AFC WEST IN 2018
When you honestly sit down and thinks about it. The AFC West is the biggest question mark division in the entire league. All four teams could win 10 or they could lose 10. Major changes took place on Oakland roster after they hired Jon Gruden after several years of not coaching.
KC subtracted quite a few players from the team that has a grip on the AFC west division foes. Patrick Mahomes spent a year under Alex Smith and QB coach guru Andy Reid. Now backup QB Chad Henne is mentoring him as Mahomes begins his career in KC. They added Sammy Watkins to the offensive unit that still has RB Kareem Hunt, TE Travis Kelce and WR Tyrell Hill.
Denver turning their offense over to their new veteran QB Case Keenum. Denver can utilize their weapons that have been misused in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Bradley Chubb joins Von Miller on a defensive line that could very well wreak havoc on QB's in the NFL in 2018.
The Raiders lost their identity after winning double digits and going to the playoffs in 2016. Derek Carr is healthy again and Jon Gruden now will try to take the Raiders back to a time when they ruled the west year in and year out. The draft wasn't a good start and the roster has been totally overhauled. Gruden will be praised or criticized for overhauling a roster that went to the Playoffs just 2 years ago and is about to embrace Las Vegas as their new home soon.
One would think those 3 teams will be in transition this season and could have some growing pains in 2018. However, It is not to far fetched to see Denver or KC winning the division. This division is not gift wrapped for the Chargers.. KC is the king until someone can come close to taking it from them. Last year, the Chargers got beaten badly by Andy Reid Chiefs. The AFC West is the division of the unknown.
The draft of Kyzir White, Derwin James and Uchenna Nwosu gives the team better tackling and more speed to the defense. It moves Kyle Emanuel and Haynes Pulley to the depth chart where they are more suited and productive asking to do less and limited snaps. The FA pickup up Mike Pouncey takes Spencer Pulley out of the starting lineup where he was awful (PFF 3rd lowest center in the league). The Justin Jones pick mystifies me in I don't see what they see but we'll see. Dylan Cantrell will not be take any snaps as a TE. They love him as a WR only.
The Chargers haven't won their division since 2009. They haven't been to the playoffs since 2013. Health and bad luck has derailed this team year in and year out.
Chargers Strengths...
Secondary,Wide Receivers, Duo Edge Rushers and QB play
Chargers Biggest Question Marks...
Offensive Line, Interior Defensive Line and Special Teams
Oline-Health is key with this group. Lamp is still waiting to play his first NFL game. The unit depends on the anchor Mike Pouncey. If his health keeps him out of key games the entire line weakens dramatically. The unit played better last year after 2 dismal years. Pass blocking went from 31st to 25th. The ONLY reason Rivers was the least sacked QB was his quick decisions to throw the ball away. If the line can just stay relatively healthy the Chargers expectations of an elite team could be reached.
Special Teams- By far the weakest link on the team. Two of the last 3 years they were rated last in the NFL. All aspects on special teams have been disappointing. The kicking game, Returning the ball and coverage during kickoffs. They have ranked among the bottom of the NFL in all those areas. George Stewart will try lots of different coverages and players in the Preseason. Already, WR Artavis Scott has been returning kicks and gaining the praise from his coaches with his results. I believe Caleb Sturgis will win the FG "competition"over Roberto Aguayo.
If the Chargers don't stop the run or at least improve vastly over their 2017 efforts then the high expectations from fans could be fading before the team returns from London at the halfway point. With Luiget gone for 4 games and Justin Jones needing time to develop into a NFL ready player. A lot of hopes will depend on Darius Philon and Isaac Rochell. Having Kyzir White, Uchenna Nwosu and Derwin James behind them will help improve the run defense a lot.
The Chargers just have to keep their star players healthy and not shoot themselves in the foot in the process like so many Charger teams of the past that had such high expectations. A little luck would help as well. No one has to do to much with the roster they have. Stay healthy, play fundamental football and don't screw yourself over by making mental lapses during the game.
Who will be the lucky 53 to take the field in 2018 for this team? Preseason will change some minds for sure but for now a 1 month before training camp projection at the 53 man roster. There are some surprises as the team is looking to upgrade special teams and other areas on the roster.
WAY TO EARLY LOOK AT 53 MAN ROSTER
QB Philip Rivers Cardale Jones (2)
RB Melvin Gordon Austin Ekeler Justin Jackson (3)
FB Anthony Manzo Lewis (1)
WR Keenan Allen Mike Williams Travis Benjamin Tyrell Williams Dylan Cantrell Artavis Scott Geremy Davis (7)
TE Virgil Green Sean Culkin Ben Johnson (3)
OLINE Russell Okung Forrest Lamp Mike Pouncey Joe Barksdale Dan Feeney Sam Tevi Michael Schofield Scott Quessenberry (8)
DLINE Joey Bosa Melvin Ingram Issac Rochell Darius Philon Steven Richardson Damion Square Brandon Mebane Justin Jones Bijhon Jones (9)
LB Jatavis Brown Kyzir White Denzel Perryman ( MIKE Postion) Nick Dzunbar Kyle Emanuel Haynes Pullard Uchenna Nwosu (7)
DB Derwin James Jaheel Addae Craig Hayward Jason Verrett Trevor Williams Jaylen Watkins Rayshawn Jenkins Desmond King (8)
ST Caleb Sturgis Mike Windt Drew Kaser (3)
Practice Squad
QB NIC SHIMONEK
WR Nelson Spruce
RB Detriz Newsome
CB Michael Davis
Camp Battles
LB Uchenna Nwosu vs Kyle Emanuel (OTTO Position)
Final RB Spot Justin Jackson vs Russell Hansbrough
QB2 Geno Smith vs Cardale Jones
K Caleb Sturgis vs Roberto Aguayo
TE Braedon Bowman vs Ben Johnson vs Austin Roberts
Jason Verrett vs Trevor Williams
Jatavis Brown vs Kyzir White (WILL Position)
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