Summary for the AFC West

07-09-2005, 08:42 PM

AFC West
Denver Broncos
This is a team that has not met expectations the past few years, even though the Broncos scored 381 points in each of the past two seasons and made the playoffs each time. In 2004, Denver ranked fifth in the league in total offense and fourth in defense. Jake Plummer needs to cut down on interceptions (20 in '04). Former first-rounder Ashley Lelie gained 20.1 yards per catch last season, and Jerry Rice now is his teammate. This team was active in the offseason. It traded for All-Pro punter Todd Sauerbrun and defensive lineman Gerard Warren, and it signed defensive end Courtney Brown, who was the No. 1 overall selection in the 2000 NFL Draft. Denver's first three picks in the 2005 draft were defensive backs.

Kansas City Chiefs
This team gained the most yards on offense in the league last season -- even more than Indianapolis - but it was the only club in the top 10 in total offense that failed to make the playoffs. The Chiefs outscored their opponents 483-435 last season, but also ended up with a minus-9 turnover ratio. They traded for cornerback Patrick Surtain and defensive end Carlos Hall, and signed safety Sammy Knight and linebacker Kendrick Bell to help improve a defense that wound up ranked No. 31 last season. First-round selection Derrick Johnson, a linebacker from Texas, should also help. Kansas City got a big break with its schedule -- New England and Philadelphia have to play at Arrowhead. With Dick Vermeil on the sidelines and Carl Peterson in the front office, this is an extremely well-run franchise.

Oakland Raiders
The Raiders did a great job in the offseason, trading for Randy Moss and signing running back LaMont Jordan. Oakland also has a very good, young offensive line. But the Raiders gave up 442 points and 30 passing TDs in 2004, and wound up ranked 30th overall on defense. The three defensive players they drafted on Day 1 should help. They will travel to the East Coast four times this season, including the season opener at New England and at Philadelphia in Week 3. It would not surprise me to see the Raiders win the AFC West … or finish fourth. They should be involved in lots of high-scoring games.

San Diego Chargers
The Chargers will return all 22 starters from the 2004 team. The 2003 Chargers went 4-12 and had a minus-11 turnover ratio. The 2004 team went 12-4, was plus-15 in turnovers and outscored the 2003 team by 133 points. Due to injury, LaDainian Tomlinson's numbers were down from 2003, but in my estimation he is the most complete player in the NFL -- and he's only 26 years old. Drew Brees is coming off a breakthrough season in which he had 27 touchdown passes against seven interceptions, and a 104.8 passer rating. Antonio Gates set an NFL record for tight ends last season with 13 touchdown catches. San Diego's biggest loss from last season might be offensive line coach Hudson Houck, who went to Miami. However, the Chargers still have Cam Cameron (offense) and Wade Phillips (defense), who are among the best coordinators in the NFL. Not only will the Chargers play a first-place schedule, but six of their games will be played at 1 p.m. ET (that's 10 a.m. on the West Coast), and four of those games will be played on the East Coast (New England, Philadelphia, the Jets and Washington). The other two will be played in two of the loudest stadiums in the NFL -- Kansas City and Indianapolis. On the field, San Diego's biggest challenge will be to improve against the pass -- only Kansas City gave up more passing yards last season. The Chargers' first two draft picks last April were defensive linemen -- Shawne Merriman and Luis Castillo.

Chiefs Pantalones · 07-09-2005, 08:44 PM

Did you write this yourself? Or is this from a magazine?

Ugly Duck · 07-09-2005, 11:57 PM

Preseason Power Rankings from nationally recognized football guru's:

4. Oakland Raiderz
- Obviously you can see that while Randy Moss is a problem in the locker room, he makes people better. With Moss and Jerry Porter catching bombs from Kerry Collins, LaMont Jordan will be beating up defenses on the inside. The Raiderz defense will need to come up big this year, but as long as they hold teams under 30 points they will win games.

11. Kansas City Chiefs
- Seeing the Chiefs this high may surprise some, but their off-season was quietly among the best in the league. The offense will be powerful again, maybe for the last season too. Trent Green is getting older and they are relying on Freddie Mitchell to make plays for them. Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson make a dynamic duo in the backfield and bringing in Carlos Hall, Kendrell Bell, Derrick Johnson, Patrick Surtain and Sammy Knight on defense could make them a serious Super Bowl contender.

13. San Diego Chargers
- If they can repeat their Cinderella season of 2004, I will be impressed. Drew Brees is playing for a long-term deal and he knows it this time around. The offensive line is still made up of no-name players, but they did a good enough job last season. The wide receivers must step up for the entire 16 games this year if the Chargers hope to make another playoff run.

24. Denver Broncos
- Any time Jake Plummer has the ball, there is a chance for greatness or a boneheaded play. The running game will be successful, as always, but the receiving core is old and the youngsters must step up to take over. The defense is full of has-beens on the line, but the linebackers are very good and very athletic. They will carry this team.

http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/powerrankings.htm

**Bowser** · 07-10-2005, 12:01 AM

at #4? They must think Moss is going to play both ways on Sundays.

Ugly Duck · 07-10-2005, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

at #4? They must think Moss is going to play both ways on Sundays.

Maybe its cuz the Chiefs are so dang old. Hot DANG!!... them Chiefs is so OLD!!!

**Bowser** · 07-10-2005, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugly Duck

Maybe its cuz the Chiefs are so dang old. Hot DANG!!... them Chiefs is so OLD!!!

Please. Your defense eats at Luby's every Tuesday and Thursday, but WE'RE the old ones?

Ugly Duck · 07-10-2005, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Please. Your defense eats at Luby's every Tuesday and Thursday, but WE'RE the old ones?

Weren't the Chiefs the second-oldest team last season? I think you are #1 in age this time around. Raiderz are playing a lot of youngsters for the first time in a long time. Here's our 3rd WR, behind Porter and Randy Freakin' Moss:

Nightfyre · 07-10-2005, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugly Duck

Maybe its cuz the Chiefs are so dang old. Hot DANG!!... them Chiefs is so OLD!!!

Not really, I believe we are well poised for the future. I mean the OLine is set except for Left tackle, our RB is set, our Receivers are set. We need a QB and a FB on the offensive side. On the defense, we have a very young team, particularly in the LB corps. Can't wait to see Kerry Collins excuses for his number of picks with porter and moss, btw.

**Bowser** · 07-10-2005, 12:19 AM

Actually, I think that is correct. But you guys had the title for so long, it still just seems natural to say it.

You're receivers are going to be wicked this year. Too bad your O-Line isn't worth a crap!

Nightfyre · 07-10-2005, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Actually, I think that is correct. But you guys had the title for so long, it still just seems natural to say it.

You're receivers are going to be wicked this year. Too bad your O-Line isn't worth a crap!

They can talk about their receivers all they want while our defense rapes Collins in the backfield. Gun will eat their offense alive. Collins is suceptible to pressure and Guns' defense thrives on that.

**Bowser** · 07-10-2005, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

They can talk about their receivers all they want while our defense rapes Collins in the backfield. Gun will eat their offense alive. Collins is suceptible to pressure and Guns' defense thrives on that.

You are correct, sir. Collins would be talked up more if he could be playing behind a top tier O-Line (but what QB wouldn't, right?), but he doesn't, so he's not.

Remember him doing his best deer in the headlights routine in the Super Bowl a few years back, when Baltimore was all over him?

Ugly Duck · 07-10-2005, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

You're receivers are going to be wicked this year. Too bad your O-Line isn't worth a crap!

Don't getchur hopes up too high... the Oakland O-line will play better this season. Lamont Jordan and Randy Moss should give them a bit more breathing room than they had last year.

P.S. Dontcha love the body language of the Donkey LB in that pic above? He kinda has that look of disbelief, like he totally didn't expect Curry to go up and get that ball. Cracks me up!

Nightfyre · 07-10-2005, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugly Duck

Don't getchur hopes up too high... the Oakland O-line will play better this season. Lamont Jordan and Randy Moss should give them a bit more breathing room than they had last year.

P.S. Dontcha love the body language of the Donkey LB in that pic above? He kinda has that look of disbelief, like he totally didn't expect Curry to go up and get that ball. Cracks me up!

Hey, at least Collins doesnt throw offhanded passes....

**Bowser** · 07-10-2005, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugly Duck

Don't getchur hopes up too high... the Oakland O-line will play better this season. Lamont Jordan and Randy Moss should give them a bit more breathing room than they had last year.

P.S. Dontcha love the body language of the Donkey LB in that pic above? He kinda has that look of disbelief, like he totally didn't expect Curry to go up and get that ball. Cracks me up!

I remember watching that game. Denver had it all but wrapped up at the end of the first half. Terrible snow made it look like it was going to be one of those boring run up the gut games, but it ended up being one of the most entertaining games I watched last year. Great win for you guys up there.

htismaqe · 07-10-2005, 05:48 AM

Oakland #4? In the entire NFL?!?!?

That's flat-out reeruned.

07-09-2005, 08:42 PM
Electric Guest Casino cash: $	Summary for the AFC West AFC West Denver Broncos This is a team that has not met expectations the past few years, even though the Broncos scored 381 points in each of the past two seasons and made the playoffs each time. In 2004, Denver ranked fifth in the league in total offense and fourth in defense. Jake Plummer needs to cut down on interceptions (20 in '04). Former first-rounder Ashley Lelie gained 20.1 yards per catch last season, and Jerry Rice now is his teammate. This team was active in the offseason. It traded for All-Pro punter Todd Sauerbrun and defensive lineman Gerard Warren, and it signed defensive end Courtney Brown, who was the No. 1 overall selection in the 2000 NFL Draft. Denver's first three picks in the 2005 draft were defensive backs. Kansas City Chiefs This team gained the most yards on offense in the league last season -- even more than Indianapolis - but it was the only club in the top 10 in total offense that failed to make the playoffs. The Chiefs outscored their opponents 483-435 last season, but also ended up with a minus-9 turnover ratio. They traded for cornerback Patrick Surtain and defensive end Carlos Hall, and signed safety Sammy Knight and linebacker Kendrick Bell to help improve a defense that wound up ranked No. 31 last season. First-round selection Derrick Johnson, a linebacker from Texas, should also help. Kansas City got a big break with its schedule -- New England and Philadelphia have to play at Arrowhead. With Dick Vermeil on the sidelines and Carl Peterson in the front office, this is an extremely well-run franchise. Oakland Raiders The Raiders did a great job in the offseason, trading for Randy Moss and signing running back LaMont Jordan. Oakland also has a very good, young offensive line. But the Raiders gave up 442 points and 30 passing TDs in 2004, and wound up ranked 30th overall on defense. The three defensive players they drafted on Day 1 should help. They will travel to the East Coast four times this season, including the season opener at New England and at Philadelphia in Week 3. It would not surprise me to see the Raiders win the AFC West … or finish fourth. They should be involved in lots of high-scoring games. San Diego Chargers The Chargers will return all 22 starters from the 2004 team. The 2003 Chargers went 4-12 and had a minus-11 turnover ratio. The 2004 team went 12-4, was plus-15 in turnovers and outscored the 2003 team by 133 points. Due to injury, LaDainian Tomlinson's numbers were down from 2003, but in my estimation he is the most complete player in the NFL -- and he's only 26 years old. Drew Brees is coming off a breakthrough season in which he had 27 touchdown passes against seven interceptions, and a 104.8 passer rating. Antonio Gates set an NFL record for tight ends last season with 13 touchdown catches. San Diego's biggest loss from last season might be offensive line coach Hudson Houck, who went to Miami. However, the Chargers still have Cam Cameron (offense) and Wade Phillips (defense), who are among the best coordinators in the NFL. Not only will the Chargers play a first-place schedule, but six of their games will be played at 1 p.m. ET (that's 10 a.m. on the West Coast), and four of those games will be played on the East Coast (New England, Philadelphia, the Jets and Washington). The other two will be played in two of the loudest stadiums in the NFL -- Kansas City and Indianapolis. On the field, San Diego's biggest challenge will be to improve against the pass -- only Kansas City gave up more passing yards last season. The Chargers' first two draft picks last April were defensive linemen -- Shawne Merriman and Luis Castillo.
Posts: n/a

07-09-2005, 08:44 PM	#2
Chiefs Pantalones GO CHIEFS!!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $7888717	Did you write this yourself? Or is this from a magazine? __________________ Don't be fooled by my username, I'm white.
Posts: 26,630

07-09-2005, 11:57 PM	#3
Ugly Duck MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Petaluma, CA, USA Casino cash: $9955920	Preseason Power Rankings from nationally recognized football guru's: 4. Oakland Raiderz - Obviously you can see that while Randy Moss is a problem in the locker room, he makes people better. With Moss and Jerry Porter catching bombs from Kerry Collins, LaMont Jordan will be beating up defenses on the inside. The Raiderz defense will need to come up big this year, but as long as they hold teams under 30 points they will win games. 11. Kansas City Chiefs - Seeing the Chiefs this high may surprise some, but their off-season was quietly among the best in the league. The offense will be powerful again, maybe for the last season too. Trent Green is getting older and they are relying on Freddie Mitchell to make plays for them. Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson make a dynamic duo in the backfield and bringing in Carlos Hall, Kendrell Bell, Derrick Johnson, Patrick Surtain and Sammy Knight on defense could make them a serious Super Bowl contender. 13. San Diego Chargers - If they can repeat their Cinderella season of 2004, I will be impressed. Drew Brees is playing for a long-term deal and he knows it this time around. The offensive line is still made up of no-name players, but they did a good enough job last season. The wide receivers must step up for the entire 16 games this year if the Chargers hope to make another playoff run. 24. Denver Broncos - Any time Jake Plummer has the ball, there is a chance for greatness or a boneheaded play. The running game will be successful, as always, but the receiving core is old and the youngsters must step up to take over. The defense is full of has-beens on the line, but the linebackers are very good and very athletic. They will carry this team. http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/powerrankings.htm
Posts: 10,146

07-10-2005, 12:19 AM	#9
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $2981616	Actually, I think that is correct. But you guys had the title for so long, it still just seems natural to say it. You're receivers are going to be wicked this year. Too bad your O-Line isn't worth a crap!
Posts: 101,378

07-10-2005, 05:48 AM	#15
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $10269900	Oakland #4? In the entire NFL?!?!? That's flat-out reeruned.
Posts: 100,022

07-10-2005, 12:01 AM	#4
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $2981616	at #4? They must think Moss is going to play both ways on Sundays.
Posts: 101,378