AFC West

poptart · Post by **poptart** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 4:21 am

Denver Broncos

Positives
Best defense in the division last year, although they DID give up a lot of yards through the air
Good coach-qb continuity
Strong O-line

Question Marks
RB - M. Anderson gonzo
TE - J. Putzier gonzo
Plummer .... ?
Home championship game hangover ... ?

I don't think things will fall as neatly into place as they did last year. Still, Denver has a lot going for them, particularly on defense. As it stands now, they are the team to beat in the West.

Bottom line - 10-6

Oakland Raiders

Positives
Art Shell - new sheriff in town
Speed, speed, and more speed on defense
Randy Moss & deep receiving group
L. Jordan - Led the NFL in receptions by a RB last year
Punter S. Lechler

Question Marks
O-line
D-line
QB
TE
RB depth

There is talent on the roster that exceeds a 4-12 record of a year ago. Art is in the process of turning this ship around, but I honestly think Oakland is a year away from fighting for a playoff spot. The youth, speed and enthusiasm on defense is fun to see, but I think the unit, like the team, is a year away from being real good.

Bottom line - 8-8

Kansas City Chiefs

Positives
Steady Trent Green
L. Johnson
?O-line?
T. Gonz

Question Marks
Herm Edwards
L-Tackle - Roaf ?
FB - T. Rich
Receiving group
Defense as a whole

KC's coaching change causes some uncertainty. Faced with age, a couple of key O-personnel losses, and a potentially more difficult schedule this year, the team will be hard-pressed to match last year's 10 win total. The defense ought to improve, but the offense is on shaky ground.

Bottom Line: 8-8

San Diego Chargers

Positives
LT
A. Gates
J. Williams
S. Merriman

Question Marks
P. Rivers at QB
O-Line, and L-Tackle in particular
D-Backfield
Receivers

I think SD is facing a down year. The combo of a wet-behind-the-ears QB & a shaky O-Line (L-Tackle in particular) doesn't bring comfort. Drew Brees will be missed. I question whether the defense can be counted on to do enough to hold up what might be a heavy load. LT is one of the most dynamic players in the league, and he WILL get his.

Bottom Line: 6-10

atomicdad · Post by **atomicdad** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 4:44 pm

Pop, I whole heartedly disagree with your take on the Chargers.

1) Philip Rivers isn't necessarily "wet behind the ears". While his game time experience is low, this is his third year in the league. All reports that i've heard are that this kid has not been jakeing it. Shortly after Brees left some interviews I heard from LT, Gates and others had the tone that they were going to be trying to pick up the slack and look after the "kid". Now after all the mini-camps and one week plus into training camp the word is that the "kid" has taken charge and has the full confidence of the entire offense and coaching staff.

2) O-Line, particulary L-Tackle. That is a ? with Oben still recovering from off season surgery. His backup from last year has come into camp mean, hungry and ready to play. The Bolts also took a solid LT in the second round this year, while still a rookie, should be able to hold his own most of the time if need be.

3) Defense, the top rated run stuffing D in the AFC is returning their front 7. Merriman and Castillo were fricking rookies last year, they are only going to get better. Igor Olshansky has come into camp with a chip on his shoulder from the attention the rooks received last year. The secondary I believe will be improved. Q Jammer, had a good season last year, his name wasn't brought up much last year, hummm, because QB's were not throwing much to his side of the field. The Chargers shit canned a couple of failed CB on the other side and drafted a stud CB in the first round. Also, under the radar the Bolts signed Marlon Macree as a FA Safety from the Panthers in the off season. He is a proven veteran field general that will direct/coach the secondary on the field.

4) WR, the Bolts have a very underrated cast of characters here. But watch for second year player Vincent Jackson at 6-5 230 and a low 4 40 time to turn some heads and make some plays this year.

With a relatively weak schedule (on paper that is) compared to last year, the Bolts are easily 11-5 and the West Champions, including sweeps of the Raiders and Chiefs and a home-home split with Dungver.

Felix · Post by **Felix** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 5:01 pm

atomicdad wrote: the Bolts are easily 11-5 and the West Champions, including sweeps of the Raiders and Chiefs and a home-home split with Dungver.

i was with ya til this statement D.......if the Blots make it to 11-5 they deserve to win the division....

but Rivers is not a seasoned QB....two years of carrying clipboards does not equate to experience under fire.....and his performance at training camp means exactly that, he's doing well at training camp....

lets see how he does when real opponents are coming at him at real game speed with one thought only.....

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 5:56 pm

Does anyone actually care about the AFC West around here?

Chiefs will wrap by week 12

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:06 pm

atomicdad wrote: With a relatively weak schedule (on paper that is) compared to last year, the Bolts are easily 11-5 and the West Champions, including sweeps of the Raiders and Chiefs...

I laffed.

Blot fan feeling a bit froggy in pre-season is always good for a chuckle. Then the reality of the regular season (like having to visit Arrowhead) hits them upside the noggin and they go take a walk on the beach looking for seashells and whatsuch.

I see the AFC West playing out this way.

KC 11-5
Dungver 10-6 (Wildcard berth)
Blots 9-7
Duhs 7-9

Diogenes · Post by **Diogenes** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:28 pm

Denver 11-5.
KC 8-8
SD 7-9
Oakland 5-11

Arizona v. the field 3-1.

Felix · Post by **Felix** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:33 pm

War Wagon wrote: I see the AFC West playing out this way.

KC 11-5
Dungver 10-6 (Wildcard berth)
Blots 9-7
Duhs 7-9

big fucking surprise.......of course, you've offered the same predicition every year........

stick with it whitey......the law of averages say that if you say it enough times, some day it may come true......

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:37 pm

Hey, I could be wrong. KC might go 13-3 instead....

So what's your predickshun, Pinks?

The Assassin · Post by **The Assassin** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:49 pm

Broncos 11-5
Chiefs9-7
Chargers 7-9
Raiders 6-10(but a TOUGH 6-10)

Felix · Post by **Felix** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:52 pm

War Wagon wrote:Hey, I could be wrong. KC might go 13-3 instead....

yeah, and monkeys might fly out my ass too.....

my predicition? Denver wins the division and KC finishes third.....

my other predicition is that Mike Bell will eventually wrest the starting job from his brother Tatum......

poptart · Post by **poptart** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 1:11 am

a-dad wrote:With a relatively weak schedule (on paper that is) compared to last year, the Bolts are easily 11-5 and the West Champions, including sweeps of the Raiders and Chiefs and a home-home split with Dungver.

Have a feeling I'll be revisiting this humbuggery a few month down the road.

Diogenes · Post by **Diogenes** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 2:02 am

The Dolts have a much better shot at 5-11.

But as long as the sweep the Raiders, 2-14 is a successful season anyway.

Red · Post by **Red** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 11:29 pm

Felix wrote:
War Wagon wrote: I see the AFC West playing out this way.

KC 11-5
Dungver 10-6 (Wildcard berth)
Blots 9-7
Duhs 7-9
big fucking surprise.......of course, you've offered the same predicition every year........

stick with it whitey......the law of averages say that if you say it enough times, some day it may come true......

He really means it this year.

I say it's going to shake out DEN (12-4), KC (10-6), OAK (7-9) then SD (5-11) with KC missing the wild card by one game. Ron Dayne is your NFL comeback player of the year (don't ask me what he's coming back from... oblivion, maybe) and the Broncos lose to the Colts in the AFC Championship game.

kcdave · Post by **kcdave** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:02 am

poptart wrote:Oakland Raiders

Positives
Art Shell - new sheriff in town
Speed, speed, and more speed on defense
Randy Moss & deep receiving group
L. Jordan - Led the NFL in receptions by a RB last year
Punter S. Lechler

Question Marks
O-line
D-line
QB
TE
RB depth

There is talent on the roster that exceeds a 4-12 record of a year ago. Art is in the process of turning this ship around, but I honestly think Oakland is a year away from fighting for a playoff spot. The youth, speed and enthusiasm on defense is fun to see, but I think the unit, like the team, is a year away from being real good.

Bottom line - 8-8

tart you are higher than a cats ass.

duhs wont stop the run, thus 0-6 in division.
Losses to Pitt, @Sea, and @Cinc for sure = 0-9.
3 other road games ........

duhs 6-10 at best.

KC 11-5
donks 10-6
SD 8-8
duhs 5-11

poptart · Post by **poptart** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 2:36 pm

What makes KC a game better than they were last year, dave ..... ?

poptart · Post by **poptart** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 3:36 pm

Well, I agree on your no wildcard take.

I see the division as down from what it was last year.

10 wins has a good shot at it.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 3:58 pm

Wow...that actually wasn't an orc take. How do I know?

Killer whales aren't so skilled in UBB code, methinks

poptart · Post by **poptart** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:00 pm

Good post, Paul.

You asked a few questions, so I'll give my answers.

1. Barring a serious injury, why would we as ChiefFans NOT believe that Larry Johnson will get his 2K yards?

Willie Roaf was a Hall of Fame level LT, and that is a huge hit for the line to take.
You've got other age concerns with the line.
T. Rich was a beast, and he is gonzo.

2. Will The Fake be looking over his shoulder at Jay Cutler?

I seriously doubt it.
Plummer is Denver's best option now, and Rat knows it very well.

3. Will Ron Dayne win the starting RB job?

I'd say it's probable.

4. Will Ashley Lelie get his wish and get traded?

I don't know.
I'm more interested to see how the Jerry Porter saga plays out.

5. Will the loss of Trevor Pryce hurt this defense more than they think?

I don't know how much they think it's going to hurt them, but it will, IMO, help hurt them enough that the unit won't perform up to last year's high standard.

atomicdad · Post by **atomicdad** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:45 pm

KC Fan, with Herm Edwards at the helm I hope you will enjoy watching your team run the ball on 3-10, or 3-12 and settling with a punt.

poptart · Post by **poptart** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:48 pm

...... or trotting behind Herm to the locker room for halftime when the first quarter time expires.

Felix · Post by **Felix** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:57 pm

mvscal wrote:Denver 11-5
San Diego 10-6
KC 8-8
Oakland 3-13

that's about how I see it unfolding......

trev · Post by **trev** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:40 pm

There is no question mark for Phillip Rivers and the Chargers O Line. They are ripe for the taking and will get owned by everyone else in the AFC West.

Donks
Chefs

Duhs and Chargers fighting for the bottom.

With some luck Marty will get into a freak accident
before game 2.

trev · Post by **trev** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:49 pm

mvscal wrote:What do you care? You're a Saints fan now. Outta this thread, traitor.

Why would you say that?

Cuda · Post by **Cuda** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:51 pm

The only team in the AFC west that I think has improved itself at all is San Diego 10-6 wouldn't be out of the question

Denver- with an already piss poor pass rush released their best pass rusher because they thought he made too much $$$ Losing Anderson isn't that huge of a loss. Plummer is still Plummer (Plus, he got arrested for road rage driving a Honda Element, so it's pretty obvious he's a fag) 9-7 at best

Oakland- a deece QB would make all the difference. 9-7 (10-6 if they sweep the Chefs)

Kansas City- Roaf's retirement is a killer. No better than 7-9

trev · Post by **trev** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:02 pm

mvscal wrote:
Whatever you are, it damn sure isn't a Charger fan.

And how would you come to that conclusion?

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:10 pm

^^^Bwa

Red · Post by **Red** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:21 pm

mvscal wrote:
Not a Charger Fan wrote:
mvscal wrote:What do you care? You're a Saints fan now. Outta this thread, traitor.
Why would you say that?

BreesBandwagoneer wrote:Hey Charger fans we aren't going to the playoffs this year. Rivers ain't no Drew Brees, I hate to say. You say, so, we didn't go to the playoffs last year? That's not on Drew's back. Join me in rooting for Drew in the NFC. He'll give the Saint's lots to cheer about. Being the bearer of bad news isn't fun, but we're gonna barely take 2 from the Raiders and lose 2 each to the Chiefs and Broncos. Those who didn't support Drew Brees will sure notice how he'll be missed this season.
Questions?

Bye.

It's times like this when a simple "EDITED©" is invaluable.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:34 pm

atomicdad wrote:KC Fan, with Herm Edwards at the helm I hope you will enjoy watching your team run the ball on 3-10, or 3-12 and settling with a punt.

Not with Mike Solari calling the plays- he's not screwing with Al Saunders' playbook in any way, and even if he does call a dumbass play like that Trent knows the offense well enough to audible out of that nonsense IF they choose to run it out to him.

Sorry NFL Posters...couldn't resist.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:45 pm

If'n I'm not mistaken, the Bolts signed My Man, Brett Elliot as a 3rd-string QB.

If Rivers and My Man AJ both get hurt...then San Diego will PWN!!!!! the AFC West.

Alex Smith, former #1 pick in the NFL draft used to be Brett's waterboy, until Elliot was injured.

Brett Elliot threw more TD passes in a season than any other player in college football history, while playing for the winningest team in college football history(that would be the Linfield Wildcats, in case you missed it the last 50 times or so...50 freaking winning seasons in a row, and counting...another D3 Championship is just about in the bag).

RACK the Bolts for making a very wise choice.

Let the record show that homerism had NOTHING to do with the above post.

trev · Post by **trev** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:53 pm

mvscal wrote:
Not a Charger Fan wrote:
mvscal wrote:What do you care? You're a Saints fan now. Outta this thread, traitor.
Why would you say that?

BreesBandwagoneer wrote:Hey Charger fans we aren't going to the playoffs this year. Rivers ain't no Drew Brees, I hate to say. You say, so, we didn't go to the playoffs last year? That's not on Drew's back. Join me in rooting for Drew in the NFC. He'll give the Saint's lots to cheer about. Being the bearer of bad news isn't fun, but we're gonna barely take 2 from the Raiders and lose 2 each to the Chiefs and Broncos. Those who didn't support Drew Brees will sure notice how he'll be missed this season.
Questions?

Bye.

The only question would be, is that all I've said? Why, no it isn't. Yes, I did say that a long time ago, I won't spend any time searching for when. It was in a moment of NFL passion, you know, we all have them. If we really are NFL fans. I don't think you have them, you're much too smooth, tiger. Anyhow, I should be questioning YOUR Charger loyalty since you were never much of a Drew Brees supporter, if you were, you would want HIM on your team. :wink:

Sure, I'll be watching this year and still back the Chargers as long as they're in San Diego, and when I start cringing at the sight, I'll turn to another game that is more entertaining and enjoyable. Is that a crime?

Now, Bye.

Nixhex · Post by **Nixhex** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:06 pm

atomicdad wrote:KC Fan, with Herm Edwards at the helm I hope you will enjoy watching your team run the ball on 3-10, or 3-12 and settling with a punt.

So you're saying Herm is just like Marty? Perhaps. We'll see how he does. He's in a different situation now. His offense should be better than any he ever had in New York.

trev · Post by **trev** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:26 pm

Actually it'll be the feel good story of the year rooting for NO to finally have something worth watching after all the tragedy that has struck them. My loyalty won't actually be with the Saints though.

The Chargers have done plenty of dumb moves, I've seen them all. The dumbest was not playing Rivers in the Denver game. What were they thinking? They weren't.

I hope to God I'm wrong about Rivers. I don't like seeing the Chargers fall on their faces. It's not fun at all.

Cuda · Post by **Cuda** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 1:26 am

mvscal wrote: It simply is not humanly possible for anybody to be more prepared to play quarterback in the NFL.

True dat

-sin

KC Scott · Post by **KC Scott** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 1:58 am

KC Tard 3.0 wrote: Not with Mike Solari calling the plays- he's not screwing with Al Saunders' playbook in any way, and even if he does call a dumbass play like that Trent knows the offense well enough to audible out of that nonsense IF they choose to run it out to him.

Yet another stellar take Paul.......

THE NEWS
Quarterback Trent Green admits that the Chiefs offense is taking on a new identity after five years of Dick Vermeil's high-octane approach. "We're still running the same offense, but you know, different coordinator, different head coach, and potentially four or five new starters on offense," Green told the team's official website. "Yeah, that era is over."

Our View
We've talked a lot about a more conservative approach from the Chiefs under Herm Edwards, and while Green initially pushed back, he finally seems comfortable with the new mindset. His run of three straight 4,000-yard seasons is most definitely in jeopardy.

Diogenes · Post by **Diogenes** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 2:25 am

Hey, if the Chargers organization thinks Rivers is the future of Quarterbacking, they probably know what they are talking about.

Sin,

Joe in PB · Post by **Joe in PB** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 3:40 am

Ahh yes the yearly AFC West prediction thread......

Agree that Denver is the team to beat, and also think they'll be lucky to match last seasons record, basically because I doubt they'll go 5-1 in the division again. They are solid on both sides of the ball though, but how will the loss of Kubiak effect the offense?

I have a hard time believing KC is going to be a better team with the retirement of Willie Roaf, Will Shields has also seen his best days. Gonzo, Trent, the offense as a whole is just plain old. Not to mention Larry Johnson will have a target on his back from day 1, and he won't have the benefit of having fresh legs against worn defenses by sitting out the first half of the season. KC certainly will not score as many points as in years past and the defense will make or break this team.

The Raiduh's are in rebuilding mode, finishing 8-8 would be quite an accomplishment with a defense that can't stop the run in this division. In last nights game I saw a team that couldn't tackle and looked penalty prone, hmm...kinda like the Art Shell 90's teams. I expect Walters will end up the starter before year end, perhaps by mid season. Seems the more things change the more they stay the same.

The Bolts have some talent, but a lot of questions too. I'm not quite as ready as Adad to anoint Rivers as being NFL ready or good enough to make plays to win a close game. The guy I saw play last season wasn't very good at surveying the field, something that took Brees years to develop. The Oline has major questions at OLT, mainly will Roman Oben be ready to play, & be as effective as he was before last seasons injury? If so the Chargers will be tough, if not the offense will slump in the points department compared to the last couple of years. The defense is the team’s new strong point, as in stopping the run & rushing the passer. Good things are going to happen on this side of the ball for the Bolts this year. Of course the Chargers also have to beat out the league office as well. Take a look at their schedule, they play every divisional opponent on the road before they host the Raiduh's on Thanksgiving weekend at the end of November. Finally hosting Denver and KC in December. Not the kind of schedule any team would like, especially one starting a green QB. But the kind of schedule the league office prefers for a team they would rather have residing in LA. I think the Chargers start out slow but come on at the end of the season.

Denver 11-5
San Diego 9-7
KC - 8-8
Oaktown 6-10

kcdave · Post by **kcdave** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:04 am

poptart wrote:What makes KC a game better than they were last year, dave ..... ?

A game? One game? Oh, I dont know. Pretty much anything. Weather, schedule, coach, players, refs, game times, opponents, injuries or lack there of, or about 1000 other reasons. Not like I am talking about a 3-13 team going 13-3. I am talking about 1 fucking game. Any team can easily take a one game swing, either way.

The better question is, why do you feel you team can improve from 4 wins to 8? Double the win total with a new qb, new coach, weak run def, in a division with two of the top 3 rb's, and with the donks who always are near the top in rushing offense, no matter who they hand the ball to?

The Assassin · Post by **The Assassin** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:27 am

trev wrote:Actually it'll be the feel good story of the year rooting for NO to finally have something worth watching after all the tragedy that has struck them. My loyalty won't actually be with the Saints though.

The Chargers have done plenty of dumb moves, I've seen them all. The dumbest was not playing Rivers in the Denver game. What were they thinking? They weren't.

I hope to God I'm wrong about Rivers. I don't like seeing the Chargers fall on their faces. It's not fun at all.

Yes it is.

:twisted:

poptart · Post by **poptart** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:12 am

Joe in PB wrote:In last nights game I saw a team that couldn't tackle and looked penalty prone, hmm...kinda like the Art Shell 90's teams.

Penalty prone ... ?

Shit man, they had 5 for 40 yds in that game.

That's normally a friggin' QUARTER total for an Oakland team.

From the looks of that game it appears that Art has impressed on the team that they've got to keep the penalties in check.

Not that I expect it to continue or anything.

Dave,

Oakland will up it's win total because Norv, Carrie, and J. Raye are gone.

Classic case of addition by subtraction.

The Shell factor alone makes the team a better one.

I'm not saying Art is walking coaching greatness, but in his sleep he runs circles around Norv.

Oakland's got a long way to go to be a GOOD team, IMO, but I see them as being a respectable team this year.

I think they get better as the year go on.

Joe in PB · Post by **Joe in PB** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:24 am

KC Paul 3.0 wrote:Kansas City Chiefs- ....[A MUCH better defense: Now that they have two CBs capable of shutting ANY WR in this league down, the secondary is easily better than a year ago.

There's no such thing in the NFL anymore with the league doing away with bump and run coverage. The key to the game is controlling the LOS and it always has been. KC's Dline has been as big a problem as the secondary the last few years for the teams late game collapses.

Barring a serious injury, why would we as ]ChiefFans NOT believe that Larry Johnson will get his 2K yards?

Maybe because it's only happened 5 times in NFL history.

All reports from training camp indicate that Kyle Turley is more than holding his own at LT....

He must be back on the juice then, if not forget about it......

.......and there are two guys fighting to start at RT that are grading out the same.

The same as what?

Every year your prediction is the same Paul, this year you just erased Priest Holmes and inserted Larry Johnson. :D

T1B

AFC West

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