San Diego Chargers

Norv Turner will take over the head coaching duties for the Chargers after Marty Schottenhiemer was surprisingly fired after the team went 14-2 and loss to the Patriots in the second round of last years’ playoffs. Norv, who is an offensive genius, just can’t seem to find success as a head coach. However, with superstars like LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Shawne Merriman, and young QB Phillip Rivers at his service, there are no more excuses for Norv Turner.

Prediction: The Chargers are clearly the best in the West and will be coming into this season with a huge chip on their shoulder. This star-studded team should not be affected by the losses of Schottenheimer and defenses coordinator Wade Phillips. The Chargers win the division in 2007.

Denver Broncos

Jay Cutler is the QB of the future for the Broncos and will be expected to make a legitimate playoff push in 2007. The key offensive acquisitions like running back Travis Henry and Brandon Stokely should make Cutler’s job easier as he develops. Stokely will be joining a receiving corps that’s already pretty good with Javon Walker as the number one receiver. Defensively, the Broncos have no worries with the secondary that includes future Hall-Of-Famer Champ Bailey and newly acquired Dre’ Bly.

Prediction: The Broncos may see some off days from Jay Cutler who is pretty young and inexperienced, but this team still has enough fire power to make the playoffs. Broncos get a Wild Card spot with a nine or ten win record.

Kansas City Chiefs

With Herm Edwards dedicating the off-season to the defense, the offense looks to be the weak link of the team in 2007. Larry Johnson is still the starting tailback and the heart and soul of the offense, but his role is expected to be reduced in 2007. Johnson also doesn’t have the luxury of running behind Will Shields anymore. Another major offensive problem is the quarterback position where Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard are expected to battle for the starting job. While Huard has the experience and filled in nicely last year when Trent Green was injured, he doesn’t have the talent of Croyle. The problem is Croyle has absolutely no NFL experience.

Prediction: Kansas City will definitely struggle this season with uncertainty at the quarterback position. If the Chiefs reduce the workload of Larry Johnson like I expect to happen, this could be a very long season. No playoffs in 2007 for the Chiefs.

Oakland Raiders

Thirty-one year old Lane Kiffin will take over the Oakland Raiders as the new head coach. His job will be very difficult this season, trying to instill a winning attitude into a group of guys that are used to losing. If Kiffin can get his players to buy into his system, this team will be set in the future. For now, the Raiders have to deal with their number one overall pick, Jamarcus Russell, who is currently holding out for a monster payday. Dante Culpepper was brought in for a one year contract to lure Russell into camp and to have some insurance at QB. The problem is that Culpepper isn’t 100% yet.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment