The keys to training camp - AFC West

Denver Broncos

 The Broncos finished up last season at 8 - 8.  This was a huge let down though after they started the season with a 6 game winning streak, then going 2 - 10 after the bye week.  They have lost quite a lot of big name players over the past couple of years - QB Jay Cutler and WR Brandon Marshall.  It will be very interesting to see just how good the Broncos will look throughout training camp looking forward to the NFL London  game against the 49'ers.  What are the main questions to lookout for?


 How long is Orton the starting QB?

The starting QB in Denver for the moment is Kyle Orton.  This though is only the beginning of what could be an ongoing story, not only through training camp, but also throughout 2010.  Orton is the definite starter at the moment, but without WR Brandon Marshall, he may well struggle with a lack of play makers on the offence.  If this is the case, and the Broncos are struggling at any point of the season, there is going to be a huge outcry to sit Orton, and start former Florida Gator QB Tim Tebow.  'Superman' as Tebow became known at the college level was selected by the Broncos in the first round in the draft this year.  I personally believe that Tebow will struggle to compete at the NFL level, as he is more of a running QB, but he also is a big powerful runner, as opposed to a speed runner.  At the college level he was often stronger than opponents, and was able to run over them, I don't think he will find it so easy at this level.  Another person to mention here is QB Brady Quinn.  The former Browns QB does look like he doesn't fit into this situation in Denver, but he does help heap the pressure on Orton, even if Tebow isn't quite ready.

Can they stop the run?

Last season the Broncos really struggled against the run.  They actually ended up ranked 26th against the run in the NFL.  This isn't good for a team that ranked 3rd against the pass.  The Broncos coaching staff have recognised that this was a huge issue, and one of the reasons behind their drop off in form.  During the off season the Broncos bought in 3 big, run stopping D-Linemen.  These players are Jamal Williams (pictured), Justin Bannan and Jarvis Green.  These 3 look likely to be the 3 starters along the D-Line, and it will be up to them to stop the Broncos leaky defence against the run.  Will they step up to the plate?

Where will the points come from?

 All that people can talk about when it comes to the Broncos offence is 'How do they replace Marshall?'  Well the Broncos will be hoping that their first pick of the past draft WR Demaryius Thomas, will help on that front.  There is no doubt that RB's Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno are talented, but how will they be affected by the injury to LT Ryan Clady?  This effect will be even greater if the WR's aren't playing well, and defences can just stack up against the run.  This is why there is a lot of pressure on Thomas and Eddie Royal to perform, or else this offence could really struggle in 2010.



Kansas City Chiefs

 The Chiefs ended last season with a poor 4 - 12 record, that left them at the bottom of the AFC West.  The Chiefs though have not just sat around hoping that something will be different this year, they went out and got themselves both a new offencive and defensive coordinator, bought in quality veteran players like RB Thomas Jones, and selected S Eric Berry (seen by many as the best impact player available in the draft.  There are a lot of changes around Kansas City, that's why I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in their training camp, which starts on 29th July.

Will the young stars on defence settle in the new system?

The Chiefs then have a new defensive coordinator and they also have a lot of young talent for Romeo Crennel to use.  This change is obviously required as the Chiefs were ranked in the bottom 3, in most defensive categories last year.  Now though with players like DT Glenn Dorsey (pictured), CB Brandon Flowers and S Eric Berry (all players taken high in recent drafts) they have the talent to change it all around.  This is something I'm really looking forward to watching throughout training camp.

Will Matt Cassel look better in year 2?

Matt Cassel was the QB that stepped in when Tom Brady suffered his season ending injury 2 years ago, on the opening day of the season.  Obviously there was huge panic in New England, and they thought their playoff hopes were over.  But in came a little known QB Matt Cassel (pictured).  He helped the Patriots win 11 games that year, unfortunately missing out on the playoffs.  When Brady came back in 2009, Cassel was surplus to requirements in New England.  The Chiefs gave Cassel a big money contract in Kansas City, but as the record suggests, he didn't have the best year.  Now though the situation looks very good for Cassel.  New offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, is a former Patriot coach, and will completely understand the system and terminology that Cassel used in New England.  Add this familiarity to the fact that they have a fantastic backfield of Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles, and talented WR's in Chris Chambers and Dwayne Bowe, things look to be coming together for Matt.  Can he take the next step?

How will Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles spread time?

There is no doubt that the Kansas City Chiefs have one of the best one-two combos at RB in the league.  Charles (pictured) ran for over 1,100 yards and 7 TD's last year, and Jones (bought in from the Jets) ran for over 1,400 yards and 14 TD's in New York.  The other reason this combo looks so good is that both players are so different.  Jones is a big, heavy hitting back, and Charles is more of a speedy back.  It will be interesting to see how time and carries is spread between these 2.


Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders finished 2009 with a 5 - 11 record, a record that saw them finish 3rd in the division.  There is though, reason to be optimistic if you are a member of Raiders nation.  They have finally realised that QB Jamarcus Russell (former number 1 pick overall) is not the answer, and have cut him.  They also had a decent draft, going with what most people thought, and not just picking a player because of his burning speed.  For years now Oakland have been a laughing stock in the NFL, finally though, is it time that they turn the corner?

How will Jason Campbell fit in? 

Jason Campbell has had a rough time in his NFL career so far.  He has had 5 years in the league, all with the Redskins, but he has actually had to learn a new system every year, because of the turnover rate in coaches in Washington.  Obviously this is a huge problem in the development of any young QB, and because of this Campbell has had his problems.  Throughout this though there is no question that Campbell has talent.  He has started 52 games, throwing 55 TD's with 38 INT's, how Jake Delhomme would like that record!  His arrival in Oakland, following the departure of Jamarcus Russell, has helped ignite the passion of 'Raider Nation'.  I believe that Campbell can be a success in Oakland, only time will tell.

Can they stop the run?

 Last season a huge problem for the Raiders was the fact that they could not stop the run.  They ranked 29th overall against the run.  This is going to be vital this year as the running attacks throughout this division have improved a lot.  The Raiders though, against all previous form, have actually gone out and attacked this problem.  LB Rolando McClain (pictured) was selected with their 1st round draft pick this year.  Rolando is a fantastic player.  He is the QB of the defence, very clever, puts everyone in the right position and helps make everyone around him better.  Him, along with the signing of DE John Henderson and the re signing of DE Richard Seymour should improve their ability against the run.

Who will be the starting RB?

As you can see from this article, I believe that the Raiders are on the right path this year.  One area though that they didn't have to improve was at the RB position.  Michael Bush and Darren McFadden (pictured) are now the only 2 left following the departure of Justin Fargas, and it will be interesting to see how the Raiders decide to split these carries.  Although all the RB's were very talented last year, having 3 extremely talented RB's can be difficult to manage at times.  Now with just Bush and McFadden, I expect the Raiders to still split time, but each player will be on the field more and therefore will be able to get into more of a rhythm.


San Diego Chargers

The Chargers have owned this division in recent years, and last season was no different, as they finished 13 - 3, winning the division and advancing to the playoffs.  The playoffs though were not a happy time as the Chargers lost to the Jets, at home, in the divisional round.  The Chargers have lost quite a few high profile players in the off season, and although they are still seen as the class of the division, they must be concerned at the fact all the other teams seem to have improved.  Here's what to look for during Chargers camp.

Can Ryan Matthews be the answer at RB?

The Chargers have got one of the best offences in the NFL.  Last season they ranked 4th in points scored, 5th in pass yards, but disappointingly 31st in rush yards.  This was not a problem for most of the year last year, as there record suggests, but eventually if you cannot run the ball, it will catch up with you.  The Chargers have understood this, and in this years draft, they moved up the board in a trade with Miami, and took the player that was seen as one of the best 2 RB's in the draft Ryan Matthews.  Ryan played at a small school in college - Fresno State.  This is a concern for some people as the competition he came up against would not have been as good as if he would have gone to a major school.  I will be watching Matthews in training camp to see if he can prove these doubters wrong.

Will they be able to replace Vincent Jackson?

The Vincent Jackson saga has been one that has over shadowed the Chargers this off season.  Jackson was a big part of that 5th ranked passing offence last year having 68 catches for over 1,100 yards and 9 TD's.  He is unhappy with his contract and has threatened to not turn up to play this year, unless he gets an improved deal.  He has also now been banned from the first 3 games of the year after he broke the NFL's policy on substance abuse.  Nobody is quite sure how this ban will effect his decision to holdout or not.  Personally I believe that this will encourage him to hold out, knowing he's missing the first 3 games anyway.  In his absence the Chargers need big performances from Malcolm Floyd and Legedu Naanee.

How will the defence look?

 Last season the Chargers defence was around the middle of the pack in all defensive categories.  The lowest they ranked was 20th in run defence.  This could be a problem this year as the Chargers have lost NT Jamal Williams to division rival Denver.  They are really going to need a return to form from LB Shawne Merriman, who has struggled over the past couple of years.  If he does return to form, him, Larry English and Stephan Cooper should help to plug this gap.  The other question will be how to replaced CB Antonio Cromartie, who was traded to the Jets.  This should be a good battle through camp with Jammer, Strickland, Cason and Vasher all battling for 2 places.

Check back tomorrow as we move onto the NFC East!