2007 Preview-AFC West

The AFC West is one of the most unique divisions in teh NFL. The only division to include all former AFL teams as it's members, this division gives us the best rivalries in the NFL. None of these teams likes each other. If one person moves from one team to another in the division-the fans immediately hate him. Just goes to show you how things are here. The past few years have seen the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos as the lead horses (pun intended) for the last few years. Will the Kansas City Chiefs go back to the playoffs? Will Denver? Will the Oaklnd Raiders not have the top pick again? Let's find out!


Who's new:

Lane Kiffen-Oakland Raiders
Norv Turner-San Diego Chargers

Who's on the Hot Seat:

Mike Shannahan-Denver Broncos

2007 Predictions

4. Oakland Raiders. Lane Kiffen has no experience as a head coach or offensive coordinator in the NFL or College (he shared play calling decisions at USC). But he comes to a team that can offer a lot-the top pick of the draft. JaMarcus Russell (my boy from LSU) was the pick, and the Raiders have a bright future with him calling the shots-but he shouldn't his year. Josh McCown will and should be the starter. Oakland had a great draft, and the biggest free agent addition was Dominic Rhodes. But a bad-no-worst offensive line in the NFL awaits. At WR, Joey Porter highlights the corps, supported by Ronald Curry and newcomer Mike Williams. The defense, strangely enough is solid, but there are some DL questions. Bottom line-Just Win Baby is over. The Raiders will be happy to just win a game. Well, more than the 2 they won last year.
Predicted Finish: 3-13

3. Kansas City Chiefs. Let me say this first. I love Herm Edwards. He just tells it like it is, and does not use the typical coaching cliches all the time. Now, that being said. The Chiefs just don't look like they were. Larry Johnson threatens to hold out if his contract is not redone. Trent Green is gone, and now the question about who will be the QB-Brock Huard or Brodie Croyle-need to be answered as well. First round pick Dwayne Bowe should give the Chiefs some help at WR (Eddie Kennison the other starting WR also attended LSU, making the Chiefs the only team in the NFL to have starting WR's as alumni of the same college, assuming both start) but it is Tony Gonzalez who is the main weapon. The O-line is not stable, and that is not good news-but they did open up holes for Johnson. On Defense, the Chiefs addressed the D-line by drafting back to back Defensive Tackles (?) a move I am bewildered by. There has been no strong pass rusher since the late, great Derrick Thomas played for KC. The LB's are decent, but not world beaters. Only the Chiefs Secondary is strong, and that is good enough to outlast the Raiders. But don't expect playoffs unless a miracle happens
Predicted Finish: 6-10

2. Denver Broncos. Yes, I have Mike Shannahan on the hot seat. This team should have gone to the Super Bowl 2 years ago. But now the show belongs to Jay Cutler. The Broncos had a limited number of draft picks, but drafted well. Sam Adams was the prize free agent, and will start at DT for the Broncos. Dre Bly came over via a trade with the Lions and should improve the Cornerback play. I love the Broncos on Defense, but the offense is the question. Yes, Jay Cutler looked good in his starts last year. But can he take the full load of a 16+ game schedule? Daniel Graham gives the Broncos a reliable target at TE, and that should help Cutler out. I like the WR's Javon Walker and once he heals, Rod Smith. Patrick Ramsey is a good back up to Cutler, but while Denver is talented, they are not the best team in the division.
Predicted Finish: 9-7

1. San Diego Chargers. Welcome back Norv Turner to the AFC West. The former Raider coach inherits the best team he will ever have. This team went 14-2 a year ago, and if not for a mental blunder would have hosted the Colts to go to the Super Bowl (and would have beaten Indy). Now, Marty Schottenheimer could not survive here at 14-2. You think Norv Turner can handle that?! On the brightside, Phillip Rivers played superbly at QB, you still have LaDanian Tomlinson (call him LDT, since there is and can only be one LT-that's Lawrence Taylor), and you have Antonio Gates, a great TE. Craig Buster Davis rounds out the LSU portion of the first round picks, and is going to help in the passing and kickoff and punt returns as well (his first punt return at LSU last year was for a TD). Of course on offense, not having a big play WR has hurt this team, but that should change this year. On defense, the Chargers are once again solid. Sticking with the 3-4 scheme that has worked so well, the Chargers should do fine, and they used the draft to fill some big needs on Defense. Bottom Line-the Chargers are still the best team in the division. But is Norv Turner the right guy to coach? He is for this year.
Predicted Finish: 12-4