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.

07-09-2005, 08:42 PM	Topic Starter
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.
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