By: Chris
Looking back on last season's standings, it is hard to believe the Chargers finished with a mediocre 8-8 record. Phillip Rivers had a career year, throwing for over 4,000 yards and putting up an impressive 105.5 QB rating. Much of the mediocrity lays in the fact that Ladanian Tomlinson's stats declined for the third straight year. The usually potent and sure-fire Pro Bowler was nagged by injuries all season and averaged a career low (minus his rookie season) 3.8 yards per carry. Many believe the age of decline is at 30 for NFL running backs and within a few years, they are done. Not the case with LT, in my opinion. I think he'll bounce back and have a very strong year, in combination with speedy spell back Darren Sproles. Rivers is poised to put up another great year as he is backed by the one of the NFL's finest O-line units and surrounded by receiver threats including Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates, even Chris Chamber. Defensively, the much-hyped Antonio Cromartie had a very disappointing season following his double digit INT break out campaign in '07. The defense also boasts the ever improving Shawn Merriman and shut down corner Quentin Jammer. The defense is key for the Chargers this season, as the offense will most likely produce and put up big numbers. Still, they are lucky to be in a soft division and therefore are the clear favorite to finish on top.
2. Denver Broncos (7-9)
Sure, preseason doesn't mean much, but Kyle Orton hasn't looked great. Looking at his career numbers, it's hard to pick out one season that was remotely good, other than last season's (what could be called) "one year wonder". Still, his supporting cast is severely improved from his days in Chicago with guys like Eddie Royal, Tony Scheffler, and what should include Brandon Marshall, whose future in Denver is much in doubt. Recently, the Broncos traveled to Seattle for a preseason game. The disgruntled WR was left at home. At this point, the situation doesn't look pretty and who knows how it will go from here. The rest of the offense is quite concerning, starting with the running game. At least Broncos front office was smart enough to patch up the hole with the acquisition of Buckhalter and draft pick Knowshon Moreno. Still, whether this is enough to provide a decent rush is yet to be seen. Defensively, Bailey seems to have lost a bit of a step this past season, and entering September he will be 31 years old. The acquisition of Brian Dawkins was huge, even though I'm not sure how he will play in such a new setting having been with the Eagles his whole life. Overall, the team has many questions that remain unanswered. Once they hit the field, time will tell. It's hard not to put them second, considering the crap that comes after them in the division. Look for them to definitely miss the playoffs.
3. Oakland Raiders (7-9)
Although the record isn't fabulous, I still think the Raiders will surprise some teams. Jamarcus Russell is due to show some of his talent that left fans in awe watching his run with the LSU Tigers. Russell does have a few targets, including Heyward-Bay and TE Zach Miller. Additionally, Darren McFadden is an explosive back who was limited by his turf toe injury suffered in Week 2 all season and could go wild once healthy. Defensively, the Raiders feature the NFL's #1 cornerback in Nnamdi Osomugha, who is virtually the definition of shut-down CB. The much under-appreciated Kirk Morrison leads the front seven which lacks a big name on the line, but still provides decent pressure on the quarterback and plug on the rush. This team is full of talent (Morrison, Oso, Heyward-Bay, McFadden, Russell) but it is all about channeling that talent and converting it to success Tom Cable who seems more keen on instigating fights at camp rather than putting a winning product on the field. Get it together Larry.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (6-10)
Last, and least, the Chiefs of Kansas City. Even with some nice offensive additions including Matt Cassell and Amani Toomer, the team is definitely lacking offensive fire power. Larry Johnson is virtually useless behind a terrible offensive line with the exception of stud Left Guard Brian Waters. Cassell, to me, is the definition of a "system quarterback". He truly fed off of Bill Belichick's spread offense loaded with weapons like Welker and Moss. In reality (aside from last year), Cassell has never been a starter since high school. Now, with the pressure on and the franchise QB label, I'm not sure he can live up to the hype. As for his #1 receiving target, Dwayne Bowe has reportedly slacked off with offseason workouts, leading me to believe Cassell won't perform up to expectations with a slacking #1 and dismal supporting cast. The Chiefs' defense was never anything to write home about, although the FO did try to address this need by drafting beastly 3-4 DE Tyson Jackson. Aging linebackers like Mike Vrabel and Zach Thomas provide no upside to the defense, whose secondary isn't impressive either. This team will tank pretty early and most likely end up with another good draft pick for next year's draft.
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