How Situ Sees 'em - AFC West Edition
Here’s my rundown of the AFC West in order they finished last year. For my key additions, only those players who I feel will make a significant contribution are listed. As for key losses, they’re players the team will really, really miss.
Denver Broncos
2005 Record: 13-3 (impressive in a good AFC)
Key additions:
Javon Walker WR
Jay Cutler QB
Brandon Marshall WR
Elvis Dumervil DE
Key losses:
Trevor Pryce DE
Gary Kubiak Off. Coordinator
Javon Walker is a great addition. He was robbed of his season last year due to injury but was a top 5 wide-out in the league in ’04 with 89 rec 1382 yds and 12 td’s. Look for him to return to ‘04 form and replace the baby Lelie, who should be traded before too long. Denver also drafted Brandon Marshall who is 6’4” 230. Here is what Coach Shanahan said about the kid. So the old Rod Smith can groom Marshall while finishing up his career. RB is said to be a question mark, but I fully believe Ron Dayne is capable. His experience in NY has left him with something to prove. As for QB, a quarterback controversy in HS or college is always trouble, but in the NFL, it only pushes the players to be better. Shanahan is underrated as a coach and this team could make a push for AFC champ if key players are healthy.
Kansas City Chiefs
2005 Record:10-6
Key additions:
Ty Law CB
Lenny Walls CB
Tamba Hali DE
Key Losses:
Tony Richardson
Willie Roaf
Priest Holmes
The Chiefs have been known for the last few years as having the potent offense, but anemic defense. On paper the D looks strong, but numbers don’t lie and the Chiefs D was 25th last year in total defense. Defensive minded Herm Edwards should bring some fire to this unit, who could have a feared pass rush. This year however proves to be the opposite of years past. Look for the defense to keep them in games while the offense may struggle down the stretch. I listed Holmes under key losses because as of right now, he’s a no-go. I know Johnson is the clear-cut starter, but in this league, you gotta have a solid reliever and I don’t count Quentin Griffin as respectable relief for LJ. LJ will get his yards but won’t get 2000 yards this year only because a lot of people expect him too. Do you know how hard it is to repeat a huge season when people are gunning for you and putting 8 men in the box? Ask J-Lew in Baltimore, he can tell you.
San Diego Chargers
2005 Record: 9-7
Key additions:
Antonio Cromartie CB
Marcus McNeil OT
Key losses: Drew Brees QB
A lot of what this teams does depends on what Phil Rivers does. With Brees the Chargers knew they were getting a Pro Bowl caliber QB. With Rivers, it’s like a grab bag. He has such a wide range of possibilities on which he projects. What I mean is, if Rivers is another Joey Harrington, I won’t be surprised. But if he makes the Pro Bowl next year and leads the Chargers into the playoffs, I won’t be surprised. For the sake of argument, I predict Rivers to be kind of like Eli Manning was his first year. Looks good some plays, but throws into coverage sometimes. Another question mark is if Roman Oben can return from his injury last year. If not rookie McNeil could get the nod at left tackle protecting the blindside, not the ideal situation trying to break in a QB. This defense has potential if they can shut down the pass. Shawn Merriman is developing into one of leagues most feared defenders. If this team can return to form that beat Indy straight up at the end of last year, then watch out.
Oakland Ray-duhs
2005 Record: 4-12
Key additions: Aaron Brooks QB
Michael Huff SS
Thomas Howard LB
Darnell Bing LB (projected)
Key losses: none really, obviously they lost people like Collins, Washington, and Woodson, but those guys will all have their spots filled by capable players.
Like the Chargers before them, this team has a big question mark on whether or not a certain someone can pick up the NFL game. No not any player, but rather their head coach, Art Shell! Shell hasn’t been a head coach in the NFL in over 10 years, so we’ll see whether the league has passed him by or not. I would like to take this moment to be the first to say look out for fake Snake to take over the helm at QB shortly. He is huge and has a cannon and the Raiders love him. He was injured last year so progress took a setback, but Walter is definitely the future. Maybe not this year but soon and when he does Moss will be feared again. As for the defense, they’re young and the best word that comes to mind is raw. They’ll get caught out of position at times, but their is speed and playmaking ability all over this D. We’ll see how much that can make up for lack of veteran talent. If nothing else, the Raiders will be an awesome team on Madden. No, seriously I will be them on Madden.
In conclusion, this could shape up to be a close division. All the teams have taken steps forward and improved, even though the records may not necessarily reflect that. Here’s how I see ‘em.
1) Denver Broncos 12-4
2) Kansas City Chiefs 11-5
3) San Diego Chargers 9-7
4) Oakland Raiders 7-9
Denver Broncos
2005 Record: 13-3 (impressive in a good AFC)
Key additions:
Javon Walker WR
Jay Cutler QB
Brandon Marshall WR
Elvis Dumervil DE
Key losses:
Trevor Pryce DE
Gary Kubiak Off. Coordinator
Javon Walker is a great addition. He was robbed of his season last year due to injury but was a top 5 wide-out in the league in ’04 with 89 rec 1382 yds and 12 td’s. Look for him to return to ‘04 form and replace the baby Lelie, who should be traded before too long. Denver also drafted Brandon Marshall who is 6’4” 230. Here is what Coach Shanahan said about the kid. So the old Rod Smith can groom Marshall while finishing up his career. RB is said to be a question mark, but I fully believe Ron Dayne is capable. His experience in NY has left him with something to prove. As for QB, a quarterback controversy in HS or college is always trouble, but in the NFL, it only pushes the players to be better. Shanahan is underrated as a coach and this team could make a push for AFC champ if key players are healthy.
Kansas City Chiefs
2005 Record:10-6
Key additions:
Ty Law CB
Lenny Walls CB
Tamba Hali DE
Key Losses:
Tony Richardson
Willie Roaf
Priest Holmes
The Chiefs have been known for the last few years as having the potent offense, but anemic defense. On paper the D looks strong, but numbers don’t lie and the Chiefs D was 25th last year in total defense. Defensive minded Herm Edwards should bring some fire to this unit, who could have a feared pass rush. This year however proves to be the opposite of years past. Look for the defense to keep them in games while the offense may struggle down the stretch. I listed Holmes under key losses because as of right now, he’s a no-go. I know Johnson is the clear-cut starter, but in this league, you gotta have a solid reliever and I don’t count Quentin Griffin as respectable relief for LJ. LJ will get his yards but won’t get 2000 yards this year only because a lot of people expect him too. Do you know how hard it is to repeat a huge season when people are gunning for you and putting 8 men in the box? Ask J-Lew in Baltimore, he can tell you.
San Diego Chargers
2005 Record: 9-7
Key additions:
Antonio Cromartie CB
Marcus McNeil OT
Key losses: Drew Brees QB
A lot of what this teams does depends on what Phil Rivers does. With Brees the Chargers knew they were getting a Pro Bowl caliber QB. With Rivers, it’s like a grab bag. He has such a wide range of possibilities on which he projects. What I mean is, if Rivers is another Joey Harrington, I won’t be surprised. But if he makes the Pro Bowl next year and leads the Chargers into the playoffs, I won’t be surprised. For the sake of argument, I predict Rivers to be kind of like Eli Manning was his first year. Looks good some plays, but throws into coverage sometimes. Another question mark is if Roman Oben can return from his injury last year. If not rookie McNeil could get the nod at left tackle protecting the blindside, not the ideal situation trying to break in a QB. This defense has potential if they can shut down the pass. Shawn Merriman is developing into one of leagues most feared defenders. If this team can return to form that beat Indy straight up at the end of last year, then watch out.
Oakland Ray-duhs
2005 Record: 4-12
Key additions: Aaron Brooks QB
Michael Huff SS
Thomas Howard LB
Darnell Bing LB (projected)
Key losses: none really, obviously they lost people like Collins, Washington, and Woodson, but those guys will all have their spots filled by capable players.
Like the Chargers before them, this team has a big question mark on whether or not a certain someone can pick up the NFL game. No not any player, but rather their head coach, Art Shell! Shell hasn’t been a head coach in the NFL in over 10 years, so we’ll see whether the league has passed him by or not. I would like to take this moment to be the first to say look out for fake Snake to take over the helm at QB shortly. He is huge and has a cannon and the Raiders love him. He was injured last year so progress took a setback, but Walter is definitely the future. Maybe not this year but soon and when he does Moss will be feared again. As for the defense, they’re young and the best word that comes to mind is raw. They’ll get caught out of position at times, but their is speed and playmaking ability all over this D. We’ll see how much that can make up for lack of veteran talent. If nothing else, the Raiders will be an awesome team on Madden. No, seriously I will be them on Madden.
In conclusion, this could shape up to be a close division. All the teams have taken steps forward and improved, even though the records may not necessarily reflect that. Here’s how I see ‘em.
1) Denver Broncos 12-4
2) Kansas City Chiefs 11-5
3) San Diego Chargers 9-7
4) Oakland Raiders 7-9
posted by Andrew at 9:37 PM
2 Comments:
ask J Lew? ask Shaun ALexander who ran for 1,696 yards and 16 TD's, 4.8 avg. only to follow that up with 1,880 yards and 27 TD's, 5.1 avg.!! It can be done. easily
Seems like someone stole my AFC West picks,Situ you can thank me later for the great picks.
Post a Comment
<< Home