six raiders make all-afc west team

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San Diego Chargers

Draft

The Chargers addressed most of their needs, although question marks linger as to the wisdom of some of the picks and whether they might have picked upward a few disposables hither.

Corey Liuget, the much-heralded first-round pick, will be expected to step in and perform right away, which could easily mean the departure between success and failure for the Chargers' upcoming season.

The defensive backfield added depth with the draft of both Marcus Gilchrist and Shareece Wright, which could likewise substantially fortify the needs of the special teams.

Role players similar Jordan Todman remain unknowns, although they could very well turn out to be X-factors and contribute to an overall roster that is equally talented every bit it is deep.

Criminal offense

If anything, this unit probably improved from last yr'due south, which could spell bad news for the AFC West contest.

Vincent Brown was added from SDSU and should add together depth to the receiving corps.

Philip Rivers remains a Pro Bowl-quotient quarterback who lonely tin enable the Chargers to compete.

Although Darren Sproles is a gratuitous agent, the Chargers should have enough depth at running dorsum to keep opposing defenses honest and chew up possession time when required.

The offensive line remains stable at present that LT Marcus McNeil has received the contract extension he'd asked for.

Defence

Considering that this grouping ranked No. 1 in overall defence last flavour, y'all wouldn't think information technology would need much tweaking.

The picks in the draft conspicuously confirmed it did, meaning that the defense, too, might have improved considerably.

All-Pro performances are hardly required from the new batch of players. If they can complement the current roster, this could be a group that could decide more than its fair share of games.

Special Teams

Although the subpar functioning of the kick teams was well documented terminal year, the Chargers made some adjustments in the second one-half of the season that would enable them to remain competitive and not affluent games down the toilet in the opening minutes.

With the new additions, this could be more of a playmaking unit that could make a difference in both field position and points scored.

Nate Kaeding remains a solid placekicker, his postseason failures still. Mike Scifres had a formidable 46.7 yards per punt, yet four of his punts were blocked, meaning that opposing teams spent equally much time in his backfield equally the football.

This is a unit that must improve decisively if the Bolts are to return to the postseason.

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Summary

Regardless of the Bolts' 2010 season hiccup, San Diego withal remains the team to shell in the AFC West.

The questions that demand to exist addressed will be how the new players can fit in, how the defense nether a new coordinator will respond, whether special team woes accept been adequately addressed and if head charabanc Norv Turner tin can maximize the performance of a talented roster.

Repeated failure might mean an early swan vocal for the Bolts season, just also a final one for Turner's tenure in San Diego.

Kansas City Chiefs

Draft

With WR Chris Chambers clearly on his way out, it became obvious that Cassell would demand a go-to guy capable of moving the chains and stretching the opposing defense.

Jonathan Baldwin tin do both of these things with his game-breaking ability, although it remains to be seen what exactly his role will be in his rookie season.

The defense was also upgraded with additions Justin Houston at OLB and Allen Bailey at DE, and could again be required to carry this team. Late-round pick NT Jerrell Powe could bear witness to exist a superb pick and will not be expected to contribute to the Chiefs' overall scheme right away, which should assistance the kid.

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I nonetheless wonder how QB Ricky Stanzi wasn't picked until No. 135 overall, although this might just prove to be an added scrap on his shoulder in his bid to succeed in the league. This was a very solid draft that addressed well-nigh of their needs and added room for a few gambles if some players didn't pan out.

Offense

The two-headed RB tandem of Jones and Charles was exquisite in delivering what the Chiefs required offensively.

The game plan was uncomplicated: Run the brawl between the tackles with Jones and spring Charles for the large play while QB Matt Cassell protected the ball, which worked to perfection.

Time will tell simply what is in shop for Charles in 2011, who might exist required to acquit the rock more consistently than last year.

It is heed-extraordinary when y'all await at his stats: 1,467 yards on just 230 carries spell instant troubles for opposing defenses on a Playstation game, let alone on the bodily gridiron. Jamaal Charles could have an MVP season, barring any injury.

Defense

Even with all-world back Jamaal Charles spearheading the offense, the Chiefs will live and dice with the defense.

This was a unit of measurement that was asked to contribute last season, keep them in the game and give the criminal offence a run a risk in their battles for field position.

In 2011, they might be asked to do much more.

In 2010, the proof was in the pudding: In 10 victories, the Chiefs gave upward more than xx points only once, in a 42-24 victory at Seattle.

In their losses, the defense displayed some marvelous disappearing acts that might have proven to be entertaining for their toddler fans simply must take had red lights flashing in the front office.

The 30-7 drubbing at the easily of the Ravens in their but playoff game—at domicile, no less—showed their weaknesses and hinted that the 49-29 thrashing they had received at the hands of the Broncos earlier in the season might not have been then much a fluke as a preview for the playoffs.

Special Teams

This was likewise a unit that seemed capable of holding its own in 2010.

Javier Arenas and Dexter McCluster performed well as a ane-two punch on kick and punt returns, although the Chiefs even so lack that game-breaker to complement the playmakers on defense.

Dustin Colquitt ranked in the height 10 for punting average, which certainly helped. Ryan Succop missed half-dozen field goals for the flavor and might need to repeat that ratio for the 2011 season if the Chiefs are to repeat atop the AFC West.

Overall a solid but not great unit.

Summary

For the Chiefs to repeat as AFC West champions, all units must click together the way they did in 2010.

Defense, law-breaking and special teams must all contribute, while the coaching staff must remain truthful to their philosophy of both controlling and protecting the brawl.

This should exist a telling flavour for the Chiefs. Can Cassell repeat his 27-vii touchdown to interception ratio?

Can they go on their superb ground game?

How will the draft picks fit in?

How will caput coach Haley perform in his sophomore season?

How will the Chiefs do with a tougher schedule?

Getting to the top of the AFC Due west is one matter; remaining there is another—and if there is an NFL season, we'll run into just how solid this team really is.

Oakland Raiders

Draft

You can't blame Al Davis for returning to his fourth dimension-tried philosophy, which is drafting big offensive linemen (Wisniewski, Barksdale) and speedy defensive backs (DeMarcus Van Dyke, Chimdi Chekwa).

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The typhoon actually fulfilled their needs, although I would however rank theirs every bit the weakest and most questionable in the AFC Due west.

You can't help but wonder if the Raiders might have whiffed on a few picks in this typhoon class.

Whereas the offensive linemen look good, the defensive backs picked appear to exist a reach, at best. Underrated are the picks that were needed to ameliorate the receiving corps, an absolute must if Jason Campbell is to bust out equally a elevation-notch QB.

Offense

Zach Miller leading all receivers with 685 yards indicates where the problems might exist on law-breaking.

Of course, with runners like McFadden and Bush carrying the stone, you lot could afford subpar numbers in the air.

With the offensive line shored up in the draft, the Raiders now must address their needs in the air game.

This is "put up or shut up" time for QB Jason Campbell in 2011. That means he volition become a bona fide starter or a career backup. While an 84.v rating for the season is certainly null to sneeze at, Campbell will have to at least duplicate those numbers—or meliorate on them—if the Raiders are to finish anywhere about .500 once again.

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Defense

Challenge that Nnamdi Asomugha can exist replaced is every bit hilarious as claiming that anything can substitute sugar in the Archetype Coke formula.

Asomugha dictated how entire offenses operated. With him out of the picture, information technology's literally back to the cartoon board.

It's not that this defensive unit is lacking for playmakers and leadership—with Seymour, Wimbley and Shaughnessy, in that location are plenty of candidates ready to human being up and lead the Raiders.

That'southward non to say they didn't take their share of meltdowns concluding twelvemonth: Six times (all losses), the Raiders immune more than thirty points.

Think this unit of measurement can pull that off again without their franchise role player roofing 1 half of the field? It can't hurt to hope.

Special Teams

These guys take been a mixed handbag.

Only which unit is it exactly?

Was information technology the special teams that unmarried-handedly destroyed San Diego at Alameda or the train wreck that kissed the playoffs expert-bye with a 38-31 loss at Jacksonville?

The special teams have the propensity for the big play—either in scoring it or assuasive it.

That inconsistency doesn't bode too well for an 8-8 team seeking to do ameliorate.

Credit where credit is due, though. Sebastian Janikowski led the league with 33 made field goals, a good for you fraction of them long ones that helped ice games. Shane Lechler, with a 47.0 yard per punt average, can still kicking the ball beyond the bay, which should give the defense that extra skip in their footstep when they take the field, not to mention superb field position.

Summary

The Raiders are truly the box of chocolate Forrest Gump talked about, in that you simply don't know what you'll get with them.

Hither's a squad that took years to rebuild, appeared to accept finally clicked on all cylinders, only to watch what amounted to a sacking of both their all-world cornerback and their head motorbus at the end of a respectable .500 season.

To simply state that the Raiders have the talent to compensate for whatsoever actor defection is true in some cases, only an outright human action of ludicrous self-denial in Asomugha's case, one that rivals the doomsday prediction on a certain preacher's Family Radio show.

This flavour should clearly indicate what path the Raiders are on.

The fans shouldn't exist surprised if the argent on their players' helmets fades to grey, in which case they can include many more years to what we all thought was merely a rebuilding endeavour.

Denver Broncos

Draft

Non surprisingly, the Broncos drafted heavily for the last-ranked defense, figuring a complete overhaul was long overdue. Von Miller should be an excellent complement to returning Elvis Dumervil while Rahim Moore, Quinton Carter and Nate Irving should contribute to a ho-hum and aging secondary.

Offense

John Elway's statement was telling and left petty room for estimation: The quarterback must win on the field, not on the stat sheet.

This was more just a sublime dig at QB Kyle Orton. Whereas the 87.five rating might accept looked plausible, as well as the three,653 yards passing, the Broncos are traditionally not in the business of losing and don't intend to be in the long run.

There is trivial fourth dimension for Denver to platoon quarterbacks or even experiment farther. Orton must either add to the win column or brand room for somebody who can. Of grade, shoring upwardly their 26^th-rated running attack might be a good start.

The Broncos, long a haven for cranking out commencement-rate tailbacks, were led by Knowshon Moreno'due south 779 yards and five TDs—decent stats for a part-time running back, but inappreciably for a starter, much less in Denver.

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Defense

Another underachieving unit, the Broncos D allowed 471 points, 29.4 PPG and 390 YPG, all figures that put them at or nearly the lesser in the NFL.

Their playmakers totaled a mere 23 sacks and 10 interceptions.

This all translated to one thing in the Mile High City: a new head coach, somebody who knows a matter or two about defense. With John Fox, that mission is more than accomplished. With Elvis Dumervil returning and new faces who will instantly join this new-look defence, look for this D to surprise many people.

Special Teams

What is it with overachieving punters in the AFC West?

Britton Colquitt placed in the top 10 for punting with a solid 44.6 yards per punt average, which merely gave the wretched defensive unit more opportunities to requite upwardly more yards.

The Broncos placekickers, too, converted on a combined 22 of 24 field goals, a percent that should have had fans slobbering well into the postseason.

Hard to believe this team could only win four games

Summary

With the hiring of John Elway, the Broncos made the first step towards the climb back to respectability.

Elway's mission is unequivocal: Retain the winning culture the Broncos had maintained for so long and witness firsthand the metamorphosis from mule back to thoroughbred.

The first step was accomplished with the hiring of John Fob, who made due with little during his reign as head coach of the Panthers.

With the solid backing of Elway and the front office behind him, he should practice just fine.

Though the Broncos may be the night horse of the AFC West in 2011, this is the team I fright the most.

Source: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/710347-afc-west-all-four-teams-at-a-glance

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