By: Steve Kleppin
AFC West:
This was almost an old school AFC West this year. And when I say “old school” I am talking pre-Elway Broncos. We had a resurgent Chiefs team, a dangerous Chargers team and a competitive Raiders teams. Bringing up the bottom were the hapless Broncos who are going to spend the next couple of years cleaning up Josh McDaniel’s mess.
Kansas City Chiefs 10-6
The Chiefs took a big leap last year and experienced some growing pains late in the season. Those growing pains were experienced by QB Matt Cassel as well as head coach Todd Haley. Haley is a good leader and hopefully will learn form his mistakes. Cassel has the ability but needs to prove he can be a playoff winning QB. While the 2011 Chiefs took a big step forward, the 30-7 playoff shellacking they took at the hands of the Ravens shows there is more talent and experience needed in order for them to take the next step.
Strengths:
1. Running back. There is depth as well as complimenting talents.
2. Dwayne Bowe is a big play wideout.
3. Matt Cassel emerged as a solid to good starting QB.
Weaknesses:
1. Offensive line. There are a few pieces but not one of them is irreplaceable.
2. Wide receiver. Someone to take pressure off Bowe would be nice.
3. More playmakers on defense.
Needs: Chiefs fans, who I consider the best fans on the league, have a lot of reason to be optimistic. They have a good young coach and a capable signal caller. They need to revamp the offensive line and add a few more playmakers on both sides of the ball in order to take the difficult step from a good, competitive team to that of a dangerous playoff opponent.
Sand Diego Chargers 9-7
Another year, another mediocre finish. Norv Turner is a great offensive mind, but quarterbacks and head coaches are judged by their post season performances and ultimately Super Bowls. Norv has yet to take any of his talented teams to that level, although there have been opportunities. One major positive is that they have a franchise quarterback just entering his prime. I am a Philip Rivers fan. He has a big arm, plays hurt and isn’t afraid to be the leader.
Strengths:
1. Philip Rivers.
2. Good depth and stability at running back.
3. Tight end.
4. Solid cornerback play.
Weaknesses:
1. Linebackers. Questions on the inside and aside from Phillips, no pass rush on the outside.
2. Defensive line. Solid but unspectacular end play.
3. Offensive line, specifically depth at tackle.
4. Wide receiver. Jackson is good but can you count on him?
Needs: The Lightning Bolts are a solid team but in order for them to take the next step they need more playmakers on both sides of the ball. A dependable big play wide receiver would make a huge difference on offense. The defense is solid but they haven’t generated any pass rush since Shawne Merriman was on the roster doing his Charlie Sheen imitation.
Oakland Raiders 8-8
It’s kinda sad every time you see Al Davis these days. He used to be the maverick of the sport and now he just looks kind of pathetic. The Raiders have been stuck in the muck for a long time now & Al has to take the lion’s share of the blame. He changes coaches like I change my boxers and makes some horrific draft choices. The poster child would obviously be JaMarcus Russell while overreaching for players like Robert Gallery, Rolando McClain and Darrius Heyward-Bey. Or they trade #1 picks away for aging players like Richard Seymour who probably won’t be back either (that is why the Pats are perennial favorite & the Raiders are not). When they do make good selections they don’t seem to be able to retain them, say bye-bye to Nnamdi Asomugha.
So out goes the tumultuous Tom Cable and in walks Hue Jackson. Jackson is a highly regarded coach but now he is in Al’s glare. Hopefully for Raider Nation he can bring them back to respectability. A little hint, start with a real quarterback.
Strengths:
1. Darren McFadden had a break out season in 2010.
2. A strong secondary, but this grade is based on Asomugha & Huff staying with the team.
3. Solid front seven, but losing Seymour would change the grade.
Weaknesses:
1. Quarterback. They have a bunch of backups & no starter.
2. Wide receiver. A bunch of mediocrity and Louis Murphy is facing legal problems.
3. Offensive line, especially if they lose Gallery.
4. Secondary, simply because they are going to lose two quality players, both of whom are recent first round picks.
Needs: The Raiders made it back to 500 this past season. It seemed like they found something under Tom Cable but Apparently Al was expecting more. Of course assault doesn’t help matters much. First and foremost the Raiders need a QB. The answer is not on the roster and with no first round pick they will have to see if one falls to them at pick # 48. They also need to do a better job of not drafting quality players for other teams, as their first round picks don’t seem to stay with the team.
Denver Broncos 4-12
Yuck! There are few teams that received a “yuck” grade, but the Broncos definitely earned one. The Josh McDaniels era has mercifully ended. Note to owners: not every young genius is ready to be a head coach. Daniels left this team in shambles, having traded away young talent like Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall and Peyton Hillis. Then they way overreach for Tim Tebow who, far from being a sure thing, would have been available later. The Tebow pick was even stranger considering they have Brady Quinn and Kyle Orton already on the roster. In comes John Fox, who immediately will restore order. It will take a few years to replace the lost talent but at least the free-fall has stopped.
Strengths:
1. The #2 pick should give the Broncos an elite player they can build around.
2. John Fox is a good coach who will have this team back in contention in short order.
3. Champ Bailey is still a good player despite his age.
Weaknesses:
1. Quarterback. Orton is serviceable. Former first rounder Quinn’s career has never taken off while Tebow is a complete wild card.
2. Wide receiver. Brandon Marshall anyone?
3. Playmakers everywhere.
Needs: The simple addition by subtraction, now that McDaniels is gone, and the substitution of Fox should give all Broncos fans reason to be optimistic. Orton and Fox will work well together & should provide some stability & respectability. With the #2 pick Fox can rebuild from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense. I have a feeling you’ll be seeing Marcell Dareus or Patrick Peterson in Mile High next year.
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