2010 Kansas City Chiefs Preview

Remember the days when the Chiefs used to be good? Well, that's not much the case anymore for a team that has been in a rebuilding phase for the last couple of seasons. It seems as if GM Scott Pioli is attempting to create a Patriot-type atmosphere with all of the ex-New England assistant coaches they currently have on staff. Non-the-less, 2010 may end up another season that sees the Chiefs again picking amongst the top on the draft if the offseason.

Offense
The Chiefs do have a few bright spots on the offensive side of the ball, with RB Jamaal Charles & WR Dwayne Bowe. Charles is a shifty back with breakaway speed and also a solid receiver out of the backfield. He will split time with veteran RB Thomas Jones, who was sent packing from NY after racking up 1,400 yards and 14 TDs. QB Matt Cassel was a bit underwhelming last season having only thrown 16 TD passes in contrast with 16 INTs, not to mention sacked a whopping 42 times. It's tough to complete a pass when you're constantly on the turf. Kansas City hoping former NE offensive coordinator and ND head coach Charlie Weis can produce better results in 2010. His main target will again be Lowe, who took a step back after a solid 2008 campaign. WR Chris Chambers has a penchant for making difficult catches, although it's his decision making that's keeping him in the headlines recently (see here). Look for rookie playmaker Dexter McCluster to get looks in the slot and also out of the backfield.

Defense
KC's defense is anchored by a young and talented D-Line, featuring Glenn Dorsey & Tamba Hali. Hali can create pressure off the edge while Dorsey can get in the backfield and be disruptive from the tackle position. The linebackers are aging, with Mike Vrabel & Demorrio Williams as the. The Chiefs used the fifth overall in this past draft on S Eric Berry to be the star of the secondary and he has potential to be a great one. CBs Brandon Flowers & Brandon Carr make decent starters and rookie DB Javier Arenas will get a shot in the nickel.

Prediction
4-12

There are too many question marks for the Chiefs. The verdict is out on the Cassel experiment but right now it appears to be a mistake, and young head coach Todd Haley has his hands full trying to turn around this franchise's fortune right now. The young players will show flashes of brilliance but expect the Chiefs to again be picking at the top of the 2011 NFL Draft.

-ALR

2010 Preview Oakland Raiders

Commitment to Excellence... The Silver and Black Attack... The Black Hole... My Raiders Ehh... The Oakland / Los Angeles / Oakland Raiders... The Diabolical Al Davis...

These are all terms that describe a team, an owner, dammit a way of life when you are an Oakland Raiders fan. The Raiders have one of the most storied franchises in sports history. I think they are the epitome of what a fan looks for when choosing a team to support. You have an owner that runs the team his way, either you love what he does or you want to kick him in his throat until he decides to step down. You get players, for the most part, that play hard and leave everything they have on the field (with notable exceptions...). The team has transcended into pop culture with the fad of starter jackets and the era of real gangster rap. Their fans or ride or die, literally. You bet not say nothing bad about the Raiders in Oakland or in certain parts of LA, it could get ugly real quick (I know you 49er supporters, losmarcus, don't want to hear that). So what's in store this season for a franchise that is trying to get back to the glory days, hell, or at least the playoffs...

Offense
Now that one of the biggest draft busts in history is gone in JaMarcus Russell, the Raiders look to veteran Jason Campbell to lead the way at QB. This is a good move, as Campbell is a leader who can potentially give you fantasy owners a minimum 3,000 yard season and hover around the 20 TD mark. The addition of Campbell improves the team by 3 wins alone, and he has a good supporting cast on paper.

At running back there is the dual threat of Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. Both are underrated backs, but they haven't exactly lived up to their full potential due to the injury bug. McFadden has the versatility and the 4.33 speed to be a game breaker whenever he touches the ball. Bush, on the other hand, has the power to go along with elusive speed to give the Raiders a RB they need to keep defenses honest. I look for one of them, more than likely Bush, to have a breakout season.

Speed is the theme at WR, especially with almost draft bust Darius Heyward-Bay. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Heyward-Bay will improve on the 9 rec, 124 yrds and 1 TD performance from last year. Louis Murphy emerged late in the season as a WR who can make tough catches and run well after. I noticed a trend last season of when Murphy scores no one else can; hopefully that changes this season. At tight end, Zack Miller is one of the leagues best. Fantasy owners should definitely pay attention to him, I think he will get a lot of red zone looks.

Defense
On paper the Raiders have a solid defense, but somehow it didn't translate to the field last season. My thoughts are fatigue played a big factor, since Mr Russell would habitually get the offense off the field. This season hopes to be different as one of the best (top 3) cover corners, and Skip Bayless debater extraordinaire, Nnamdi Asomugha leads this group into battle. Asomugha had an outstanding campaign last season with 34 tackles and 1 INT. Numbers consistent of opposing offenses not wanting to throw to that right side of the field. Buzz out of camp says Asomugha will stay with the opposing teams best WR, even if they try and move him around. At tackle, notable veteran Richard Seymour will look to lead and teach his group on how to play the position effectively. Hopefully that will translate to better QB pressure and effective run stopping for this group. The linebacker core will feature rookie Rolando McClain. He is looking a little confused in pre-season so far, but I'm sure the natural talent and instinct will take over. All in all, the goal for this group would be to translate how good they look on to the field.

Special Teams
Normally I would not comment on ST play, but Sebastian Janikowski has a boot. A fantasy pick because it doesn't take much to get into his range. I believe Jason Campbell can lead the offense into Janikowski range.

Prediction
The Oakland Raiders will improve on a 5-11 record from last season. I am going to stick with my comment from earlier and give them a +3 in the win column just due to Jason Campell being better than JaMarcus Russell.

- @lostherod

2010 San Diego Chargers Preview

One thing is for sure; this is definitely not last season's Chargers squad. Aging franchise running back LaDainian Tomlinson was released in the off season, while emerging #1 receiver Vicent Jackson looks to be out for 10 games after holding out due to a contract dispute. Still, the Chargers have enough talent on the roster to remain relevant in the AFC.

Offense
Quick; who led the AFC in passer rating in 2009? If you guessed anyone besides Philip Riversthen you were incorrect. Rivers is the unquestioned face of the offense with Tomlinson now toting the pigskin for the Jets. The Chargers chose to draft highly-touted RB Ryan Mathews to fill his shoes. Mathews is a tough runner who should make an impact immediately. He will be backed up by change of pace speedster Darren Sproles. Rivers loves to fling the ball downfield and All-Pro TE Antonio Gates remains his favorite target and is a virtual lock for 80 catches, double digit TDs and around 1,000 yards. The other options in the passing game are WRs Malcom Floyd & Legedu Naanee (if you asked "Who?" you are not alone). Floyd is a big receiver and a nice target for Rivers in the red-zone while the verdict is still out on Naanee as a starting NFL receiver.

Defense
Despite having playmakers a plenty, the defense only finished in the middle of the pack in 2009. They run a base 3-4 set, with the linemen occupying blocks and allowing LBs Shaun Phillips & Shawne Merriman to get in the backfield and be disruptive, either by rushing the passer or stopping backs for a loss. If Merriman can return to form he'll be impossible to block consistently. CB Quentin Jammer is solid in coverage and trading Antonio Cromartie to NY opens up a starting nod for 2008 ist round CB Antoine Cason to prove he get the job done.

Prediction
9-7

The Chargers are in one of the NFL's worst divisions and luckily for them it won't take much to win it. The new pieces on offense will make 2010 an up & down season for San Diego but if the young unit can gel quickly the Chargers could have a nice foundation to be good for seasons to come.

-ALR

2010 Denver Broncos Preview

After winning their first 6 games last season under upstart rookie head coach Josh Mcdaniels, the Broncos would up going 2-8 to finish even at 8-8. There have been a few changes to the roster, as Mcdaniels decided to ship star receiver Brandon Marshall off to Miami, draft one of the best college QB's in history (yes, that Tebow guy) and also trade for a another young & former first round QB Brady Quinn. These moves can make or break the Mcdaniels Era in Denver.

Offense
A staple of the Denver Broncos offense has always been to employ a zone blocking scheme, which allows the RB to read one block and hit that whole aggressively. That will still be the case in 2010 with second year back Knowshon Moreno, who has the potential to be a breakout player this season. QB Kyle Orton is steady and reliable in the short passing game. Denver used the twenty-second overall pick in the draft to pick up Demaryius Thomas, a big receiver who may be able to fill Brandon Marchall's shoes as Orton's favorite target. But don't expect much this season. Eddie Royal is a nice route runner with good speed to get down the field and also make plays in the return game while veterans Brandon Lloyd & Jabar Gaffney can fill in the slot. TE Daniel Graham will be primarily used as a blocker, as many of the Broncos offensive plays utilize 3-receiver sets.

Defense
The loss of star pass-rusher LB Elvis Dumervil to a torn pectoral muscle will be a huge hit to a defense that is lacking playmakers. MLB D.J. Williams is solid and makes a lot of tackles and CB Champ Bailey is still one of the best in the business, but there is no replacing Dumervil's pressure on the QB. Simply put, the Broncos will give up a ton of points.

Prediction
6-10

Without Durmervil, I can't see the Broncos being able to keep offenses from lighting up the scoreboard. The offense is young and will have flashes but inconsistency will cause too many mistakes for them to compete in a shootout. Denver should try to get golden boy Tim Tebow on the fast track as he'll probably be starting a couple of games and taking a ton of hits by season's end.

-ALR