Now that the LeBachelor is over, can anybody smell fresh cut turf in the air? I think football season is right around the corner and who in their right mind couldn't be excited. With the Jazz as quiet as the Germans on Victory Day in WWII I turn my mindset to football season. I've come to the conclusion that the Jazz just don't have the you know what to pull off a big deal so it's best to block that part of my life out at the moment (That was written at 6 p.m. yesterday, hello AL JEFFERSON!.)
Now this portion of the NFL Preview just concentrates on the AFC West. Kansas City Chiefs, Denver "America's Real Team" Broncos, the Al Davis Zombies or the Oakland Raiders, and the San Diego Chargers featuring DB of the year Philip Rivers. If you read the above passage about the Broncos and thought "Chris must be a Broncos fan," than you just received two points. With that being said, the Broncos aren't the best team in their division. If you continue reading below you will see what my predictions are for the AFC West are for this season. If you have stopped reading, well then to hell with you.
1. San Diego Chargers - 10 -6 - 1st Place
I can't think of a man I hate more than Philip "My throwing motion is a seizure" Rivers but he is the best quarterback in the AFC West. With that said, that isn't saying much when you are up against Matt Cassel, Kyle "I drink a 5th of scotch a day for breakfast" Orton, and Jason Campbell. The Charges let LaDanian Tomlinson walk in the off-season, and it was a smart move. He's up there in age, his stats are deteriorating and he already has a Jets tattoo on his leg. Even though Jamal Williams missed most of last season due to a season ending injury, I think the Chargers will miss that presence in the middle more than they know. I was shocked to see them trade Antonio Cromartie and now Shawne Merriman is also holding out. With that being said, the Chargers seem to find a way to start slow and then at the right time turn it on. I think Darren Sproles will have a solid year if he can stay healthy. At 5'6" and not able to ride all of the rides at Disneyland, it could take a vicious toll on the running back. I am interested to see how their rookie from Fresno St Ryan Matthews pans out, he could be a steal. Vincent Jackson could also be a distraction if he isn't signed or moved before the season starts. I expect the Chargers to win the division this year, and this will be the most painful think you'll ever hear me admit. It's like sticking a knife in my side Rambo style.
2. Denver Broncos - 8-8 - 2nd Place
The Broncos didn't do themselves any favors by trading probably the best wide receiver in football in Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins but we all know Josh McDaniels is preaching team. They released Andra Davis with a handful of other defensive players in a move to get younger on that side of the ball. Champ Bailey definitely isn't what he used to be and Brian Dawkins is a year older but shows he can still knock people's heads off. Picking up Jamal Williams to stop the run will be huge if he can stay healthy. Offensively we've seem some new additions. Demaryius Thomas is going to have to have a huge year and when I mean huge I mean as big as Kirstie Alley's rear end. An Amber Alert was issued for Eddie Royal and it appears he is still on the team so as well will have to have a huge year. I said McDaniels will make an impact in his 3rd year and I'm sticking by hit. Denver will compete for the division will fall off towards the latter part of the year and will miss the playoffs.
3. Kansas City Chiefs - 6-10 - 3rd Place
I really do like the decision the Chiefs are going and it's in the opposite direction of Charlie Weis belt size (yes readers are saying you have no room to talk.) I think Matt Casel will be a good solid quarterback, he won't lose you games but he's not the type that will go out and win you games. Larry "The Cancer" Johnson is no longer there and it's the Jamal Charles show. Hopefully Dwayne Bowe will not be suspended for games this year because other wise, there offense could be really good. It's all about the Chiefs defense. If they can somehow figure out how to stop a nose bleed than they could be the darkhorse but I still feel they are two years away from contention. Got to like what Todd Haley is doing at Arrowhead though.
4. Oakland Raiders - 4-12 - 4th Place
The Al Davis Zombie's quite possible could be the worst sports franchise in the past 10 years other than the Pittsburgh Pirates. With the roster moves they made this year it doesn't appear it isn't likely to change this year. I do like the move they made at quarterback bringing in Jason Campbell and getting rid of the spokesman for Popeyes Chicken in Jamarcus Russell. (Note: JaMarcus Russell will go down as the biggest draft bust in the history of the NFL and he does have the biggest bust size as well.) The Raiders draft picks have notably been bad (See Darius Heyword Bey) but this year I like the Rolando McClain draft pick. He is somebody that will come in right away make the defense better. Nnamdi Asomugha is still the best kept secret in the league. I'd give my left arm to have him trade places with Champ Bailey. The Raiders still don't have enough weapons and their quarterback Campbell will have some up and downs this year. Look for them to be competitve though.
The AFC West will shape up as a tight race at first with the Chargers winning the division and them getting blown out in the playoffs is usual. It's like Groundhogs Day all over again.
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