San Diego Chargers (Last Year: 14-2).
Season Summary:
Let me get this straight... The Chargers fired a head coach who went 14-2 even though they lost both coordinators, and hired a head coach who has participated in a grand total of two playoff games? Brilliant. And given how crazy the NFL is, it'll probably work out to perfection.
Unrestricted Free Agents:
WR Az Hakim, OT Leander Jordan, G Kris Dielman, C Cory Withrow, OLB Carlos Polk, ILB Donnie Edwards, ILB Randall Godfrey.
Restricted Free Agents:
RB Michael Turner, TE Ryan Krause.
Potential Cap Casualties:
OLB Steve Foley.
Cap Status (as of 2/23): $21.4 million under.
Offseason Needs:
- Two Inside Linebackers: All of the Chargers' inside linebackers -- Donnie Edwards, Steve Foley and Randall Godfrey -- are gone. Drafted Brandon Siler and Anthony Waters.
- Wide Receiver: Keenan McCardell was released on March 1. The Chargers need another wide out. Drafted Craig Davis and Legedu Naanee.
- Re-Sign Kris Dielman: San Diego must keep its offensive line together. That requires re-signing its left guard. Re-signed Dielman.
- Safety: The Chargers could use some depth at safety. Drafted Eric Weddle.
Analysis: The Chargers have the fewest needs of any team in the NFL. The only question mark is the coaching -- can Norv Turner lead this team to the Super Bowl with two brand new coordinators?
Kansas City Chiefs (Last Year: 9-7).
Season Summary:
It's a shame; if the Chiefs even had somewhat of a semi-intelligent game plan against the Colts, they probably would have won. Maybe Herman Edwards is ahead of his time. Nah... more like 340 years behind in the times.
Unrestricted Free Agents:
QB Damon Huard, RB Dee Brown, OT Jordan Black, DT Ron Edwards, DT James Reed, DT Jimmy Wilkerson, MLB Kawika Mitchell, CB Lenny Walls.
Restricted Free Agents:
WR Samie Parker, OT Kevin Sampson, DE Jared Allen, OLB Rich Scanlon, CB Benny Sapp.
Potential Cap Casualties:
RB Priest Holmes, WR Dante' Hall, DE Eric Hicks, OLB Kendrell Bell.
Cap Status (as of 3/10): $5.1 million under.
Offseason Needs:
- Two Offensive Tackles: Willie Roaf's selfish retirement gave the Chiefs no hope of advancing deep into the postseason. It also limited Trent Green's protection and closed some running lanes for Larry Johnson. Kansas City needs two talented offensive tackles. I'm just not sure how it's going to get them. Signed Damion McIntosh; drafted Herb Taylor.
- Two Defensive Tackles: Three of the Chiefs' five defensive tackles are free agents, and you know what? It doesn't matter. All of them are garbage. Signed Alfonso Boone; re-signed Ron Edwards and Jimmy Wilkerson; drafted Turk McBride and Tank Tyler.
- Re-Sign Kawika Mitchell: Say goodbye to any improvements Kansas City's defense has made over the past two years if Kawika Mitchell signs with another team. Signed Donnie Edwards and Napoleon Harris.
- Re-Sign Damon Huard: Trent Green is done, and Damon Huard needs to be the starter until Brodie Croyle is ready. Re-signed Huard.
- Wide Receiver: How many years have Chiefs fans watched Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker struggle to get open? Kennison is not a No. 1 and Parker shouldn't be a starter. Why hasn't GM Carl Peterson done anything about this? Drafted Dwayne Bowe.
- Kick Returner: Kansas City traded Dante Hall to St. Louis, so they'll need someone to take his spot.
- Outside Linebacker: Kendrell Bell has been a huge disappointment in Kansas City. The team will likely keep him, but that doesn't mean it has no use for an upgrade.
- Guard: This isn't a priority right now, but Kansas City needs a young guard to eventually replace the aging Will Shields, who turns 36 in September.
- Cornerback: Depth at corner is a must.
Analysis: With cap restrictions, an aging offensive line, a broken-down quarterback, a mediocre head coach and a pedestrian defense, it's hard to imagine the Chiefs as a playoff team in the near future.
Denver Broncos (Last Year: 9-7).
Season Summary:
Bronco fans, breathe a sigh of relief. The Jake Plummer era is over, and Jay Cutler looks like he's the real deal.
Unrestricted Free Agents:
WR Quincy Morgan, G Cooper Carlisle, DE Kenny Peterson, DE Patrick Chukwurah, DT Michael Myers, OLB Keith Burns.
Restricted Free Agents:
FB Kyle Johnson, FB Cecil Sapp.
Potential Cap Casualties:
QB Jake Plummer (trade), RB Tatum Bell (trade), TE Stephen Alexander, OT George Foster, DE Courtney Brown, DE Ebenezer Ekuban, DE Kenard Lang.
Cap Status (as of 2/23): $2.6 million under.
Offseason Needs:
- Defensive End: No one on the Broncos had more than 8½ sacks, which came from rookie Elvis Dumervil. They need someone to play on the other side of the Louisville alumnus. Quentin Moses looks like a realistic option in the first round. Drafted Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder.
- Offensive Tackle: Right tackle George Foster was a huge disappointment this past season. Mike Shanahan will be shopping for a replacement. Drafted Ryan Harris.
- Running Back: Tatum Bell has fumbled too many times in his three-year career. Shanahan needs a more reliable runner out of the backfield. Signed Travis Henry.
- Wide Receiver: Rod Smith, who turns 37 in May, had only 512 receiving yards in 2006. It looks like this may be his final year in the NFL. Denver needs a No. 2 wide out to pair with Javon Walker. Smith can still be a solid No. 3 for another season. Signed Brandon Stokley.
- Middle Linebacker: The Broncos parted ways with Al Wilson on April 13, so they'll need a replacement.
- Defensive Tackle: The Plummer era isn't the only one coming to an end. It appears as though Shanahan's infatuation with the Cleveland Browns defensive line is over. Michael Myers will be gone, so Denver will need someone to play next to Gerard Warren. Drafted Marcus Thomas.
- Cornerback: Darrent Williams' death will have the Broncos looking for a new cornerback. Traded for Dre Bly.
- Guard: Right guard Cooper Carlisle is a free agent. I'm not sure if the Broncos have the cap space to afford an upgrade, so they may just re-sign him. Signed Montrae Holland.
- Safety: John Lynch turns 36 in September. I can't imagine that he has many more seasons in the NFL.
Analysis: The Broncos don't have much cap room, but they have a lot of dead weight on their roster. If they trim the fat and fill most of their needs, they'll probably be back in the postseason.
Oakland Raiders (Last Year: 2-14).
Season Summary:
Inept coach. Inconsistent starting quarterback. Inexperienced backup quarterback. Non-existent running game. Malcontent wide receivers. Swiss cheese offensive line. Vampirous owner. Disgruntled fans. Ladies and gentlemen, the 2006 Oakland Raiders!
Unrestricted Free Agents:
QB Marques Tuiasosopo, WR Alvis Whitted, OT Langston Walker, OT Chad Slaughter, G Corey Hulsey, OLB Grant Irons, CB Duane Stakrs, S Derrick Gibson.
Restricted Free Agents:
RB Joe Echemandu, FB Reshard Lee, DE Tommy Kelly.
Potential Cap Casualties:
QB Aaron Brooks, RB LaMont Jordan, WR Randy Moss, WR Jerry Porter, OT Robert Gallery, G Barry Sims, DE Lance Johnstone.
Cap Status (as of 2/23): $6.2 million under.
Offseason Needs:
- Two Quarterbacks: This was Oakland's No. 1 need last year. If the team takes JaMarcus Russell with the first pick, that won't be the case 12 months from now. The Raiders also need a knowledgeable veteran to back up Russell. Drafted JaMarucs Russell; traded for Josh McCown.
- Two Offensive Tackles: However, if I were Al Davis, and I weren't purchasing goat blood from a local farmer, I'd trade down to accumulate as many picks as possible. The Raiders simply have too many needs on offense. Drafted Mario Henderson.
- Guard: The offensive line surrendered 72 sacks in 2006. That's disgusting. Signed Cooper Carlisle.
- Center: Obtaining a reliable center would allow Jake Grove to move to one of the guard positions. Signed Jeremy Newberry.
- Running Back: Like everyone else on Oakland's offense, LaMont Jordan just isn't getting the job done. Signed Dominic Rhodes; drafted Michael Bush.
- Two Wide Receivers: Randy Moss and Jerry Porter don't belong on any NFL roster. That leaves Ronald Curry, Alvis Whitted and Doug Gabriel. Ugh. The Raiders should sign someone like Drew Bennett and use a third-round selection on a wide out. Drafted Johnnie Lee Higgins and Johnathan Holland; traded for Mike Williams.
- Tight End: Almost any tight end Davis takes in the fourth round would be an upgrade over Randal Williams and Courtney Anderson. Drafted Zach Miller.
- Defensive End: Now that we've listed every offensive position, let's look at the defense. If you take away the 21 sacks Warren Sapp and Derrick Burgess generated, the Raiders only had 13. A tertiary pass rusher is needed. Drafted Quentin Moses and Jay Richardson.
- Outside Linebacker: I'd like to see an upgrade over Sam Williams.
Analysis: The Raiders can't possibly be worse in 2007 than they were in 2006. Even if they make half the upgrades they need, their record will be close to .500.
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