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ESPN.com NFL Power Ranking (pre-camp): 27

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Sure, Scott Pioli and Todd Haley would rather their Kansas City Chiefs program was further along than it is as they approach the second preseason game of their second summer at the helm.

But they know it’s a long process. And the process is taking shape.

“I’ve been a part of great teams,” said Pioli, who was an executive in New England during its glory years. “We’re not there, but I’m encouraged. I feel better than I did this time last year.”

Pioli and Haley, whom Pioli hired as a first-time head coach in 2009, knew it would be a challenge when they took over a Kansas City team that won a combined six games in 2007 and '08. The Chiefs were not much better last season, finishing 4-12, but the team did make strides late in the year.

“I knew last year wasn’t going to be easy or fun or smooth or comfortable,” Haley said. “And it lived up to expectations. ... But we were building a program and trying to change things. We’re doing it our way.”

As a result, Pioli and Haley have seen progress this offseason and so far in camp.

“It’s apples and oranges,” Haley said. “I really like what we’re seeing. We still have a long way to go and we haven't done anything yet, but we are seeing the pieces come together in this program.”

That’s all the team’s brass can ask for from this young, intriguing team.

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Is quarterback Matt Cassel getting better? It’s difficult to say quite yet. The word is that he has been better at times during camp, but he didn’t do much against Atlanta in the first preseason game. It’s time Cassel is unleashed and given the chance to show what he can do. The team is being very careful with him. Cassel has better weapons this year. With a better supporting cast, Cassel should be better in his second season in Kansas City. But we just haven’t seen it yet. His ability to lead Kansas City will very likely, once again, be a major storyline heading into the regular season.

2. What’s the influence of the two new coordinators? We are seeing a more disciplined, organized Kansas City team this camp. Much of the reason is because Haley is in his second season and everything usually flows better in a second season of a new era. Haley also acknowledges the presence of offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel helps. The two veteran coaches, who were a big part of New England’s dynasty days, give valuable experience to Haley’s staff and bring a real presence to this team. This is a young team that has responded well to the top-notch coaching. The Chiefs are still very much a work in progress, but Weis and Crennel are helping bring this program up to speed.

“I think we have more continuity this year because of who we added to the staff,” Pioli said. “We all have history together.”

3. Where’s the pass rush coming from? We don’t know yet and that is worrisome. How are the Chiefs going to be a real contender if they don’t have a legitimate pass rush? This has been a problem in Kansas City since Jared Allen was shipped to Minnesota in 2008. We all know the Chiefs didn’t want to sign Allen to a long-term deal and we know the Chiefs got a decent bounty in return for him, but the truth is the pass rush has been almost non-existent since he left. In Allen’s first year away, the Chiefs set an NFL record for the fewest sacks in a season with 10. Last year, the pass rush was anemic as well. The lone legitimate pass-rusher on the team is Tamba Hali. He often hurries the quarterback, but he has little help. There haven’t been many people in training camp to stand up and show Kansas City they are ready to help Hali either. Thus, this may continue to be a major weak spot in Kansas City.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

Many Kansas City fans were in an uproar when Thomas Jones was listed as the starter on the camp depth chart. Jamaal Charles looked like the league’s next star running back when he finished with 1,120 yards last season after becoming the starter at midseason. Jones was signed as a free agent this offseason to complement Charles and to keep him fresh. Still, having Jones at the top of the depth chart was an indication that Charles could be buried. Don’t worry about it, though. Despite the surprising depth-chart look, Charles will get plenty of carries. This should be a dynamite pair.

“I really like where this running game is going,” Cassel said. “A good running game is a quarterback’s best friend and I think it can really help us.”

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

One of the reasons the Kansas City front seven has yet to establish itself is the lack of impact made by the team’s last two first-round picks. That can be a killer to the team. Glenn Dorsey was the No. 5 overall pick in 2008 and Tyson Jackson was the No. 3 overall pick last year. Both are starters, but neither player has had a major impact. These are supposed to be cornerstone players. If Dorsey doesn’t get it in his third season, when will he?

OBSERVATION DECK

• The Chiefs’ rookie class has the camp buzzing. Safeties Eric Berry (first round) and Kendrick Lewis (fifth), running back/receiver Dexter McCluster (second), cornerback/returner Javier Arenas (second) and tight end Tony Moeaki (third) have all stood out. Each of those players has a chance to make major contributions right away. This has a chance to be a dynamic group.
• After spending much of last season in Haley’s doghouse, linebacker Derrick Johnson is still not working with the first team. Still, Johnson is too talented not to have a role on this team.
• This has been a physical camp. Of the team’s 27 camp practices, 25 have been in pads. There’s no doubt Haley wants to make this one of the most physical teams in the league.
• Receiver Dwayne Bowe looks to be in decent shape. Bowe has had his issues under Haley, but he seems to be working fairly hard as he is about to enter a pivotal season in his career.
• Keep an eye on defensive tackle Derek Lokey. He could play a big role.
• Backup quarterback Brodie Croyle had looked pretty good in camp before suffering an arm injury. It wouldn’t be a shock if there is some interest from other teams in the former starter if he can return to health fairly soon.
• The Kansas City offensive line is improved, but right tackle Ryan O'Callaghan has struggled some. It could be a problem area.
• The Chiefs love the big leg of second-year kicker Ryan Succop. He missed two 53-yarders at Atlanta, but the team has no problem letting him rip on long attempts.
• Restricted free-agent safety Jarrad Page is staging what is the league’s quietest holdout. Nobody seems to care, the Chiefs included. They have clearly moved on with the youngsters at safety. Page could be dumped for a low draft pick at some point.
• Arenas could push third-year man Brandon Carr for some playing time at right cornerback. Arenas is good in man-to-man coverage, which the Chiefs like. Carr is more of a Cover 2 guy.
• The Chiefs have practiced the Wildcat some. With players such as Charles and McCluster available to operate it, this could be a very nice occasional wrinkle for Kansas City to use.

ESPN.com NFL Power Ranking (pre-camp): 23

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After he watched one key player after another limp to the training room this summer, Josh McDaniels came to a conclusion: The Denver Broncos are going to find a way to get better as a result.

Call it medical motivation.

“Sometimes, when everybody around you thinks the sky is falling because of injuries, it could rally a team,” the second-year Denver coach said. “That’s what we are doing. We are going to be motivated to show we can withstand what has happened to us. We’re not sitting here feeling sorry for ourselves.”

McDaniels swears Denver is having a productive training camp despite being the most injured team in the NFL. The biggest hit was the loss of star linebacker Elvis Dumervil. He is likely out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Other players who have been lost during camp include running backs Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter, receivers Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, safety Brian Dawkins and linebackers D.J. Williams and Jarvis Moss. Don’t forget that left tackle Ryan Clady is out until sometime in September after hurting his knee in the offseason.

Still, McDaniels said it’s not a time of despair, because everyone but Dumervil is expected back in the near future.

“It hurts to lose Elvis, but maybe the other injuries are good that they happened now,” McDaniels said. “We are not worrying about who is not here. We trust our depth and we’re dealing with it.”

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. How will the Tebow factor affect the team? There is not a rookie in the NFL who is getting the attention that Tim Tebow is receiving. From special Nike shoes to a hideous training-camp haircut to operating in short yardage situations, the Tebow Watch is in full force.

The question is how his work in camp will affect the team on the field. The former Florida star quarterback has operated in short-yardage situations and he will likely be used in the Wildcat formation and in the red zone. That likely means Denver will keep quarterbacks Kyle Orton, Brady Quinn and Tebow on the 45-man roster on game days. In June, McDaniels said he was leaning away from that.

But it is clear that Tebow is being groomed to be active as a rookie. Unless Tebow completely leapfrogs Quinn in training camp and in the preseason, Denver could be using three quarterbacks on game days, which will take away from another position.

2. Can this team forget the final 10 games of 2009? Denver was the most perplexing team in the NFL in 2009. It shocked the league by starting 6-0. However, it suddenly fell apart and lost eight of its final 10 games.

Which team will we see in 2010? McDaniels, of course, won’t guarantee anything, but he believes Denver is heading in the right direction because of a strong training camp.

He said the team is making big strides this year because his program is established after 14 years under Mike Shanahan. McDaniels pointed out how much smoother and productive Denver was in its team scrimmage last weekend compared to last year’s scrimmage.

“It’s night and day,” McDaniels said. “Everybody knows the system now and that has helped camp.”

3. Can the running backs stay healthy? Moreno (hamstring) and Buckhalter (back) are supposed to be ready this month. But seeing the top two running backs go down on the first full day of camp had to be scary for Denver. The team has big plans for Moreno and Buckhalter.

Denver brought in veteran LenDale White to help in camp and perhaps as a short-yardage runner once he serves a four-game NFL suspension. The team is discussing signing former Oakland tailback Justin Fargas, perhaps as soon as Wednesday.

This is still the Moreno and Buckhalter show, but the Broncos have been forced to look at other options. Expect Moreno and Buckhalter to be handled very gingerly for the rest of camp and in the preseason in an attempt to ensure their health for the start of the regular season.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

The Broncos are excited about their receivers.

Brandon Lloyd and Matthew Willis have been outstanding. Eddie Royal is playing well in camp and the team hopes he can bounce back from a poor first season under McDaniels. After catching 91 passes as a rookie, Royal had just 37 catches last season.

Add rookies Thomas and Decker and Denver could have a decent receiving crew. That looked shaky after the team sent talented but troubled Brandon Marshall to Miami in April.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

How can it be anything other than the injury to Dumervil? He is arguably Denver’s best player and he just signed a huge, new contract. Denver was looking for him to have a dominant season. Dumervil led the NFL with 17 sacks last season.

Denver will have to find a pass rush elsewhere. A top candidate is 2009 first-round pick Robert Ayers. He struggled as a rookie. But he has been good in camp. Ayers will get every chance to turn it on and help make this bad situation workable.

OBSERVATION DECK

• [+] Enlarge
  Jeff Fishbein/Icon SMIKyle Orton passed for 3,802 yards, 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions for the Broncos last season.
  Orton has quietly been a star in camp. He had a strong offseason and is, by far, the most accurate of three quarterbacks. While the future is Tebow’s in Denver, Orton is going to do everything he can to make 2010 special before he hits the free-agency market in 2011.
• Quinn, the current No. 2 quarterback in Denver, has been inaccurate often. The Broncos still like Quinn, who was acquired from Cleveland in March. However, with Orton being the immediate starter and Tebow being the future starter, he has his work cut out for him to find a spot in Denver.
• Keep an eye out for fifth-round pick Perrish Cox. He’s been outstanding in camp. “Every day, I look up and Perrish is making another big play,” Royal said. Cox is second at left cornerback behind star Champ Bailey. Cox will likely be the nickel cornerback. He is also dynamic as a return man.
• While Cox is ascending, second-year cornerback Alphonso Smith is still not progressing. Smith was the No. 37 overall pick in 2009. Denver gave up its first-round pick for Smith in 2010 (which was No. 14). He floundered as a rookie and he is not showing much improvement in camp as Cox is stealing the show.
• Richard Quinn, a second-round pick in 2009, is blocking very well in camp. He still must improve as a receiver, but Denver should feel comfortable with him in double tight-end sets with starter Daniel Graham.
• So far, defensive end Ryan McBean is holding off free-agent pickup Jarvis Green. However, the team likes Green and he is very versatile.
• Denver likes what it sees in former San Diego defensive tackle Jamal Williams in the early stages. With Dumervil out, a lot of Denver’s defensive burst must start from him at nose tackle. That may mean Williams may be on the field more than Denver likes. But he is showing, even at 34 and after missing all but one game in San Diego last year, he could still be a force.
• Denver knows it won’t all be roses, but it is at terms with rookies J.D. Walton (center) and Zane Beadles (guard) starting. Both players have showed intelligence and toughness in camp. Most importantly, they are big and strong and they are well suited for the power-blocking scheme McDaniels is adopting. Denver is scrapping the zone-blocking scheme used during the Shanahan era. One of the reasons is McDaniels wants a bigger offensive line that can stay fresh throughout the season.
• D’Anthony Batiste is doing well at left tackle. The Broncos think he will be a valuable backup when Clady returns from a knee injury in September.
• Inside linebacker Joe Mays, acquired from Philadelphia for running back J.J. Arrington less than two weeks ago, is impressing. He has worked some with the first team. He is likely to be a key backup and a special teamer.
• Veteran defensive lineman Marcus Thomas is buried on the depth chart. If he doesn’t pick up the rest of camp, he could be a candidate to be cut.
• Punter Britton Colquitt, the younger brother of Kansas City punter Dustin Colquitt, is doing well and he will likely win the job. He is going unchallenged, but if he falters, Denver could scour the waiver wire. So far, he is showing that may not be necessary.

ESPN.com NFL Power Ranking (pre-camp): 10

SAN DIEGO -- Philip Rivers, with the benefit of solid protection, dropped back, scanned the field and let loose with what is very likely the NFL’s prettiest deep ball.

Galloping down the right sideline, Malcom Floyd skied high in double coverage and brought down a spectacular catch, breaking away from coverage and reaching the end zone. A large training camp crowd erupted. It was just another big play from the explosive San Diego Chargers offense during this camp.

The Chargers are not spending the early days of camp worrying about who isn't in attendance and how are they going to survive without them. Instead, the Chargers are acting like a team preparing for a Super Bowl run with the players who are in camp.

“We’re going every day and we’re going hard,” San Diego coach Norv Turner said. "Sure, we’d like everyone here, but they aren’t here and we feel good with what the guys who are here are doing. There is a calmness here.”

The Chargers could be excused if there was a sense of panic at camp. They are practicing without Pro Bowl receiver Vincent Jackson, left tackle Marcus McNeill and linebacker Shawne Merriman, all of whom are holding out. Jackson and McNeill are expected to hold out well into the season. Merriman’s status is less clear.

The attitude in San Diego is not one of a season that is about to be lost. Training camp is being used as a time to get everyone ready for a long run.

“I’m not going to say we don’t miss those guys, because we do,” Rivers said. “I miss throwing the ball to Vincent and I miss standing on the sidelines jawing with Marcus. Those are important guys. But at the same time, we are moving forward. We feel very comfortable with the guys who are here. We’re getting a lot done.”

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Do the Chargers have enough depth to prepare effectively without their veteran holdouts? It is only the first week, but there appears to be little doubt San Diego will leave training camp feeling good about the positions where players are holding out.

The key is San Diego’s tremendous depth. Chargers general manager A.J. Smith may get some grief for not giving in and signing the holdout veterans, but he also has his team in position to survive the losses. San Diego is deep at many key positions. Smith has been careful to mix proven veteran talent with intriguing young prospects.

Last year, the Chargers lost defensive tackle Jamal Williams for the entire season and center Nick Hardwick for virtually the entire regular season in Week 1. The Chargers plugged in people and went 13-3 in the regular season.

“We’ve been through this before in a lot of ways,” Turner said. “We feel good with the young players here.”

Jackson is being replaced by Legedu Naanee and Buster Davis, both of whom are having terrific camps. McNeill is being replaced by Brandyn Dombrowski. He was a valuable injury replacement at guard and right tackle last season. There is also veteran Tra Thomas, who can help as well. Merriman is being replaced by 2009 first-round pick Larry English, who was drafted to replace Merriman in case he departed through free agency. English appears to have made great strides this offseason after a lackluster rookie season.

2. Will Ryan Mathews be up for the challenge of replacing a legend? This is a landmark time in Chargers history. The team is moving away from the LaDainian Tomlinson era. He was cut in February after nine seasons in San Diego. Tomlinson had a Hall of Fame career, but he faltered the past two seasons.

While Tomlinson is still a respected figure in San Diego, it is clear that the Chargers are relieved to move on and help ignite the run game, which ranked No. 31 in the NFL last season.

It’s Mathews’ job in training camp to make the team feel comfortable that he is up to the task of bringing balance back to San Diego’s offense. Mathews was the No. 12 overall pick and people in the organization have been raving about him.

“He does not seem affected by having to replace LaDainian,” Rivers said. “He’s very humble and very confident. It doesn’t seem too big for him. We expect a very productive training camp from him.”

3. Is Antoine Cason the answer at right cornerback? While Antonio Cromartie is far from the legacy player Tomlinson was, he is a high-profile departure. He was traded to the Jets on the first day of the trading season. He is being replaced by Cason, San Diego’s first-round pick in 2008.

The Chargers are excited about the change. Cromartie had 10 interceptions in 2007, but he had a total of five in the next two seasons. Cromartie made many mental mistakes, he was poor against the run and he had some off-field concerns.

The Chargers believe they will be in better shape with Cason, who has been lauded for his intelligence and preparation. Cromartie may be a big name, but the Chargers believe Cason will continue to prove in camp that Cromartie isn’t a big loss.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

You would think that the Chargers would be nervous about not having Jackson, McNeill and Merriman in camp. It doesn’t seem like they miss them at all. Practices have been crisp and dynamic. Players are very confident and replacements for each absent player don’t appear to be intimidated at all. The Chargers will surely miss these guys on the field if it gets to that point, but there is no wallowing in the early stages of camp. This team means business.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Merriman needs to be in camp. He is holding out because he wants assurances that the Chargers won’t trade him. He has been upset that he was the subject of trade talk during the past year. The Chargers won’t give him those assurances, but Smith has said he has no current plans to deal Merriman. Merriman really has no leverage here. We all know he’s going to play this year. This is a huge season for the rest of his career. He has to prove he can be a dominant pass-rusher again as he enters the final year of his contract. He is just wasting time by not being at camp.

OBSERVATION DECK

• Quietly, many in San Diego think the offensive line is ready for a big season. The unit may be motivated by critical comments made by Tomlinson. Among his many excuses for his dramatic lack of production last season was the offensive line play. The line isn’t saying anything about it, but the word is this group is very inspired.
• The Chargers are excited about inside linebacker Brandon Siler. He came on strong last season and should have a big role on the defense this season.
• Look out for linebacker Antwan Applewhite. He was hurt last year, but the Chargers think he could be a secret weapon. He is a special-teams ace and could play a role as a pass-rusher. He is a fierce player.
• Turner is excited to have veteran tight end Randy McMichael. The two were together in Miami in 2002-03 and Turner thinks the veteran can help. Known as a good receiver, McMichael is an underrated blocker, Turner said. The Chargers are also high on backup tight end Kris Wilson.
• Undrafted rookie receiver Jeremy Williams from Tulane has had a good early camp and is the favorite to be the No. 5 receiver.
• While losing Rivers would be devastating, the Chargers have one of the best backups in the NFL in Billy Volek. The guy is a pro and has looked sharp.
• Expect big fullback Mike Tolbert to give San Diego a boost in the short-yardage game. The 5-foot-9, 243-pound Tolbert is a load.
• The Chargers were thrilled with the play of right guard Louis Vasquez last season as a rookie. The word is Vasquez is continuing to make strides and the Chargers think they have a real find.

ESPN.com NFL Power Ranking (pre-camp): 24

NAPA, Calif. -- In each of the past seven offseasons, the Raiders have had a sense of optimism, but it never translated into positive results. Oakland lost at least 11 games each season from 2003 to 2009, an NFL record for futility.

But two days into training camp, the Raiders expect this year will be different.

The main reasons are the team has an experienced quarterback in Jason Campbell and the plug was pulled on the JaMarcus Russell debacle. Oakland believes Campbell will bring out the best in a young offense. Defensively, the team thinks it has the right blend of veteran leadership and youth to be much improved.

Oakland coach Tom Cable, one of the NFL's bigger optimists, is working to make his team believe this is the year. Check out what Cable said on the eve of training camp:

“We’re going to go after the AFC West. I’m not afraid to say that. If they picked someone else for it already, that’s too bad. It doesn’t work like that. You’ve got to play the games. This team will be ready to do that.’’

Added Campbell: “All we talked about this summer was winning.”

Will this finally be the year Oakland, 5-11 in 2009, stops being a bottom-feeder? The Raiders are acting that way in the early portion of training camp.

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Will Campbell ignite this offense? He is the key to Oakland's season. If he performs well, the Raiders could win two or three more games than last year.

The Raiders were remarkably better with fiery journeyman Bruce Gradkowski last season than with Russell. It was as if the offense was relieved that the unprepared and ineffective Russell was not on the field. Oakland believes the unit will react just as positively to Campbell, who is more polished and experienced than Gradkowski.

But Campbell must prove he can be a difference-maker. All he really has been in the NFL since being drafted in 2005 is a decent game manager. Washington tried to upgrade at quarterback in 2009 and then succeeded in the offseason by trading for Donovan McNabb. Still, the earnest Campbell has a big arm and he fits what Oakland wants to do in the vertical passing game.

2. Can the Raiders stop the run? Russell wasn’t the only issue in Oakland in recent seasons. The defense was not good. Oakland ranked 26th on defense overall and 29th against the run last season. Teams can't dream of winning consistently if they can’t stop the run.

A big reason why the Raiders, who open the regular season against Tennessee and rushing champ Chris Johnson, haven’t been able to stop the run is they haven’t tackled well.

The Raiders have tried to upgrade their run defense by drafting middle linebacker Rolando McClain and defensive lineman Lamarr Houston in the first two rounds of the 2010 draft. Both players were very good against the run in college. If they can make an immediate impact, the Raiders should be improved. Both got into camp on time and will get plenty of repetitions.

3. Who’ll emerge as the lead tailback? The Raiders have intriguing running backs in Michael Bush and Darren McFadden. Cable has gone back and forth this offseason on what he wants from the duo.

Earlier in the offseason, Cable said he wanted one of the two backs to emerge as starter. Then he said he thought the powerful Bush and the elusive McFadden could share carries. Now Cable said he thinks it is going to be a great battle between the two in training camp.

It really doesn’t matter what the end result is, but what does matter is Oakland finding a successful running system, whether it’s Bush starting, McFadden starting or the two sharing carries.

For all their ability, Bush and McFadden have been inconsistent and the team has not found the right way to use these players.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

The Raiders started training camp with Houston at starting defensive end and veteran Richard Seymour at defensive tackle. Seymour played mostly end last year, in his first season in Oakland. Seymour could end up back at end, but this is an interesting look for Oakland. If Houston can make an immediate impact and Seymour can clog the middle, Oakland will have a solid defensive front.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Oakland has neglected the offensive line the past few years and it is still a problem. Yes, the Raiders drafted good prospects in Jared Veldheer and Bruce Campbell in the third and fourth rounds, respectively. But it would be a stretch to expect these rookies to be difference-makers in 2010. If the Raiders can’t block, it won’t matter much if Campbell is an improvement over Russell or if the running game comes alive.

OBSERVATION DECK

AP Photo/Eric RisbergTom Cable is pleased with the team's depth at linebacker.
• For the second straight year, Cable is having the Raiders go through glorified walk-throughs for the first eight training camp practices. The idea behind it is to have the players soak in the learning aspect of camp.
• Cable said he has a good feeling about this team because of the way it responds to instruction.
• Cable thinks a big plus for the team will be depth at linebacker. Among the backups are former starter Thomas Howard (the team is trying to replace him with Trevor Scott) and newly acquired Quentin Groves.
• The Raiders struggled mightily on offense last year. They scored 17 touchdowns in 16 games, tied for the league’s lowest total. Cable said a goal in training camp will be improving in the red zone.
• Even though the Raiders are excited about 2009 first-round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey, early camp returns indicate he must be more consistent. Heyward-Bey dropped too many passes last season.
• The Raiders are cautiously optimistic John Henderson will help stop the run. But Henderson, 31, has been slowing down in recent years, so he will monitored closely in camp and not overworked.
• Houston is a fun player to watch. He plays with a lot of fire and has a knack for getting on the nerves of offensive linemen. He went at it with guard Robert Gallery on Thursday. Expect more tales of Houston getting in summertime scraps at camp.
• The Raiders have decent young receivers in Chaz Schilens, Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy, but they are not deep at the position. If Oakland suffers an injury in camp, it must find reinforcements.