Can The 2010 Tight End Class Become As Prominent As The 1983 Quarterback Class?

By: Tyler Ward

The 2010 NFL Draft class of tight ends could potentially be the best class of that position in NFL history. Even though they are just two years into their professional careers, they are already shaping up to be Pro Bowl caliber players.

Let's take a look at some of the prospects of the 2010 tight end class:

* 1st round, 21st overall: Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati
* 2nd round, 42nd overall: Rob Gronkowski, New England
* 3rd round, 70th overall: Ed Dickson, Baltimore
* 3rd round, 93rd overall: Tony Moeaki, Kansas City
* 3rd round, 95th overall: Jimmy Graham, New Orleans
* 4th round, 113th overall: Aaron Hernandez, New England
* 4th round, 114th overall: Dennis Pitta, Baltimore
* Undrafted Free Agent: Jake Ballard, New York Giants

This class could go down as one of the best classes of any one skilled position in the league's history, much like the 1983 quarterback class.

That draft class, 28 years ago, is famed because there was so much hype surrounding these players before they were selected in the draft and most of the quarterbacks ended up having solid NFL careers. You may recognize two of the names in that draft class... No. 1 overall pick John Elway and future record-breaker Dan Marino, two of the most prolific players in NFL history. Elway went on to be one of the most clutch players of his time and won two Super Bowls with the Broncos in the late 1990's. Marino went on to become an elite quarterback for the Dolphins, although he never won a Super Bowl. He currently holds many all-time passing records, including the single-season passing yards mark, which is bound to be passed this season by Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady or Drew Brees... or all three.

The 1983 draft also featured Jim Kelly, who went on to play in four consecutive Super Bowls for the Buffalo Bills, but was never able to win the big game. Tony Eason led the Patriots to their first ever Super Bowl appearance, but was beaten by Walter Payton's Chicago Bears, 46-10.

Todd Blackledge and Ken O'Brien went on to have solid careers in the NFL, but were never able to live up to the expectations that surrounded them. Although they were extremely serviceable, they are considered busts, when comparing them to other quarterbacks in the class.

That's where last year's class of tight ends comes into play. These tight ends have great potential, even though they have been at the professional level for not even two seasons. They have already showed that they will be in the NFL for a long time, as most of them are key components on their respective teams. With the way some of them are playing right now, there is a very good possibility that we will never see a tight end draft class like this again.

Jermaine Gresham, who played collegiately at Oklahoma, was the first tight end off the board with the 21st overall selection by the Cincinnati Bengals. Although his stats aren't flashy, Gresham has proven to be one of rookie quarterback Andy Dalton's favorite targets this season. Forming a trio with Dalton and rookie receiver A.J. Green, Cincinnati could have one of the league's most potent passing attacks if they all develop correctly in the next couple of seasons.

Physically, Gresham is an intriguing and amazing specimen who is practically a wide receiver trapped in a tight end's body. He's one of the biggest at his position with long arms and huge hands. He's too fast for linebackers to cover and too big for cornerbacks to defend, making him a solid prospect that is treacherous throughout games.

Gresham is also a very dangerous threat down field and is able to make terrific catches due to his long arms and great hands. Additionally, Gresham is a great run-blocker and has helped out running back Cedric Benson numerous times throughout the 2011 season.

Given time to develop, he should become a top-five tight end in the NFL if all of the pieces fall the right way. Currently, Gresham has played in eleven games this season, registering 43 receptions for 452 yards and five touchdowns. During his rookie campaign, the former Sooner caught 52 passes for 471 yards and four touchdowns.

Conceivably, Gresham has all of the right tools to become a great player and he will have many Hawaii visits in front of him.

Arizona's Rob Gronkowski was the next tight end chosen, as he was tabbed with the 42nd overall selection by the New England Patriots, who were trying to fill their biggest need. And they sure fixed their need and did it quickly with the selection of Gronkowski.

In 2011, the former Arizona Wildcat has become quarterback Tom Brady's favorite target as of late -- even more so than Wes Welker, who has practically been the main option over the last couple of seasons. Gronkowski has shown that he is one of the best at his position after setting the single-season record for touchdowns (15) by a tight end against the Redskins on Sunday -- and there is still three games to play. He also has the second-most touchdowns (25) through his first two seasons in NFL history -- only Randy Moss in 1998-99 has more (28) through his first two seasons.

Often, Gronkowski has drawn comparisons to Jason Witten, who is currently one of Tony Romo's main targets with the Dallas Cowboys. He has shown that he could perhaps be better than Witten, who has been one of the top tight ends since he was drafted by Jerry Jones and Co.

Gronkowski is perhaps the best tight end in the league when it comes to yards after the catch, as he always seems to get a good bulk of yards once he catches the ball, something most defenses dread.

Like Gresham, Gronkowski is a better-than-average run-blocker who consistently shows good balance and strength to absorb hits from defensive linemen and linebackers. He is one of the best blocking tight ends when the Patriots actually run the ball with BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead.

The future great also has some of the best hands in the NFL and that is scary when you are already in an offense that consists of Welker and Tom Brady as your quarterback. Gronkowski has feasibly been the best tight end in the NFL this season and it looks like he'll continue down that path for years to come with many Pro Bowls in his future.

Watch out opposing defenses, Gronkowski will be a force once he reaches his full potential. Through not even two seasons, he has registered 113 receptions for 1,634 yards and 25 touchdowns.

With the 70th overall pick, the Baltimore Ravens chose Ed Dickson, who played collegiately at Oregon and was widely considered to be the best tight end in college football in 2009. He is currently the starter on an offense that usually revolves around running back Ray Rice, but he is still able to contribute to a team that likes to use tight ends during games.

Although quarterback Joe Flacco is still developing, Dickson has become one of Baltimore's security blankets when it comes to the passing game. He usually thrives in short-yardage situations, as shown by his stats -- 48 receptions, 458 yards, three touchdowns.

Dickson is not an explosive runner by any means, but he is still able to outrun players in the second level. Dickson is also able to get off of the line quickly, which mainly helps in short-yardage situations. Although his stats aren't great, he has shown to be one of Flacco's most consistent targets even though he is just in his second year.

The ex-Oregon Duck also has great hands and is able to make tough catches, especially in traffic. With his size and athleticism, Dickson is also a red-zone threat, primarily due to his extraordinary leaping ability. His touchdowns don't show it, but he is a beast in the end-zone, as he is able to either catch touchdowns or draw interest from other defenders.

Dickson will be a solid tight end in the future, once he fully develops. He may not be a perennial Pro Bowl nominee, but he will still flourish in his own way and could become Flacco's main receiving target.

The second tight end chosen in the third round, Tony Moeaki, was picked by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 93rd overall selection. He is currently on injured reserve with a torn ACL, but should be able to return healthy by the start of the 2012 season.

Although he has a history of injuries that has stunted his development, Moeaki still has the potential and upside to become a solid tight end in the NFL if he could remain healthy. While at Iowa, he missed time almost every single year he attended -- dislocated elbow in 2007 (missed majority of season), broken wrist in 2008 (missed spring practice), broken foot, pulled hamstring and concussion in 2008 (missed significant time in regular season) and missed time in 2009 due to an ankle injury.

Despite the injury concerns, the Chiefs still believe that Moeaki can become a serviceable tight end for the Chiefs and I'm inclined to agree with them. He has great potential simply because of his size and build. He has the ability to use his size as a mechanism for blocking techniques. With that, he is a superb run-blocker that is able to hold blocks and get off the line quickly.

If he can remain healthy, he could become a great weapon in the Chiefs' offense.

Last season, the former Hawkeye caught 47 passes for 556 yards and three touchdowns and likely would have increased those numbers if he didn't tear his ACL prior to the start of the regular season.

Perhaps the most surprising player this season was chosen with the 95th overall selection last year -- and his name is Jimmy Graham, who chose to play football over basketball after he was told that he really didn't have a future in basketball or NBA.

A former basketball player who rarely did anything on the court, Graham only played one season of football at the University of Miami. But with his sensational leaping abilities in basketball, he became an intriguing NFL prospect and thus, was selected in the third round of last year's draft to the NFL's most explosive offense.

Standing at 6'7", Graham is able to tower over most, if not all, players on opposing defenses. He has exceptional strength and height, which makes him a down field threat in the Saints' offense. Graham is also perhaps the most dangerous tight end on goal-line and red-zone situations as quarterback Drew Brees just has to lob it up and Graham will come down with it practically every single time. He could eventually be known as the most dangerous tight end in the entire league.

Thought of as a reach in the third round, Graham has proved all of his doubters wrong, as he has become a fan favorite in New Orleans. He flourishes in Sean Payton's system and has proved that he is a humongous threat with 80 receptions for 1,101 yards and eight touchdowns. With the season he's having, Graham has become the first tight end in Saints history to reach the 1,000-yard plateau.

At the combine before the 2010 draft, Graham showed impeccable speed for a player for his size (4.56 in 40-yard dash) and astounding athleticism (10-foot broad jump and 38.5 vertical jump). With those components, Graham is virtually unstoppable, as he is faster than linebackers and taller than cornerbacks. Graham has struck fear in opposing defenders this season, as he is perhaps the biggest and most genuine threat in the vertical passing game.

This season, he has already shown that he is one of the best up-and-coming tight ends in the league and he hasn't even reached his full potential yet -- defenses should start quivering now.

With the 113th selection in the draft, the Patriots chose their second tight end of the draft, choosing former Florida Gator, Aaron Hernandez.

Hernandez is usually on the field for most snaps, as the Patriots primarily run a two-tight end set that features Hernandez and fellow 2010 draftee Rob Gronkowski. Although his stats pale in comparison to those of Gronkowski's, Hernandez is still a formidable tight end that is considered to be one of the top up-and-coming tight ends in the NFL.

He was one of the most successful players at Florida and was a key part on their two championship teams. He blossomed into Tim Tebow's favorite target and his stats at Gainesville were exceptional, as he graduated as one of the most decorative tight ends in the school's history. Former head coach Urban Meyer had some kind words for him, stating "Aaron was one of the very best at his position I have ever been around. He has all the tools to be successful at the next level."

Primarily known for his pass-catching abilities than his blocking techniques, Hernandez is one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the NFL. He knows how to get open and has great hands, which he uses excessively in the Patriots' offense.

Tom Brady likes to use the former Gator in red-zone situations, as evident by his stats. He has caught 59 passes for 607 yards and five touchdowns this season, while only playing in eleven games. Last season, he registered 45 receptions for 563 yards and six touchdowns, while starting in just seven games.

He also has good speed for a tight end (4.6 in the 40-yard dash) and is a considerable threat down field. With a two-tight end set the Patriots use, Hernandez will be able to get better and better.

The Ravens also chose their second tight end of the draft with the following selection, as they picked Brigham Young's Dennis Pitta with the 114th overall selection. His stats may not be as promising as the others in this class, but he still has the ability to become a solid tight end in the NFL.

The 6'5" Pitta is an extremely reliable receiving tight end, as he catches incredibly well and rarely drops passes. Pitta can also make spectacular catches, especially when it's over his shoulders. He is very acrobatic for a player of his stature, even though he lacks speed and explosiveness.

With Baltimore, he has been primarily used as a blocking tight end, usually lining up as a fullback or on the offensive line where tight ends normally are placed. His stats aren't great, as he has just 31 receptions for 318 yards and two touchdowns this season. However, Pitta definitely has the potential to become a top-15 tight end in the league.

The last player in this class wasn't even chosen in the first seven rounds and was forced to become an undrafted free agent. A former Ohio State Buckeye, Jake Ballard took over the starting reins after Kevin Boss tested the free agent market and left for the Oakland Raiders.

Not many people expected Ballard to play this well prior to the 2011 season, but he has become one of Eli Manning's primary targets over the course of the season.

With his 6'5" stature, Ballard has developed into a valuable starting tight end. He has great size, while weighing in at 250 pounds, which makes him a solid run-blocker for the Giants, as well. Ballard is also a good pass-catcher and has been a threat in the vertical game for a majority of the season. He has also become one of Manning's favorite down field receivers, as he has registered a good amount of receptions that totaled over twenty yards.

It looks as though Ballard will retain the starting role and become the next Kevin Boss for the Giants, maybe even better. He turned out to be quite a steal for New York, as he has caught 37 passes for 589 yards and four touchdowns this season. His 15.9 yards per catch rank among the top for starting tight ends in the NFL.

This class has also featured role players such as Seattle's Anthony McCoy, St. Louis' Michael Hoomanawanui, Green Bay's Andrew Quarless, Indianapolis' Brody Eldridge, Atlanta's Michael Palmer, New York Jets' Jeff Cumberland, and Arizona's Jim Dray.

Clearly, this class of tight ends has great upside and could possibly become one of the most elite classes in NFL history. All the players listed above have played significantly through their first two seasons and most will likely keep it that way for many more seasons.

Fifteen years from now, we will look back on this class and be amazed at how great it was. Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski are already top-five tight ends, while Jermaine Gresham, Ed Dickson, Tony Moeaki, Jake Ballard and Aaron Hernandez are already knocking on the door of the top-ten tight ends list.

This class will be just as famed as the 1983 quarterback class: Write it down.

Kansas City Chiefs Part Ways With Head Coach Todd Haley

By: Tyler Ward

It was announced Monday that the Chiefs have relieved head coach Todd Haley of his duties with three games left in the 2011 season. Haley led the Chiefs to a division title last season, but it wasn't enough to retain his job after a rather disappointing season thus far, mainly due to season-ending injuries to quarterback Matt Cassel, running back Jamaal Charles, tight end Tony Moeaki and safety Eric Berry.

Following the Chiefs' 37-10 loss to the New York Jets, the Chiefs dropped to a 5-8 record behind back-up quarterback Tyler Palko, who has progressively gotten worse and worse since Cassel was placed on injured reserve. In their 27-point loss, the Chiefs committed 11 penalties for 128 yards, including a 15-yard penalty on Haley for unsportsmanlike conduct.

With his departure, Haley becomes just the second Chiefs head coach to lose his job during the season (Paul Wiggins in 1977 was the other one). He is also the second head coach to be fired this season, as the Jaguars fired Jack Del Rio last month.

Romeo Crennel, once the Browns' head coach, has been named the interim leading man with Haley's departure. He will coach the Chiefs for their remaining three games of the season when they take on the undefeated Packers at home and then play the Raiders at home and go to Denver to face Tim Tebow and Co. for their last game of the regular season. Judging by the schedule, it looks like the Chiefs could finish with a 5-11 record.

Haley's job has been in question since training camp and he seemed to save it when the Chiefs won four in a row after dropping their first three games of the season. The Chiefs then lost games to the Dolphins and Raiders and Cassel went down with a season-ending injury and it has been downhill since then.

Since Palko took over the starting reins in Week 11, they have lost three of four, including a near-upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers three weeks ago. The Chiefs have also scored just two touchdowns since Palko took over as the team's starting quarterback.

Haley ultimately decided to work on conditioning during training camp, in hopes of cutting down the number of injuries. But somehow, it increased with losses to linebacker Brandon Siler in training camp and Moeaki in the Chiefs' preseason finale.

Eric Berry went down with a torn ACL in Week 1 against the Bills and the following week, Pro Bowler Jamaal Charles went down with a torn ligament in his left knee against Detroit. The losses piled up due to injuries and Haley's job was in question yet again.

And that led to his release on Monday.

Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said in a statement, "This was a difficult decision but one that we feel is best for the future of the Chiefs. Although there have been bright spots at different points this season, we have not made meaningful progress."

"We felt that it was necessary to make a change," Hunt said. "We appreciate Todd's contributions during his time with the club, and we wish him well in the future."

There is also a good chance that Haley's departure has to do with his friction with general manager Scott Pioli. It was no secret that the two did not like each other and one was eventually going to be fired and it turned out to be Haley, who really had no chance at coming back when the team lost Cassel.

Pioli has stated that he wants his team to be consistent and the Chiefs have been anything, but that this season. They started off the season by losing their first three games and then won their next four games. They would then proceed to lose four-in-a-row, followed by a win and another loss, thus leading to their 5-8 record.

"We believe change is important at this time," Pioli said on Monday, following the news of Haley's firing.

Haley leaves the Chiefs, the first NFL team he has ever coached, with a 19-27 record. The Chiefs are currently in turmoil, as they have regressed all season and it doesn't look like they have improved whatsoever.

Cassel hasn't seemed like the quarterback they were hoping for, while three offensive lineman are not likely to come back to Kansas City next season. Charles is still recovering from injury and may not put up the same numbers next season, as he did in 2010. Their receiving corps is good on paper, but unproven -- Bowe is the leading receiver and has been the most consistent player on the team. Breaston hasn't lived up to expectations and really isn't a No. 2 option, while Jonathan Baldwin is a rookie and hasn't put up gaudy numbers that Chiefs expected.

Haley was thought to be an offensive genius, but the Chiefs have struggled this season on that side of the ball -- they average 293.8 yards per game, which currently ranks 28th in the NFL. Their aerial attack also ranks 30th out of 32 teams and likely could be at the bottom at the end of the season if Palko remains their quarterback.

Haley was the offensive coordinator for the Cardinals when they reached the Super Bowl in 2008 and also had previous stints in Dallas, Chicago, and New York.

He is still likely to become a head coach elsewhere, as there could potentially be more teams letting go of their head coaches at season's end.

New Form Of Drafting: Can Basketball Players Continually Make It As Tight Ends?

By: Tyler Ward

As of late, there has been a "new" form of recruiting in the NFL. And it consists of teams grabbing up and drafting former college basketball players and placing them as tight ends on NFL squads.

Currently, three of the best tight ends in the NFL were once college basketball players -- San Diego's Antonio Gates, Atlanta's Tony Gonzalez and New Orleans' Jimmy Graham.

Gates, a former basketball standout at Kent State, went undrafted in 2003 and was eventually picked up by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent. He somehow latched onto the Chargers and never let go. He debuted with San Diego that very year, starting eleven games and catching 24 passes for 389 yards and two touchdowns in his inaugural season.

Over the next four seasons, Gates eclipsed the 900-yard season mark in each of those campaigns. Combined, Gates registered 316 receptions for 3,973 yards and 41 touchdowns in that span. Included in that magnificent stretch was a 13-touchdown season in 2004, which was the highest season touchdown total, along with Vernon Davis in 2009, for a tight end until New England's Rob Gronkowski broke the record against Washington on Sunday.

In 2008, Gates tallied just 60 receptions for 704 yards and eight touchdowns, the lowest totals across the board since coming into the NFL. However, the following season, Gates caught 79 passes for 1,157 yards (a career-high) and eight touchdowns. In 2010, the former basketball player had his third career ten-touchdown season as he caught 50 receptions for 782 yards and ten touchdowns.

Although he has played a lesser role in San Diego's offense this season, he has still caught 53 passes for 601 yards and six touchdowns. He also missed a couple of games earlier in the season due to injury.

Since Gates was picked up by San Diego, they have consistently had one of the league's top offenses. Pairing up with Philip Rivers made Gates an easy target for the young quarterback and has perhaps helped him succeed since arriving in California in 2004.

Although injuries have recently sidelined him somewhat, Gates has still been one of the most dangerous tight ends in NFL history.

Gates' career stats are also better than any tight end that is currently in the Pro Football Hall of Fame -- yes, even better than John Mackey, Mike Ditka, Ozzie Newsome and Kellen Winslow. These stats currently rank second all-time only to the next man, who also once played basketball.

Tony Gonzalez, perhaps the player that started this phenomenon, was a first-round pick (13th overall) by Kansas City Chiefs in 1997. Playing collegiately at California, Gonzalez was never thought to become the player that he currently is.

While at California, Gonzalez played both football and basketball and was eventually forced to choose between the two. With his basketball career questionable, Gonzalez ultimately decided to choose football and he forfeited his final year of eligibility to go pro in football.

And apparently, he made the right decision.

A bonafide future Hall-of-Famer, Gonzalez is the all-time leader in receptions (1,142), receiving yards (13,275) and touchdowns (95) for a tight end, which clearly makes him the best tight end in NFL history. He has also made the Pro Bowl an astounding eleven times, currently the most for any tight end in the league's existence.

Over his first two seasons, Gonzalez started 16 total games, while catching 92 passes for 989 yards and four touchdowns. During his third year in the NFL, the former California standout would flourish.

He started 15 games for the Chiefs in 1999 and registered 76 receptions for 849 yards and eleven touchdowns, successfully earning his first or many Pro Bowl appearances. From 2000-06, Gonzalez had a remarkable stretch, as he accumulated 553 receptions for 6,872 yards and 46 touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl berths in each of those seasons.

Included in that stretch was a 102-reception campaign in 2004, a single-season record for catches among tight ends. The record still stands and it will be a tough record to break.

From 2007-08, Gonzalez had perhaps two of the best seasons of his career, as he caught 99 and 96 passes, respectively. He posted back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons (1,172 and 1,058) and totaled 15 touchdowns over those two campaigns.

The Chiefs sent Gonzalez to Atlanta prior to the 2009 season and he has still been able to put up good numbers. He has caught at least 70 passes in those three seasons and has also registered at least 650 yards and six touchdowns.

Gonzalez is arguably the best tight end in NFL history and it may not have gone that way if he chose basketball over football while attending California. But he made the right decision and chose the pigskin and has been the best tight end over the last decade. He is likely to go down in the history books as one of the best at his respective position.

The newest member to join this group, Jimmy Graham, played collegiately at the University of Miami and only played one year of football before being picked in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. While playing basketball, he was not tabbed as a player that would have an NBA future, so he decided to go the football route.

Although he had rarely played football, he was immediately noted as one of the top tight end prospects in the 2010 draft. And once the draft rolled around, Graham was selected with the 95th overall pick by the New Orleans Saints.

He started five games for the Saints as a rookie last season and accumulated 31 receptions for 356 yards and five touchdowns.

Entering the 2011 season, Graham was expected to be the starter and become one of Drew Brees' favorite targets. And he has become that.

Now twelve games through the season, Graham has looked like Brees' main target, as he has caught 80 passes for 1,101 yards and eight touchdowns. He is currently leading the Saints in all three categories, as he has developed into one of the best up-and-coming tight ends in the NFL.

With his 1,000-yard season, he has become the first Saints tight end ever to reach that plateau and it looks like he could go over that mark over and over again.

Standing at 6'7", Graham is a freakish athlete that also has a great pair of hands, as he is one of the best receiving tight ends in the game right now. He also has extraordinary leaping abilities, which makes him a great vertical threat, especially with his stature. Graham is also one of the scariest players on short-yard and goal-line situations, as he practically towers over every opposing linebacker and cornerback.

Clearly, Graham will flourish in the next few seasons, as he hasn't even reached his full potential. He also has Drew Brees as his quarterback, who is one of the best at his position with majority thanks going to Sean Payton, the team's head coach and offensive mastermind. With the stats he's providing, it also looks like he'll surpass Antonio Gates as the league's best tight end and Tony Gonzalez before him.

So, all of this brings me to the point I've been trying to make: Basketball players seem to make exceptional tight ends in the NFL. Basketball players are already very athletic -- and they also seem to have a great height and weight advantage over most defensive players. They are also much faster than linebackers, so they are able to run directly past them and into the third level of defenses. And when they get to that third level, they are able to reach over most cornerbacks and safeties.

When you look at it, these basketball-turned-football athletes are virtually unstoppable most of the time.

As of right now, it seems like a great idea to use a mid-to-late round selection on a former basketball player in hopes that they turn into the next Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez or Jimmy Graham. These players have paved the way for future athletes that have never thought of playing professional football

The height and freaky athleticism that these players possess makes them diamonds in the rough, and it seems like they will succeed, if they are given the chance to perform. Once you look at the statistics, these basketball-turned-football athletes are three-for-three when it comes to success. No players that have been continually used or placed in a starting role have been mediocre -- they've been spectacular.

So, it appears to be worth it to use a mid-round selection on a developmental player that could potentially make it as a tight end in the NFL. In the future, you will see more teams go this route in hopes of finding the next diamond in the rough.

Kansas City Chiefs: 2010-11 Season Ultimate Highlight

By: Stephen Patterson

The Kansas City Chiefs were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL last season, as they stunned almost everyone by winning the AFC West and dethroning the San Diego Chargers.

Do you think they can repeat their success from last season and once again win their division or will they return to their spot in middle of the pack?

If so, do you think they can make any noise in the postseason?

Let us know your opinion after you check out some other their biggest moments from last season.

AFC West Preview

By: Tyler Ward and Stephen Patterson

1. San Diego Chargers (Head Coach: Norv Turner)

Key arrivals: CB Nathan Vasher, TE Randy McMichael, OT Tra Thomas, WR Josh Reed, RB Ryan Mathews (draft)

Key departures: RB LaDainian Tomlinson, CB Antonio Cromartie, QB Charlie Whitehurst, DT Jamal Williams

TW: The Chargers are certainly on the decline. They let go of LaDainian Tomlinson, perhaps one of their best players in franchise history. With unproven rookie Ryan Mathews handling most of the run duties, their run game could be in the bottom half of the league. Rivers is one of the top 5 QB's in the league, statistically, but with the uncertainty of Vincent Jackson coming back, the Chargers' aerial assault will not be what it was last season. Their #1 receiver is now Malcom Floyd, excluding tight end Antonio Gates. Their offensive line could also be a problem since it is not known when Marcus McNeill, a premier tackle, will get his contract dispute handled. They also released nose tackle Jamal Williams, the staple of the Chargers' defense for the past few seasons. Shaun Phillips and Shawne Merriman will have to play stupendous if the Chargers want to succeed in the regular season, along with the playoffs. The one thing that saves the Chargers is the weak division they play in and that is probably why the Chargers will win the AFC West.

Philip Rivers

- TW's Prediction: 10-6

SP: The Chargers are always one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl, yet they somehow always find a way to fall short of their goals and fizzle out early in the postseason. With the Tomlinson Era officially over, expect things to be a little rough for the defending AFC West champs. Ryan Matthews was drafted to take over and replace LT, and while fantasy experts think he will have an amazing season, I'm not so convinced. He will probably have a decent season being the main back for San Diego, but I don't think he will break the 1,000 yard mark. Philip Rivers will likely be without his best receiver, as Jackson has been firm on his contract holdout. Even with Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd, I don't think Philips will have the type of MVP season many people are projecting. The only reason he has a chance to achieve decent numbers this year is because he plays in a weak division. I'm not sure if he got the memo, however, as some of those division rivals have improved on defense since last season. The defense has also declined, and the losses of Antonio Cromartie and Jamal Williams will likely hurt them this season. Expect them to still finish above .500 due to being in a fairly weak division, but they won't have double digit wins in my opinion.

- SP's Prediction: 9-7

2. Denver Broncos (Head Coach: Josh McDaniel)

Key arrivals: QB Brady Quinn, RB LenDale White, OT Maurice Williams, RB Justin Fargas, DT Jamal Williams, DE Jarvis Green, DE Justin Bannan, WR Deymarius Thomas (draft), QB Tim Tebow (draft)

Key departures: WR Brandon Marshall, TE Tony Scheffler, OL Ben Hamilton, DE Vonnie Holliday, OL Casey Weigmann

Knowshon Moreno

TW: Personally, I don't know what Josh McDaniels is doing in Denver. Why would you trade a potentially great quarterback (Cutler) and a prolific wide receiver (Marshall)? That makes no sense. And draft Tim Tebow in the first round and then say he's the future Broncos quarterback? Tebow may be a decent quarterback, but he will never be what everyone wants him to be. I like what they've done with the running game since they added LenDale White. But, their wide receivers are suspect at best. The Broncos drafted Demaryius Thomas to supplant Marshall, but Thomas is still a rookie. Eddie Royal now becomes the #1 receiver, with Thomas falling closely behind him on the depth chart. Denver also dealt away tight end Tony Scheffler, who has proven he could be very dependable on the field. Not only is their offense questionable, but their defense is now, too. Elvis Dumervil, one of the premier pass rushers in the league, could possibly miss the entire season. The Broncos have implemented a 3-4 defense, who provides pass rushers the ability to get to the quarterback. They really have no pass-rushing game, especially with Mario Haggan being a starter. Their defensive line is shaky at best - Ronald McBean and Justin Bannan are the starters at the defensive end spots..for now.Denver is mediocre on offense and defense and for that, I think they'll be below .500.

- TW's Prediction: 7-9

SP: The Denver Broncos are in for a rough year and their fans may be getting used to if Tim Tebow is indeed the franchise's future. While he might have the "leadership and intangibles" that got him drafted, he doesn't have the arm and the skill set to excel in the NFL. He may surprise me, but I don't think he will every be a Pro Bowl caliber player (he may get voted by the fans, but it won't be for his numbers). Also, trading away Brandon Marshall, arguably the teams' best player last season, may turn out to be a really bad idea for the team. While Marshall was definitely a distraction at times, he is one of the best receivers in the NFL and has been consistently for the past three seasons. Find a top-level wide receiver that doesn't have a little bit of an attitude and occasionally draws attention to himself over the team. There are some players that good and that well behaved, just not on Denver's roster. Their receiving core took a steep hit, even with the selection of Deymarius Thomas in the Draft. Denver still has a pretty decent defensive unit, but losing Elvis Dumervil for the season won't do the team any favors. If Quinn or Orton plays at QB this season, the Broncos will win a few games. If they give the job to Tebow, the story might be a little different, especially at this point in his career. He already had to revamp his entire throwing style, and in his first preseason action, reverted back to his previous elongated motion. If he starts a majority of Denver's games this season, expect them to have an even lower record than I'm projecting.

- SP's Prediction: 6-10

3. Oakland Raiders (Head Coach: Tom Cable)

Key arrivals: DT John Henderson, QB Jason Campbell, LB Kamerion Wimbley, QB Kyle Boller, LB Quentin Groves, LB Rolando McClain (draft), OT Bruce Campbell (draft), DT Lamarr Houston (draft)

Key departures: LB Kirk Morrison, QB JaMarcus Russell, DT Gerard Warren, WR Javon Walker, LB Greg Ellis, RB Justin Fargas

Michael Bush

TW: I actually think the Raiders have improved. I like what they've done with the acquisition of Jason Campbell - and the release of JaMarcus Russell. The Raiders now have a decent passing game and Derrius Heyward-Bey could blossom this season. I also think RB Michael Bush could be in for a big season. And they also have Darren McFadden, who is a quality backup running back. Zach Miller, the tight end, has shown signs of promise since being drafted and I think he could play fairly well with Campbell as the quarterback. But, I particularly like what they did on defense. The acquisitions of John Henderson and Kamerion Wimbley gives the Raiders a steady anchor on defense. The trio of Wimbley, Thomas Howard, and rookie Rolando McClain could be one of the best linebacking cores in the NFL.  Henderson, the former Jaguar, gives them a big body in the middle and should prove to better than Warren Sapp when he was in Oakland (remember that stint?). Nnamdi Asomugha has to prove that he is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, after signing the richest contract for a cornerback a few years ago. The Raiders are definitely headed in the right direction, but I just don't think they can put it all together and make the playoffs. Oakland could be a contending team in a few years. I'm surprised Al Davis was a part of all these acquisitions. Unbelievable.

- TW's Prediction: 7-9

SP: For the first time in years, there isn't much I can say negatively about the Raiders. Well, I guess I could mention the fact that the corpse of Al Davis is still the worst owner in the entire NFL, but at least he or whoever is controlling his body made some decent moves for once this offseason. They finally cut ties with JaMarcus Russell, the QB that Davis thought was one of the best things to ever happen to his franchise. We all know how that ended. The team made a move on the second day of the 2010 Draft to acquire Jason Campbell of the Washington Redskins, who became expendable after they landed Donovan McNabb. While he never quite lived up to expectations with the Redskins, Campbell has the potential to be the best QB the franchise has had since Rich Gannon, who led the Raiders to the Super Bowl in 200_, which coincidentally was the last season Oakland actually mattered in the NFL. While his receiving core isn't the best, he does have Derrius Heyward-Bey and Zach Miller, which are pretty decent players. If their running backs can be productive, they have a fairly decent offense this season. Also, their defense has greatly improved. Drafting Rolando McClain, signing John Henderson, and trading for Kamerion Wimbley definitely will upgrade a fairly weak defense. Nnamdi Asomugha is also one of the best corners in the league, although he is vastly overpaid and one of the reasons Darrelle Revis of the Jets wants such a massive deal, in my opinion. I expect the Raiders to finish somewhere around .500 if they can stay healthy and Campbell can finally begin living up to his potential.

- SP's Prediction: 8-8

4. Kansas City Chiefs (Head Coach: Todd Haley)

Key arrivals: RB Thomas Jones, OG Ryan Lilja, CB Javier Arenas (draft), S Eric Berry (draft), RB/WR Dexter McCluster (draft)

Key departures: WR Bobby Engram, WR Bobby Wade, LB Zach Thomas, RB Kolby Smith

TW: I just think that the Chiefs will be bad yet again. I just don't believe in Matt Cassel..at all. He's not a top-tier quarterback, and I think he could honestly be the worst starting quarterback in the NFL. They do have an efficient running game since they added Thomas Jones in the offseason.  Jones is penciled in as the starter, even though Jamaal Charles ran for over 1,000 yards last season. Outside of Dwayne Bowe, they really have no aerial game. What really brings them down is their defense. They have drafted defensively the last two seasons, using first-round selections on Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson.  They have to play well if the Chiefs want to have any chance of doing decent on defense. I do like the selections of Eric Berry and Javier Arenas, but the Chiefs will have to put pressure on them since they're going to be heavily depended on. I think it's going to be very hard for the Chiefs to win games this season. They square off against teams such as San Diego (2x), Indianapolis, Houston and play decent teams like Arizona, Tennessee, San Francisco, and Denver (2x), and Jacksonville. I think the Chiefs have to do a lot more if they want to regain the form of the Priest Holmes/Trent Green era.

Matt Cassel

- TW's Prediction: 3-13

SP: I like the direction the Chiefs are moving in, but I am still unsure if Matt Cassel is good enough to lead a team. He had a horrendous season for the most part last year, and while he played moderately well in the place of Tom Brady the season he got injured, I've never thought he was a great QB capable of taking a team deep into the postseason. The Chiefs have potentially one of the best run games in the NFL, with Jamaal Charles, Thomas Jones, and Dexter McCluster all being extremely explosive backs. The receiving core is a big question mark in my opinion, as I've never been high on Bowe and McCluster likely won't get too many receptions. I loved the teams selections of Eric Berry and Javier Arenas in the Draft and think both will excel at the NFL level. Arenas is a great player in the return game also, and had a 100+ yard kickoff return in his first preseason game called back on a penalty. Berry has the potential to be an Ed Reed type safety with his field vision and speed. While I like their direction, I think they are going to have another disappointing season without a solid passing game. If Cassel throw the ball, bad things are likely to happen. If he doesn't throw the ball, those three explosive backs are going to get crushed at the line every play. So until they get some quality receivers and Cassel improves some parts of his game, this team isn't going anywhere fast for at least another season or two.

- SP's Prediction: 4-12

A Look Back: Priest Holmes

By: Stephen Patterson


In the first ever edition of "A Look Back", I will take a look at the career of one of the NFL's best running backs of the past decade. Hopefully, "A Look Back" will become a common feature I write on our site highlighting the careers of some of my favorite athletes, random players, and fan picks. This edition's topic is Priest Holmes, who played in the NFL from 1997-2007 with the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs. While in the NFL, Holmes posted career stats of 8,172 yards rushing with a 4.6 yards per carry and 94 touchdowns.

Holmes signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 1997 as an undrafted free agent out of Texas. Holmes put up decent numbers with the Ravens, but only started for two seasons there. In his third and final season with Baltimore, Holmes was the back up for rookie Jamal Lewis. The 1999-2000 Ravens team, also featuring superstar Ray Lewis, went on to win the Super Bowl that season. This would be Holmes' only Super Bowl ring while he was in the NFL.

After the 2000 season, Priest signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and quickly became one of the team's most popular players. In his first season with the team, Holmes rushed for 1,555 yards, leading the NFL in that catagory. During his third season with Kansas City, he rushed for 1,615 yards and 21 touchdowns. He ended that season with a total of 27 touchdowns, at the time breaking Marshall Faulk's record for single season touchdowns. This would also be his second consecutive season rushing for over 20 touchdowns, a feat only matched by Emmitt Smith in NFL history.

In 2004, Holmes was on pace for a third consecutive 20 touchdown season with 14 touchdowns before going down with a knee injury. This would be the first major injury that would hamper Holmes and the beginning of a painful cycle. On October 30, 2005, Holmes suffered a major neck injury as a result of a hit by San Deigo Chargers linemen Shawne Merriman. Following Holmes injury, Larry Johnson would take over the running back duties for the Chiefs.

Following his neck injury, Priest Holmes tried unsuccessfully to make a real comeback in the NFL with the Chiefs. On November 18, 2007, following a game against the Indianapolis Colts, Holmes announced his retirement from the NFL because of his injured neck. At the time of his retirement, he was the Chiefs all-time leader in rushes (1,275), rush yards (5,933), and touchdowns (83). If Holmes hadn't been injured by Merriman's hit, he could've added a lot more to those numbers with Kansas City. At the time of his injury, Holmes was still one of the most popular backs in the NFL and was still one of the most popular players in Chief's history.