We're back with Day 2 of my NFL season preview (I'm making this a two-week celebration leading into the best season in sports). On today's docket is the AFC West.
The Chargers beat out a Denver team last year for the title, beating them in the final game of the season to win the tie-break as both had 8-8 records. Things should be a little better this season (at least for the Chargers).
AFC West
Denver Broncos
This is going to be a team in decline this year. I love Kyle Orton, but I'm not sure Josh McDaniels' arrival in Denver is one that fans there want to live with from here forward. Brandon Marshall is being a baby and is trying to get traded (word today said the Jets called) and the offense might not be able to get much going if he leaves.
The defense is where the change needs to come though. Last year, Jay Cutler set a team record with over 4,500 yards because the defense couldn't stop a five-year-old from scoring on them. Mike Nolan is on to correct that and with Champ Bailey in place and the arrival of Brian Dawkins signed during the offseason should stop teams from throwing up over and through this defense.
Most important player: While all the attention here is on the loss of Cutler, the defense needs to step up. If they don't stop anyone, it won't matter if Kyle Orton or Joe Montana is heaving the ball around the field.
Kansas City Chiefs
Another team with a new coach, new GM and new QB that will surely improve on it's 2-14 season last year, right? Well. Not so fast. Matt Cassel is already having injury issues. With Larry Johnson in decline, the finger has to go to the offensive line there. It gets overlooked, but with two guns like that you need someone to protect them.
New GM Scott Paoli will have to get them in place for this team to make the $60+ milllion bones they gave Cassell in the offseason.
Most important player: It's Cassell here. He's got his system in place to keep him comfortable. I mean the guy started last year for the first time since high school. If only he can make some of the guys around him on offense better. We shall see.
Oakland Raiders
When Tom Cable is breaking his assistant coach's jaw, this team has come through with some weapons at the skill positions. Not sure how well they can work together though. What I'm trying to say is, I can't get over Al Davis drafting Darrius Hayward-Bey over Michael Crabtree.
I know H-B is fast as hell, but Crabtree is a monster that can just go get the football. And you also better believe Davis is going to tell Cable to give QB JeMarcus Russell every chance to start even though Jeff Garcia is waiting on the bench. If the idea is to just win, Garcia migh just see the field after all.
Most important play: Darren McFadden is primed to start in the backfield for this team and could be a force out as a receiver and a running threat. His ability to break the game open could keep Russell in the game and might be what the team needs to win five games for the first time since they went to the Super Bowl in 2004.
San Diego Chargers
Philip Rivers got paid big time this offseason and he deserved it. He's come into his own as a signal caller and this could be the season he really breaks out. LaDanian Tomlinson isn't really as down as most people think, but he can't carry the team like he used to. That's where Chris Chambers and Antonio Gates will need to step up. If LT comes through with good, not great numbers, this team can fly.
Most important player: Shawne Merriman is back from knee surgery and should make this defense one of the best in the game again. That is all the offense and Rivers needs to be successful this season. Now if Norv Turner can just get out of the way.
Here we go. Prediction time:
Chargers 12-4 -- LT adds just enough to get this team a bye in the playoffs
Broncos 5-11 -- Rethinking that McDaniels hire yet?
Chiefs 4-12-- Not enough around Cassell to make this season pop
Raiders 3-13 -- The trainwreck continues. Al Davis just needs to die.
This was Day 2 of my previews. Here's the schedule for the rest of them.
Sept. 1: AFC South
Sept 2: AFC West (Today)
Thursday, Sept. 3: AFC East
Friday, Sept. 4: AFC North
Monday, Sept. 7: NFC South
Tuesday, Sept. 8: NFC West
Wednesday, Sept. 9: NFC East
Thursday, Sept. 10: NFC North
Friday, Sept. 11: Playoffs and Super Bowl XLIV picks
While I'm on the topic of NFL previews. I like reading Peter King and SI.com and he released his today. He's got the Bears going to the Super Bowl to play the Patriots. Not sure I like the bullseye, but whatever. Check it out, plus scouting reports on each team, here.
On a non football note today. David Wright got plunked in the head a couple weeks ago and is back with the new helmet that will become mandatory across the minor leagues next year.
Take a look at this post on the helmet here. Love the headline. I'd have to agree with that. I'm sure safety is paramount, but can they make these guys not look like "Dark Helmet" from Spaceballs in these things. Wow. Can't say I can see many wearing that who are not already Major Leaguers in the near future.
It's now time for the Nussie Hunter and while summer is coming to an end, it's time to get some last bits of fun in before fall hits. That's where today's girl, one of my faves, Marissa Miller, comes in. She's amazing in the SI Swimsuit issue a couple years ago and is on my Harley-Davidson Calendar.
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I beleive it was Yogi Berra who said something to the effect of "If you look funny and talk funny you better not hit funny." Indeed. If Wright plays his game, the helmet will become fashionable. As a Braves fan, here's hoping it doesn't!
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