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» AFC Scenarios: East | West | North | South

Yes, the start of training camps is two months away, but it’s never too early to consider the coming season. A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Chargers in 2012.

Dream scenario (10-6): Although Philip Rivers had a very down 2011 by his fantastic track record, the Chargers still threw the ball effectively and should once again in 2012. Even though Vincent Jackson is in Tampa Bay, Antonio Gates is healthy and San Diego has enough at wide receiver, including better slot options, to allow for Rivers to do what Rivers does best: sling it all over the field, especially deep. San Diego does look to be noticeably improved in the front seven. That could pay off huge in terms of improvement against the run and pass as well as generate more big plays. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Melvin Ingram ends up being the defensive rookie of the year as a versatile and explosive difference-maker. I am still a huge fan of Rivers and I believe that Ryan Mathews can be an elite running back to mix in with a noticeably improved defense. But what is the ceiling if all of this comes together? A divisional crown certainly is a possibility, but I still think San Diego -- even if everything goes right -- would be a step below the top teams in the NFL.

Nightmare scenario (6-10): What if Mathews gets hurt? In a dream scenario, Mathews could have as strong a season as any running back in the NFL. But his injury history is very troubling, the Chargers have very little behind him and their offensive line ranks among the worst in the league right now. The offensive line could be the downfall of the entire team and could easily lead to injuries to the Chargers’ most important players, Rivers and Mathews. And Rivers must cut down on the interceptions. Also, how much do we really trust Gates to return to his previously amazing form for an entire season? Remember, the defense did take a big step backward last year, and it wasn’t all that long ago that the Chargers were unbelievably awful on special teams. What if glimmers of that ineptitude resurface? The worst-case scenario of 6-10 wouldn’t bode well for Norv Turner’s job.

Denver Broncos

Cornerback Tracy Porter, whose pick-six sealed the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl XLIV victory over the Indianapolis Colts, hasn't gotten around to talking trash to new Denver teammate Peyton Manning, the man who threw that ball. "I think once we finally get settled in we'll have enough time to shoot that little joke in," Porter told USA Today. "As of right now, we're both still learning."

The Broncos' trade of backup cornerback Cassius Vaughn to Indianapolis for little-used fullback Chris Gronkowski is most significant for the fact that it's Matt Russell's first trade since taking over as director of player personnel, Mike Klis notes.

Defensive end Elvis Dumervil is "more in shape" than at this point last year, he tells the Broncos' official site, and credits the team's strength coach and a new nutrition plan.

After a Pro Bowl rookie season, Broncos linebacker Von Miller landed the Denver Athletic Club's Colorado Athlete of the Year award.

Kansas City Chiefs

Coach Romeo Crennel, who grew up in a military family, and linebacker Caleb Campbell, a West Point grad who holds the rank of lieutenant in the U.S. Army, were among a Chiefs contingent that visited a junior high school at nearby Fort Leavenworth.

Oakland Raiders

With more talent on his side of the ball than on defense, new Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp is going to need to keep the unit humming and take some pressure off Dennis Allen's defense, Mark Purdy writes in the San Jose Mercury News.

Mike Goodson, an offseason trade acquisition from Carolina, is making an impression with coaches in his quest to win the backup running back job.

San Diego Chargers

General manager A.J. Smith laughed off Las Vegas picking the Chargers to finish second in the division, behind Denver. "I couldn't care less about predictions," Smith told U-T San Diego on Wednesday. "It's fun to do, and it stimulates conversation."

Coach Norv Turner told season-ticket holders during a conference call that he'll lean "heavily" on special-teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia this season after Bisaccia was given the title of assistant head coach.

Denver Broncos

Champ Bailey says he doesn't anticipate a move to safety. "I'm a realist, though, if I see myself on tape and I think it's time to make a move, I'll know it's time to make a move, I'll be the first to see it, I'll be the first to know it," Bailey said, smiling. "In my mind, though, I might not say it right away, I might wait for somebody to ask."

Veteran defensive tackle Justin Bannan tells Lindsay Jones that he "tries not to" think too much about what effect playing football might have on his body down the road.

Kansas City Chiefs

Starting safeties Eric Berry and Kendrick Lewis aren't on the field for this week's practices, but are seemingly on course to be back for training camp, the Kansas City Star reports.

The Chiefs signed free-agent wide receiver Aaron Weaver, who played collegiately at Syracuse in 2010 but missed 2011 with a knee injury.

Oakland Raiders

In a (very) brief statement following the Raiders' organized team activities Tuesday, linebacker Rolando McClain apologized for "the bad publicity that's been put out there" following his legal troubles, CSN Bay Area reports. McClain's teammates have said the linebacker seems unfazed by the recent events.

The new defensive scheme is getting good reviews from players so far, according to the Raiders' official site.

Tight end David Ausberry has added 15 pounds this offseason and is up to 265 as he focuses on claiming a starting role, CBSSports.com reports.

San Diego Chargers

A rules change that will require all players to wear knee and thigh pads beginning in 2013 is "dumb," cornerback Quentin Jammer told U-T San Diego.

Philip Rivers lost pal and backup Billy Volek in a salary-cap move over the offseason, but a reunion with Charlie Whitehurst has the Chargers' starting quarterback feeling pretty comfortable, Kevin Acee writes.

Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning's presence will undoubtedly improve Willis McGahee's rushing stats -- at least that's what McGahee is preaching, and Denver Post columnist Mark Kiszla says the Broncos running back has a sermon he can back up.

Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams' trial on driving under the influence and traffic charges ended Monday in a mistrial.

Who is the most indispensable player to his team in the NFL today? At least three NFL.com writers answer the question by saying the Broncos cannot succeed in 2012 without Manning under center.

Kansas City Chiefs

Matt Cassel defends his position as the Chiefs' starting quarterback, telling Sports Radio 610 in Kansas City: “I believe in myself, and I know I’m a good quarterback. Of course there are going to be criticisms and everything like that, and that’s part of the business. ... And hopefully it’s all going to go in the right direction, we’re going to win a lot of ball games, get in the playoffs, and ideally we’d like to win a Super Bowl.”

Arrowhead Pride takes a closer look at fourth-round pick, wide receiver Devon "Wiggles" Wylie out of Fresno State.

The Chiefs are using Dexter McCluster as a wideout -- for now. The Kansas City Star's Adam Teicher has more observations from practice.

Oakland Raiders

San Jose Mercury News' Tim Kawakami says Raiders middle linebacker Rolando McClain's actions and his spotty play have shown he's the polar opposite of the kinds of players GM Reggie McKenzie and new coach Dennis Allen want in their locker room.

If there were such a thing as an offseason practice MVP, fifth-round draft pick Juron Criner would walk away with the trophy. Criner, a rookie out of Arizona, even impressed Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer.

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers are in need of a third-down back, and it just so happens the best running back in franchise history and the fifth-leading rusher in NFL history is looking for a team to join. GM A.J. Smith should set aside past differences and bring LaDainian Tomlinson back, says the North County Times' Jay Paris.

Opinions vary on funding for a new Chargers stadium. San Diego’s four major mayoral candidates state their cases.

Denver Broncos

Mike Klis of The Denver Post: "The meshing of [John] Fox and [Peyton] Manning, and Manning and the Broncos, begins today with the Broncos' first organized team activity (OTA) workout at their Dove Valley headquarters."

Denver has reportedly started talks on a contract extension with left tackle Ryan Clady.

Kansas City Chiefs

Josh Looney of KCChiefs.com offers a preview of the team's OTAs that start Monday.

SI.com's Don Banks includes running back Jamaal Charles among those players primed for a bounce-back season in 2012.

Oakland Raiders

Toni Monkovic of The New York Times' Fifth Down Blog asks: "To put it in today’s terms, was the Raiders’ use of illegal pads [back in the day] on par or even worse than the Saints’ bounty system?"

Wide receiver Denarius Moore says he's fine with receiving added attention from defensive backs.

San Diego Chargers

Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego: "For eight long years, since just after the dawn of the A.J. Smith period, we’ve been teased with every reason to believe that this is the year a Chargers team that looks so good will actually be good enough. And so … with the caution that this could well be like the movie trailer that promises thrills and chills only to turn out to be 'John Carter,' I am intrigued enough by what I see and hear to deliver the teasing news that the Chargers have perhaps found the final pieces of the puzzle."

Scott Bair of the North County Times goes one-on-one with rookie safety Brandon Taylor.

Here are some highlights from our AFC West chat, held earlier Thursday:

Denver

McNutty from Seattle: Does the signing of [Joel] Dreessen and [Jacob] Tamme (Dreesetamme) mean that Denver is not counting on Julius Thomas this year?

Bill Williamson: They are giving Thomas time. Tamme and Dreessen are ready to go. Thomas is a developmental player. If he comes on strong (as he did in camp last year before he was injured), he'll get his chance.

Kansas City

Atilla from St. Louis: Bill - what do you see that makes you believe that [Jon] Baldwin can make the step to become a better than average receiver. I was not impressed with the fight issues last year, and I hoping he grew from that experience. His best catch was one that was nullified against Denver behind the safety's back.

BW: He has big ability and he fits the offense. He has a chance. But he has to keep his head on straight.

Oakland

Scott Seymour from Anaheim, Calif.: Which AFC West team has the best receiver group?

BW: I think Oakland has a chance to be the deepest in the division. Really, it's a young group of receivers throughout the division and I want to see which group steps up. But I do like how deep Oakland's receivers are.

San Diego

Sergio from Tijuana, Mexico: Hi Bill, what expectations do you have for Robert Meachem, can he be this year's Reggie Bush and live up to expectations with more playing time in SD?

BW: He will be given a huge opportunity. He has great speed and he is a vertical threat. That is perfect for Philip Rivers' arm and Norv Turner's scheme. They expect him to be a difference maker. I think health is the key for him.

San Diego coach Norv Turner is thrilled about the addition of former Kansas City fullback Le’Ron McClain to the Chargers’ backfield.

“The guy I’m really excited that we added in the offseason is Le’Ron McClain, because he’s a very versatile player and he’s a big old-school fullback,” Turner said in a radio interview. “But he’s a good runner, he’s got good catching skills and I think he’ll be a big addition.”

It has to make you wonder if the Chargers feel set at running back. McClain had a total of 89 carries in the past three seasons combined with the Chiefs and Ravens. In 2008 with Baltimore, McClain had 902 yards on 232 carries.

With McClain as an option along with starter Ryan Mathews, Curtis Brinkley and rookie Edwin Baker, the Chargers may feel fine at running back. They looked at backup running backs prior to the draft, but they haven’t pursued many running backs in the past few weeks.

Perhaps Turner’s comments on McClain indicate he could have a big role.

According to the fine folks who took our AFC West poll this week, new Oakland backup quarterback Matt Leinart is the best backup in the AFC West.

We asked readers this week who they think is the best backup quarterback in the division. All four backups are new in 2012. In addition to Leinart in Oakland, Caleb Hanie is in Denver, Brady Quinn is in Kansas City and Charlie Whitehurst is the backup in San Diego.

Overall, it is not a good group that backs up a good group of starters in the division. Still, in our poll, Leinart received 38 percent of the vote as of 2:05 p.m. ET Wednesday. Quinn received 35 percent of the vote, Whitehurst received 15 percent and Hanie received 11 percent. Yes, that adds up to 99 percent. That means the final percent was split too evenly to be assigned to one player.

I can see why Leinart won the vote. He fits the West Coast offense and he has history with Oakland offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and starter Carson Palmer. Still, like any of these backups, I don’t see Leinart having long-term success if he has to spell Palmer for an extended period.

This is how I listed the group in a recent post: Quinn, Leinart, Hanie and Whitehurst. But they are closely bunched so I can’t argue too much with these poll results. Thanks to everyone who played along.

AFC West blogger Bill Williamson talks about the impact that the new CBA is having on rookie signings.

Editor’s note: Because Bill Williamson traveled to Oakland on Tuesday, this video was produced Monday. It was made prior to the Chargers signing third-round pick Brandon Taylor. The Chargers have now signed their complete draft class.

» NFC pressure points: West | North | South | East
» AFC pressure points: West | North | South | East

Examining who faces the most challenging season for the Chargers and why.

San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith and coach Norv Turner have been and always will be linked.

They will succeed together in San Diego or probably will be fired together in 2012. Smith and Turner were expected to be fired after the Chargers failed to make the playoffs for a second straight time in 2011. If the Chargers miss the postseason again, both probably will be fired, barring a stunning chain of events.

Smith has done his job for 2012, and he had a strong free agency before the draft.

Now, it’s all up to Turner.

Arguably, no one in the AFC West faces more pressure than Turner this season. Every time the Chargers lose a game, Turner will be reminded of his tenuous job security. Every time one of his players makes a mistake, folks will wonder what Turner could have done to prevent it.

Turner knows the deal. He’s fine if he wins. If he loses, the pressure could lead to his departure from San Diego.

A few weeks ago, I ranked the backup quarterbacks in the AFC West.

I concluded that it is not a strong group. I think the division has a good group of starting quarterbacks, but the backups leave something to the imagination.

I ranked Kansas City's Brady Quinn as the best backup in the division. I don’t think much separates any of the reserves, though.

What do you think? Please take our poll and let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

We will review the poll results Wednesday.

The San Diego Chargers will not have any rookie holdouts this year.

UT-San Diego reported that the Chargers have signed third-round pick, safety Brandon Taylor. He was the last remaining draft pick to sign with the team.

In previous years, it would been absurd to think a team (there are a few other teams around the league to accomplish the feat this year) would have its complete draft class signed by May 14. However, as part of the new collective bargaining agreement, the new rookie pay scale has made it much easier for draftees to sign. In the past, rookie holdouts were fairly normal.

The Chiefs have signed half their class.

As expected, Oakland running back Darren McFadden is making continued progress from a foot injury that prematurely ended his 2011 season.

Peter King of Sports Illustrated thinks tight end Dallas Clark very well could end up in Kansas City. If he’s healthy (big question), he's worthwhile as a backup.

The Raiders signed several players who tried out during their recent minicamp. All of them will have to fight for a roster spot. The Chargers also signed a couple of players they just gave tryouts.

UPDATE: U-T San Diego clarified the Chargers’ signings.

Another example why Kansas City’s Romeo Crennel may be the nicest coach on the planet: He reminded his players at minicamp on Sunday to call their mothers on Mother’s Day. He said he knows that players can be forgetful.

Continuing our 2012 AFC position-by-position rankings, here are the receivers. It’s a young, fairly unproven group that lost top players Vincent Jackson and Brandon Lloyd in the past year:

1. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City: With Jackson gone, Bowe, who received the franchise tag by the Chiefs this offseason, is the clear top receiver in the division.

2. Malcom Floyd, San Diego: Floyd is good, but he probably wouldn’t be ranked this high in most divisions. If he can stay healthy, he can be a star.

3. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oakland: I have a lot of respect for Heyward-Bey for taking a big step during the 2011 season. He still is not perfect and he has to prove he can be a consistent player, but he has a chance.

4. Demaryius Thomas, Denver: I bet Thomas will be ranked at least No. 2 on this list next year. The sky is the limit.

5. Eric Decker, Denver: Peyton Manning is already talking him up. You know what that means -- lots of catches.

6. Denarius Moore, Oakland: Moore showed flashes as a rookie and he has star potential. He will be given a chance to shine.

7. Robert Meachem, San Diego: Meachem is not as good as Jackson was, but he fits the Chargers’ vertical offense and he will make his presence felt.

8. Jon Baldwin, Kansas City: Baldwin has large potential and he easily could be in the top three on this list next year. He has to show he’s ready for the challenge.

9. Jacoby Ford, Oakland: I’m a big Ford fan, but his health and the presence of Heyward-Bey and Moore may make him a third option.

10. Vincent Brown, San Diego: The Chargers love this kid. Expect nice, big numbers this year.

11. Steve Breaston, Kansas City: He’s a solid, steady receiver who can help his team win.

12. Andre Caldwell, Denver: He will be interesting to watch. The Broncos think this free-agent pickup could make his presence felt.

13. Louis Murphy, Oakland: Murphy can’t stay healthy and other receivers may have bypassed him. But he’s a pro who knows how to come up with the big catch.

14. Eddie Royal, San Diego: The former Denver receiver will be given a chance to shine in the Chargers’ rotation.

15. Devon Wylie, Kansas City: This is a projection pick. The Chiefs love him and think he can come in and make some catches as a fourth-round pick.

A San Diego Charger will never wear No. 55 again.

The Chargers formally announced that they will retire the number in honor of legendary linebacker Junior Seau. He committed suicide on May 2. He was 43.

The team hosted a celebration of life in Seau’s honor Friday night at Qualcomm Stadium. An estimated 20,000 people were there to listen to several tributes to Seau.

The number will be formally retired during a ceremony at halftime of the Chargers’ home opener against Tennessee on Sept. 16. Seau joins quarterback Dan Fouts (No. 14) and receiver Lance Alworth (No. 19) as the only players to have their numbers retired by the Chargers.

“Junior’s accomplishments on the field speak for themselves,” team owner Dean Spanos said. “His play on the field combined with his leadership and charisma became the face of this team for more than a decade. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor.”