If the Chargers don't win the division this year they never will. Broncos suck, Raiders aren't good, Chiefs are in transition.
And yet, the Chargers are so inconsistent that nobody feels comfortable picking them to win. If they were an actual NFL franchise they'd be the clear favorite. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Claysexual:
I'll tell you what there are no excuses for; idiotic football fans who, like John Gruden, believe that team building philosophies and strategies from 20 to 30 years ago still have ANY relevance in today's NFL, that's what.
It's idiotic that the same fans who defended this 15 td-per-year bullshit are always the first to say 'NO EXCUSES' for a guy starting his first full year in the NFL at age 23. [Reply]
Originally Posted by vailpass:
Chiefs, Jaguars among most vulnerable division winners
1) Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West)
When Alex Smith (33 interceptions over the past five seasons) was at quarterback, the Chiefs knew he wouldn't turn the ball over. They can't assume the same with second-year pro Patrick Mahomes taking the reins in 2018. Mahomes' future is bright, but I don't think he'll be off-the-charts great immediately -- he's only started one game in the NFL, and you have to expect hiccups when working in a younger, less-experienced player like that. And, of course, former offensive coordinator Matt Nagy -- now coaching the Bears -- will be missed. Kansas City did add some offensive firepower by signing receiver Sammy Watkins, but the real issue here is the defense, which gave up points and yards by the bushel last season. Marcus Peters, Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali are gone, while Justin Houston hasn't reached double digits in sacks since 2014. Signing linebacker Anthony Hitchens was a smart move, and cornerback Kendall Fuller -- who came over in the trade that sent Smith to Washington -- is a good player, but I don't see anyone on the roster who can rush the passer like Houston in his heyday. The key is safety Eric Berry. Will he be fully recovered from the Achilles tear that wiped out his 2017 season?
The competition: The Chargers, who finished 9-7 last season, are much improved, especially on defense -- and with veteran kicker Caleb Sturgis on board, I don't think they'll have the kicking problems that effectively kept them from making the playoffs last year. Jon Gruden's Raiders will be better. Denver has a QB in place (Case Keenum) who will help win some games, while the Broncos' defense will get a huge boost from the addition of rookie Bradley Chubb. This collection of teams will make it very difficult for Kansas City to defend its division title.
LA is getting a new stadium...so the corporate NFL hype train is going to pimp them ad nauseam. Might as well get used to it...realistic or not. They are trying to sell seat licenses...just like what they did with the Raiders for the past 2 years.
Chargers looked good on paper last season too...I predicted them as 2nd in the division. Rivers doesn't have "it"...never has. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Claysexual:
In gods name why? What have the Chargers shown you in the last 5 seasons and drafts that could possibly compel you to arrive at that conclusion?
That teams trajectory and arrow have been pointing firmly downward for years. It's been a slow dive, but it IS a dive. And when Rivers is finished, that will close the casket for good.
It’s not that I think they’re great. Derwin James will make that defense even better though, and I think it will be enough to edge us out in the regular season. I also think we’rd due for a loss to them which will probably be the difference in a close race.
Our schedule is rough and we’re going through a bit of a transition. I still expect us to get a wild card spot, and be the better team come playoff time. Then we’ll dominate the division over the next decade. [Reply]
Originally Posted by vailpass:
Chiefs, Jaguars among most vulnerable division winners
1) Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West)
When Alex Smith (33 interceptions over the past five seasons) was at quarterback, the Chiefs knew he wouldn't turn the ball over. They can't assume the same with second-year pro Patrick Mahomes taking the reins in 2018. Mahomes' future is bright, but I don't think he'll be off-the-charts great immediately -- he's only started one game in the NFL, and you have to expect hiccups when working in a younger, less-experienced player like that. And, of course, former offensive coordinator Matt Nagy -- now coaching the Bears -- will be missed. Kansas City did add some offensive firepower by signing receiver Sammy Watkins, but the real issue here is the defense, which gave up points and yards by the bushel last season. Marcus Peters, Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali are gone, while Justin Houston hasn't reached double digits in sacks since 2014. Signing linebacker Anthony Hitchens was a smart move, and cornerback Kendall Fuller -- who came over in the trade that sent Smith to Washington -- is a good player, but I don't see anyone on the roster who can rush the passer like Houston in his heyday. The key is safety Eric Berry. Will he be fully recovered from the Achilles tear that wiped out his 2017 season?
The competition: The Chargers, who finished 9-7 last season, are much improved, especially on defense -- and with veteran kicker Caleb Sturgis on board, I don't think they'll have the kicking problems that effectively kept them from making the playoffs last year. Jon Gruden's Raiders will be better. Denver has a QB in place (Case Keenum) who will help win some games, while the Broncos' defense will get a huge boost from the addition of rookie Bradley Chubb. This collection of teams will make it very difficult for Kansas City to defend its division title.
All the analysts can't grasp the fact that we made a huge upgrade at the QB position. 3 years ago the Chiefs became the only team to not have a TD by a WR during the season. Yes Smith was better last year BUT why would Reid let him go if we had a rookie with a big question mark.
It's all OK and doesn't matter to me but a year from now the analysers will see a different light. Chiefs fans that actually follow the team have no worries at all and cannot wait for the season to start.
well we actually do have one worry and that would be injury to Mahomes and I could see the slithering snake like :-) taking a cheapshot.
At the same time Veach has listened to me and my blueprint on Defense and cut the wheelchair guys and gotten younger and faster . Our defense will be improved from last year. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Bewbies:
If the Chargers don't win the division this year they never will. Broncos suck, Raiders aren't good, Chiefs are in transition.
And yet, the Chargers are so inconsistent that nobody feels comfortable picking them to win. If they were an actual NFL franchise they'd be the clear favorite.
Yeah the Chargers are easily the most talented team in the division. Andy outcoached them badly both times last year though and I think it will happen again.
The Chargers have no tape of this new offense or Mahomes running it. That’s a strong advantage for us in the opener. [Reply]
Originally Posted by New World Order:
It's idiotic that the same fans who defended this 15 td-per-year bullshit are always the first to say 'NO EXCUSES' for a guy starting his first full year in the NFL at age 23.
This. They can shove their "no excuses" right up their dated keisters.
Originally Posted by BlackOp:
LA is getting a new stadium...so the corporate NFL hype train is going to pimp them ad nauseam. Might as well get used to it...realistic or not. They are trying to sell seat licenses...just like what they did with the Raiders for the past 2 years.
Chargers looked good on paper last season too...I predicted them as 2nd in the division. Rivers doesn't have "it"...never has.
The "LA experiment" is headed to failure. All those gifts to the Rams won't amount to shit, and the Chargers are abysmal. [Reply]
Originally Posted by New World Order:
It's ironic that the same fans who defended this 15 td-per-year bullshit are always the first to say 'NO EXCUSES' for a guy starting his first full year in the NFL at age 23.
Yeah, I don’t know that you can say we’re better overall at CB. That remains to be seen. Anytime you lose one of the best young CB’s in football, that hurts.
It’s like the Donkos fans trying to argue their CB situation is better by losing Talib and starting Roby. I mean, it’s possible, but it remains to be seen . . . . [Reply]
Originally Posted by TomBarndtsTwin:
Yeah, I don’t know that you can say we’re better overall at CB. That remains to be seen. Anytime you lose one of the best young CB’s in football, that hurts.
It’s like the Donkos fans trying to argue their CB situation is better by losing Talib and starting Roby. I mean, it’s possible, but it remains to be seen . . . .
Well, we may not be better at covering from the corner position, but we are certain to be improved at tackling from there. [Reply]
Originally Posted by jjchieffan:
Well, we may not be better at covering from the corner position, but we are certain to be improved at tackling from there.
Plus the negative affect he had on the team. He was out of control and other players watched it [Reply]
