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The San Diego Chargers are planning one final tribute for one of their greatest players of all-time.

The team announced it will host a celebration of life in honor of legendary linebacker Junior Seau. Seau, a star on the field and in the community, died Wednesday. He was 43. The death was ruled a suicide.

The event, which is open to the public, will be held at Qualcomm Stadium on Friday at 6:30 p.m. PT. Admission and parking are free. There will be special guest speakers and the events will focus on the positive impact Seau made in San Diego (he grew up nearby, in Oceanside).

The parking lot at the stadium will open at 2 and the stadium gates will open at 4:30. It is open seating and a large crowd is expected to attend.

I commend the Chargers for holding this event. I know Seau’s death has devastated a lot of people and this will help the healing process.

The team also announced donations in Seau’s honor can be mailed to the Junior Seau Foundation, 5275 Market Street, Suite B, San Diego, CA 92114. Donations can also be made online at www.juniorseau.org.

Meanwhile, Seau’s family is now reconsidering whether to donate his brain to researchers who study the impact of football violence on the brain.

Weekend mail call:

Justin R. from Blacksburg, Va., wants to know what we should expect from San Diego Chargers first round pick Melvin Ingram.

Bill Williamson: I think we will see an immediate impact. Ingram is versatile, but his primary spot will be as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He will be put in position to pass rush and be a disruptive force on the edge. However, he can also play on the defensive line in some instances and is a complete player. I think he will improve every layer of the San Diego defense.

Ben from Astoria, New York, wants to know if I think Knowshon Moreno is finished in Denver.

BW: I think he could be. Denver drafted Ronnie Hillman in the third round out of San Diego State. Willis McGahee will still be the starter. Denver could give Moreno a chance, but I don’t think the team is counting on him to do much. He is coming back from a torn ACL and he was arrested in the recent past. I don’t think he is a player that is truly on Denver’s radar. If he has a good camp, maybe he will be given a chance. But don’t expect much.

Peter from New York wants to know if I think Ricky Stanzi could push starting Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel this season.

BW: I don’t see it. Stanzi, a fifth-round pick last year, will need to bypass No. 2 quarterback Brady Quinn. Stanzi needs to make big strides in 2012 for him to get into the team’s plans. I think right now his ceiling may be as a backup. But if he progresses well, that could change.

The San Diego Chargers are reportedly interested in seeing a familiar face fill their nickel cornerback position.

U-T San Diego is reporting that the Chargers expressed interest in Drayton Florence on Friday, just after he was released by the Buffalo Bills. Florence was a second-round pick by San Diego in 2003 and he spent five seasons with the Chargers. The nine-year veteran was lost in the shuffle in Buffalo, but he started 45 games in the past three seasons.

If signed by the Chargers, Florence would provide them outstanding experience from the nickel spot. If he can’t find a starting job elsewhere, I’d think Florence would be interested in returning to San Diego.

Buffalo released cornerback Drayton Florence. He started 45 games in the past three seasons. It could be worth Oakland’s while to explore acquiring him. His experience would help at the Raiders’ biggest worry position.

Denver looked into trading for Asante Samuel, so perhaps it will be interested in Florence. Detroit could also be among the teams interested in Florence.

Can the NFL learn from the Junior Seau tragedy? U-T San Diego explores what can be done.

Is quarterback Matt Cassel ready to lead this team on a deep playoff run?

There is no doubt the Chiefs believe in Cassel. It is up to him to prove the team right.

There was speculation in both free agency and before the draft that the Chiefs would replace Cassel, or at least bring in legitimate competition. Like many teams, the Chiefs showed initial interest in Peyton Manning, but he never returned the interest. The Chiefs also investigated some of the top quarterbacks available in the draft.

In the end, the Chiefs choose not to replace Cassel, but to build the roster around him.

As a result, the Chiefs have constructed one of the deepest rosters in the AFC. Many league observers believe the Chiefs are completely set, but Cassel remains a question mark.

If Cassel doesn’t succeed this season after being given every opportunity to do so, the Chiefs will have to consider making a change in 2013.

Did the Chargers do enough on defense?

If the San Diego Chargers are going to end a two-year playoff drought and coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith are going to save their jobs, the defense must make strides.

The unit was the worst in the NFL on third down last season, and it lacked fire.

Improving the defense was one of the primary goals in the 2012 offseason. Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, who some in the organization believe was a major reason for the unit's lack of success, was fired, and linebackers coach John Pagano replaced him. Pagano reminds some of former successful San Diego defensive coordinator Wade Phillips because of his approach.

The team signed underrated former Baltimore linebacker Jarret Johnson in free agency and concentrated on defense in the draft.

San Diego drafted South Carolina pass-rusher Melvin Ingram, Connecticut defensive tackle Kendall Reyes and LSU safety Brandon Taylor in the first three rounds. All three players are expected to contribute right away.

Ingram is highly regarded and has a chance to make an instant impact as a pass-rusher, which the Charges badly need. If these players develop quickly and Ingram is as polished as expected, the Chargers should be much more effective defensively.

Can the Raiders stay in the race in 2012?

The Oakland Raiders are a team in transition.

Steadying the organization with an eye on the future is the goal of new general manager Reggie McKenzie, who is taking over the direction of the team after the death of legendary Oakland owner Al Davis. Davis died at the age of 82 last October. Because Davis desperately tried to win in his final years, McKenzie was saddled with a poor salary-cap situation and a lack of draft picks.

The result is that Oakland has not been able to add many major pieces who can help right away. The problem is, Oakland’s three competitors in the AFC West -- Denver, Kansas City and San Diego -- all made significant additions.

The Raiders’ additions were more of the modest variety. If Oakland, which was 8-8 and lost the AFC West title to Denver via a tiebreaker last season, has a chance to win the division for the first time in 10 years, it must hope quarterback Carson Palmer finds his groove, running back Darren McFadden stays healthy, its young receivers continue to develop and the defense makes huge strides under new coach Dennis Allen.

Oakland has depth issues on both sides of the ball, so it can’t sustain many major injuries. There is talent in Oakland, and the team is on the right track for the future, but the question is: Can the Raiders compete in the immediate future?

Did the Broncos improve enough on defense?

Yes, it’s all about Peyton Manning in Denver. If the quarterback is healthy, the Broncos should score a lot of points and be in position to win a lot of games.

But if the Broncos are going to be a true contender in the AFC, they must improve on defense. Denver made solid strides last season on defense -- it went from No. 32 to No. 20 in total defense. Still, improvements are needed heading into 2012.

The Broncos went into the draft with a hole in the defensive front. They added Cincinnati defensive tackle Derek Wolfe in the second round and Tennessee defensive end Malik Jackson. He is versatile, but he is expected to play at end. Both players are expected to step into the defensive line rotation.

The Broncos tried to improve all layers of the defense this offseason, and they are better. The pass-rushing duo of Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil gives Denver a tremendous advantage. It doesn’t need to be great on defense, but it has to be better.

The draft picks of Wolfe and Jackson should help.

The San Diego County medical examiner's office has officially ruled that San Diego legendary linebacker Junior Seau committed suicide.

The office ruled that Seau died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest on Wednesday morning in his hometown of Oceanside, Calif. He was 43.

Now that Seau’s death has been officially ruled a suicide, I feel comfortable expressing a couple of thoughts.

I hope this terrible situation can help save other lives.

What struck me most Wednesday, as reaction to Seau’s death poured in, was the raw pain and love his family and friends had for Seau. Listening to interviews with his mother and former teammates Marcellus Wiley, Tedy Bruschi and Lorenzo Neal, it was clear that Seau would have been helped if only he had told his loved ones that he was hurting.

No one knew how bad he needed help. Folks, I’m not trying to get on a soapbox here, but if people need help, they just need to ask someone. If Seau could have seen the reaction to the death, I’d like to think there’s no way he would have killed himself.

The Seau family has decided to donate his brain for research studies on the effects of violent football hits. The brain of former NFL player Dave Duerson was donated for research, per Duerson’s request in a suicide note before he killed himself is a similar fashion as Seau.

I think any research to prevent further tragedies is worthwhile. But to automatically believe Seau and Duerson had the same issues may be taking the easy way out and it may be a coping mechanism.

No one knows what kind of pain Seau was enduring and to speculate may be a useless exercise. The question why Junior Seau took his own life will eternally be asked.

In a radio interview, Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli strongly denied a rumor that the Chiefs talked about trading franchise receiver Dwayne Bowe last week.

I fully expect Bowe to eventually sign his tender or sign an extension by the July deadline and be with the Chiefs this season. The fact that he is not going to the team’s organized team activities is really not that big of deal and common practice.

Pioli’s strong denial is another indication Bowe is in the team’s plans.

• Meanwhile, Jacksonville cut corner back Drew Coleman. He is a veteran who could interest Oakland. The Raiders could use another veteran cornerback.

Shelley Smith with the latest on Junior Seau's death.

I caught up to Steve Muench of Scouts Inc. to get one thought that jumps out to him about each AFC West team’s draft last week.

Let’s take a look:

Denver

The drafting of Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler in the second round: “I like Osweiler. But it is a risky pick since the Broncos just signed a young backup in Caleb Hanie. There are other needs to address in the second round. But I get why Denver likes Osweiler and I think he can develop into a starter. He has a lot of tools and a great upside. He moves much better than people think. He has a funky release and he has to become a better decision maker, but there is a lot to like about him.”

Kansas City

The drafting of Fresno State receiver Devon Wylie in the fourth round: “I think Wylie can make an impact right away. To put him between their two big receivers (Dwayne Bowe and Jon Baldwin) and he can be very dangerous. He’s explosive and he knows how to get open. I think he can catch 40 passes and average 15-20 yards per catch.”

Oakland

The drafting of Utah offensive lineman Tony Bergstrom and San Diego State linebacker Miles Burris in the third and fourth rounds: “(Oakland general manager) Reggie McKenzie didn’t have a lot to work with, but he did some good things. Bergstrom is a guard or a tackle who will be a starter some day. He is a solid player. Burris is a guy I like. He is a heat-seeking missile, who creates a lot of explosion when he hits people.”

San Diego

The drafting of Michigan State running back Edwin Baker in the seventh round: "It was huge for San Diego to get Baker in the seventh round. I thought he’d be a fourth-rounder who could sneak in the end of the third round. He is an effective, hard-nosed Big Ten running back who lacks an ideal frame. He can be effective. It’s incredible he lasted until the seventh round."

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

Denver

Lynn from Denver: Bill, will Peyton play in the preseason at a normal clip for a #1 QB or will the broncos be careful and even though he missed all of last year and just let him go in the regular season?

Bill Williamson: I think the preseason will be interesting. Manning hasn't played since Jan. 2011. So, he will need some playing time to knock off the rest, but can't be overused in August.

Kansas City

Brent from Hays: Regardless of Cassel's year in KC would it be a good idea for them to draft a QB high next year?

BW: Well, I think it all depends on Cassel's season. If he is great, no, but if he's just so-so, I think the Chiefs try to go get a QB.

Oakland

Eric from Cali.: Raiders have an explosive offense, very good special teams. If defense can get in top 15 do u see the contending in West ?

BW: Here's the keys: Palmer plays well, McFadden stays healthy, Receivers develop, and defense stays healthy and gets better.

San Diego

Jackson from Ca.,: Obviously loved the Ingram pick but what do you think of the prospects of Taylor and Green?

BW: Don't forget Kendall Reyes. I liked all of these picks. Taylor was a second-round talent and he has a chance to break the starting lineup at some point early in his career. Green is a good prospect down the road.

The aftereffects of legendary linebacker Junior Seau's stunning death on Wednesday are developing quickly.

Sports Illustrated reported Boston University’s Center for Traumatic Encephalopathy, which has famously studied the brains of several dead football players for injuries consistent with blows to the head, wants to take a look at Seau’s brain.

Seau died at his Oceanside, Calif., home due to a gunshot wound to the chest, according to police. It is being investigated as a suicide. Seau was 43.

Former NFL player Dave Duerson killed himself with a gunshot to the chest and he left a suicide note asking for his brain to be examined. Reportedly, Seau did not leave a suicide note.

Meanwhile, former Oakland receiver Tim Brown told Bay Area radio station 957The Game to not jump to any conclusions about Seau's death.

On a related note, one ESPN.com columnist reflects on football’s involvement in Seau’s death.

New Oakland head coach Dennis Allen told the Bay Area News Group that if the Raiders use a 3-4 defense that Tommy Kelly would be the nose tackle. Allen has yet to commit to a base defense and he has said Oakland will use multiple fronts.

There have been indications that the 4-3 defense will be the team’s base, but I do expect some 3-4 looks.

Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. thinks Oakland should use multiple looks and he thinks Kelly could fill the nose tackle role in some instances.

“I think it would be foolish for Oakland not to be multiple and I am sure they know that is the plan,” Williamson said. “With defensive linemen like Lamarr Houston and, especially, Richard Seymour and Kelly, they have a lot of versatility where they line up up front. … Looking over the roster, the Raiders do lack a true plugger early down nose tackle. Kelly would fit that mold best.”

In other AFC West news:

Former Chiefs and Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer mourns the death of Junior Seau.

New Denver quarterback Peyton Manning hit the field with his new teammates and coaches for the first time.

Bill Barnwell thinks the Raiders and Chargers are among the teams still with a glaring hole.

Baltimore star pass-rusher Terrell Suggs could miss the entire season with a torn Achilles. The Ravens play the AFC West this season.