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Yeremiah Bell will not be the one who provides depth to the Kansas City Chiefs’ secondary.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the safety has signed with the New York Jets. Bell visited the Chiefs on Wednesday, and they were one of four teams he was considering.

The Chiefs were interested in Bell as a third safety. The Chiefs also looked at veteran O.J. Atogwe.

In other AFC West news:

Here is a call for the Raiders to cut troubled middle linebacker Rolando McClain. He was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2010 draft. He has been a disappointment on the field and a distraction off it.

Once again, in a radio interview, LaDainian Tomlinson, said he’d consider playing for the Chargers again. And, once again, I just can’t see that happening.

New Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, in radio interview, said he expects his unit to be a top-10 defense. For that to be possible, the defensive tackles would have to mesh quickly.

New Denver cornerback Drayton Florence said reuniting with former Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio was one of the reasons why he signed with the Broncos on Thursday.

Del Rio is Denver’s new defensive coordinator. Florence played for Del Rio in Jacksonville in 2008.

“Yes, the familiarity always is good when you’ve played for somebody and you know how they work,” Florence said in a conference call with reporters. “The system, the language is going to be familiar. So it was a good fit.”

In other AFC West news:

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Chargers have signed two of their draft picks: tight end Ladarius Green, taken in the fourth round, and guard Johnnie Troutman, taken in the fifth. Troutman is expected to miss the entire season due to a pectoral injury he suffered prior to the draft. The Chargers have signed most of their draft class.

The Raiders will try out a few players this weekend at their minicamp. So far, no names of note are on the tryout docket.

The Chiefs announced additions to their personnel department. Jim Nagy was promoted from regional scout to national scout. Kansas City hired former Patriots national scout Kyle O’Brien as a regional scouts and scouting assistant Ryne Nutt was promoted to an area scout.

The Chiefs will announce plans for their 50th anniversary season in 2012 at a press conference next Tuesday.

Derek Wolfe might not have been the sexist name among available defensive tackles, but he might have been the safest pick at No. 36.

The Denver Broncos frustrated some fans Thursday night when they twice traded down, going from No. 25 to No. 31, then No. 36.

After the first round, Denver czar John Elway basically said the team's top targets at defensive tackle were not available, so the Broncos went down to a spot where they thought they could good value for a player they wanted.

Bypassing the better-known Jerel Worthy of Michigan State and Kendall Reyes of Connecticut, Denver went with Wolfe out of Cincinnati.

I think the pick works. Defensive tackle was Denver’s greatest need and he should step right into the rotation.

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper has been beating the drum for Wolfe to Denver for weeks; Friday he said he thought Wolfe is one of the more underrated players in the draft. He is a high-motor player who has outstanding pass-rushing skills as an interior player. He can also stop the run. Kiper called him the most productive defensive tackle in the draft.

He will be well coached in Denver by John Fox and Jack Del Rio; I expect him to be a nice player. The Broncos have another pick in the second round and a pick in the third. They have three picks in the fourth round and I could see them trying to get another third-rounder.

The AFC West was the tightest division in the NFL in 2011.

The Broncos, Raiders and Chargers finished 8-8 with Denver prevailing as the division winner via a tiebreaker. Kansas City was a game behind at 7-9. The Chiefs were a blocked field goal attempt against Oakland in Week 16 away from winning the division.

Each team marches toward 2012 with hopes of winning the division. While there is still some work to do in terms of the draft, let’s play the “what if” game. Below is five ways each team in the division could win the AFC West in 2012 if certain things occur. Hat tip to the reader who suggested the idea:

Denver

If Peyton Manning is fully recovered from a neck injury that kept him out of the entire 2011 season: Manning’s health is the key to Denver’s entire season. The team and Manning think he will be fine. If he is, the Broncos will be in great shape.

If Demaryius Thomas develops into a true No. 1 receiver: The third-year player has potential and showed great flashes last season. Playing with Manning should spark his career.

If Denver gets a running mate for Willis McGahee: McGahee had a great season in 2011, but he was dinged up a lot and he needs some help. If Denver can draft a player such as Miami’s Lamar Miller, Boise State’s Doug Martin or Virginia Tech’s David Wilson in the second round, they should be in great shape.

If Denver improves at defensive tackle: The Broncos need some help at the position and it is their most pressing need. Watch for Denver to take a defensive tackle at No. 25 in the first round and that player needs to contribute right away.

If the change at defensive coordinator is smooth: With Dennis Allen now the head coach in Oakland, former Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio is Denver’s seventh defensive coordinator in the past seven seasons. This change could be seamless, though, because Del Rio has previously been a coordinator on John Fox’s staff, and Fox plays a major role as a defensive coach.

Kansas City

If quarterback Matt Cassel plays better than he did in 2011: Cassel took a step back last season after a strong 2010 season. Instead of replacing him, though, the Chiefs gave Cassel more weapons. He has everything a quarterback needs to succeed. Now, he has to be a success.

If the Chiefs’ injured stars are recovered from serious knee injuries: Running back Jamaal Charles, safety Eric Berry and tight end Tony Moeaki all suffered torn ACL’s in September. All are expected back. If they are all fully recovered, the Chiefs should be fine.

If the Chiefs get an impact defender in the first round: The Chiefs have a strong defense, but they can use another stud. Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe or Boston College inside linebacker Luke Kuechly would both be solid fits.

If Stanford Routt fits in the defense: The Chiefs opted to sign former Oakland cornerback Stanford Routt and let Brandon Carr walk. Kansas City thinks Routt will flourish as the No. 2 cornerback next to Brandon Flowers. If Routt struggles, the defense will suffer.

If Romeo Crennel’s late influence is intact: Crennel went from the interim coach to the permanent coach because he sparked the Chiefs in the final three weeks of the season. His team played very hard for him and went 2-1. Let’s see if the good vibes continue.

Oakland

If quarterback Carson Palmer adjusts to the West Coast offense: Palmer is both trying to re-energize his career and adapt to playing in a West Coast offense. The Raiders and Palmer believe it is a good fit.

If receivers Darrius Heyward-Bey, Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford continue to develop: I think these three players have showed flashes. If they continue to develop, the Raiders will have a lot of firepower.

If running back Darren McFadden can stay healthy: McFadden has missed a total of 19 games in four NFL season and at least three games in all four seasons. He missed the final nine games of last season with a foot injury. With backup Michael Bush now in Chicago and Oakland sporting young backups, it is imperative the special McFadden stays healthy as much as possible in 2012.

If the defensive front can stay healthy: The Raiders’ defensive line is their best aspect of a defense in transition. It must stay healthy and be an anchor to the unit.

If rookie coach Dennis Allen can have fast success: At 39, Allen, who has just one year of experience as a defensive coordinator, is the youngest head coach in the NFL. He must prove quickly that he is up to the task.

San Diego

If quarterback Philip Rivers can avoid the interception bug: He threw a career-high 20 interception in 2011. Rivers threw a total of 22 interceptions in the previous two seasons combined.

If running back Ryan Mathews can take the next step: San Diego coach Norv Turner recently said he expects Mathews to have a breakout season in 2012, his third in the NFL. He has shown flashes, but he needs to be more consistent.

If the receivers, as a unit, can make up for the loss of Vincent Jackson: The Chargers like their receiving crew even after Jackson signed with Tampa Bay. San Diego added Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal, and already has Malcom Floyd and Vincent Brown. Jackson is a star and he will be missed, but the Chargers think they have made up for his loss by having a deeper rotation.

If the Chargers' defense can be better on third down: San Diego had the worst third-down defense in the NFL last season. Improving in that area is a point of emphasis for new defensive coordinator John Pagano.

If the Chargers can add an impact pass-rusher in the first round: The Chargers need a young pass-rusher to emerge. It will be their top priority with the No. 18 pick.

Barring a setback from the neck injury that cost him the entire 2011 season, Peyton Manning has the Denver Broncos’ offense covered. That side of the ball will be fine and will be in playoff form.

But what about the defense?

That side of the ball will be a key to Denver's season. If the 2012 Denver defense can make the strides it did in 2011, the Broncos have a chance to be a serious contender.

Bill Polian, who knows Manning well, has said he thinks the potential of the Broncos' defense is one of the reasons Manning chose to play in Denver. Polian, the Colts’ former general manager who brought Manning to Indianapolis and who is now an ESPN analyst, said last week he thinks the Denver defense could be a spark for the Manning-led offense.

“John Fox is going to coach up that defense and it has a chance to play great defense,” Polian said. “That will only help Peyton.”

However, I believe the Broncos have work to do before they can start playing great defense.

This unit is a work in progress. It went from No. 32 in 2010 prior to Fox’s arrival to No. 20 in 2011 under the guidance of Fox and coordinator Dennis Allen, who is now the head coach in Oakland. The 2011 Denver Broncos will be remembered for the wild days of Tim Tebow, but it was the defense that rose up and solidified the team. With Manning running the offense and former Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio running the defense, the team has a chance to go to the next level.

The defense in Denver starts with pass-rushers Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller. The pair combined for 21 sacks last season and they should be one of the most dynamic pass-rush duos in the NFL for years to come. Polian called the pair special and an anchor for the defense.

Denver upgraded at cornerback by signing Tracy Porter of New Orleans. He is a solid No. 2 cornerback and will make a strong pairing with the aging, but still dominant Champ Bailey. Porter, who has had challenges staying healthy, is an upgrade from Andre Goodman. Underrated safety Mike Adams was signed from Cleveland. He will pair with second-year player Quinton Carter, who made strides as the season went on. The team will give 2011 No. 2 pick Rahim Moore a chance to rebound from a rookie season in which he regressed. But Adams and Carter should be a serviceable pairing.

There are some problems, though. Outside linebacker D.J. Williams, one of the better defenders on the team, is facing a six-game NFL suspension for using a banned substance. He is fighting it in the form of a lawsuit. Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley signed with New Orleans. Bunkley was a tone-setter, and even though he played only 43 percent of the snaps, he will be missed.

Denver has a major void at defensive tackle and it probably will take advantage of a strong draft class at the position and use the No. 25 pick on a player such as Mississippi State’s Fletcher Cox, Penn State’s Devon Still or LSU’s Michael Brockers. They also want to re-sign Marcus Thomas and hope 2011 free-agent signee Ty Warren is healthy after missing the past two seasons.

There is no doubt this is still a building project and that concerns Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc.

“I was very worried about this defense, but now I feel a little better about it after it signed Porter, who is a very solid No. 2 behind Bailey,” Williamson said. “But I still have my worries about the defense up the middle. Losing Bunkley hurts quite a bit, but maybe Ty Warren can help out this year. The safety position worries me. But they can sure rush the passer. The question is will be they be able to handle a physical offense.”

After being the bright spot of a surprise team in 2011, the Denver defense must take the next step in a year when, suddenly, much is expected from this team.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Denver coach John Fox spoke to the media Thursday at the NFL combine. Let’s look at the highlights of his session:

Fox downplayed the comments free-agent backup quarterback Brady Quinn made about starting quarterback Tim Tebow. In an interview with GQ, Quinn questioned Tebow’s impact on the team’s success, among other things. Quinn questioned the context in which his quotes were used and he has apologized to Tebow.

Fox said Quinn and Tebow have a close relationship and he is not worried about the impact of the comments. He said the comments may have been “lost in translation” and he was pleased Quinn apologized to Tebow.

Asked if the comments would lessen Quinn’s chances of returning to Denver, Fox said, “We still like Brady Quinn."

Still, the odds of Quinn coming back to Denver may not be great. Denver will look at other options in addition to Quinn. Fox declined to say what type of quarterback Denver will look for. It could opt for a mobile quarterback like Tebow or it could bring in a more traditional quarterback.

Fox did have praise for Tebow. “We’re very comfortable with Tim,” Fox said. “He did turn us from a 4-12 team to a playoff team.”

Asked about dealing with Tebow-mania last season, Fox said he didn’t really feel it until the season was over because he was so fixed on the happenings of the season.

“I think it’s a great story and I think he’s a kid that ought to be celebrated,” Fox said. “In today’s society ... these types of guys don’t come around very often. So, I think it’s kind of neat.”

Fox said the Broncos’ defense would have continued to evolve even if 2011 defensive coordinator Dennis Allen wouldn’t have left to become the head coach of the Raiders. Former Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio (who was Fox’s coordinator in Carolina in 2002) was hired as Allen's replacement. Fox said the defense is a work in progress and more sets, alignments and schemes will be put in.

Translation: This is Fox’s defense, and his system will be implemented regardless of who the coordinator is. That’s why I think the fact that Denver is on its seventh defensive coordinator in seven years is overblown. It’s Fox’s second season in Denver and that’s what is important.

Fox wouldn’t say what the Broncos’ plan at running back is, but he made it clear that having a “stable” of running backs is important. Expect Denver to address the position either in free agency or early in the draft.

Fox said he expects linebacker Von Miller -- who won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award -- to continue to “get better and better in every phase” as his career goes on. It’s clear Fox views Miller, the No. 2 overall pick last year, as the centerpiece of the improving defense.

NOTE: Fox was the first AFC West official to speak to the media on Thursday. Over the course of the next few days, Kansas City’s Scott Pioli and Romeo Crenel, Allen and Denver’s John Elway are expected to speak to the media. We will have coverage of all the sessions.

The Denver Post reports the Broncos have signed former Jacksonville starter Jason Hill. He started 10 games for the Jaguars with new Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. Hill had 25 catches those starts. He was cut later in the season.

Hill has a chance to be a rotational receiver in Denver. I still think Denver will look to add receivers, but Hill provides some depth.

Meanwhile, Denver signed guard C.J. Davis. He did not play in 2011, but he was with Carolina -- under Denver coach John Fox -- in a reserve role for parts of the 2009 and ’10 seasons. He will compete to be a bottom-of-the roster player in 2012.

In other AFC West news:

• Here is another mock draft that has the Chiefs taking Alabama running back Trent Richardson at No. 11. The two questions are, will Richardson drop past the top 10 and would the Chiefs bypass other needs to put Richardson and Jamaal Charles in the same backfield? It will be fascinating to see if this potential pairing gains traction as the draft approaches.
• Denver leader John Elway talks about the team’s plans for free agency.
• UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone discussed working with Denver quarterback Tim Tebow this week. Mazzone coached San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers in college and Rivers is expected to join the workouts later this week.

Thursday, we looked at the possibility of cornerback Stanford Routt staying in the AFC West. It appears that one team in the division is indeed considering the idea.

ESPNDallas.com reported that the Kansas City Chiefs are one of the teams that have interest in Routt, cut Thursday by the Oakland Raiders. Kansas City has yet to arrange a visit with Routt.

If the Chiefs sign Routt, that likely means they will allow cornerback Brandon Carr to become a free agent. The Chiefs could yet choose to place the franchise tag on either Carr or receiver Dwayne Bowe.

The Chiefs could be comparing the price tags for Carr and Routt; they could also be showing interest in Routt to demonstrate to Carr that they would be willing to go elsewhere.

I think it is a smart move for the Chiefs to at least see what Routt is looking for and to give themselves options in case they think Carr will leave. Because there is so much interest in Routt, this process could take some time.

In other AFC West news:

New Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio talks about adjusting to his new unit in a radio interview.

The Chiefs reportedly are interested in a member of the Super Bowl champion Giants for their offensive-line coaching job.

There has been plenty of movement in the front office and on coaching staffs in the AFC West in the past several weeks. Two of the seven coaching staffs that changed in the NFL occurred in the AFC West this year.

There are some more additions as staffs round out throughout the division, but the major hirings and firings have been completed. Let’s review:

Denver Broncos

Recap: After going through a lot of change in recent seasons, Denver was pretty calm this year. It hired former Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio to be the defensive coordinator after Dennis Allen went to Oakland as head coach.

Comment: Del Rio is Denver's seventh defensive coordinator in seven years. However, he has coached for coach John Fox before, so there shouldn’t be too much flux.

Kansas City Chiefs

Recap: Interim coach Romeo Crennel, who replaced Todd Haley with three games remaining in the season, was made the permanent head coach. He hired Brian Daboll as the offensive coordinator and Crennel will likely oversee the defense himself.

Comment: The key here is Daboll. Crennel has the defense going in the right direction and he is well-respected by the entire team. Daboll needs to take this potentially strong offense to the next level.

Oakland Raiders

Recap: The Raiders underwent the most change in the division this offseason. The change began sadly when owner Al Davis died in October. After the season, former Raiders’ linebacker and former Green Bay executive Reggie McKenzie was hired as general manager. He quickly fired coach Hue Jackson and replaced him with Allen. He hired Greg Knapp (a former Oakland offensive coordinator) to run the offense and Stanford co-defensive coordinator Jason Tarver to head the defense.

Comment: It’s an exciting time in Oakland with lots of great potential. But there is no question that much of the new leadership is inexperienced in their new roles.

San Diego Chargers

Recap: The big news in San Diego is what didn’t happen. After the Chargers finished 8-8 and out of the playoffs for the second straight season, coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith were expected to be shown the door. But owner Dean Spanos made the surprising move to keep them both. Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky was fired and linebackers coach John Pagano replaced him.

Comment: The pressure is on everyone in San Diego. If the Chargers don’t make the playoffs in 2012, we’ll likely see the type of wholesale changes that occurred in Oakland.

The following are some highlights of our AFC West chat, which was held earlier Thursday:

DENVER

Kevin from Boulder: Do you think that having Del Rio as the broncos DC could draw in some good FA's?

Bill Williamson: I don't think it would hurt. I think Del Rio was the best possible hire. I think Denver's defense will be in good shape with Fox and Del Rio leading it.

KANSAS CITY

Ed from Michigan: Hi Bill, what do you see from the Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston in year two? He sure did come on late his rookie year.

BW: Potential stardom. I love his talent. He can be the goods and he is a big reason why there is so much excitement over this defense.

OAKLAND

Robert from Forty Fort, PA.: Why do you think Allen is having a hard time finding a DC? Do you think it’s because he doesn't know many people in the league being young and all?

BW: It's killed him that he was denied permission so much. He had a plan, but he's been blocked and now he is down to, at least, his fifth choice. It doesn't mean this will be a bad hire, but it the process has been difficult.

SAN DIEGO

Matt from San Diego: What are the chances that Antonio Gates gets into Canton? Will his recent health issues and lower productivity prevent him from achieving this?

BW: It's difficult for tight ends to get in. Winning a Super Bowl would help. I think he could get in either way, but it may take a while.

Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio addressed the media to discuss his new role. Let’s look at some key parts of the transcript, courtesy of the Denver public relations staff.

On his relationship with Denver head coach John Fox:

“It’s good to be back with him. He’s a good man. He’s a good coach, and I know the types of things he is looking for with this staff and what my responsibilities would be. I’m very comfortable with that.”

My take: This opportunity was clearly appealing to Del Rio. He coached for Fox in 2002 and their familiarity will help everyone involved.

On if he would like to be a head coach again:

“Right now, I’m excited to be here. I had nine good years in Jacksonville, and maybe someday. But that’s really not in the forefront of my thinking. First and foremost for me is to get settled in here and get to work in terms of evaluating the tape and the season and getting ready for the offseason, personnel and all those things -- system adjustments -- and getting my family settled. We’re excited about this opportunity and help this fine organization get started.”

My take: That is a good answer. Denver is on its seventh defensive coordinator in seven seasons. The Broncos desperately want some stability on its staff. Still, after seeing Dennis Allen go from this staff to Oakland in a year, Del Rio has to know this is solid stepping stone if he performs well.

On the defensive tackle position:

“I know we have a lot to evaluate, and certainly that position will be part of it. Defensive line play is important. It really begins in the trenches. I believe that we have to take a good look at who we have here and make those decisions. We haven’t begun that process yet, and we’ll get started here shortly. When I was in Baltimore, we played outstanding defense. We had a couple really good tackles. If you’re going to play that four-man front, having two guys in the middle really allows you to do things, and that carried over in Carolina when I was there the one year with John. It carried over into Jacksonville when we were really good on defense early in my time there, and then this past year we were very good, Terrance Knighton and Tyson Alualu, were two forces in the middle. That definitely helps when you’re playing a 4-3.”

My take: This will be a key position to watch this offseason. Brodrick Bunkley and Marcus Thomas are free agents and Denver will likely add to the spot even if they re-sign both.

Here are some thoughts on Denver coach John Fox's quick hiring of former Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio to succeed Dennis Allen, who has been named Oakland’s head coach.

Nice score: Many Denver fans might have upset that Allen left; however, Del Rio is a terrific hire by the Broncos. Fox said Wednesday that he was in no hurry to find a replacement for Allen, but the quick hiring of Del Rio shows Fox felt great about this move. Though Del Rio had been on the market for several weeks, this reconnection between Del Rio and Fox — Del Rio was Fox’s first defensive coordinator in Carolina in 2002 before becoming Jacksonville head coach in 2003 — should ease the mind of Denver fans.

Seven is not a problem: Though Del Rio is Denver’s seventh defensive coordinator in seven years, this shouldn't be an issue due to the compatibility between Del Rio and Fox, who has a defensive background himself. Del Rio knows that this is Fox’s team and it is his defense. Allen deserves a lot of credit for turning Denver’s defense – the worst in the NFL in 2010 – into a competitive group. But the coaching started with Fox. He will continue using his system.

Fox loves familiarity: Fox closed the deal so quickly with Del Rio that there wasn’t time to find other candidates. Clearly, Fox focused on his former assistant as soon as Allen took the Oakland job. That means Fox is confident in his new choice.

More experience than Allen: Allen, 39, got the Oakland job after one year’s experience as the Broncos coordinator. Del Rio, 48 and coming off nine seasons as a head coach, is much more seasoned.

Recruiting means something: Even though Denver improved as a defense under Allen, it still needs to reload. Perhaps Del Rio will turn for help to a pair of defensive ends he coached in Jacksonville — Matt Roth and Jeremy Mincey, both free agents.

With the Oakland Raiders picking Denver defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as head coach this week, the big-time hires in the AFC West have been made. However, there are some openings remaining in the division that should be filled in the next couple of weeks.

Let’s take a look:

Denver: The Broncos need a defensive coordinator with Allen leaving after one season. Head coach John Fox has said he is not in a rush to replace Allen. Candidates include former Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio (he was a coordinator for Fox in Carolina) and Denver linebacker scoach Richard Smith.

Kansas City: New head coach Romeo Crennel is planning to remain the team’s defensive coordinator, a position he held since 2010. The Chiefs have reportedly talked to both in-house and outside candidates for the open offensive-coordinator job. One candidate may be Brian Daboll, who, like Crennel and Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, has New England ties.

Oakland: Allen will hire close to a completely new staff, so that will likely take a little time. If Al Saunders does not indeed remain as offensive coordinator, Allen could pursue former Green Bay coach Mike Sherman, who is also being wooed by Miami. Kansas City defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas – Allen’s mentor – could be a possibility for defensive coordinator.

San Diego: The Chargers have the least work to do. They need to hire a linebackers coach to replace John Pagano, who was promoted to defensive coordinator earlier this month.

There’s no doubt the Denver Broncos should be disappointed that they are losing defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

When the Broncos hired Allen last year, they knew he’d likely get some head-coaching opportunities, but they thought he’d stick around Denver for two or three years. Yet Allen was plucked by Oakland as its head coach after one season as head coach. The Broncos’ defense improved immensely under Allen’s guidance.

Now Denver's defense will have its seventh defensive coordinator in seven seasons. Think about that. Champ Bailey and D.J. Williams have both worn a Denver uniform since 2004. They will now have their seventh coach in seven years.

The transition this year will not nearly be as difficult because Denver head coach John Fox is defensive-minded. While Allen did a good job, Fox deserves a lot of credit for Denver’s improvement and will ensure the Broncos don’t take a step backward on defense.

I think the two names we have to look at as a candidate to replace Allen are former Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio and Denver linebacker coach Richard Smith. Del Rio was a coordinator for Fox in Carolina and Smith is extremely experienced as well.

The Broncos will miss Allen, but I think they are in better shape on defense than it may appear.

Here is a look at the Broncos’ defensive coordinators in the past six years: Larry Coyer (2006, fired), Jim Bates (2007, fired), Bob Slowik (2008, fired), Mike Nolan (2009, departed in mutual decision), Don Martindale (2010, fired), Allen (2011, hired by Oakland).

It appears the Oakland Raiders are focusing on staying in the AFC West for their next head coach.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen are reporting that the team is working on the final steps of making Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen its next head coach. Schefter and Mortensen reported that candidates Marty Mornhinweg and Mike Tice have been told the Raiders have identified their man.

Allen, 39, has one year of experience as a defensive coordinator with the Raiders’ rival, the Denver Broncos.

While this deal is not done, here are some initial thoughts on the possible (probable?) pairing:

Reggie McKenzie paves his own path: McKenzie was hired as the Raiders' GM earlier this month to lead the organization in the wake of owner Al Davis' death in October. If Allen is McKenzie’s hire, it will end a decades-long tradition in Oakland. John Madden, hired in 1969, was the last defense-minded head coach of the Raiders. This hire would mean McKenzie is not worried about the past and is going with the man he wants.

Raiders could use a defensive boost: Even though he was a first-time coordinator, Allen had a major impact in Denver. The Broncos were last in nearly every major defensive category in 2010. However, under Allen’s guidance, Denver’s defense improved immensely in 2011 and was a big reason why the Broncos improved from 4-12 to 8-8 and why they ended up as division champions. Oakland has a lot of talent on defense, but it has been giving up way too many big plays. If Allen gets the job and straightens out this problem, Oakland could be dangerous.

Denver’s defense would be in flux again: In addition to improving his own team, McKenzie would weaken a rival with this move. That’s a nice bonus. If Allen leaves, Denver would be hiring its seventh defensive coordinator in seven years. A potential replacement would be former Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio. He was Broncos coach John Fox’s first defensive coordinator in Carolina.

Bad omen? Davis went the route of bringing in a Denver assistant as his head coach. He hired Broncos offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan in 1988. Shanahan didn’t last two seasons in Oakland. McKenzie will have to hope his ride to the Rockies ends up better than Davis’ did.