ESPN NFL

Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning's presence will undoubtedly improve Willis McGahee's rushing stats -- at least that's what McGahee is preaching, and Denver Post columnist Mark Kiszla says the Broncos running back has a sermon he can back up.

Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams' trial on driving under the influence and traffic charges ended Monday in a mistrial.

Who is the most indispensable player to his team in the NFL today? At least three NFL.com writers answer the question by saying the Broncos cannot succeed in 2012 without Manning under center.

Kansas City Chiefs

Matt Cassel defends his position as the Chiefs' starting quarterback, telling Sports Radio 610 in Kansas City: “I believe in myself, and I know I’m a good quarterback. Of course there are going to be criticisms and everything like that, and that’s part of the business. ... And hopefully it’s all going to go in the right direction, we’re going to win a lot of ball games, get in the playoffs, and ideally we’d like to win a Super Bowl.”

Arrowhead Pride takes a closer look at fourth-round pick, wide receiver Devon "Wiggles" Wylie out of Fresno State.

The Chiefs are using Dexter McCluster as a wideout -- for now. The Kansas City Star's Adam Teicher has more observations from practice.

Oakland Raiders

San Jose Mercury News' Tim Kawakami says Raiders middle linebacker Rolando McClain's actions and his spotty play have shown he's the polar opposite of the kinds of players GM Reggie McKenzie and new coach Dennis Allen want in their locker room.

If there were such a thing as an offseason practice MVP, fifth-round draft pick Juron Criner would walk away with the trophy. Criner, a rookie out of Arizona, even impressed Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer.

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers are in need of a third-down back, and it just so happens the best running back in franchise history and the fifth-leading rusher in NFL history is looking for a team to join. GM A.J. Smith should set aside past differences and bring LaDainian Tomlinson back, says the North County Times' Jay Paris.

Opinions vary on funding for a new Chargers stadium. San Diego’s four major mayoral candidates state their cases.

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.

The San Diego Chargers have announced the speaking lineup for the celebration of life in honor of legendary linebacker Junior Seau on Friday at Qualcomm Stadium.

Former Chargers legends Dan Fouts, LaDainian Tomlinson and Rodney Harrison, former San Diego coach Bobby Ross, former NFL star and San Diego native John Lynch and San Diego mayor Jerry Sanders will all be part of the speaking program.

The Chargers are hosting the event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. PT Friday.

Seau died on May 2 at the age of 43. His death was ruled a suicide. His family will have a private funeral for Seau in his hometown of Oceanside, Calif., on Thursday.

In other AFC West news:

NFC West blogger Mike Sando believes former Denver general manager Brian Xanders would be a good fit in St. Louis because of his previous working relationship with new St. Louis general manager Les Snead. Xanders and the Broncos parted ways Monday because Denver is streamlining its front office.

Second-year quarterback Terrelle Pryor prepares for a new opportunity in Oakland. He is probably looking at being the No. 3 quarterback again in 2012.

Mid-week mail call:

Israel from Fremont, Calif., wants to know if LaDainian Tomlinson could be a good fit in Oakland as a backup running back.

Bill Williamson: I can see why you asked, Israel. The Raiders need a backup. But I think they will be looking for a younger, bigger back, perhaps in the draft. I think Tomlinson, a San Diego legend, is done and I just think the Raiders could better be served with a younger backup.

---

Greg B from Denver wants to know what the Tracy Porter signing means for Denver second-year cornerback Chris Harris.

BW: Harris came out of nowhere as an undrafted free agent last year and played very well as a nickel cornerback. I think he will have the same role this season. Solid nickel cornerbacks are difficult to come by and they are important because of the emphasis of the passing game, especially in this division. So, Harris will be the No. 3 cornerback in Denver. Remember, Porter signed just for one year so perhaps if Harris has a good year and the Broncos and Porter don’t sign another deal, Harris could be ready to start in 2013.

---

Chad from Kansas City wants to know if there has been any progress with Kansas City franchised receiver Dwayne Bowe signing a long-term deal.

BW: There really hasn’t been much said. The Chiefs still have plenty of cap room, so they can get something done if they choose. I think Bowe is an important piece of this offense and getting him locked up for the future needs to be a goal in Kansas City.

ESPN’s Josina Anderson is reporting Denver has re-signed special teams ace Wesley Woodyard to a two-year contract. He will also be a backup linebacker.

Former Oakland pass-rusher Kamerion Wimbley is reportedly close to signing a five-year deal with Tennessee. Oakland cut him in a salary-cap dump Friday.

If the Panthers end up trading running backs DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart because of the Mike Tolbert addition, I could see Denver potentially showing interest. Denver is in the market for a running back and Denver head coach John Fox used to be in Carolina.

UT San Diego reports there will not be a reunion with LaDainian Tomlinson and Kassim Osgood in San Diego. The Tomlinson decision is not surprising at all, but I thought the Chargers would consider Osgood.

Eli from Pasadena, Calif., wants to know if I could see LaDainian Tomlinson playing for the San Diego Chargers again.

Bill Williamson: No, I don’t see that happening, Eli. I know Tomlinson, who has spent the past two seasons with the New York Jets, has said he’d be open to signing with the Chargers or any other team in the NFL. Still, I think the Chargers have moved on and would not be interested in bringing him back. Perhaps Tomlinson will one day retire as a Charger, but I don’t see him playing for them again.

Kyle Vinyard from Salem, Ore., wants to know if I think the Kansas City Chiefs could draft Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly.

BW: The Chiefs will look at the the offensive line and the defensive line, but Kuechly is certainly a name to consider. The Chiefs will pick either 11th or 12th depending on the outcome of a coin flip with the Seattle Seahawks.

Tyler from Hamilton, Ontario, wants to know if Denver Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas will prove he was a better pick than Dez Bryant.

BW: Thomas was the No. 22 pick and Bryant was taken two picks later in the 2010 draft. Bryant was considered the best receiver available in the draft. But the decision to take Thomas over Bryant was based on Bryant’s off-field issues. Bryant is a special player, but Thomas also has a high ceiling, plus he hasn’t had any off-field problems. The key with Thomas is his health. If he can stay healthy he has a chance to be a perennial Pro Bowl player.

While he is considering retirement, former San Diego star running back LaDainian Tomlinson said in a radio interview he’d consider going back to San Diego along with playing for every other team in the NFL.

That’s great and all. But I don’t see San Diego offering him a contract to further his playing career. The Chargers cut Tomlinson, who spent the past two seasons with the Jets. There has been some acrimony since his departure from San Diego.

In other AFC West news:

Former Kansas City coach Todd Haley reportedly may return to the Arizona Cardinals staff. He was the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator before he was hired as Chiefs coach in 2009. He was fired by the Chiefs last month.

The NFL has fined San Diego linebacker Antwan Barnes $25,000 for bumping a referee Sunday in the Chargers’ 38-26 win at Oakland.

Barnes was ejected from the game after he made contact with the official. A league spokesman said Friday that the specific reason for the fine was unnecessary physical contact with an official.

As was the case Wednesday, Oakland receiver Jacoby Ford and safety Michael Huff practiced Thursday and running back Darren McFadden did not. Ford and Huff are expected to play against San Diego on Sunday and McFadden is not expected to play.

• Denver safety Brian Dawkins is not practicing for the second straight day because of a neck injury. His chances of playing Sunday against Kansas City may be dwindling. Kansas City running back Jackie Battle did not practice for the second straight day because of a foot injury. He is doubtful to play against Denver.
• San Diego running back Ryan Mathews returned to practice Thursday after he sat out Wednesday with a calf injury. However, receiver Vincent Jackson (groin) and running back Mike Tolbert (hamstring) are out for the second straight day. With the Chargers out of the playoff picture, it will be interesting to see if Jackson and Tolbert play Sunday in a huge game for Oakland.
• Meanwhile, the Raiders’ game Sunday is sold out. The Raiders sold out every game this season for the first time they moved back from Los Angeles in 1995. Kudos, Raiders Nation.
• Former San Diego star running back LaDainian Tomlinson said he may be preparing for his final NFL game. He was spent the past two seasons with the Jets after playing for the Chargers from 2001-09.
• An ESPN Insider piece believes the Broncos’ have been pushed by luck this season.

The San Diego Chargers are 6-7 and have looked good the past two weeks since snapping a six-game losing streak. The Chargers beat the Jaguars and the Bills by a combined score of 75-24 in the past two games. But they have a faint chance of going to the playoffs. They could be eliminated from the playoff race Sunday if they lose to visiting Baltimore and other things occur.

Still, there are some statistical improvements being made in San Diego. Thanks to the folks at ESPN Stats & Information, here are some statistical tidbits about the Chargers:

• After struggling through the first 10 games of the season, quarterback Philip Rivers has been excellent. In the past two weeks, Rivers leads the NFL in completion percentage (75.4), touchdown passes (six) and interceptions (none). He hasn’t thrown an interception in the past three games after throwing 17 interceptions in the first 10 games.
• Running back Ryan Mathews has rushed for, at least, 100 yards in the past three games. It’s the longest streak by a San Diego running back since LaDainian Tomlinson ran for a 100-plus yards in four straight games in 2007. Mathews is 57 yards from reaching the 1,000-yard milestone this season.
• It is not a shock the Chargers have looked good in the past two games, Since Norv Turner took over in 2007, San Diego is 19-2 in December and January, tying New England for the best record in the league.

UDPATE: The Chargers have sold enough tickets to Sunday’s home game against Baltimore for it to be shown on local television.

The championship window has closed in San Diego.

Once considered the best roster in the league, the San Diego Chargers have seen impressive depth dwindle, they’ve gotten old in key spots and they have lacked toughness. The result has been a steady decline in the last two years.

“They are one of the most confusing teams I’ve ever seen,” Gary Horton of Scouts Inc. said. “You expect so much from them and then they don’t deliver … They should be so much better, but then you watch them and they can’t do it. I just don’t get them.”

The Chargers -- widely considered as a Super Bowl contender going into this season -- stagger into a Monday night game at Jacksonville on a six-game losing skid. It is the Chargers’ longest such streak in 10 years.

After starting 4-1 and looking like a playoff team, San Diego is now 4-7 and apparently on course to miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season. After owning the AFC West for four years, the Chargers are 13-14 since the start of the 2010 season.

When a rift developed between general manager A.J. Smith and coach Marty Schottenheimer after the Chargers went 14-2 in 2006, Smith hired Norv Turner to take a stacked roster to the Super Bowl. That probably won’t happen. Turner, who is 45-30 as Chargers coach, is expected to be fired unless the Chargers, who are three games behind in both the AFC West and the AFC wild-card races with five games to go, make a miraculous playoff run. Smith's job could also be in danger, particularly if San Diego ownership wants to break the bank and make a run at someone like Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden. There have also been indications that the team is open to continuing with Smith as the top football decision-maker.

However, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Saturday that the team may be leaning toward firing Smith.

The Chargers have long been lauded for their roster of big-name talent. In the past decade, they drafted potential Hall of Famers in LaDainian Tomlinson, Drew Brees, and Philip Rivers and signed potential Hall of Fame tight end Antonio Gates. They also drafted Shawne Merriman, who had a strong first three years as a premier pass-rusher before disappearing because of injuries.

All the Chargers have remaining from that group is Rivers, who turns 30 this month, and Gates, who is 31 and who has been dealing with serious foot injuries for three years.

Whoever coaches the Chargers in 2012 – Cowher and Jeff Fisher are already being mentioned as potential candidates – will have some work to do. Some solid core players remain, starting with Rivers, who is struggling through his worst NFL season. Still, the Chargers probably will have to be rebuilt in several areas.

“They aren’t as deep as we always thought they were,” Horton said. “They have problems on the offensive line, their receivers aren’t that strong and the defense doesn’t pass rush anymore."

Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. thinks San Diego has some core players -- but not a ton of them, and some of them have question marks. Williamson says Rivers, receiver Vincent Jackson, Gates, guard Kris Dielman, defensive tackle Antonio Garay, linebacker Shaun Phillips, cornerback Quentin Jammer and safety Eric Weddle are all players who can help the team in the future. Williamson also thinks the team’s last two first-round picks, running back Ryan Mathews and defensive lineman Corey Liuget, have a chance to be core players.

Jackson, who has been inconsistent this year, is a free agent after the season. The Chargers may place the franchise tag on him. Rivers, Gates, Dielman (out for the season with a concussion), Garay, Phillips and Jammer will be 30 or older next season. Still, Williamson believes a coaching change could help provide a spark.

“It’s not all Norv’s fault, but he is not maximizing his team’s potential, which is obviously a key component to his job,” Williamson said.

Horton said he believes that if the Chargers do make a coaching change, they need to bring in a taskmaster. There have been whispers among scouts the past couple of years that the Chargers get outmuscled too often. There have been times when San Diego has been manhandled on both lines, including a few instances against the more physical Raiders.

“I like Norv, but I get the feeling they are not playing hard for him,” Horton said. “They always look soft to me, and they often don’t play with a sense of urgency.”

Still, the Chargers have not been blown out this season and they could have won all seven of their losses; indeed, they have made crucial fourth-quarter (or overtime) mistakes in each of their losses. Turner said this week that effort is not a problem.

“Go through the tapes and there’s great effort,” Turner said. “These guys play hard.”

The players I have talked to in San Diego’s locker room know that change is likely to come, and they say they feel bad that Turner is probably going to be the person to pay for the team’s failures. But it is clear that the Chargers’ time as elite playoff contenders is over. If they are going to re-open their Super Bowl window, it will probably be with new leadership.

The NFL has honored Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bush as the AFC offensive player of the week for his performance in a 24-17 Oakland win at San Diego Thursday.

Bush had 157 yards on 30 carries in the win. He had 78 yards in the first quarter.

Bush’s big game showed how dangerous Oakland’s running game can be. He is the backup to Darren McFadden, who has been out since Week 7 with a foot injury.

It is not known if McFadden can play Sunday at Minnesota, but he is expected to be back fairly soon.

In other AFC West news:

The Chiefs signed linebacker Caleb Campbell to the practice squad. He replaced linebacker Justin Cole, who was signed off the Chiefs’ practice squad to St. Louis’ 53-man roster.

Campbell is famous for missing the 2008-09 season to complete his two-year active duty service in the Army. He was drafted in the seventh round by Detroit and played in three games with the Lions last season. He attended training camp with the Lions this year.

Denver running back Willis McGahee was limited in a practice Tuesday by a hamstring injury he suffered Sunday at Kansas City. The Broncos are hopeful will be will be able to play Thursday against the visiting New York Jets.

When he was a Charger, New York running back LaDainian Tomlinson feasted on the Broncos. He is not expected to get that chance Thursday. He is expected to be out after injuring his knee Sunday.

The Broncos have had the third toughest schedule in the NFL this season. Their opponents have a combined winning percentage of .568. Meanwhile, Kansas City has had the easiest schedule so far. The Chiefs' opponents have a combined winning percentage of .390. Both Denver and Kansas City is 4-5. By the way, the Chiefs’ schedule gets much harder the rest of the season.

Former San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson thinks struggling Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is “distracted.”

The comments made by Tomlinson -- who has made a habit of commenting on the Chargers since his Feb., 2010 release by the team -- were heard in San Diego.

Rivers and San Diego general manager A.J. Smith responded to Tomlinson’s comments to the San Diego Union Tribune. As expected, Rivers took the comments in stride (while denying them) and Smith threw a zinger Tomlinson’s way. Tomlinson and Smith have made a sport of trading barbs the past couple of years.

Expect this story to have some legs for a day or so, but I don’t think there’s much to it.

My take on it is shouldn’t the Jets running back be more concerned about his own quarterback than Rivers? I think it’d be best for Tomlinson if he just moves on from his San Diego days. But he seems to have a problem doing that.

Meanwhile, it appears the San Diego Chargers could be without several key players in a pivotal game against unbeaten Green Bay on Sunday.

Among the San Diego players who missed their second straight day of practice Thursday were running backs Ryan Mathews (groin) and Curtis Brinkley (concussion), guard Kris Dielman (he is out for, at least, another game with a concussion), receiver Malcom Floyd (hip) and linebacker Shaun Phillips (foot).

However, receiver Vincent Jackson (hamstring) practiced Thursday after not practicing Wednesday. Running back Mike Tolbert practiced fully for the second straight day after missing the Chiefs game with a hamstring injury. Tight end Antonio Gates didn’t practice Thursday, but the team said it wasn’t injury related.

In other AFC West news:

Denver football leader John Elway was at a Stanford practice, scouting quarterback Andrew Luck, who should be the No.1 pick in the draft. I know much will be made out of this, but it's simple: Elway would love to have Luck and he will take him if he can get his hands on the No. 1 pick. The interest is not a surprise. I’m sure Elway will scout Luck again.

What it means: The San Diego Chargers have been living dangerously. They opened the season 4-1, but none of their four wins was impressive. Folks around the league were wondering when it would catch up to them. Ironically, in the first half Sunday, the Chargers did look good. They led 21-10. Then, it all fell apart as LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Cromartie’s Jets outscored the Chargers 17-0 in the second half to drop San Diego to 4-2.

Tomorrow’s talker: The Chargers’ passing game lagged Sunday. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Chargers couldn’t get much going vertically. Star receiver Vincent Jackson was targeted just four times. He had just one catch for 15 yards. In the first five games, the Chargers completed six passes of 30-plus yards. They didn’t have any Sunday. Quarterback Philip Rivers had his worst game of the season. He was 16-of-32 for 179 yards. He was intercepted twice and he has now thrown nine interceptions this season. He had nine interceptions in the entire 2009 season.

Mathews contained: The Chargers’ problems on offense weren’t just in the air. Second-year running back Ryan Mathews had just 39 yards rushing on 13 carries. He had been very strong this season, but the Jets’ defense shut him down.

What’s next: The Chargers play at Kansas City on Oct. 31 on "Monday Night Football."

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 7:

Chargers could go after Cromartie: Much has been made of the Chargers facing former star running back LaDainian Tomlinson for the first time since his 2010 release. Sunday’s game at the New York Jets represents another reunion for San Diego. It traded cornerback Antonio Cromartie to the Jets for a couple of draft picks in 2010. Many in the Chargers’ organization felt Cromartie was overrated and he didn’t always play with toughness. Expect San Diego to challenge him often Sunday.

Tebow has hand in Luck sweepstakes: If Tim Tebow wants to be the Broncos’ starting quarterback in 2012, he might want to win his first start of 2011. The Broncos are 1-4 and the Dolphins are 0-5. If the Broncos win at Miami, their chances of ending up with the No. 1 pick and the right to unite John Elway and Andrew Luck -- Stanford star quarterbacks past and present -- would lessen considerably. Thus, Tebow can seriously help his future cause with a win.

Watch for the Chiefs to be prepared to face Kelly: Don’t be surprised if a few Kansas City Chiefs have something to say to Oakland defensive tackle Tommy Kelly. Prior to Oakland’s Week 2 loss at Buffalo, Kelly’s message to the Bills was “we ain't the Chiefs.” It was in response to the Bills’ 41-7 win at Kansas City in Week 1. I’m sure his words were documented in Kansas City’s locker room.

A McClain family reunion: For the first time, the McClain family will be NFL adversaries. Kansas City veteran fullback Le'Ron McClain and Oakland middle linebacker Rolando McClain are cousins. When McClain signed with the Chiefs as a free agent this summer, the two became twice-a-year divisional foes.

Rivers has an unusual problem: San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers has thrown seven interceptions in five games, which is unlike him. What is particularly unusual for Rivers is he is seeing short tosses get picked off. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Rivers has thrown five interceptions this season on passes within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. It is tied for most in the NFL with Carolina rookie Cam Newton. In the past two seasons combined, Rivers threw three interceptions on such throws. Let’s see if his issues continue against the Jets.

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan has announced LaDainian Tomlinson will start against the Chargers on Sunday.

It will be his first start of the season. Shonn Greene is expected to get most of the carries for the Jets. Tomlinson’s start is likely out of respect to his time in San Diego where he become a legendary player. The Chargers cut Tomlinson in 2010 and he signed with the Jets shortly thereafter.

In other AFC West nuggets Thursday afternoon:

Oakland middle linebacker Rolando McClain is among the players not practicing in Oakland Thursday. It is his second straight day he has missed with a foot injury. If McClain doesn’t practice Friday, he could miss Sunday’s game against visiting Kansas City,

Tim Keown offers tremendous insight into TebowMania in ESPN’s Hot Read. Check it out.

Here is a video debate on Ryan’s comments that he would have won rings with the Chargers had he, and not Norv Turner, been hired in 2007.

Antonio Cromartie said he wasn’t happy in San Diego and it was time to go when the team traded him to the Jets in 2010. I know for a fact the feeling is mutual.

An Insider piece looks at the Raiders’ playoff chances.

In a radio interview, San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers discusses the addition of the newest quarterback in the AFC West.

The Chargers have already announced the Nov. 6 game against Green Bay will not be blacked out and the team expects one of the biggest home crowds in team history. Recently, the Chargers haven't been announcing the lifting of blackouts until days before games. The team’s last home game, against Miami in Week 4, was blacked out.