Lonestar
07-26-2009, 02:25 AM
A look at all 32 NFL teams as training camps open for the 2009 season, including key changes, camp needs and expectations.
(2008 records in parentheses):
AFC WEST
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (8-8)
Open camp: July 27, San Diego.
Last year: Took a step back, having to win final three games and take advantage of Denver's monumental collapse to win the awful AFC West. A year after making it to the AFC championship game, the Chargers got a huge game from speedy Darren Sproles to beat Indianapolis in overtime, then were manhandled by eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh. LaDainian Tomlinson was slowed by toe and groin injuries and was held to a career-low 1,100 yards, but still finished fourth in the AFC. It looked for a while that the Chargers would jettison Tomlinson in a salary-cap move, but the sides agreed to a restructured contract.
Key changes: Added: ILB Kevin Burnett. Lost: G Mike Goff, LB Marques Harris, C Jeremy Newberry, DE Igor Olshansky.
Camp needs: The Chargers need to regain their swagger on the OL and in the secondary, two areas identified by GM A.J. Smith as holding back the Chargers. They're also looking for a healthy Tomlinson, who turned 30 in June. Sproles got a huge raise as the team's franchise player, so the Chargers will have two running backs making more than $6 million. OLB Shawne Merriman is ready after missing all but one game last year following knee surgery.He's entering the final year of his contract and there's been speculation the Chargers will let him leave as a free agent because Smith apparently doesn't like Merriman's extracurricular activities. Chargers drafted DE Larry English in the first round to add extra pressure from the edge, but also as a possible successor to Merriman.
Expectations: Chargers should win the AFC West again, but they're clearly concerned that two Bill Belichick disciples, Broncos coach Josh McDaniels and Chiefs GM Scott Pioli, are now in the division. A deep playoff run will no doubt require that Norv Turner's squad stay healthy.
DENVER BRONCOS (8-8)
Open camp: July 31, Englewood
Last year: The Broncos squandered a three-game division lead with three to go and missed the playoffs for a third straight season. The debacle cost coach Mike Shanahan his job after 14 seasons. The primary culprit behind Denver's collapse was a dreadful defense that finished near the bottom in points allowed.
Key changes: QB Jay Cutler, traded to Chicago after a messy fallout with new coach Josh McDaniels; RB Knowshon Moreno, taken with the 12th overall pick and who should split carries with free agent pickups LaMont Jordan and Correll Buckhalter.
Camp needs: QB Kyle Orton to step in for Pro Bowler Cutler and make teammates forget about his trade. A seamless switch to defensive coordinator Mike Nolan's 3-4 alignment. WR Brandon Marshall to drop his grudge over his contract, quickly recover from offseason hip surgery and emerge as the playmaking receiver he's been the past two seasons.
Expectations: It's been a drama-filled offseason in the Mile High City, and now McDaniels must restore order. McDaniels is a disciple of New England's Bill Belichick, but can he win like the coach with whom he shares an affection for hoodies?
OAKLAND RAIDERS (5-11)
Open camp: July 28, Napa, Calif.
Last year: The season got off to a tumultuous start with the feud between Lane Kiffin and owner Al Davis leading to the coach's firing after four games. Interim coach Tom Cable finished strong with wins over Houston and Tampa Bay to earn the full-time job. After a slow start to his first full season as a starter, QB JaMarcus Russell posted an 88.5 quarterback rating over his final seven starts to show some signs why he was the top pick in the 2007 draft.
Key changes: After going on a spending spree before last season that paid few dividends, owner Al Davis focused on keeping his own free agents in Pro Bowlers Nnamdi Asomugha and Shane Lechler. Jeff Garcia was signed to be both a mentor to Russell and to push the young QB. The biggest change on defense comes with the departure of coordinator Rob Ryan after five seasons. Longtime NFL assistant John Marshall must fix a leaky run defense.
Camp needs: The biggest job of training camp will be developing a passing game which was woefully inadequate last season. The Raiders had just 82 catches from wide receivers, led by Johnnie Lee Higgins' 22. Rookies Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy, as well as recovering veteran Javon Walker, will need to develop a chemistry with Russell.
Expectations: After a six-year run of ineptitude in which the Raiders have won a league-low 24 games, it's hard to have high expectations. But there is talent on the roster and if Russell can take another big step in his development, the Raiders could be a surprise team in '09.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-14)
Open camp: July 31, University of Wisconsin, River Falls, Wis.
Last year: Chiefs experienced their worst season in history, winning just twice in what Herm Edwards thought would be the first phase of his bite-the-bullet rebuilding program. But six wins in two seasons and an NFL-low 10 sacks proved too embarrassing for owner Clark Hunt. Fired along with Edwards was 20-year GM Carl Peterson.
Key changes: In are GM Scott Pioli from Bill Belichick's New England tree, and first-year head coach Todd Haley, former offensive coordinator at Arizona. After the draft, Pioli also made extensive changes in scouting and player development. All told, it's the biggest front office housecleaning in two decades for what has been among the NFL's most stable franchises. Pioli brought in a raft of veterans, most notably QB Matt Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel from the Patriots. Other veterans joining Haley's tough-guy program are linebackers Monty Beisel and Zach Thomas and wide receiver Bobby Engram. First-round pick Tyson Jackson will be counted on to play end in the new 3-4 alignment. The biggest on-field change is the trade to Atlanta of Tony Gonzalez, the most productive tight end in NFL history.
Camp needs: Haley will use camp to accelerate the change to a new offense and defense. They need to get Cassel ready at the beginning of a season for the first time since high school. Finding a successor to Gonzalez will be key, as will the transition of defensive ends Turk McBride and Tamba Hali to linebacker.
Expectations: In draft and free agency, Chiefs virtually ignored gaping needs on the offensive line. They did refuse Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters' demand for a trade, perhaps because they realized they need him more than he needs them. The defense is almost certain to improve. But Cassel, RB Larry Johnson and a questionable cast of receivers will probably have trouble behind a sub-par line.
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_12891745?source=rss
(2008 records in parentheses):
AFC WEST
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (8-8)
Open camp: July 27, San Diego.
Last year: Took a step back, having to win final three games and take advantage of Denver's monumental collapse to win the awful AFC West. A year after making it to the AFC championship game, the Chargers got a huge game from speedy Darren Sproles to beat Indianapolis in overtime, then were manhandled by eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh. LaDainian Tomlinson was slowed by toe and groin injuries and was held to a career-low 1,100 yards, but still finished fourth in the AFC. It looked for a while that the Chargers would jettison Tomlinson in a salary-cap move, but the sides agreed to a restructured contract.
Key changes: Added: ILB Kevin Burnett. Lost: G Mike Goff, LB Marques Harris, C Jeremy Newberry, DE Igor Olshansky.
Camp needs: The Chargers need to regain their swagger on the OL and in the secondary, two areas identified by GM A.J. Smith as holding back the Chargers. They're also looking for a healthy Tomlinson, who turned 30 in June. Sproles got a huge raise as the team's franchise player, so the Chargers will have two running backs making more than $6 million. OLB Shawne Merriman is ready after missing all but one game last year following knee surgery.He's entering the final year of his contract and there's been speculation the Chargers will let him leave as a free agent because Smith apparently doesn't like Merriman's extracurricular activities. Chargers drafted DE Larry English in the first round to add extra pressure from the edge, but also as a possible successor to Merriman.
Expectations: Chargers should win the AFC West again, but they're clearly concerned that two Bill Belichick disciples, Broncos coach Josh McDaniels and Chiefs GM Scott Pioli, are now in the division. A deep playoff run will no doubt require that Norv Turner's squad stay healthy.
DENVER BRONCOS (8-8)
Open camp: July 31, Englewood
Last year: The Broncos squandered a three-game division lead with three to go and missed the playoffs for a third straight season. The debacle cost coach Mike Shanahan his job after 14 seasons. The primary culprit behind Denver's collapse was a dreadful defense that finished near the bottom in points allowed.
Key changes: QB Jay Cutler, traded to Chicago after a messy fallout with new coach Josh McDaniels; RB Knowshon Moreno, taken with the 12th overall pick and who should split carries with free agent pickups LaMont Jordan and Correll Buckhalter.
Camp needs: QB Kyle Orton to step in for Pro Bowler Cutler and make teammates forget about his trade. A seamless switch to defensive coordinator Mike Nolan's 3-4 alignment. WR Brandon Marshall to drop his grudge over his contract, quickly recover from offseason hip surgery and emerge as the playmaking receiver he's been the past two seasons.
Expectations: It's been a drama-filled offseason in the Mile High City, and now McDaniels must restore order. McDaniels is a disciple of New England's Bill Belichick, but can he win like the coach with whom he shares an affection for hoodies?
OAKLAND RAIDERS (5-11)
Open camp: July 28, Napa, Calif.
Last year: The season got off to a tumultuous start with the feud between Lane Kiffin and owner Al Davis leading to the coach's firing after four games. Interim coach Tom Cable finished strong with wins over Houston and Tampa Bay to earn the full-time job. After a slow start to his first full season as a starter, QB JaMarcus Russell posted an 88.5 quarterback rating over his final seven starts to show some signs why he was the top pick in the 2007 draft.
Key changes: After going on a spending spree before last season that paid few dividends, owner Al Davis focused on keeping his own free agents in Pro Bowlers Nnamdi Asomugha and Shane Lechler. Jeff Garcia was signed to be both a mentor to Russell and to push the young QB. The biggest change on defense comes with the departure of coordinator Rob Ryan after five seasons. Longtime NFL assistant John Marshall must fix a leaky run defense.
Camp needs: The biggest job of training camp will be developing a passing game which was woefully inadequate last season. The Raiders had just 82 catches from wide receivers, led by Johnnie Lee Higgins' 22. Rookies Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy, as well as recovering veteran Javon Walker, will need to develop a chemistry with Russell.
Expectations: After a six-year run of ineptitude in which the Raiders have won a league-low 24 games, it's hard to have high expectations. But there is talent on the roster and if Russell can take another big step in his development, the Raiders could be a surprise team in '09.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-14)
Open camp: July 31, University of Wisconsin, River Falls, Wis.
Last year: Chiefs experienced their worst season in history, winning just twice in what Herm Edwards thought would be the first phase of his bite-the-bullet rebuilding program. But six wins in two seasons and an NFL-low 10 sacks proved too embarrassing for owner Clark Hunt. Fired along with Edwards was 20-year GM Carl Peterson.
Key changes: In are GM Scott Pioli from Bill Belichick's New England tree, and first-year head coach Todd Haley, former offensive coordinator at Arizona. After the draft, Pioli also made extensive changes in scouting and player development. All told, it's the biggest front office housecleaning in two decades for what has been among the NFL's most stable franchises. Pioli brought in a raft of veterans, most notably QB Matt Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel from the Patriots. Other veterans joining Haley's tough-guy program are linebackers Monty Beisel and Zach Thomas and wide receiver Bobby Engram. First-round pick Tyson Jackson will be counted on to play end in the new 3-4 alignment. The biggest on-field change is the trade to Atlanta of Tony Gonzalez, the most productive tight end in NFL history.
Camp needs: Haley will use camp to accelerate the change to a new offense and defense. They need to get Cassel ready at the beginning of a season for the first time since high school. Finding a successor to Gonzalez will be key, as will the transition of defensive ends Turk McBride and Tamba Hali to linebacker.
Expectations: In draft and free agency, Chiefs virtually ignored gaping needs on the offensive line. They did refuse Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters' demand for a trade, perhaps because they realized they need him more than he needs them. The defense is almost certain to improve. But Cassel, RB Larry Johnson and a questionable cast of receivers will probably have trouble behind a sub-par line.
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_12891745?source=rss