Orton, and this year’s and next year’s first-round pick.

Whether Kyle Orton can outperform  Jay Cutler in Denver could be seen as Kyle Orton didn’t have great targets to shoot for like Brandon Marshall, and Eddie Royal. Add in Jabbar Gaffney into the arsenal of receivers in Denver and that opens the field up.

Rd	Sel#	Player	Pos.	School
1	12	Moreno, K.	RB	Georgia
1	18	Ayers, R.	LB	Tennessee
2	37	Smith, A.	CB	Wake Forest
2	48	McBath, D.	FS	Texas Tech
2	64	Quinn, R.	TE	North Carolina
4	114	Bruton, D.	FS	Notre Dame
4	132	Olsen, S.	OG	Iowa
5	141	McKinley, K.	WR	South Carolina
6	174	Brandstater, T.	QB	Fresno State
7	225	Schlueter, B.	C	TCU

The Broncos seemed to be able to plug any running back into the offense and they would have a 100+ yard game and an injury. Bronco’s fans will expect the same this year with first-round pick Knowshen Moreno, minus the injuries. Cordell Buckhalter was also picked up, and should see  plenty of time.

The big player on defense that the Broncos picked up this year was safety Brian Dawkins. The Broncos are supposedly moving to a 3-4 defense next year, yet they don’t have a solid nose tackle to play on the defensive line. The addition of linebackers Robert Ayers, and Boss Bailey should help out the weak linebacker crew from last year.

Dre Bly left for the 49ers leaving an opening at the corner back position. Champ Bailey is pretty solid on the other side, but the Broncos still need to fill the loss of Dre Bly. So the Bronco’s offense should see pretty comparable numbers to last year, whereas the Bronco’s defense is slightly improved, but  still suspect.

RAIDERS

Al Davis, and the Raiders have always had problems keeping a coach around. Lets see if Tom Cable will make it through this season, yet alone stay a couple years.

Jamarcus Russell is currently the starting quarterback for a second year for the Raiders. If Russel wants to continue in the NFL, and not be labeled as a bust, he will need to beat out newly acquired quarterback Jeff Garcia. I personally seeing Garcia taking hold of the offense halfway through the season, and Russell as the backup unless Garcia ends up with a severe injury.

The crew of wide receivers will look a little different with the loss of Ronald Curry. Never fear though, the Raiders picked up speedster Darrius Heyward-Bey in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. Darrius Heyward-Bey is the only draft pick that might make an impact on the team. The offensive line became better with the addition of Khaliff Barnes. Hopefully this addition will help open up holes for Darren McFadden and Michael Bush to run.

Nnamdi Asomugha is the leader of this team, and the one running the show on defense. "I didn't even know what his number was," Asomugha said speaking of Darrius Heyward-Bey; treating the No. 7 overall draft pick like some undrafted free agent. Asomugha’s presence and attitude helps shut down half of the football field.

The crew of linebackers, and safeties on the team are probably one of the weakest in the NFL. Since the defensive line doesn't have two solid defensive tackles or ends for a 4-3 defense it creates a problem for the linebackers to make plays.

Overall I see the Raiders offense and defense being slightly improved from last season. This will not get them into the playoffs, but it might.

CHARGERS

Norv Turner has taken over Marty Shottenheimer’s recruits in San Diego. In his first year he was able to go 11-5 and then 8-8, and made it to the AFC Championship game. It should be easily expected that the Chargers make it to the playoffs once again this year.

            The San Diego Chargers offense is one of the best if not the best in the NFL. Phillip Rivers is easily one of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL today. Phillip Rivers has five time Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates as an outlet receiver. He also has major weapons in Chris Chambers (when healthy), and Vincent Jackson. LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles are forces in the backfield to keep an eye upon.  With third-round draft pick Louis Valdez the offensive line has added depth, and I expect within a couple years will be a solid starter on the offensive line.

Rd	Sel#	Player	Pos.	School
1	16	English, L	DE	Northern Illinois
3	78	Vasquez, L	OG	Texas Tech
4	113	Martin, V	DL	Western Ontario
4	133	Green, T	C	Auburn
4	134	Johnson, G	RB	Colorado State
5	114	Bruton, D.	FS	Notre Dame
5	148	Hughes, B	WR	Oregon State
6	189	Ellison, K	ILB	Southern California

            The San Diego Chargers played a 3-4 defense, and have been solid in the past few years. Last year Shawne Merriman was injured for most of the season and the defense took a huge loss in pass rushing. The pickup of Larry English was an excellent pickup as he can easily replace Shawn Merriman, or Shawn Phillips if they  were to become injured. Igor Olshansky is no longer on the defensive line, and that leaves the defensive line as an average three man front.

            In the AFC West the San Diego Chargers are the team to beat this year. They have all the weapons that they need on offense, and a solid defense.

CHIEFS

            Herm Edwards’s tenure ended before the end of his contract do to poor game time management and coaching style. Todd Haley has taken on the head coaching job at Kansas City. Haley’s coaching style so far has been much more in your face than Herm Edwards’s buddy-buddy coaching.

            I believe that it is reasonable to assume that Matt Cassell is going to be the starting quarterback. If something was to happen we do have a solid backup in Tyler Thigpen. We have lost our threat at tight end with Tony Gonzalez. I don’t see Brad Cottam putting up Gonzo numbers, but he will be a successful tight end in the Chiefs offense. Matt Cassell will have Dwayne Bowe, and Bobby Engram are solid wide receivers. We will have another solid target if Mark Bradley can stay healthy.

            The offensive line this year is looking a little bit better than last year. We picked up Pro Bowl guard Mike Goff, and  center Mike Ghiaciuc to help with the offensive line. Goff will definitely be starting, and Ghiaciuc will at worse add depth. It will be necessary for Herb Taylor, Barry Richardson or Colin Brown to step up in the right tackle position. If they can step up Kansas City could see one of the best offensive lines in the AFC West.

Rd	Sel#		Pos.	School
1	3	Jackson, T.	DE	LSU
3	67	Magee, A.	DT	Purdue
4	102	Washington, D.	CB	Ohio State
5	139	Brown, C.	OL	Missouri
6	175	Lawrence, Q.	WR	McNeese State
7	212	Williams, J.	RB	Tennessee State
7	237	O'Connell, J.	WR	Miami (Ohio)
7	256	Succop, R.	P	South Carolina

            The biggest change in the Kansas City Chiefs is going to be their defense. Clancy Pendergast is the new defensive coordinator, and with him is coming the 4-3 over/under defensive scheme. This means that Glen Dorsey will be playing as a defensive end. He should have little problem transitioning as it is a similar to position he played last year, only on the outside.

The weakest link to me appears to be Tank Taylor as he hasn’t proven that he can be a nose tackle. He has the size, but can he get the job done? Tyson Jackson is the perfect first-round pick as a 3-4 defensive end was our weakest link.

            The Kansas City Chief’s linebackers should be vastly improved this season. Zack Thomas, and Mike Vrable have been picked up to fill in these wholes on the inside linebacker position. Derrick Johnson should be able to hold the weak-side linebacker position, and roam around the field. Tamba Hali could find himself in a position to make some huge plays as a predator linebacker.

            This year the Kansas City Chiefs are the underdogs of the AFC West. They don’t have a bunch of veterans on the team, but could be capable of making some moves in 2009.

These are my predictions for the AFC West.

San Diego 10-6

Denver 7-9

Kansas City 7-9

Oakland 3-13

            It is clear that the team to beat in the AFC West this year is going to be the San Diego Chargers. A close second is going to be the Denver Broncos, and I don’t see the Chiefs winning at Invesco Field this year. The Oakland Raiders didn’t have a lot of excitement in the offseason, and I don’t expect them to be competitive. The Kansas City Chiefs are underdogs, and anything could happen.

So what are your thought about the AFC West?