Breaking Down the AFC West

by David Snyder

Breaking Down the AFC West
By Big Dave Snyder

San Diego Chargers

(14-2) AFC West Division Champions

Noteworthy: After leading the team to the best record in Chargers franchise history Marty Schottenheimer was fired. The firing came after defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was hired as head coach of the Cowboys and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron left for the Dolphins. These losses along with Schottenheimer's constant infighting with G.M. A.J. Smith forced team president Dean Spanos' hand.

Key Additions: Head Coach Norv Turner

Key Losses: LB Donnie Edwards (Chiefs); WR Az-Zahir Hakim (Dolphins); TE Ryan Krause (Browns). LB Steve Foley; S Terrence Kiel; WR Keenan McCardell; TE Aaron Shea.

Overall Weaknesses: The teams leading receiver has been tight end Antonio Gates over the last three seasons. The addition of a quality wide receiving option could open up the Chargers offensive play calling even more. Phillip Rivers proved his ability last season, and this year he should be able to air it out a lot more if improvements are made at this position.

Overall Strengths: The Chargers offensive line is one of the best in the NFL. By re-signing Dielman they have made an effort to keep this group together. The defensive line is just as strong. The group is anchored by Jamal Williams who had 69 tackles on his way to the Pro Bowl.

Complete Overview of Team: The Chargers are the most balanced team in football. They can beat you with offense, defense, or a mixture of both.

Kansas City Chiefs

(9-7)

Noteworthy: It is hard to be an away team in Arrowhead Stadium. How Hard? The Chiefs have posted at least a 6-2 record at home 11 out of the last 16 seasons.

Key Additions: LS J.P. Darche (Seahawks); LB Donnie Edwards (Chiefs); LB Napoleon Harris (Vikings); OT Damion McIntosh (Dolphins); DT Alfonso Boone (Bears); S Jon McGraw (Jets), WR Dwayne Bowe (Rookie)

Key Losses: OT Jordan Black (Texans); LB Kawika Mitchell (Giants). S Sammy Knight; OT Kyle Turley.

Overall Weaknesses: The Chiefs ranked 22nd in passing last season gaining only 187.5 yds per game through the air. They also gave up 41 sacks in 2006. After Gonzales, their leading receiver was Eddie Kennison who caught only 53 passes for 860 yds and 5 tds. The addition of Bowe, and Brodie Croyle being setup as the feature QB in KC, shows a desire to strengthen the air attack by the Chiefs.

Overall Strengths: The team's strength is in their running game. The team was ranked 9th in rushing offense, led by Larry Johnson who tallied 1789 rushing yds and 17tds. However, he also set the record for carry attempts and another season such as 2006 could wear Johnson down severely.

Current Team Overview: The Chiefs are searching for the balance that the Chargers currently posses. In order to attain this balance they are first going to need to get younger on both sides of the ball. They have a top five back and possible future hall of famer in Johnson, but if the Lions of the nineties taught us anything it is that it takes more than a stellar running back to be competitive.

Denver Broncos

(9-7)

Noteworthy: The Broncos have only posted one losing season in Shanahan's 11 years with the team. In those 11 seasons he has had 6 different backs lead his team in rushing.

Key Additions: RB Travis Henry (Titans); TE Daniel Graham (Patriots); G Montrae Holland (Saints); QB Patrick Ramsey (Jets); FB Paul Smith (Rams); WR Brandon Stokley (Colts); DT Alvin McKinley (Browns). Dre Bly from the Lions, DE Jarvis Moss (Rookie)

Key Losses: LB Patrick Chukwurah (Buccaneers); DE Courtney Brown; Jake Plummer traded to the Buccaneers, RB Tatum Bell and OL George Foster, to the Lions.

Overall Weaknesses: Passing yardage production was the biggest problem in '06. Denver was limited to174 yds per game through the air. This is the reason rookie quarterback Jay Cutler took over the offense in the 11th game of the season. Cutler played well in the remaining five games, and with the aid of Javon Walker, Marshall, and the addition of Daniel Graham at tight end the passing attack should improve.

Overall Strengths: Denver's signature rushing attack is its perennial strength. Shannahan proved last year that it doesn't matter who touches the ball, they will move the ball on the ground. The Broncos were 8th in rushing averaging just a little over 134 yds per game. The coach further proved his point by trading away his '06 feature back in the off-season.

Current Overview of Team: The Broncos are the perfect example of a team that values the system largely above the player. The last piece Denver needed to run their offensive system was the quarterback. With Jay Cutler looking like he fits firmly into that role the Broncos should be a formidable contender within a tough division in '07.

Oakland Raiders

(2-14)

Noteworthy: Last years 2-14 record was the worst since the team went 1-13 in 1962.

Key Additions: RB Dominic Rhodes (Colts); FB Justin Griffith (Falcons); C Jeremy Newberry (49ers); TE Tony Stewart (Bengals); TE Fred Wakefield (Cardinals); QB Josh Booty; OT Cornell Green (Buccaneers); QB Jamarcus Russell (Rookie)l; QB Josh McCown

Key Losses: QB Marques Tuiasosopo (Jets); OT Langston Walker (Bills). QB Aaron Brooks; TE Derek Miller; CB Tyrone Poole; WR Randy Moss

Overall Weaknesses: The 2006 Raiders had one of the worst offenses of recent memory. They ranked 32nd in both yardage and scoring. In fact, they averaged only 1 td per game last season. The running game could receive a boost from a healthy runner in Dominick Rhodes, but once again the line will have a lot to do with his success. Jamarcus Russell should be kept on the sideline for one full year for his own development, but how often does a team as bad as the Raiders get to develop talent before they are forced to play them?

Overall Strengths: In 2006 Oakland had the 3rd ranked defense in the NFL. This included the #1 pass defense in the league. The recipe for success has been a veteran defensive line backed up by a young talented line backing core and secondary. They could use another pass rusher to come off the edge to properly compliment Derrick Burgess who has totaled 27 sacks in his last 32 games.

Current Team Overview: The offense is a mess that will take at least two seasons of quality drafts to clean up. The Raiders' will need to focus on keeping their defense successful as they rebuild the other side of the ball. The biggest problem for Oakland is the canyon sized gap between them and their competition in the division.

David Snyder shares his thoughts and opinions on the sports world at bigdaveonsports.com

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