ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Friends, the questions have been coming in at a torrid pace and they've been great. Thanks for making this AFC West mailbag work.

Without further ado:

Ryan: Hey Bill I got a question. Two years ago Phillip Rivers was a Pro Bowl QB. And last year he had his struggles, do you think with the up and coming Jackson and more time with Chambers he will be back to his first year form?

BW: I think so. I am a Rivers' believer. Remember, he is in the second year of Norv Turner's offense now. Like nearly every facet of the Chargers team, Rivers struggled to adjust to Turner's system last year. Turner is a fine, fine quarterback coach. With Turner's tutelage, Rivers' ability and a very underrated pair of receivers, I expect to see a highly efficient, effective Philip Rivers in 2008.

Kevin: Hey Bill, With the new Tom Cable Zone blocking scheme in Oakland turning Gallery into one of the best guards in the league, Do you think that Kwame Harris can follow suit? (Gallery and Carlise allowed 2 sacks all season last year)

BW: Kevin, you are right, Cable is an effective coach who knows how to teach the zone-blocking scheme. But I wouldn't go as far as saying Gallery is one of the best guards in the NFL. Many people are the league still look at him as a liability. Another year in Cable's system will help Gallery continue to improve, but he is not the Pro Bowl player he was expected to be. Anyway, Harris is another first-round player who struggled. It will be interesting to see how the former San Francisco flameout develops under Cable's tutelage.

Justin: Hey Bill, What do you think Jeff Webb's chances of securing the starting receiver spot opposite Dwayne Bowe are?

BW: Webb has a chance. He is competing with Devard Darling and rookie Will Franklin. The preseason will tell the tale here. I know the Chiefs like Franklin, a fourth-round pick from Missouri, and will give him every chance to get on the field. But again, whoever performs the best in the preseason will win the job. If Webb is not the starter opposite Bowe, he should be in the rotation.

Steven: Who would you rather put as the backup HB behind LT....Darren Sproles or Jacob Hester?

BW: Both of them, Steven. I think there's room for both Sproles and Hester in San Diego's offense. Sproles can spread the field them and break long runs and he's ideal for third-down situations as a receiver. Hester, who also plays fullback, will be great in short-yardage situations. The Chargers have such a varied offense, I think both players will make an impact.

Anaheim: I know the Raiders have been bad since their superbowl berth in 2002 but they been to superbowl lately and the rest of the AFC West haven't been in a long time. They were sixth in rushing last year but writers seem to overlook that and try focus on the negative. They have a good enough defense(probably the best back 7 in the NFL)and if the offense can play consistent, the Raiders can be a Cleveland this year

BW: Well, somebody's going to be this year's Cleveland. Every year there is a team that comes out of nowhere and performs well. I wouldn't be shocked if it was Oakland. The Raiders are improved on offense and have fire power there. And yes, the defense is talented. Perhaps the most important intangible is Oakland schedule. The Raiders all play just one team that finished over 500 last year in their first 12 games. Oakland could go into December and into the playoff push with a solid record.

Chuck: Are the broncos a playoff team and how good will Jay Cutler be this year?

BW: I think the Broncos have a lot of work to do before they can be considered a playoff team. But what do I know? Coach Mike Shanahan said the other day on the radio that he does believe Denver will be a playoff team. There's some nice pieces here, but the Broncos are pretty young and a need a lot of young players to develop quickly for the playoffs to be a possibility this season. As far Cutler, I think he can be a standout and we'll see a big improvement in his second full season as a starter.

Ryan: Do you think Michael Bush is a better fit as a FB? He has size, a good runner and it would give JaMarcus Russell another reciever to throw at since M.Bush has a great hands.

BW: I think Bush will stay as a tailback. Sure, there may be some alignments where he fits in as fullback. But that's because the team is so loaded at tailback. But I think Bush will be a big weapon for Oakland, especially near the goal line.

Michael: The Chargers are loaded again this season, can they take the step and finally beat the Patriots/ Colts to make the superbowl?

BW: I do, Michael. Now, I'm not saying the Chargers are going to surpass New England and Indianapolis. Those are two powerful teams, but I think the Chargers, on paper, are as talented. The Chargers have knocked on the door the last two years, and I think this veteran team is ready to take that next step.

Pat: Bill, as a Chiefs fan living in New Jersey I appreciate all the work you do to keep me updated. Keep up the great work! My question is: At what point do Herm Edwards and Carl Peterson have to start worrying about there jobs? It seems to me like Clark Hunt wants to start seeing results sooner rather than later. Thanks, Pat.

BW: Pat, the NFL is a win-now league. Really, every coach and general manager is on the hot seat. But I think Peterson and Edwards will get another year if the Chiefs progress. The Chiefs are probably going to be the youngest team in the NFL this year. I hear rave reviews on the draft class, and many of those players are going to play key roles this year. So if the Chiefs show some progress, I think Peterson and Edwards get the benefit of doubt because they brought in so many good players. But, like any team, progress needs to be made.

Thanks and keep the questions coming.