Camp News & Notes - AFC West

By Greg Bergman
Love of Sports Correspondent

Anyone can make a prediction. But you have to come to The Love of Sports to get inside a head coach’s mind.

What are the questions they’re pondering in early camp?

What are some of the issues plaguing their minds?

We aren’t here to give you the answers, though. Nobody knows them yet.

However, here are just a few of the questions the four AFC coaches come into Training Camp thinking about.

San Diego Chargers – Head Coach: Norv Turner

--Lorenzo Neal was one of the best fullbacks in the game, and he opened up a lot of holes for LaDainian Tomlinson. Who’s going to take his place? Andrew Pinnock seems to be the natural replacement, but he’s on the active-physically unable to perform list (PUP).

--Star tight end Antonio Gates is also on the PUP list, and if he can’t return by the beginning of the season, who will be Philip Rivers’ go to guy on third downs? Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers are nice receivers, but will they be able to fill the void if Gates is out for an extended period of time?

--Michael Turner leaving for a payday in Atlanta opens up the backup spot. Will Darren Sproles or fifth round pick Marcus Thomas be the one to step up and be the change of pace back?

Oakland Raiders – Head coach: Lane Kiffin

--The Silver and Black spent a ton of money in the offseason, and the defense saw the most cash thrown around. Will the additions of Gibril Wilson and DeAngelo Hall in the secondary live up to their high expectations and make them one of the best in the league?

--The offensive line has been terrible the last few years. Will they be able to give new starter JaMarcus Russell enough time to keep the offense moving?

--Michael Bush is looking good in camp, but he hasn’t seen any contact on his rehabbed broken leg. The running back position seems to be stacked with returning 1,000-yard rusher Justin Fargas and rookie Darren McFadden. Can the combination of these three backs provide the Raiders with a dynamic offense?

Denver Broncos – Head coach: Mike Shanahan

--The Broncos have been underachieving the last few seasons. Quarterback Jay Cutler has been average at best, but can this be the year he starts to figure it out and become that franchise QB that’s been missing in Denver since that Elway guy retired?

--Rookie receiver Eddie Royal’s been impressive so far in camp. The main battle is between Darrell Jackson and Keary Colbert. Brandon Stokley’s been a solid slot receiver his whole career. Can these receivers, along with Brandon Marshall, help Cutler be the quarterback Denver needs him to be?

--Marshall’s another issue. His off-field antics have earned him a three-game suspension to start the season. He’s the go to guy on offense, but will the not-so-exciting receiving corps be enough to keep them afloat?

Kansas City Chiefs – Head coach: Herm Edwards

--The Chiefs have a few issues that need to be addressed. The main battle in camp right now is who is going to be the middle linebacker between Napoleon Harris, Pat Thomas and Demorrio Williams. Can one of these three step up and become the leader of a very important defensive position?

--Dwayne Bowe showed great skill last year and was a real surprise. However, he and veteran TE Tony Gonzalez were the only real threats in the passing game. Who will step up out of Jeff Webb, Devard Darling and Will Franklin to be that legitimate second threat that was missing last year?

--Brodie Croyle has been named the man over Damon Huard to start at QB after neither showed the NFL too much last year. Can Croyle turn into a franchise QB and keep Herm around another year?

That was just a few things to think about as the training camps are just beginning. Battles are always fun to watch and all of these teams have plenty of them. Can the regular season start now?  I’m ready.

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