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.

Former Chargers Linebacker Lew Bush Dead At 42; Member Of 1994 "Cursed" Team

By: Tyler Ward

Another member of the 1994 San Diego Chargers has died today as former linebacker Lew Bush suffered a heart attack and has perished at age 42. He had his birthday just six days ago, dying way too prematurely.

This team has been known to be "cursed" as Bush is the seventh player from the 1994 squad to die way too young.

Other deaths include:

* DE Shawn Lee (Heart Attack, Age 44; 2011)
* DE Chris Mims (Enlarged Heart, Age 38; 2008)
* OL Curtis Whitley (Drug Overdose, Age 39; 2008)
* LB Doug Miller (Struck by Lightning, Age 28; 1998)
* RB Rodney Culver (Plane Crash, Age 26; 1996)
* LB David Griggs (Car Accident, Age 28; 1995)

...And now Bush. It's so sad that so many good people have died in different ways, all of them so tragic.

The 1994 Chargers team made it to the Super Bowl, becoming the one and only Chargers team to make an appearance in the NFL's biggest game of the season. San Diego would go on to lose to San Francisco, 49-26, as quarterback Steve Young collected Super Bowl MVP honors.

We, here at Sports Guys Universe, extend our condolences to the Bush family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them, as we know they are grieving at this time, along with the other players' families that have had their family members perish prematurely.

Rest in Peace.

                     1994 Chargers Team Photo

Former Charger, Dolphin Igor Olshansky Busted For Marijuana

By: Tyler Ward

It's been a bad week for Igor Olshansky, a former defensive lineman for the Chargers, Cowboys and now, Dolphins.

The Dolphins released Olshansky earlier this week and now, he has been arrested by the police at his home in Broward County, Florida.

According to CBSMiami.com, 280 people were arrested as part of a Broward County operation known as "Operation Cold Turkey". And unfortunately for Olshansky, he was one of the 280 people.

The police report states that Olshansky was arrested at his home and police came in while he was rolling a marijuana cigarette, known to many as a "doobie".

Also, according to the report, Olshansky had in his possession 19 grams of marijuana, which roughly comes out to a little less than three-fourths of an ounce (an ounce is 28 grams).

Olshansky was charged with possession of marijuana.

You got to love how the police arrested Olshansky, among others, for less than an ounce of marijuana, which is a misdemeanor and would likely turn into a year of probation. Instead of busting murderers, rapists, and pedophiles, they decided to bust a former NFL player that will likely not receive any jail time.

In my opinion, this turns out to be a giant waste of taxpayer's money. There are a lot of better things that the police could be doing instead of busting people for meaningless amounts of marijuana.

ESPN Sport Science: Ryan Mathews Edition (Video)

By: Stephen Patterson

NFL Top 10: The Top Draft Busts Of All-Time (Video)

By: Tyler Ward

The NFL always has players that never live up to expectations. There always seems to be one every season and all of different "calibers". There's different types of busts - some that didn't fare that well and some that just couldn't do anything right (*cough* Ryan Leaf *cough*)

So, with that being said, here are the top ten draft busts of all-time, according to the wonderful folks at the NFL Network:

10. Houston Cougars Quarterbacks


9. Heath Shuler, Redskins


8. Lawrence Phillips, Rams


7. Art Schlicter, Colts


6. Aundray Bruce, Falcons


5. Tim Couch, Browns


4. Rick Mirer, Seahawks


3. Brian Bosworth, Seahawks


2. Tony Mandarich, Packers


1. Ryan Leaf, Chargers


Courtesy of NFL Network

Bob Sanders: Odds That He'll Land With These 10 Teams

By: Tyler Ward

I think we can all agree that when Bob Sanders is healthy, he's one of the best safeties in football.

But he hasn't been healthy lately, competing in only nine games in the last three seasons for the Indianapolis Colts. That's why he was released on Friday.

And I'm sure that everyone knows that Sanders will be a hot commodity on the free-agent market.

Even though he hasn't been healthy, the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year will have a few teams chasing him for his services.

Sanders, a two-time Pro Bowler, was taken 44th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Colts. Known as a game-changer, the Colts were always a completely different team on defense when he was on the field.

However, due to his durability issues, Sanders has only played in 10 or more games twice in his career, 2005 (14) and 2007 (15).

He won the Defensive Player of the Year in 2007, as he registered 96 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions.

But since then, he has rarely seen the field, nabbing 30 tackles, zero sacks and three interceptions in the three-year span.

Now a free agent, there will be teams chasing him. The only question is, "Who?"

New England Patriots

Perhaps the Colts' biggest rival, the Patriots have already reportedly expressed interest in Sanders.

But with up-and-coming stars Brandon Meriweather and Patrick Chung at safety, Sanders would immediately be a backup.

Backup safeties Jarrad Page and Brandon McGowan are possible free agents, so if either do not re-sign with the team, it could increase the chances of Sanders playing in Gillette Stadium.

The tandem played exceedingly well last season, so it would be hard for Sanders to get the starting nod. If he did sign with Bill Belichick's Patriots, Sanders would have to hope an injury happens if he wants to start.

That is one problem with the signing, but there is also a very good advantage.

Year after year, the Patriots are among the favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season.

Even though he already has a ring, it wouldn't hurt to have another one, right?

Odds: 12-1

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys were absolutely horrendous defending the pass last season, giving up the seventh most (3,894) in the entire league.

It is entirely possible that the Cowboys could draft a safety in April, but I would not doubt head coach Jason Garrett and the rest of the staff taking a shot on a veteran like Sanders, too.

I would say that they need one of two offensive linemen and a backup quarterback, especially due to Tony Romo's durability issues. But after those two, safety becomes the third need.

And not to mention, Alan Ball and Gerald Sensabaugh are possible free agents. Sensabaugh played in all sixteen games last season, posting 71 tackles, two sacks and five interceptions.

He was one of the few bright spots on defense and if he doesn't get re-signed, Sanders' name may be called.

Odds: 12-1

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have to address their depth situation at safety and it should be one of their main priorities.

Dashon Goldson, the starting free safety, is clearly one of their best players on defense, in my opinion. Goldson played well last season, filling up his stat sheet with 80 tackles.

But other than Goldson, their secondary is shady at best.

Reggie Smith is currently the starter at strong safety with last year's rookie Taylor Mays penciled in behind him. Mays didn't show that much last season, but he is still young and needs more time to develop.

Smith is probably one of the worst starting safeties in the league and if Sanders got signed, he should automatically become the starter.

The possible signing of the Ex-Colts would also benefit the young Taylor Mays. Even though Sanders has missed a lot of playing time, he is still a great player and could be a mentor for the former Trojan.

The 49ers, like the Cowboys, were also atrocious against the pass last season, giving up 3,697 yards and placing ninth in the league.

The signing of Sanders would definitely benefit the team, while adding veteran leadership and good ability (if healthy) to an up-and-coming 49ers defense.

Odds: 3-1

Houston Texans

The Texans, the worst team against the pass last season, needs defensive help at almost every single position.

The safety position is definitely one of those. Like the 49ers, the Texans have to add more depth to that position.

On Friday, the Texans released free safety Eugene Wilson, who started 14 games last season, while registering 56 tackles for the team.

Bernard Pollard, the starting strong safety, is a free agent this offseason and if the Texans fail to re-sign Pollard, they will be in desperate need for one.

Outside of Pollard, Quintin Demps and Troy Nolan are listed as the other safeties on the roster.

It is entirely possible that the Texans will use one of the early draft picks on a safety in April's draft. But drafting just one safety isn't really going to help them.

They may have to delve into the free agent market, and that's where I believe Sanders could possibly come in. I also think that the Texans would love to stick it to the Colts by signing one of their biggest fan favorites.

From Sanders' point of view, I believe that he would love to play his former team twice a year and show them that they should have kept him.

Odds: 9-1 (with Pollard), 6-1 (without Pollard)

New York Jets

Rex Ryan's Jets may not be in desperate need of a safety like most teams on this list, but the possible signing of Sanders could just be an insurance policy.

However, Eric Smith and Brodney Pool are free agents this offseason, as both were starters for the team last season. It is entirely possible that both could be retained, but if one or neither is kept, Sanders could be brought in.

The Jets also don't have that much depth at the safety position, with Dwight Lowery, James Ihedigbo and Emanuel Cook filling in the rest of the spots.

New York has been one of the best defenses over the last couple of seasons and Sanders could only signify that.

Just like the Patriots, Sanders would be going to a championship-contending team and could possibly get his second Super Bowl ring.

Teams like the Jets could play a big factor in Sanders' decision.

Odds: 6-1

San Diego Chargers

San Diego could be a very likely destination for Sanders.

The Chargers are one of the best teams in the AFC year in and year out.

And to make it even better, the Chargers technically have Peyton's Manning number since the quarterback has come into the league in 1998 (coincidentally, San Diego drafted Ryan Leaf directly after Manning).

Eric Weddle, one of the best safeties in the AFC, could be a great teammate for Sanders. If the ex-Colt could stay healthy, teams may have a hard time throwing on the Chargers.

If the Chargers managed to sign Sanders, the team would immediately have one of the best safety rotations in the entire league.

I think Sanders could start for them and with Weddle by his side, they would have Darrell Stuckey, a potentially great player, and Steve Gregory playing as their backups.

Like the Jets and Patriots, the Chargers are a contender every season. And that may be what Sanders thinks about the most as a free agent.

If the Chargers do indeed sign Sanders, it could work out for the team, as they can use their draft picks on other positions they need such as wide receiver, offensive lineman and linebacker.

This makes perfect sense for both sides. I wouldn't doubt seeing Sanders in a powder-blue uniform this season (if there isn't a lockout, of course).

Odds: 3-1

Tennessee Titans

Tennessee, under a new regime, has seen significant changes so far in 2011 and one could say that they are in the "rebuilding stage."

Particularly known more for the team's defensive abilities than their offensive, the defense, as a whole, was the worst in quite a few seasons.

At the safety positions, the Titans started Chris Hope and Michael Griffin. It is a good combination, but it seems that Hope's abilities have diminished over the last few seasons. He was a missed tackle machine last season, but he still registered 101 tackles, the second-best of his career.

Griffin, one of the better young safeties in the league, is looking to improve on his skills. The signing of Sanders would vastly help Griffin's game as the ex-Colts could serve as a mentor for him.

Like multiple teams on this list, the Titans have depth issues at the safety position. With backups such as Donnie Nickey, Vincent Fuller, Robert Johnson and Nick Schommer, the team significantly has problems with depth.

I'm sure that the Titans would also love to have an ex-Colt on their team, almost just as much as Sanders would like to be a part of the Titans, too.

I would not doubt the possibility of Sanders taking a shot with the Titans, even though they could struggle this upcoming season.

Odds: 5-1

Seattle Seahawks

It may not make much sense for the 'Hawks to take a chance of Sanders, but if there's one thing we've learned about the NFL, it's that everything doesn't have to make sense.

The Seahawks used their first selection in last year's draft on Texas safety Earl Thomas. They also used their fifth-round selection on Virginia Tech safety Kam Chancellor.

It is clear that Pete Carroll and the rest of his staff believe they problems with their safety strengths.

Longtime great Lawyer Milloy is also going to be a free agent this year, so they do have a gap strong safety.

It is completely conceivable for them to re-sign Milloy, who can be considered one of the most durable players in the NFL (Milloy has missed just six games in 15 seasons).

Seattle could be one of the few teams where Sanders would be able to start, but it is unclear if it is that big of a deal to Sanders.

But as soon as he was released, ESPN's Mike Sando announced that the 'Hawks were one of the initial teams to express interest in Sanders.

Carroll, known as a gambler, could take a shot on him and I wouldn't doubt that at all.

Odds: 8-1

St. Louis Rams

The Rams could be the team that is in most need of a safety.

On Friday, the Rams released starting safety O.J. Atogwe, who has consistently been one of the their best players on the defensive side of the ball. With the release of Atogwe, they are now incredibly thin at both safety positions.

Craig Dahl is now the starter at strong safety, but it is unclear what will happen at free safety. Atogwe is no longer with the team and James Butler and Michael Lewis are now scheduled to be free agents.

So with that being said, they are noticeably thin at free safety.

This could be the Rams' opportunity to use an early draft pick on a safety, but it is clear that they need more than just one safety. The Rams, slowly becoming better and better, will only take a step backward if they do not get help.

The signing of Sanders would benefit them in more ways than one. If St. Louis uses a draft pick on a safety and brings in Sanders, he could use his leadership skills to his advantage.

As stated in the introduction, Sanders has been known as a game-changer when he's on the field. That could vastly help a young team that won the NFC West division last season, along with upsetting the defending champion New Orleans Saints in the opening round of the playoffs.

Look for the Rams to show great interest in Sanders.

Odds: 3-1

Miami Dolphins

Miami possibly has one of the worst safety slots in the entire NFL.

The Dolphins clearly lack depth and talent at the positions, which is a shame especially since they have two talented and young cornerbacks (Vontae Davis and Sean Smith).

The Dolphins will have to make a move if they want to improve their defense. It does not help that they already play in a tough division with the Jets and Patriots (and yes, I'm excluding the Bills—what'd ya'll expect?)

With Yeremiah Bell and Chris Clemons listed as the starters, it gets much worse lower in the depth chart.

Tyrone Culver, Reshad Jones and Jonathon Amaya are the backups, none of which will ever be starters in this league.

Miami used to pride themselves on their defense, but as of late, it hasn't been the same defense. The defensive line is full of journeyman, along with the linebackers being mediocre at best (excluding Cameron Wake and Karlos Dansby).

The cornerbacks are good players, but Smith and Davis still need time to develop. The safeties are self-explanatory.

I think that the Dolphins will be very aggressive in the pursuit of Sanders. Look for them to be in contract talks.

Odds: 5-1

The 11th Possibilty Bonus: Cleveland Browns

The Browns may not get Sanders, but I think that Mike Holmgren wouldn't mind having the former Iowa star on his team.

Cleveland's losing skills diminishes their chances of Sanders unless they come at him with a humongous offer he can't turn down.

The team has horrible talent and depth at the safety positions like a couple of other teams on this list. Abram Elam and Sabby Piscitelli are set to become free agents this offseason, so they are pretty bad off if they can't re-sign either of those two players.

Holmgren and the rest of the front office drafted former Oregon safety T.J. Ward in the second round last year and they believe that he will become one of the team's best players in the future.

But outside of Ward, it is hard to find any player that could be their starter.

The signing of Sanders would be a smart move, but if they had a winning pedigree, it could possibly be an easy decision for Sanders.

I would not doubt Holmgren attempting to get Sanders to come to Cleveland.

Odds: 12-1

The Million-Dollar Question: Where Does Bob Sanders Go?

I believe that these 11 teams have a decent chance in signing Sanders, but 11 does not equal one. So, teams are going to have to be eliminated.

I think that Sanders wants to go to a team that he can win a championship with. Also, Sanders may want to go to a team that he can start for and not just ride the bench while he is playing for them.

With that being said, I've narrowed it down to three teams:

- New York Jets (Odds: 6-1)

- San Diego Chargers (Odds: 3-1)

- St. Louis Rams (Odds: 3-1)

Let's face it, Sanders is one of the best defensive players in the league when he's healthy. And when he's like that, any team would be lucky to have his services.

Even though he's missed more games than he's played, I still think that he will play an entire season at some point during his career. But we know now that it will not be with the Indianapolis Colts, so it's got to be someone else.

So... I've come up with who I think he will sign with...

It's not an NFC team... so that rules out the Rams.

The team has a starting quarterback that's been in the league for at least five years... so that rules out the Jets.

...which means the winner is...the San Diego Chargers.

At the end of the day, I believe that the Chargers will take a shot on Sanders and we will see him in a powder blue uniform, the best uniform in NFL history.

NFL Week 7: Top 5 Most Intriguing Match-Ups

By: Stephen Patterson

With several teams entering Week 7 in "All-Out Panic" mode, this could be a make-or-break week for some of the struggling teams in the NFL.

Can the Dallas Cowboys begin the daunting task of turning their season around on Monday Night Football against the New York Giants? Will the struggling San Diego Chargers be able to put a stop to their annual slow start and turn things around at home against the New England Patriots?

Perhaps the biggest question of all surrounding this weekends' match-ups is whether or not Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings can put back-to-back wins together for the first time this season against Favres' former team, the Green Bay Packers. Will Favre be able to lead the Vikings back up in the standings? Or will Green Bay finally get a win against the former face of their franchise?

#5: Washington Redskins @ Chicago Bears

The Story: Both teams are coming off losses and will look to regroup when they match-up at Soldier Field on Sunday. The Chicago Bears currently control their own destiny in the NFC North, as they would continue their hold on the division lead with a victory. The Washington Redskins are a game behind the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants in the NFC East, but a victory would keep them close to the top. Look for this to be a hard fought, low-scoring game with several big plays being the difference in this one.

Key to Victory: Defense. The Redskins head into Chicago allowing an NFL-worst 432.5 total yards per game, a number they hope will drop with a strong performance against a struggling Bears' offense. Chicago, on the other hand, is expecting to turn around their offensive misfortunes. However, if their offensive line can't offer any better protection than they have previously this season, it could be a very rough day for Jay Cutler. If the Bears are going to win this game, they need a solid performance by Matt Forte, who has struggled on the ground this season averaging only 92.3 yards per game rushing.

Prediction: Washington Redskins 17, Chicago Bears 14


#4: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Miami Dolphins

The Story: The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense will be hungry to show the league they can still knock opponents silly without getting flagged for "devastating hits", and unfortunately for the Miami Dolphins, they will be on the receiving end of those hits. Ben Roethlisberger is making his second start of the season after sitting out the first four games due to suspension, and he will look to make another strong impression. The Dolphins are coming off a hard fought overtime win at Lambeau against the Green Bay Packers and they will look to build upon that win.

Key to Victory: Brandon Marshall/Mike Wallace. Both teams have solid defenses, but they are also both better at stopping the run. Both teams will be looking for huge games from their star receivers, and the player that has the biggest game might just be the difference in this one. Look for one or both of these guys making huge plays late in the fourth quarter with the game still on the line. Marshall has had a relatively slow start to the season in Miami, having caught only one touchdown pass so far this year. Look for him to break out of that slump with a big game against the Steelers' secondary.

Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 17, Miami Dolphins 21


#3: New England Patriots @ San Diego Chargers

The Story: This is almost a must-win situation for the San Diego Chargers, as they are once again off to a painfully slow start to the season. Luckily for them, they are playing at home, where they are 2-0 this season. The bad news? They've lost all four games they've played on the road this season and they can't afford to drop a game of this magnitude at home. The New England Patriots will look to continue developing their offensive and adapting to no longer having Randy Moss. Deion Branch had a nice game last week against the Ravens, and the Patriots will need another big game from him to win this game.

Key to Victory: Special teams. The Chargers have been absolutely abysmal on special teams so far this season, and they can't afford to have those kind of lapses in this game. The Patriots destroyed the Miami Dolphins earlier this season because of special teams' gaffes, and if the Chargers want to avoid the same fate, they will need an all-around effort from everyone involved on special teams. If the Chargers can manage the ball and avoid mistakes, they will be in this game until the final whistle. Sadly, I'm not convinced that can happen for this team.

Prediction: New England Patriots 31, San Diego Chargers 21


#2: New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys

The Story: If there is a team facing a must-win situation in Week 7, it has to be the Dallas Cowboys. After starting the season as one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl, the Cowboys came out and fell flat on their faces to start the season. Unluckily for them, they are still tumbling and have to find a way to avoid a 1-5 start if they want any chance of even reaching the postseason. The New York Giants started off the season slowly, but they have looked increasingly better over their past three games. If they can knock off the Cowboys in this one, it will make their own run for the postseason a lot easier.

Key to Victory: Pride. The Cowboys must come out and play smart, competitive football for sixty minutes in order to have a chance in this one. If they continue to show poor judgment by celebrating prematurely and getting called for stupid penalties, this game could get out of hand very quickly for Dallas. I think they need to come out early and dominate both sides of the ball if they really want to win this game. If New York strikes first, and the Cowboys get off to a slow start, I think the Giants will be able to control the game and hold off a desperate, late flurry by Dallas.

Prediction: New York Giants 20, Dallas Cowboys 21


#1: Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers

The Story: What's not to like about this game? Brett Favre will be going all-out against his former team in an effort to show them they made the wrong choice by letting him go. Aaron Rodgers will look to get his first regular-season victory against his former mentor. There are so many storylines surrounding this match-up that you could literally write a book and still probably miss a few of the smaller stories. Considering this a divisional rivalry and both teams are trying to make up ground in the race to catch the first-place Chicago Bears, I'd expect this game to be one of the most entertaining of the weekend.

Key to Victory: Brett Favre. One way or another, the aging Vikings' quarterback will be directly linked to the outcome of this game. Last season, Favre had two memorable victories against his former team, as the Vikings went 2-0 against the Packers. But, Favre was also playing at a much higher level last season as well. If Favre plans to improve his record to 3-0 against his former team, he better be willing to hand the ball off to Adrian Peterson often and not try to press his luck against a formidable defense by forcing bad passes. Unluckily for the Vikings, Favre usually doesn't pass up opportunities to throw into coverage and turn the ball over.

Prediction: Minnesota Vikings 17, Green Bay Packers 27

Vincent Jackson Reporting To Chargers Next Week

By: Tyler Ward

Vincent Jackson will report to the San Diego Chargers next week, successfully ending a drama-filled year for the embattled receiver.

When Jackson returns to camp on October 29, he will serve a three-game suspension that the Chargers levied a few months ago. He was placed on the roster-exempt list and must play in the Chargers' last six games to complete his sixth NFL: season. After finishing the season, he will be able to go into unrestricted free agency.

Last week, the NFL Player's Association told Jackson and Logan Mankins, who has also sat out, that they need to return to their teams. Jackson has now said that he will return, but Mankins has yet to decide on the matter. It appeared that Jackson would not play this season as his agent, Neil Schwartz, said that Jackson wanted a bigger contract and if the Chargers wouldn't give it to him, he simply would not play. Looks like he has changed his mind.

The wide receiver will miss games against Tennessee, Houston, and Denver. He will be eligible to return to the Chargers when they take on the Indianapolis Colts on November 28.

Instead of earning the $3,268,000 he was supposed to make this season, Jackson will now making $240,058, which includes the six games he plays in, along with the bye week. He would have earned the $3,268,000 if he had signed the tender before the season started. However, Jackson decided to stick it out and hope that the Chargers would cave and give him a big contract. A.J. Smith, the team's general manager, decided that they would not give in and now, Jackson will be paid less than $300,000 for the rest of the season. Not a very good deal for the two-time Pro Bowler.

But, when Jackson finally returns to the field, I'm sure the Chargers will be happy to see him. Even though the Chargers own the league's #1 passing attack, they are just downright struggling. They are 2-4 on the season, with all four losses coming on the road. Tight end Antonio Gates suffered an injury last weekend and the timetable for his return is unceratin. The addition of Jackson will definitely benefit the team, but only time will tell what happens for the rest of the season. San Diego now has three games to play before they officially get Jackson back and if they want to get back into the playoff race, they will have to win 2, if not all 3, of their games. The Chiefs are currently leading the division with a 3-2 record, so the Chargers aren't out of it just yet. 

When the Chargers take on the Patriots this weekend, thay may be without Gates and wide receiver Malcom Floyd. They both missed practice on Thursday and coach Norv Turner has yet to say if they will play on Sunday. With the two possibly being sidelined, quarterback Philip Rivers will have to depend heavily on his receivers. Buster Davis and Legedu Naanee also missed practice. Like Gates and Floyd, it is uncertain if they will play or not, so the Chargers may be in some deep trouble. It's too bad Jackson can't return to the team this week, huh?

Jackson was not the only Charger to try to get a bigger contract this year. Offensive lineman Marcus McNeill felt that he deserved a bigger contract, too. He had sat out the entire season before he returned on September 25. He served his three-game suspension and after he was done, San Diego decided to reward McNeill with a 5-year contract extension worth $48.5 million, with $24.5 million guaranteed.

Jackson had been involved in plenty of trade talks this year, including teams such as the Seahawks, Rams, Vikings, and Redskins. However, agent Neil Schwartz said that a deal was in place, but the Chargers couldn't agree to compensation for the wide receiver. The team was unnamed, but one can only naturally assume. Since a deal was not reached, Jackson was left out in the cold and was forced to either sit out for the season or eventually return to the team for a much-lesser deal. Apparently, he decided to come back.

Jackson is widely considered to be one of the best up-and-coming receivers in the game and has made the Pro Bowl for the last two seasons. Jackson and Philip Rivers are now one of the best quarterback-receiver combos in the league and now, Rivers will finally have him on the field at some point this season. 

The wide receiver was drafted by the Chargers in 2005 with the 61st overall pick. Coming out of Northern Colorado, Jackson was one of the tallest and most athletic receivers in the draft. He has lived up to those standards in his first five seasons. His best season came last year when he caught 68 passes for 1,167 yards and 9 touchdowns. For his career, Jackson has caught 198 passes for 3,400 yards and 25 touchdowns with the Chargers. He has been a downfield threat thus far in the NFL, averaging an astounding 17.2 yards per catch.

He will officially be able to play this season and I am looking forward to seeing him on the field.

Are The Chargers In Trouble?

By: Tyler Ward

What's up with the Chargers? Are they just in their early season funk or are they just not that good of a team?

Personally, I don't think the Chargers are that great of a team. Yes, they do have a budding quarterback in Philip Rivers and one of the best tight ends ever in Antonio Gates, but outside of those two players, what do they have? A struggling offense and an inept defense. Those two mixtures do not bode well for their AFC West division hopes. What makes it even more appealing is that the AFC West is one of the weakest divisions in the league, so the Chargers should single-handedly take the division. Instead, they are in trouble.

With their 20-17 loss to the young St. Louis Rams, the Chargers are now 2-4. The later games have yet to be played, which means that the Chargers are currently last in the division (yes, even behind the Raiders). The Chiefs are currently leading the division with a 3-2 record.

But, look at it this way..

Their offense is not that good. Rivers is at the helm, so they're good at the quarterback position. However, they got rid of one of the best Chargers ever, LaDainian Tomlinson, and drafted Ryan Mathews with their first round selection. Mathews has played in five of the six games and has not gone over 80 yards rushing in a game yet. He currently has 218 yards and one touchdown, so if he continues at that pace, he will be somewhere around 700 yards for the year. Mike Tolbert, a natural fullback, supplanted Mathews as the starter when he was injured and has shown that he is the best running back on the team. He did not play against the Rams, but went on a fantastic three-game stretch prior to the Rams-Chargers matchup. In that span, with games against the Jaguars, Seahawks, and Cardinals, Tolbert carried the ball 49 times for 255 yards (5.2 average) and three touchdowns. Clearly, he has done better than Mathews, which comes as a surprise. If the Chargers want to succeed, Mathews is going to have to play better and show that he is the Chargers' #1 back.

Even though the Chargers own one of the best aerial attacks, I just don't see how they're doing it. They do have Antonio Gates, who in my opinion, when he retires, will be the best tight end in NFL history (if he continues at this pace, of course). Outside of Gates, the Chargers have a very unproven receiving corps - Malcom Floyd, Legedu Naanee, Buster Davis, and Patrick Crayton. Floyd is leading the team in receiving (513), just 23 yards ahead of Gates (490). Outside of those two players, the receiver with the most yards is Buster Davis, with 206. Crayton, who the Chargers acquired in the offseason from Dallas, had been relatively quiet until the Rams game - he had only caught 5 passes for 94 yards prior to the matchup, but caught 5 passes for 90 yards this weekend. They would probably be a lot better off if they had Vincent Jackson back, who has missed every single game this year due to a contract dispute. The Chargers cannot depend on two receivers to lead their passing game - they are going to have to get more players involved if they want to get better.

And it got even worse for the Chargers. Not only did they lose to the Rams, but they lost Antonio Gates in the game, too. Late in the first half, Gates was forced to leave the game with an ankle injury. He only caught 2 passes for 12 yards, thus ending his NFL record by a tight end for consecutive games with a touchdown (9). It is unclear how long or if Gates will be sidelined, but it is still a heavy blow to the Chargers, especially since Gates is arguably their best player.

San Diego has shown great defensive effort at some points, but they have also shown that they could be rather inept, too. In their losses to Kansas City, Seattle, Oakland, and St. Louis, the Chargers have given up a total of 103 points (25.8 points per game). Last season, in terms of total offense, the highest ranking for those four teams was 21st (Seattle); Kansas City was 25th, St. Louis was 29th, and Oakland ranked 31st. The Chargers need to play a lot better defensively. And it only gets tougher for San Diego, who arguably had the easiest opening six games this season. Their next five games are all against eligible playoff teams - New England, Tennessee, Houston, Denver, and Indianapolis. If they played badly against horrible offensive teams, how are they going to do against teams that have high-powered offenses? My guess - not that good. We could possibly see San Diego with a 4-7 or 5-6 record entering their 12th game.

The Chargers also have a very young defense. They released mainstay defensive lineman Jamal Williams in the offseason, who went to their division rival Denver Broncos. Shawne Merriman, a few days ago, was placed on injured reserve, thus ending his 2010 season. Merriman recorded 39.5 sacks in his first three seasons and made three Pro Bowls, but in the following three seasons, he has played in 18 games and has only recorded 4 sacks, all of which came last season. The team said that once Merriman gets healthy, he will be released and his Chargers tenure will be over. The player known as "Lights Out" will now keep the lights on, in hopes of resurrecting his NFL career elsewhere.

San Diego has dealt with numerous injuries this season on defense - as stated above, Merriman has been placed on injured reserve. Their 2009 first round pick, Larry English, has played in only two games and recorded four tackles (he has not participated in the last four games). Linebackers Jyles Tucker, Donald Butler, and James Holt have also been placed on injured reserve, ending their seasons as well. So, to say the least, the Chargers are rather thin at the linebacker position.

Their defensive line has also been shady so far this season. Outside of Luis Castillo, their line is very inexperienced. Jacques Cesaire is the other starting defensive end in the equation, and has never received adequate playing time. In his eight year career, Cesaire has registered 181 tackles and 12.5 sacks. Although he has played in 103 games, he has played sparingly in most of those games. The defensive tackle position is where they should be most concerned. As previously stated, the Chargers released Jamal Williams in the offseason, who was drafted by the Chargers in 1998 and had spent his entire career there. With Williams gone, who supplants him? Well, I'm going to introduce you to Antonio Garay, Ogemdi Nwagbuo, and Cam Thomas. WHO? I'll put it to you this way. The highest experience among the three players is 4 years (Garay) - Nwagbuo has played two seasons and this is Thomas' rookie season. Combined, these three players have registered 49 tackles and 2 sacks. Unfortunately, that's not going to get it done. I'm not even sure that the three players combined could replace Williams, much less one of them. The Chargers definitely need to address that need and they are going to have to in the draft or in free agency.

Their secondary is perhaps their saving grace on defense. Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason are their starting cornerbacks - Jammer has shown that he could be a great cornerback and Cason is currently leading the team in interceptions (2). At the safety positions, they have Steve Gregory and Eric Weddle. Gregory was leading the team in tackles prior to the Rams game and a safety should not be leading the team in tackles. Weddle is a talented safety, but he and Gregory are going to have to play lights out if they want to stop the opposing teams' aerial attacks.

Last, but not least, there's Norv Turner, perhaps the most inept postseason-winning coach in the NFL. The Chargers hired Turner after Marty Schottenheimer left following the 2006 season. Since taking over for the Chargers for the 2007 season, Turner has led the team to a 34-20 record with a 3-3 playoff record (0 Super Bowl appearances). The regular season record is fairly decent, but that's not what counts. The postseason is what counts. If you don't do well in the playoffs, then you don't do well, period. Turner led the Chargers to a 13-3 regular season record last season, but the team lost to the Jets in the second round. One could only expect the Chargers to completely decimate a team that had a rookie quarterback at the helm, but that's not how it worked out. The NFL works in mysterious ways and the Chargers lost to the Jets at home, 17-14. Was it coaching? Was it just a poor offensive performance by the Chargers? Was it a poor defensive performance? Probably a little bit of all three. But, it all lays on Turner's shoulders. If the Chargers do not win the division, much less make the playoffs, this could possibly be the last season Turner is in San Diego. But, only time will tell. 

Their schedule thus far:

 Week 1: @ Kansas City (L 21-14)

Week 2: Jacksonville (W 35-13)

Week 3: @ Seattle (L 27-20)

Week 4: Arizona (W 41-10)

Week 5: @ Oakland (L 35-27)

Week 6: @ St. Louis (L 20-17)

My projections:

Week 7: New England (L 27-17)

Week 8: Tennessee (W 16-10)

Week 9: @ Houston (L 24-20)

Week 10: Bye

Week 11: Denver (W 23-17)

Week 12: @ Indianapolis (L 24-21)

Week 13: Oakland (W 31-13)

Week 14: Kansas City (L 20-17)

Week 15: San Francisco (W 24-13)

Week 16: @ Cincinnati (W 27-17)

Week 17: @ Denver (L 31-20)

Regular Season Record: 7-9

Playoffs: No

 
The Chargers are definitely in trouble. They are going to have to do some clever maneuvering if they want to make the playoffs. If they play like they're playing now for the rest of the season, I just can't see them winning the division and we may see the Broncos or Chiefs stealing the division. We'll see.

Marcus McNeill Ends Holdout With Chargers

By: Tyler Ward

According to sources, McNeill, a Chargers offensive lineman, has ended his holdout and has signed a 1-year/$630,000 tender with the team, effectively ending his holdout. The two sides have two weeks to work out a deal for a long-term contract.

McNeill will be forced to sit out the next three games and will be eligible to play in Week 6 when the Chargers take on the Rams in St. Louis. Sicne he signed the tender today, he will be able to travel with the team to Seattle when they the Chargers take on the Seahawks this weekend. Second-year player Brandyn Dombrowski has taken McNeill's place so far this season. 

The Chargers offered McNeill a tender worth $3,168,000 and when he didn't sign it by June 15, the team was entitled to reduce McNeill's salary by 110 percent, which would be $630,000. The salary will further be reduced because McNeill hasn't particiaped in any games thus far and will miss the next three games. His original four-year contract expired after at the end of last season. However, since this is an uncapped season, McNeill would need at least six years on his contract to be considered an unrestricted free agent. 

The left tackle has shown signs of promise since being selected 50th overall by San Diego in 2006 (played collegiately at Auburn). He has started all, but 2 games since entering the NFL and is a two-time Pro Bowler. Many consider him to be one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL and it's just my opinion, but he deserves to be paid like one. The Chargers will regret their decision if McNeill leaves the team in the future (I view him as another Jonathan Ogden). He will eventually get a deal done, but one question remains: Who is going to be that team?

McNeill, along with fellow teammate Vincent Jackson, have been looking for long-term deals with the Chargers since last season and the team has yet to give either of them one. Jackson has said that he is prepared to sit out the entire 2010 season, in hopes of getting a long-term deal worked out with the team or somehow landing on another team. Jackson was still a Charger at 3 P.M. CT, which means that he will not be able to play until at least Week 7. The NFLPA assigned Jackson a three-game suspension because of his roster expempt status - and it would have been lifted if Jackson was traded before the deadline. The Minnesota Vikings had reportedly expressed the most interest in Jackson - but, the asking price was too steep for Minnesota to pull the trigger (2nd & 3rd round pick in 2011). 

I just don't understand why [a trade wasn't completed]," Jackson told the NFL Network. "They obviously think I'm a valuable player by asking for such high trade compensation, but why am I only offered tender salary?"

The wide receiver has shown that he can be a potentially great receiver, and I don't think we will ever see Jackson in a Chargers uniform again. I think, at some point, he will be traded, whether it's before the actual NFL trade deadline or sometime after the season is over. But, I just don't think it's worth it to him to return to the Chargers. The Vikings seem to be the most likely suitors and with their best receiver, Sidney Rice, being injured, they may actually take the offer at some point. The Vikings are currently 0-2 and need a lot of help to make it to the playoffs.

Jackson was taken 61st overall by the Chargers out of Northern Colorado in the 2005 NFL draft. His numbers have steadily increased since turning pro and those numbers would have probably gotten better if the two sides had worked out a deal. Like McNeill, Jackson deserves to be paid with a long term deal, or at least one that makes him one of the top 15 highest-paid receivers in the league. 

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