ESPN AFC West Blog

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Let's rank the offenses in the AFC West.

In making our decision, we considered every aspect of the unit. We took into account the passing game, the running game, blocking and coaching. Here is how we saw it:

	Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
	The Chargers' offense runs through Philip Rivers.

San Diego: The Chargers, by far, have the best offense in the division. It is a complete unit. San Diego has a ton of weapons and can win games either in the air or on the ground.

Of course, it all starts with quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers, 27, is emerging as one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL after three seasons as a starter. He threw for 4,009 yards last season.

His top targets are tight end Antonio Gates, who remains a premier player at his position, and receiver Vincent Jackson. A big receiver, Jackson is a deep threat who has a penchant for making big plays in important games.

Rivers works well in Norv Turner's system. Turner might have his detractors based on his work as a head coach, but his prowess as an offensive coach cannot be denied. Rivers has made strides under Turner.

The Chargers' run game is also top notch, even though superstar running back LaDainian Tomlinson is showing signs of decline. Still, Tomlinson, who turned 30 in June, has to be counted as a 1,100-plus yard rusher until he proves he can no longer produce. His backup, Darren Sproles, is a key.

The diminutive Sproles is a terrific change-of-pace back who has proven he can help win games when Tomlinson is out. Expect to see Sproles get more carries this season as Turner tries to utilize both running backs.

San Diego's offensive line isn't as strong as it was a couple of years ago, but if the unit can stay healthy and rookie Louis Vasquez can come along at guard, it should be fine.

Overall, this is a strong group and the best offense in a division that is fairly decent on that side of the ball.

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Posted by ESPN.com staff

Denver Broncos

• The Denver Post's Woody Paige weighs in on ESPN The Magazine's recently unveiled Ultimate Standings.

Kansas City Chiefs

• Is the spread offense dead in Kansas City? Not completely.
• A look at how the Chiefs' secondary stacks up heading into training camp.
  

Oakland Raiders

• Cam Inman pulls out a few highlights from a recent interview with Al Davis, where the Oakland owner talks about his childhood and growing up in Brooklyn.
• The Raiders have landed a new sponsor in AirAsia, which includes a Raiders-branded jet. Yes, there are pictures.
  

San Diego Chargers

• LaDainian Tomlinson, who turned 30 last month, is out to prove that age is just a number.

ESPN's Mike Golic discusses some of the new coaches heading into the 2009 season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

San Diego fans are very opinionated about the possibility of the Chargers using the Wildcat formation this season. The team practiced it during its final OTA day in June.

Coach Norv Turner said it was mostly to give the San Diego defense a taste of it. Still, it's always possible the Chargers use it some if they are practicing.

The sound-off question was if you want the team to use it. Most fans would like to see it used somewhat, while others don't think it's necessary.

My opinion is that San Diego might want to practice it somewhat. It wouldn't hurt if the Chargers used LaDainian Tomlinson at quarterback in the formation on occasion. He would be able to pull it off. I don't think the Chargers need to use it often, just once in a while as a change of pace.

This is a varied offense and if the Wildcat could be another option, why not? Here are some of your responses. Thanks to all of those who participated:

Josh from Germany: I can see LT as a passer, I mean he's done it before. Can you imagine Rivers running a WR route though? That would be hilarious. The slowest reciever in league history. We love you Philip but dude you can't run to save you're life. Good thing you are one of the best passers in the league.

Milhouse from Los Angeles: The Bolts running the 'Frog' doesn't seem like all that great an idea. All I can picture it doing is ruining Tomlinson's near perfect passer rating. The only reason he was so effective throwing the ball was because defenses were gearing up to stop his runs, and they managed to exploit their over-aggressiveness in a timely manner (not to mention a few of those TD passes came against a beleaguered Oakland D). What I'd like to see more is Tomlinson being split out with Sproles in the backfield.
Rob from Houston, TX: Concerning the "Frog" formation (i.e Wildcat) in San Diego... we know LT can throw, but can Rivers run and catch? Maybe Volek or Whitehurst can come in on these downs.Go Chargers!

Steve: Yes. The Chargers could be successful lining up in the Wildcat. Defenses are still trying to figure out how to best defend this trendy new formation. As far as the Chargers go, they have enough talented players to run it successfully. We all know about Tomlinson's ability to run and throw. How about Legedu Nanee? He is definitely someone that could be successful running or throwing out of this formation as well. Norv Turner is a great offensive mind and I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be able to come up with a few wrinkles or variations of the Wildcat that would work for this team. We'll see.

Broughton K. Lang from Atlanta, GA: My basic understanding of the "Wildcat" offense is that one of the advantages is that it gives the offense the ability to put an extra blocker in the mix. However, I do not think that it can be that much of an advantage if the extra blocker is your quarterback.

MOJAM from Yorba Linda, CA: C'mon! The wildcat (Frog) formation would definately work for the SD Chargers. In the past L.T. has shown several times he can put the ball in the endzone either by running @ that position or throwing it and has almost always been successful at doing so. Under Shottenheimer they did it all the time, I think it is a must this season so they can really confuse the oppostions' defense and build up L.T.'s confidence. GO FOR IT BOLTS, FANS WILL LOVE IT!

Steven from Encintias: I feel like taking the ball out of Philip Rivers' hands is a mistake. However, I feel that LT's versatility in throwing the ball is best utilized on outside runs in normal formations (ex. Chargers Raiders '06). I feel like those kind of plays give them the best element of surprise without taking the ball from Philip.

Chris from NYC: Could LT pull it off? No question he could. He is 8 for 11 passing in his carreer with 7 TDs. Sure, passing off of a toss might be a little different than passing out of shotgun in the wildcat (excuse me, the Frog) formation, but the idea is the same: you don't know whether he will run the ball or throw it. Add in the option of handing the ball to Sproles and the defense will definitely be on edge. Regarding whether it would enhance the offense and be good for them to use is a different question entirely. Rivers really came into his own last year and at times it seemed his only problem was that there weren't enough plays to get all the playmakers the ball. Putting LT under center would present the serious drawback of taking plays away from Rivers. In the end, the coaches will evaluate what they see and how well it works in practice, but my thought (without seeing "the Frog") is that I would rather see a few more run/pass option plays for LT off the toss than see him lining up at QB with Rivers out wide (where a smart corner will get in his face and jam him hard at the line).

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Posted by ESPN.com staff

Denver Broncos

• Denver Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups readily admits there is only one No. 7 in Colorado. But after paying tribute to former Broncos quarterback John Elway, Billups will wear No. 1 for the Nuggets next season.
• Several Broncos players are taking the chance to give something back to the community in the form of football camps this summer.

Kansas City Chiefs

• The Kansas City Star examines the Chiefs' receiving corps heading into training camp.
• San Diego cornerback Antonio Cromartie wasn't afraid to share what he thinks about the Chiefs' passing attack in a recent online chat.

Oakland Raiders

• The Press Democrat had this to say about the Raiders coming in at No. 116 in ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings: "... whether you agree with No. 116 or not, it's another sad indication of how far this franchise has sunk in the popular perception. People used to love the Raiders or hate them for their arrogant power. Now they are mostly ridiculed or dismissed entirely."
  

San Diego Chargers

• Citing safety concerns at Chargers Park, the Chargers' training camp will be closed to the public.

Raiders linebacker Kirk Morrison talks about the upcoming season.

Chargers linebacker Stephen Cooper talks about Shawne Merriman's return, Larry English's impact on the pass rush and what the team is expecting from LaDainian Tomlinson on ESPN's First Take.

Posted by ESPN.com staff

Denver Broncos

At North Carolina, Denver rookie Richard Quinn was an excellent blocking tight end. Now, he needs to prove he has the hands to go with it.

During a traffic stop on suspicion of DUI back in October 2007, Denver reciever Brandon Marshall allegedly told police he "hated Denver," reports local TV station KMGH via USA Today. Marshall has reportedly asked for a trade from the Broncos. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Cheifs lineman Branden Albert is hoping to gain the respect of his teammates by showing restraint in his diet.

Oakland Raiders

The Yahoo! Shutdown Corner blog calls quarterback JaMarcus Russell's work ethic into question.

San Diego Chargers

Chargers.com's Brandon Hughes checks in with San Diego's eight draft picks at the rookie symposium.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

I am starting vacation. I will return July 22 in preparation for training camp and another season in the AFC West.

I have prepared some posts over the course of the next few days and our fine blog editing team will post some headlines from around the AFC West when warranted. Please check back.

Thanks to all of you for reading and I look forward to another season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Another controversy involving Brandon Marshall is making the rounds in Denver.

But will the revelation that Marshall told Denver police he wanted to be traded during the 2007 season mean anything about his future in Denver?

Probably not.

According to a Denver police report obtained by a Denver television station after Marshall's arrest for drunken driving hours after he starred in a win over Pittsburgh, Marshall said he wanted to be traded and expressed "hate" for the city. Marshall asked Denver to trade him last month because he wants a pay raise and he has medical trust issues with the team.

This will likely cost him a few fans in Denver. But it really doesn't mean anything. The team's brass was probably aware of the report. The Broncos have a good relationship with the police department in Denver.

This is a near 2-year-old incident. It's just further evidence of Marshall's immaturity. But I don't believe it has anything to do with the current situation.

Marshall wants more money. If he gets it in Denver, he'd probably love the city. And an old remark by the player isn't going to infuriate Denver coach Josh McDaniels, who didn't meet Marshall until this year.

So, while the report has its eye-popping aspects, I don't think it is relevant to the current issue.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Here is a transcript of our AFC West chat, which was held earlier Tuesday.

Thanks to everyone who participated.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Kansas City
The Kansas City Star breaks down the Chiefs' defensive line.

My take: This unit may go a long way in telling the tale of this team in 2009. The line features two players -- Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson -- who were taken in the top five picks of the past two drafts. The key is if Dorsey can transition well to the 3-4 defense. If these two players can make a fast impact, it will set the tone for the entire defense and set up Kansas City well for the future. If not, the defense may continue to struggle for the long haul.

Oakland

The Washington Times predicts the Raiders will be the worst team in the NFL this season with a record of 2-14.

My take: That's a little harsh. I do not expect the Raiders to finish that poorly. The Raiders were 5-11 last season and I don't see the team taking a major step back. At this point, I think the Raiders will win 5-8 games in 2009. There are decent things happening in Oakland. A 2-14 season in Oakland would be a surprise.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

At their final OTA session, the Chargers unveiled a form of the Wildcat offense. The Chargers practiced the formation with star running back LaDainian Tomlinson featured at quarterback and quarterback Philip Rivers lined up wide.

Paying homage to Tomlinson, the Chargers called the formation "The Frog." Tomlinson played for the TCU Horned Frogs. San Diego coach Norv Turner said he practiced the formation to give his defense a look at it. San Diego plays Miami, which used the Wildcat often last season, in the third week of the upcoming season.

Still, don't be surprised if Turner is tempted to use the formation some this season.

What you think about the Chargers using the Wildcat? Do you like it? Do you think it would enhance the offense? Do you think Tomlinson could pull it off?

Give me your thoughts by hitting my mailbag. I will post some of your responses later in the week.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

The Brandon Marshall saga has been quiet since he requested a trade nearly two weeks ago.

Expect the quiet to continue.

I talked to some people close to the situation Monday, and they said the Broncos will maintain their stance of keeping Marshall. The team still expects Marshall to show up for training camp.

The team still has no plans to trade Marshall. Denver's brass isn't fretting about the Marshall situation. The front office is on vacation and when the team reports to camp in late July, there is hope the Pro Bowl receiver will show. If he doesn't report for the beginning of camp, the team still expects Marshall to eventually show up.

The Broncos know they hold all the cards. If Marshall doesn't show up in 2009, he won't be paid. A prospective free agent in 2010, there is little chance Marshall will risk missing an entire season.

The Broncos know players around the league can become unhappy about their contracts routinely. Still, usually nothing happens besides the players moving on and playing. The Broncos expect that to be the case for Marshall.

However, if Denver was blown away by a trade offer for Marshall, it would likely consider it. But the compensation would have to be a first rounder-plus. So far, there have been no such offers. Because of Marshall's history of legal and injury problems, Denver doesn't expect a big offer.

So, the Broncos are content waiting this situation out. Don't be surprised if this situation continues to be quiet through July. The Broncos are in control and they don't plan on changing their stance.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

For reasons out of my control, our AFC West chat has been postponed. It will now be held at 1 p.m. ET Tuesday.

Sorry for the delay, but again, it was out of my control. I look forward to chatting with you Tuesday.