NFL 2007 Preview: AFC West

As late as five years ago, and for a long time previously, I would have called the AFC West the toughest division in football. Over this period, every team has backslid in succession. All but one, that is. Which will it be?

DENVER BRONCOS (12-4)

OFFENSE: The Broncos are still struggling a little in the same veins as they have over the past few years. Jay Cutler should be dramatically improved in his first full season, and the addition of Brandon Stokely should help a lot, but they still haven’t been able to give Javon Walker a proper counterpart since the decline and uncertain future of Rod Smith. The running game should be back to the old levels. I’m a big Travis Henry fan, and thought that he’s gotten a raw deal everywhere he’s been, but he should make a significant impact in Denver. It’s so good in the backfield that last year’s sometimes starter Mike Bell may not even make the team. This is a great sign.

DEFENSE: Though they had to release their defensive captain in Al Wilson, the Broncos have taken so many steps forward elsewhere that it’s hard to even know he’s missing. The addition of ‘Dre Bly is, obviously, the biggest deal, but they drafted three quality linemen and picked up Sam Adams, which gives the squad a lot of depth and size that they’d been lacking for a couple of years. With the best cornerback duo in the game (not to mention a great nickelback in Dominique Foxworth), they could easily have the best pass defense in the NFL this year.

The 2006 season was extremely disappointing, especially given the way they started (no TDs allowed in over three games). But, in saying goodbye to Plummer, they acknowledged the need for change and Shanahan has come through in a big way. It really looks like he’s trying to put Super Bowl talent on the field to make the big push for another championship. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (7-9)

OFFENSE: The Chiefs only have two weapons on offense, and one is holding out. It would be a lovely thought that Larry Johnson will not be on the team in the regular season, but I know better. As for Tony Gonzalez, he is still one of the best tight ends in the game, even entering his twelfth season. His skills have diminished somewhat, but he’s still their only good receiving option, especially coming from the second rate washouts they’re sporting a quarterback this year. Their offense will be pathetic and I will laugh.

DEFENSE: The defensive side will be their saving grace this season, and the pickup of Donnie Edwards really solidifies an already strong defense. Ty Law and Patrick Surtain are no Bailey and Bly, but they’re an effective, if aged duo. Expect them to be above average against both the run and the pass.

When Herman Edwards signed on as coach of the Chiefs, I was afraid that they would see a real resurgence. As it turns out, they were worse last year than ’05 and they’re going to be even worse this year. They don’t dwell under the rock where the Raiders live, but they’re getting closer all the time. Their only solace is that the Raiders also keep regressing.

OAKLAND RAIDERS (3-13)

OFFENSE: Until now, I wasn’t even sure the Raiders were going to field an offense this year but, go figure, there they are. Daunte Culpepper I suppose will help some, and I think he was treated pretty badly by both the Vikings and the Dolphins but, now that he’s a Raider, I really don’t care how he’s treated. Dominic Rhodes was also a good pickup, though not enough to make a real difference. They don’t have to worry too much, though, because they’re collecting heavy checks to play three downs before they get to sit. It’s a cushy job, akin to Jim Sorgi’s position in Indy.

DEFENSE: What a collection of nobodies the great Al Davis has put together. Over the last few years, it almost looks like deliberate sabotage. Warren Sapp’s best days are long behind him. When he’s the most effective defensive player on your side at this point, you know you have trouble. Coupling this with the lack of a replacement for when he leaves, as though Sapp will play forever, and they don’t look like their turning this runaway train around for a long while yet.

The only thing that makes me anywhere near as happy in football as a Bronco Super Bowl is the downfall of the Oakland Raiders. They are a worthless team riddled with easily exploitable holes. The revolving door that is the Raiders’ coaching job makes the whole thing that much more of a joke. All they are deserving of is mockery.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (10-6)

OFFENSE: A team with both the best running back and the best tight end in the game should be successful. Add to that a rising quarterback in Philip Rivers, and one would think that they’d repeat their success from last year. Unfortunately for them, Norv Turner is their coach and they don’t have any receivers. There is no doubt that Tomlinson will have an MVP caliber year, but that will not be enough to get them back to the top of the AFC West.

DEFENSE: I do like their defense, and Shawne Merriman is very, very good, but they aren’t going to be able to overcome the biggest obstacle in their way: Norv Turner. They’ll perform at a high level, but their offensive production is going to sabotage the good work that they do.

Firing Schottenheimer was a big mistake. Letting half their coordinators go was a bigger mistake. Hiring Norv Turner was the biggest mistake of all. He was a very good coordinator but, as we’ve seen in others like Buddy Ryan and in his own head coaching career, being an elite coordinator does not make you, even, an acceptable coach.

Tomorrow, we begin the NFC. The vaunted NFC that plays it’s 256 per year to stand up and take a beating at the expense of their counterparts. Specifically, we’ll start with the NFC East, one of the most revolting groups of teams I could imagine. I can hardly joke about them, they make me so ill.