ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com' s Bill Williamson

A mid-week dip in the AFC West mailbag:

Joey: With the problems JL Higgins is having returning punts and Lane?s desire to add depth, why wouldn?t Al just put Shields on IR since he is not practicing anyway and bring in Koren Robinson? He knows the WC offense and he is an excellent return guy? Any news on Koren?

BW: The Raiders talked about Robinson earlier this summer. Oakland, depending on what happens with Javon Walker, could add another veteran receiver. Robinson could possibly be in the mix then. As for Higgins, let's see what he can do the rest of the preseason. While he had a bad night at Tennessee last week, he was excellent against San Francisco. The Raiders have not given up on him yet.

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Alex: Hey Bill. Thanks for taking my question and opinion(s). Im a big Chiefs fan and everyone (I feel) thinks that another 4-12 year is coming. Im not saying this just cause im a Chiefs fan but they got alot of young raw talent. Obviousley people know about Glenn Dorsey, Branden Albert, Brandon Flowers, and Jamaal Charles. But they got other talented players. One that I have been inpressed with is Brad Cottman the TE from Tennessee. I also like Will Franklin WR from Missouri and S DeJuan Morgan. Now the Chiefs are good at FS and SS with Jarred Page and Bernard Pollard. But if you think about it second place may be possible with the Raiders and Broncos. Im not sayin the Chiefs mill make the playoffs or anything, Im think around 6-10 maybe a little better. But what are your thoughts on them??

BW: I am thinking along the same lines as you are, Alex. You know, the Chiefs could improve and make strides in 2008 and duplicate that 4-12 record that they endured last season. This team is not built for this season. If the Chiefs win six games and are competing at the end of the season, it would be considered great progress. As silly as it sounds, I don't think this is the year to judge the Chiefs on wins and losses.

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Sean: How come most fans don't know about Nnamdi Asomugha?

BW: I got the same question about San Diego cornerback Antonio Cromartie recently. My response to this question is similar to the response to that question. If Asomugha continues to be an interception machine, fans will notice. During free agency next winter, folks may learn about this player as well. Asomugha is about to cash in. Fans of other teams in division should get to know this player. He's a fine cover corner with terrific ball skills.

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Stan: Bill, Why do poeple just assume Bolt would play WR? He doesn't have to catch to play DB. You tell him to shadow the other teams best or tallest WR and knock anything down that comes near him. If he catches it, great. If not, that's still good. He doesn't have to be physical to be a DB. Look at Dion Sanders. Just my thoughts. Stan

BW: Stan, it's a valid question. I think the folks who've talked about the great Jamaican sprinter coming to the NFL, which by the way is all speculation at this point, have just assumed that he would play wide receiver. But that assumption is coming from NFL types. Bolt is 6-foot-5 and ran the 100 meters in 9.69 seconds. He would be a phenomenal receiver if he were to be able to learn this position. Nearly every other track star turn NFL player has been a receiver. Let's face it, the NFL is won by scoring points. Scouts are always looking for players who can score touchdowns. Of course, those players who can stop others from scoring touchdowns are valued highly as well. Bolt's size and speed would likely make him to be more of a receiver than a cornerback. But again, Stan, good question.

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Eric: You made the point that the Raider run defense still struggled against the run. True, but on the other hand, this is against the same team that the previous week ran up 340?? yards against the Rams. Overall, I'm seeing a lot more "active" defense from these guys than what we saw last year. To me, they look significantly improved.

BW: Eric, the Raiders need to worry about themselves and fixing that run defense, which finished 31st in the NFL last year. No offense, but to get excited about being run over by the Titans less than they ran over the Rams is not productive for the Raiders. They have to get better at stopping the run. Oakland is an improved team and could make some noise, but it has to stop the run. That is a major priority this preseason.

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Rob: Bill, why is Herm so old school and hell bent on running the football? I mean everyone knows KC is going to run the ball and everyone is going to stack the box, so why dont they pass on first down and run on second type thing? I mean I am getting pissed off watching us run right into 9 people or on 3rd and 12 we run a draw or a short screen? Will they ever get it right in KC, because who in the NFl is scared of the KC chiefs?

BW: I think it is a combination of Herman Edwards' style and new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey's style. The Chiefs are about ball control. With quarterback Brodie Croyle and with Larry Johnson as the lead back, I don't see it as a problem. The Chiefs will grind out wins this year. That will be their best way of success on offense.

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Luke: Do you think Marshall will try and appeal the suspension? and if not, or if the suspension is not uplifted will it affect the broncos greatly in their first two games, predicting Marshall does what he needs to to bring it down to two games?

BW: Yes, Marshall is appealing his suspension. He's basically appealing because that's what most people do. I don't think there's much of a chance he wins. Marshall's best chances are to go through the program that the NFL has offered him so he can knock down that suspension from three games to two games.

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Ryan: Hey Bill, you are doing a great job. Referring back to the question about the #3 receiver in SD, why haven't the Chargers given Osgood much of a chance to play a part in the Offense. He broke records at SDSU, he's an incredible athlete and stands out no matter what he does. You think he will ever contribute to our offense?

BW: Thanks, Ryan. Osgood could get some time as a backup receiver and he certainly wants that to be the case. The Chargers value him mostly as a special teams player. And he is one of the best special teams players in the NFL. Unless there are several injuries, he may have to be happy with that role.

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Adam: Bill, the Chargers are loaded with talented starters. But, I think that what makes them a more dangerous team this year is their depth. Losing Turner is no small detail, but it just seems that so many other guys are stepping up and proving that they are ready to contribute. Naanee, Tucker, Waters, Hester, Antwan Applewhite, Cason...all these players have got a chance to open some eyes in '08. Do you see the Chargers being as good as some people have predicted, or will the rest of the AFC West be able to close the gap that has become so wide the past few seasons?

BW: You are really onto something, Adam. NFL coaches consistently talk about the importance of depth. The deepest teams are the teams that usually go the deepest into the postseason. Let's face it, every team suffers injuries during the season. It just happens. So depth becomes very important. Chargers general manager A.J. Smith has constructed a very deep roster. The Chargers' depth was evident last week in St. Louis when San Diego coach Norv Turner kept out 13 starters, because of the St. Louis turf. If the Chargers go deep into the playoffs, it will be, partly, because of their d
epth.