AFC West: The Pre-Preseason 2008 NFL Preview
by Bodog Sportsbook | Jul 30 2008
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
BEST MOVE: Signing free agent Niko Koutouvides. Seriously. Koutouvides will allow D.J. Williams to move back outside where he excels. Look for Williams to have a comeback year after being forced to play inside.
WORST MOVE: Letting Jason Elam walk to the Falcons. Last season alone he kicked four game-winning field goals. They’re going to miss that.
2008 CRYSTAL BALL: Well, they won’t be better than the Chargers. The best they can hope for is a wild-card spot, but even that seems unlikely at this point.
MOST LIKELY TO BE PRAISED LIKE HE SAVED A CHILD FROM A BURNING BUILDING: Jay Cutler. If Cutler can produce, he’s got the chance to be the poster boy for people who suffer from diabetes. Never underestimate a good pull at the heartstrings.
MOST LIKELY TO BE BEATEN LIKE HE OWES MONEY ON MONDAY MORNINGS: Mike Shanahan. When does this guy’s luck run out? He’s fired almost everyone around him that he could blame for any failure the Broncos have. Does he finally move on if they don’t make the playoffs? Don’t count on it.
Kansas City Chiefs
BEST MOVE: Draft. Draft. Draft. They drafted some young players who will be the nucleus of another good Chiefs team down the road.
WORST MOVE: As good as their draft was, they didn’t do enough to help repair their offensive line. Branden Albert is a good start, but they needed some solid free agent help as well.
2008 CRYSTAL BALL: It will be another top 10 pick for Kansas City, but somehow I think they are okay with that.
MOST LIKELY TO BE PRAISED LIKE HE SAVED A CHILD FROM A BURNING BUILDING: Tony Gonzalez. Gonzo has been one of the most beloved players on this team since he was drafted. It’s nice to see a great player stay with his team and try to help develop the younger players as it tries to rebuild.
MOST LIKELY TO BE BEATEN LIKE HE OWES MONEY ON MONDAY MORNINGS: Brodie Croyle. This kid is not a starting quarterback in the NFL. Next year look for the Chiefs to draft a QB, and draft him early.
Oakland Raiders
BEST MOVE: Trading for cornerback DeAngelo Hall. He was a pain in the ass in Atlanta, but they’re used to those in Oakland. He’ll fit right in.
WORST MOVE: Signing free agent Javon Walker. He has a bad wheel. For years now. Then as soon as he’s signed he starts giving champagne showers in Vegas and gets beat up and left in an alley. Well, at least Al Davis wasted some more money this year. All is right in the league.
2008 CRYSTAL BALL: Better than fans think. JaMarcus Russell should be able to develop with an explosive backfield full of talented runners. A wild card is not out of the picture.
MOST LIKELY TO BE PRAISED LIKE HE SAVED A CHILD FROM A BURNING BUILDING: Darren McFadden will light some people up early. Then teams will key on him, and the Raiders will put the team on Russell’s chunky shoulders. Good thing ego doesn’t actually weigh anything.
MOST LIKELY TO BE BEATEN LIKE HE OWES MONEY ON MONDAY MORNINGS: Lane Kiffin. If this goes badly he’s gone. If it goes well… oh hell, he’s probably gone then too.
San Diego Chargers
BEST MOVE: Signing free agent L.J. Shelton. Shelton is a powerful run blocker and will help to repair their offensive line.
WORST MOVE: Releasing Lorenzo Neal. Can Jacob Hester really block for LaDainian Tomlinson consistently or are they just moving completely away from the schemes that utilize prototypical full backs? He was a leader on the field and in the locker room that will be tough to replace.
2008 CRYSTAL BALL: Division champs. They should make it back to the AFC Championship, but hopefully this year they’ll have a healthy L.T. The outcome might be a little different.
MOST LIKELY TO BE PRAISED LIKE HE SAVED A CHILD FROM A BURNING BUILDING: Phillip Rivers. After last year’s gutsy AFC Championship game, he took over the reins from L.T. as the heart and soul of the Chargers.
MOST LIKELY TO BE BEATEN LIKE HE OWES MONEY ON MONDAY MORNINGS: LaDainian Tomlinson. And it won’t be his fault. Their offensive line may struggle: No Lorenzo Neal and no Micheal Turner will all contribute to L.T. having to work harder for yards. He can still do it, but if he struggles the blame will unjustly fall to him.
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More AFC Pre-Preseason Previews: NFC Pre-Preseason Previews:
Kansas City Chiefs
San Diego Chargers
