NFL Team Reports: AFC West

SportingNews Nov 24, 9:16 am EST

Several times a week, The Trenches will present team reports from Sporting News’ 32 NFL correspondents. Check back each day for the latest news on your team.

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers could be without RT Jeromey Clary(notes) for the rest of the season. He has ligament damage in his left ankle and will definitely miss several games. Brandyn Dombrowski(notes) will start in Clary’s place. If Clary is deemed to have a chance to come back for a potential playoff run, the Chargers will consider saving a roster spot for him. …

The Chargers have found the balance they were searching for. An offense that had been so reliant on big plays has slowed down and put more emphasis on the run—and it has translated into victories. In four victories during their five-game winning streak, the Chargers have run more times than they’ve passed. By jumping ahead early, they have been able to control the clock. —Kevin Acee

Denver Broncos

Lee Rasizer wonders if the team will dismiss WR Brandon Marshall’s actions Sunday as easily as rookie RB Knowshon Moreno(notes) did.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have other pressing needs but must focus on improving the offensive line in next year’s draft. The Chiefs could use an upgrade at four of the five positions; they are fine at left guard with Brian Waters(notes).

Branden Albert(notes), a first-round pick last season, hasn’t secured the left tackle spot. He has the necessary skills but has been inconsistent. He might be a better option on the right side if the Chiefs can find a left tackle to take his place.

The lack of an effective line set back the Chiefs back in everything they tried to do on offense. The running game has been spotty at best, and the passing game hasn’t found a rhythm. More important, QB Matt Cassel’s(notes) development may have been set back because he been constantly under pressure.

The Chiefs could also use a pass rusher, a wideout, a playmaking safety and a tight end, but those priorities might have to wait. The Chiefs have three picks in the first two rounds, including the second-rounder obtained from Atlanta for Tony Gonzalez(notes). —Adam Teicher

Oakland Raiders

Coach Tom Cable has committed to QB Bruce Gradkowski(notes) for the rest of the season but no further. He isn’t ready to say Gradkowski is a long-term solution. He also isn’t sure what to make of JaMarcus Russell’s(notes) future, considering Russell hasn’t done much in his 25 career starts to show he is an NFL starter.

Gradkowski is starting because Cable feels as if he gives the Raiders the best chance to win. The best case for Gradkowski is that plays well enough to merit consideration for the starting job next season. If he doesn’t, he at least will be approached about re-signing as a backup. Gradkowski has a history with quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett dating to their time together with the Buccaneers.

The wild card in the equation is veteran Charlie Frye(notes). Cable is fond of Frye for his work ethic and knowledge of the offense. He, too, will be considered for the starting job next season. —Steve Corkran
More from Sporting News: Buccaneers Demote Defensive Coordinator; Morris Will Take Over Duties

Updated Nov 24, 9:16 am EST
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348 Comments

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  1. SCSF- LA where repeats and 3-peats happen!
    348. Posted by SCSF- LA where repeats and 3-peats happen! Wed Nov 25 11:26am EST

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    After this season the Raiders will have 7 straight losing seasons going 27- 79, since losing in the SB to Gruden....

    Since the year 2000, the Raiders have posted a 60-94 record while the Chargers on a 13-0 head to head run have posted 79-75. You are right about the SB wins 30 years ago, but it's quite obvious the present and future belong to the BOLTS who have posted 61- 29 mark since 2003 !

    Boast while you can Raiders fans but the day will come when we pass your franchise in wins and accomplishments. Two questions for brian b and wtfk.....?????

    In all your self claimed glory did the Raiders ever beat the Bolts 13x's in a row ?

    brian and wtfk how did the two of you master the art of the skin flute while bloging all day about a team w/ no future...?
  2. jose
    347. Posted by jose Wed Nov 25 12:40am EST

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    I just got to say that one, it comes to the only ""og:"" nfl football team that belong to"" la"" was the la chargers before the left us in 1949 and went to san deigo.. but thats ok they can stay down there ... go raiders all the way....la rocks ..... go lakers .. go usc....
  3. jose
    346. Posted by jose Wed Nov 25 12:30am EST

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    Well dont for get the chargers came from " la city in so cal. was the expansion home of the chargers (1960, nfl) three where at one time la chargers not san diego but any ways i can tell a lot of history of la who came from where.. go raiders all the way...
  4. brian b
    344. Posted by brian b Tue Nov 24 7:09pm EST

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    Norv Turner, Edward James Almos called, he wants his face back.
  5. wtfk
    343. Posted by wtfk Tue Nov 24 6:59pm EST

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    296. Posted by SCSF- LA where repeats and 3-peats happen! Tue Nov 24 12:37pm EST Report Abuse
    wtfk - the only problem w/ your fantasy is you said the same thing last year when the Bolts were 8-8
    division winners......

    Actually, I didn't, but thanks for coming to fantasy island, fkhead.
  6. brian b
    342. Posted by brian b Tue Nov 24 5:22pm EST

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    This was the first Super Bowl to have two players each score three touchdowns. Rice matched his Super Bowl XXIV performance with his three touchdown catches. Watters also had three touchdowns, matching Roger Craig's 3 touchdowns, 2 receiving and 1 rushing, that Craig accomplished in Super Bowl XIX. Watters also became the second running back to catch 2 touchdown passes in a game, matching Craig.
  7. brian b
    341. Posted by brian b Tue Nov 24 5:19pm EST

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    Looks like Old Bill is Al Davis's brother. Are you senile old man because your rooting for the Chargers.
  8. brian b
    340. Posted by brian b Tue Nov 24 5:18pm EST

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    "We're part of history", said guard Jesse Sapolu. "This is probably the best offense people will see in their lifetimes." "Is this great or what?" Young added. "I mean, I haven't thrown six touchdown passes in a game in my life. Then I throw six in the Super Bowl! Unbelievable."[1]
  9. brian b
    339. Posted by brian b Tue Nov 24 5:17pm EST

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    The 49ers dominated the game right from the start.

    On the opening kickoff, a 15-yard facemask penalty on Chargers linebacker Doug Miller gave San Francisco the ball at their own 41-yard line. Then on the third play of the drive, 49ers quarterback Steve Young threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Rice. The 49ers became the second team to take the opening kickoff and score a touchdown on that first drive (the first being the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VIII). After forcing the Chargers to punt, the 49ers advanced 79 yards in four plays, scoring on a 51-yard touchdown pass from Young to running back Ricky Watters to give San Francisco a 14-0 lead less than 5 minutes into the first quarter.

    Leading 28-10 in the 3rd quarter, the 49ers added 14 more points. The Chargers were forced to punt after three plays on the opening drive of the second half, and Dexter Carter returned the ball 11 yards to his own 38-yard line. Young subsequently completed three consecutive passes for 53 yards on a 7-play, 62-yard drive that ended with Watters' third touchdown on a 9-yard run, tying the Super Bowl record for the most touchdowns in a game. After a 33-yard kickoff return by Andre Coleman, the Chargers advanced to the San Francisco 33-yard line, but they turned the ball over on downs when quarterback Stan Humphries' fourth down pass was broken up by Davis. After the turnover, Young lead his team on a 10-play, 67-yard drive to score on his 5th touchdown pass, a 15-yard completion to Rice. The Chargers' only highlight of the 3rd quarter was when Coleman returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. Then, wide receiver Mark Seay caught a pass for a successful two-point conversion (the first in Super Bowl history), but it only cut the deficit to 42-18.

    At the end of the game Young showed his jubilation at finally being able to win "the big one" while accepting the MVP trophy. "There were times when this was hard! But this is the greatest feeling in the world! "No one -- no one -- can ever take this away from us! No one, ever! It's ours!" Young and his teammates were equally enthusiastic in the locker room afterwards. "We're part of history", said guard Jesse Sapolu. "This is probably the best offense people will see in their lifetimes." "Is this great or what?" Young added. "I mean, I haven't thrown six touchdown passes in a game in my life. Then I throw six in the Super Bowl! Unbelievable."[1]
  10. Bill
    338. Posted by Bill Tue Nov 24 5:14pm EST

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    The team got tired of Russels immature atitude, notice how much harder they played for Gradowskis
    Al Davis needs to retire and hire Mike Holmgren as team president and let him run the team!
    How much do I have to lower my IQ to become a Raider fan
  11. brian b
    337. Posted by brian b Tue Nov 24 5:14pm EST

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    The Oakland Raiders have captured three World Championships of professional football with victories in Super Bowls XI, XV and XVIII. Each Super Bowl was marked by dominating performances in all three phases of the game—offense, defense and special teams.

    World Championships for the Chargers a big fat egg. That's because you have never had a team that could dominate in all three phase of the game and don't have it this year. Won't have it next year but might someday when you move out of San Diego.
  12. brian b
    336. Posted by brian b Tue Nov 24 5:10pm EST

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    The Oakland Raiders began play in 1960 as part of the American Football League (AFL). After a sluggish start to the franchise, and the emergence of Al Davis in 1963, the Raiders became the most dominant team during the 10 years of AFL existence. The NFL and AFL officially merged in 1970 allowing the Raiders to expand the horizons of competition and dominance. The Raiders have a .500 or better record against 26 of 31 teams in the National Football League.
  13. brian b
    335. Posted by brian b Tue Nov 24 5:09pm EST

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    The Raiders lead the all-time series 55-44-2.
  14. SCSF- LA where repeats and 3-peats happen!
    334. Posted by SCSF- LA where repeats and 3-peats happen! Tue Nov 24 5:06pm EST

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    w/ j-oaklands 4 wins a season ave. the Bolts could pass the Raiders in all time Record wins vs losses and w/ another losing season from the Raiders that ties the Chargers in that column too.

    2000 season to present the Raiders are 60-94 Chargers 79-75
    a couple things aren't changing in j-oakland anytime soon.....

    1. Al Davis
    2. J Russell
    3. O_line
  15. brian b
    333. Posted by brian b Tue Nov 24 4:56pm EST

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    You guys could beat us 2x a year for the next five years and we would still own you all time.
  16. brian b
    332. Posted by brian b Tue Nov 24 4:54pm EST

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    Hell no. mad at the Raiders for being crappy? Yeah right. Every team has slumps and even record breaking slumps. I'm a fan for life. I can still take solace in the fact we own you all time. People claiming the Chargers are good this year are the noobs. You haven't learned from the past 15 seasons. They are one and done for life. Only noobs think an old LT and weak San Diego d can make it past the first round.
  17. brian b
    331. Posted by brian b Tue Nov 24 4:51pm EST

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    It's actually pointless to bring up the fact that the Chargers have never amounted to anything in its existence except for a measly AFL championship. Everyone here knows the RAiders are the more storied franchise and the Chargers will need another 40 years just to come close to living in our shadow. The real issue here is that the Chargers don't stand a chance at making it to the Championship game. I don't even think they will make it out of the first round. So good luck and happy thanksgiving. At least you have the Lakers to be happy about.
  18. t dawg
    330. Posted by t dawg Tue Nov 24 4:44pm EST

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    wow this brian kid must be a noob to the nfl. He's just mad that his raiders can't even get to a .300 on the year while the Chargers roll over the Raider's. I think he got anger issues with his team over him hating the Chargers period. And as for LT making the HOF, you must be an idiot to not see LT will be inducted to the HOF way before his raiders get close to a .500 record again. only thing i can say about you is that i give you mad props for standing up for your team even though your team is worthless and your owner needs to croak asap. Chargers all the way
  19. brian b
    329. Posted by brian b Tue Nov 24 4:39pm EST

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    YOu do realize that the AFL in the 60's was the inferior league? Winning an AFL championship is the equivalent of winning the triple A world series.
  20. brian b
    328. Posted by brian b Tue Nov 24 4:37pm EST

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    OH that's a t. lol. So you been to the playoffs only 12 times. You should be proud lol.
  21. brian b
    327. Posted by brian b Tue Nov 24 4:36pm EST

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    dude you guys haven't been relevant since 1994. I wouldn't talk smack about the Raiders living in the past. Your AFL days are laughable although it was the last time you beat the Patriots in a playoff game. ANd how can you make 112 trips to the playoffs when the league is only 40 years old? Did you eat paint chips as a child?
  22. SCSF- LA where repeats and 3-peats happen!
    326. Posted by SCSF- LA where repeats and 3-peats happen! Tue Nov 24 4:29pm EST

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    The Chargers won one AFL title in 1963 and reached the AFL playoffs five times and the AFL Championship four times before joining the NFL (1970) as part of the AFL-NFL Merger. In the years since then, the Chargers have made t12 trips to the playoffs and 5 appearances in the AFC Championship game and 1 Super Bowl appearance.
  23. brian b
    325. Posted by brian b Tue Nov 24 4:28pm EST

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    I'm not worried about going 6 years with such a crappy record. there is no way a team can go forty years without winning the big game so I know the Raiders will win another super bowl. I guarantee the Raiders will win 4 before the Chargers even make it.
  24. brian b
    324. Posted by brian b Tue Nov 24 4:26pm EST

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    So your saying that the Chargers getting raped by Roth and company last year is one of your "accomplishments" lmao.
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