2006 AFC West Preview

by Eric Williams : Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 @ 11:47:42 AM

I firmly believe that the AFC West is a division that is the Denver Broncos’ to lose. The San Diego Chargers have a major question mark at quarterback with the untested Philip Rivers. The Kansas City Chiefs have a new head coach in Herman Edwards, as do the Los Angeles Raiders.

It would seem that Denver would clearly have a leg up in the AFC West, bust as the saying goes, ‘That’s why they play the games.’

Here’s my 2006 breakdown on the AFC West.

2006 AFC West Preview - Denver Broncos

As I stated earlier, the Broncos should be a playoff team again in 2006.

I know Jake Plummer’s decision-making makes him look like he is two steps away from a psychiatric facility, but Plummer actually had an outstanding regular season in 2005.

Besides, the Broncos just drafted their quarterback of the future with their first round pick this year, former Vanderbilt star, Jay Cutler.

The Broncos also signed former Green Bay wide receiver, Javon Walker, who will combine with Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie to form a formidable trio of receivers.

If the Broncos defense can raise the level of their play just a little – and Plummer can avoid another playoff disaster, then the Broncos should once again be legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

I expect the Broncos to win at lest four division games this season and possibly five while making another deep playoff run – if Plummer’s fragile psyche doesn’t fall apart.

2006 AFC West Preview - San Diego Chargers

I’ll go n record right now and say that I think the Chargers committed a major boo-boo by allowing former starting quarterback, Drew Brees to walk out of town as an unrestricted free agent in favor of the talented, but untested former first-round pick, Philip Rivers.

It’s not that I have anything against Rivers. He could turn out to be an outstanding quarterback himself one day. I just don’t think you let your Pro Bowl caliber starting quarterback walk out of town, especially while he is in the midst of his prime.

The move would be akin to letting Peyton Manning or Tom Brady leave for nothing after four or five seasons.

At any rate, the Chargers do still have LaDanian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates, who will both take a huge burden off of the first year starter, Rivers.

Defensively, the Chargers are a solid unit that ranked first in the league last season against the run.

The Chargers also drafted Florida State cornerback Antonio Cromartie in the first round to help solidify their suspect secondary.

However, the reality of the Chargers’ situation is that they will only go as far as Rivers takes them, which, most likely, won’t be very far.

Any NFL quarterback’s first year is more of a learning experience than anything else and unless Rivers turns out to be the next Dan Marino or Ben Roethlisberger even, then the Chargers will take some lumps this season as Rivers gets his on-the-job-training.

I think the Chargers will win three division games this season while hovering around .500 for the majority of the season.

2006 AFC West Preview - Kansas City Chiefs

Not only do the Chiefs have a new head coach in Edwards, but they also have a new offensive coordinator in Mike Solari.

However, the Chiefs are a veteran-laden team that should be able to handle the adjustments without too much difficulty.

Once again, the Chiefs will be able to put points up on the board. Trent Green, Tony Gonzalez and running back Larry Johnson, whose potential seems to be limitless at this point, will cause defensive coordinators a lot of sleepless night to along with the recurring nightmares all season.

The Chiefs, who have been annually atrocious defensively, will begin an immediate upgrade across the bard under Edwards, a defensive-oriented head coach.

With Patrick Surtain and Ty Law at the corners, the Chiefs should be able to do a lot of things defensively that other teams without top-notch corners can’t do.

However, the safety position could be a problem again this season, not to mention the fact that the Chiefs need another linebacker or two in the worst way.

First-round draft pick Tamba Hali, a defensive end out of Penn State, should offer immediate help for the Chiefs best play-making defensive lineman, Jared Allen.

I think K.C. will win three division games this season and possibly four depending on how horrific the Raiders are this season.

2006 AFC West Preview - Oakland Raiders

I’m ecstatic that Raiders owner, Al Davis decided to give Art Shell another crack at coaching this proud franchise that has turned into one of the most beleaguered teams in all of football.

Having said that, Shell will certainly have his work cut out for him. At this point, the Raiders have more question marks than the ‘Riddler.’
Is Aaron Brooks the answer for the Raiders at quarterback?

If not, is promising second-year man, Andrew Walter, ready?

Is Robert Gallery the real deal?

Who’s going to play defense besides first round draft pick, safety, Michael Huff?

I told you the Raiders had more question marks than Batman’s famous fictional foe.

And speaking of riddles – here’s one.

Name 11 Raiders starters from 2005 without looking at a roster.

See, I told this team has fallen on hard times.

The Raiders I remember of the 1970s and 80s were feared foes that many times had their opponents beat before the games ever began. Well. I guess times have changed.

It sure would be nice to see Shell turn back the hands of time though wouldn’t it?

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NFC South Preview
NFC North Preview
NFC Eest Preview
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AFC South Preview
AFC North Preview
AFC East Preview

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