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The Kansas City Chiefs are obviously happy with Matt Cassel as their quarterback. They inspected several of the top quarterbacks, but in the end, Kansas City did not add one in the draft.

Instead, like they did in free agency, the Chiefs built around Cassel. Thus, Cassel has at least one more year in Kansas City to prove he can be a difference-maker.

With the 250th pick, the Chargers stole Michigan State running back Edwin Baker. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper thought Baker was the eighth best running back in the draft. He has some fumbling issues, but he has real ability and he can grow into a good player.

San Diego got a potential future starter in Michigan center David Molk. He is very strong and he is battler. He could be Nick Hardwick’s eventual successor. The Chiefs got nice value in Michigan receiver Junior Hemingway. He was the Sugar Bowl MVP and he is a strong possession receiver. He was way under-valued.

Chiefs’ fourth-round pick, Fresno State receiver Devon Wylie, has often drawn comparisons to New England’s Wes Welker. The man who picked Wylie, Scott Pioli, of course, was in New England with Welker.

Wylie and Oakland fourth-round pick, San Diego State linebacker Miles Burris went to high school together in Granite Bay, California, near Sacramento.

Denver could use their fourth-round pick, center Philip Blake, at guard as well.

I wonder if the Chargers will still look for a veteran running back with Baker on board. The Chargers, and perhaps Oakland, are looking for a veteran free agent running back since they didn’t add one in the draft. There are some solid veterans available who can fill a backup role. Among the veterans available are Ryan Grant, Cedric Benson, Joseph Addai and Tim Hightower.

The Raiders did not draft any cornerbacks despite studying several extensively. The Raiders’ two starting cornerbacks are Ronald Barrtell and Shawntae Spencer. They are both 30 and are both signed to one-year deals.

Denver sixth-round pick, Kentucky linebacker, Danny Trevathan, compiled 287 tackles in the past two seasons. Watch him make an impact on special teams as a rookie.

New Denver quarterback Brock Osweiler worked out with Tim Tebow earlier this offseason when Tebow was still a Bronco.

Denver third-round pick, running back Ronnie Hillman, won’t turn 21 until September.

Oakland seventh-round pick, linebacker Nathan Stupar, is the nephew of former Oakland quarterback Jeff Hostetler.

Philip Rivers will have two more familiar weapons at his disposal in the Pro Bowl on Sunday.

San Diego receiver Vincent Jackson and running back Ryan Mathews have been named to the AFC Pro Bowl team. Jackson replaces New England’s Wes Welker and Mathews is subbing for Baltimore’s Ray Rice.

Jackson had 60 catches for 1,106 yards and nine touchdowns. Mathews had 1,091 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

San Diego safety Eric Weddle and tight end Antonio Gates are also on the team. It will be interesting to see how many times Rivers, Mathews, Jackson and Gates will be on the field at the same.

Here are some areas the Kansas City Chiefs need to focus on after a 34-3 loss against the New England Patriots in Foxboro on Monday night:

Recap: In the end, the undermanned and battered Chiefs were tossed around by a superior team playing at home in prime time. However, the game wasn’t all New England. The Chiefs were outplaying the Patriots until late in the second quarter. All but seven of the Patriots’ points came in the final 31 minutes of the game. Kansas City has now lost three straight games, is 4-6 and is tied for last place in the division with San Diego.

Biggest area to fix: The Chiefs need to continue to work with quarterback Tyler Palko. He entered the game with just 13 career NFL passes. Palko was not terrible Monday. Yes, he threw three interceptions and he made some bad decisions, but he was also competitive. He threw for 236 yards on 25-of-38 passing. Expect offensive coordinator Bill Muir -- who moved from the press box to the field Monday -- to stay on the field and continue to work with Palko as the Chiefs try to stay in the hunt for the final six games of the season. They will be now without starting quarterback Matt Cassel, who is out for the year with a broken hand.

Biggest area to build on: The Chiefs’ played very aggressive on defense in the first half. The game got away from them in the second half, but Kansas City was pushing around the New England offensive line and making life uncomfortable for Tom Brady early. Kansas City had three sacks in the first half and none in the second. Also, credit Kansas City for containing New England receiver Wes Welker. He had two catches for 22 yards. His previous season low for catches was five and his previous season low for yardage was 39. Welker is leading the NFL in receptions (74) and yardage (1,028), yet he was not a factor against the Chiefs.

What to watch for: The Chiefs have the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL and they stay in the prime-time spotlight. The Chiefs host Pittsburgh on Sunday night.

OAKLAND – The Oakland Raiders’ loss to the New England Patriots isn’t devastating in the grand scope of the season.

Oakland is now 2-2 and trails San Diego by one game in the AFC West. Not being ready to hang with Tom Brady and friends is not the end of the world for a program that is growing early in the season. The Raiders still can be good in 2011.

But what the 31-19 loss to the Patriots did show the Raiders is they are not yet ready to be considered a top AFC team. They can get there and now know exactly what they have to do to take the next step.

They must play better defense, they most stop the self-destructive penalties and quarterback Jason Campbell has to play mistake-free.

All three areas were major issues for Oakland in a game where it simply couldn’t keep up with a better team.

“We just didn’t play well,” Oakland coach Hue Jackson said. “That’s the way it is.”

New England’s offense moved the ball at will. Brady, who was more efficient than electric Sunday, threw for 226 yards and the Patriots ran for 183 yards. New England spark-plug receiver Wes Welker picked on a young, hurt secondary as he caught nine passes for 158 yards. The Raiders have now allowed 113 points in the first quarter of the season.

Oakland helped the Patriots by committing nine penalties for 85 yards. The Raiders, who have been the most penalized team in the league in recent years, have committed at least seven penalties in each game this season.

Campbell endured his first poor game of the season even though he passed for 344 yards. Campbell, who has been efficient, threw two terrible interceptions. An interception in the second quarter in the end zone by New England safety Patrick Chung was the turning point of the game. Campbell threw the ball right at Chung.

“I don’t make those kind of mistakes,” Campbell said. “As soon as a I threw it, I said, ‘Oh shoot, I hope he drops it.'”

It wasn’t dropped. However, Oakland did drop an opportunity to show the Patriots and the rest of the conference it is ready to make a serious run at the playoffs for the first time in nine years. Oakland came roaring into this game off the glow of a tremendous win over the New York Jets last week at home.

The Raiders were opportunistic and authoritative in that game. They dictated the game. That never happened Sunday.

Oakland knows it has shoring up to do.

The mood in the Oakland locker room after Sunday’s game was as it should have been. It was quiet, but there was not an air of despair. The Raiders know they were outplayed Sunday and they know their mistakes were too plentiful. But they aren’t packing in it because of a loss on October 2.

“One game doesn’t change a season, but we do need to play better,” said Oakland defensive end Richard Seymour, who was clearly fired up to play the team that traded him two years ago. Seymour committed two 15-yard penalties on the Raiders’ first defensive drive. He added another 5-yard penalty later.

“They outplayed us. We couldn’t make enough plays. But we can fix those things,” Seymour said.

Oakland’s most urgent issue to address is the defense. There are talented players on this unit, however, it continues to get gutted in both the run and passing game. If Oakland’s stellar defensive line doesn’t harass the quarterback, the Raiders’ defense fails. Brady was sacked just once and he was hit just four times Sunday.

New England kept Oakland off balance because it passed and ran the ball so well. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Patriots ran for 174 yards on 21 carries (an average of 8.3 yards per carry) when the Raiders played seven or fewer defenders in the box. The Raiders entered the game allowing 6.6 yards per carry in those situations, which led the league.

Oakland was no better against the pass. They had no answer for Welker. This secondary has been picked on all season. Opponents -- beginning at potent Houston next week -- will continue to peck away Oakland’s secondary until the Raiders prove they can make stops defensively.

Jackson and defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan have a lot of work to do, or the Raiders will simply have to outscore opponents all season.

Campbell wasn’t up to that task Sunday. Once the Patriots started taking control in the third quarter, it was evident the Raiders couldn’t keep up. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Oakland sputtered deep in New England territory. Campbell completed just 54.5 percent of his passes inside the Patriots’ 35-yard line. He completed 67.9 percent of those passes outside New England’s 35.

“We’ll learn from this game,” Campbell said. “That’s the good thing.”

This game will provide plenty of coaching points for Jackson and his staff this week. These Raiders now know what they can’t get away with against the NFL’s elite teams.

For the next couple of days, at least, the AFC West is home to a reality television star. Yeah, pretty cool.

Glenn Pakulak -- in his third preseason as an Oakland punter -- is part of the cast on Bravo’s “Most Eligible Dallas,” which airs Monday at 10 p.m. The series follows some of Dallas’ most social folks.

I caught up with Pakulak on Thursday before the Raiders flew to Seattle for Friday’s preseason finale. Pakulak, who expects to be cut Saturday because of the presence of superstar punter Shane Lechler in Oakland, will get plenty of time to impress other teams Friday. As Oakland plans to rest Lechler and kicker Sebastian Janikowski, Pakulak (who has been with seven NFL teams) said he expects to handle every kicking duty -- punting, kickoffs, extra points and field-goal duties against Seattle. He hasn’t attempted a field goal in a game since high school.

Still, he took time to play five questions:

Bill Williamson: How did your involvement with the show come about?

Glenn Pakulak: “I moved to Dallas a couple of years ago to start a clothing line with good friends Wes Welker (New England’s star receiver) and Kliff Kingsbury (former Texas Tech star quarterback who is now the offensive coordinator at Houston) and I have more time to spend on the line than those guys do because of the stability of their jobs. I think Bravo thought it was neat that I’m a journeyman punter who is also multi-faceted as I also do fitness modeling and I’m involved in fashion design, which is big part of Bravo.”

BW: Do your teammates razz you for being on the show?

GP: (Laughing),Oh yeah. That’s good timing for this question. Just this morning our special teams coach, John Fassel showed my modeling shoot to the entire team. That was the most embarrassing thing to happen. Sunday, we played New Orleans and I saw Drew Brees (a former teammate) and he was heckling the heck out of me.”

BW: What are your immediate plans after you will likely be cut soon?

GP: I really enjoy being in Oakland and working with Shane and Sebastian. They are the best of the best. But this also gives me an opportunity to play in the preseason and show other teams what I can do. I had a good preseason, so hopefully I get picked up. I’m looking forward (to the next week). You never know what opportunity will come next.”

BW: What are your post-football plans?

GP: I will continue to do fitness modeling, and maybe go back to teaching and doing punting camps. I really enjoy working with kids.”

BW: Would you do the television show again?

GP: Definitely, I’ll do the show as long as they want me to do it. I will have as many coals in the fire as possible and scrap off the ones that don’t catch and keep on doing the ones that do catch.”

In a column I wrote last week, Kansas City coach Todd Haley mentioned he wants second-year player Dexter McCluster to run the ball more in 2011 than he did as a rookie.

The 2010 second-round pick was injured often last season. He had 18 carries for 71 yards. McCluster, who was more of a receiver last season, had 21 catches for 209 yards. Haley thinks if McCluster has success as a runner, it could also help him as a receiver.

I caught up with Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. Monday to get his thoughts on how he thinks McCluster could fare as a runner in the Kansas City’s system. Here are some of Williamson’s thoughts:

“I think Haley has to recognize that Thomas Jones is a very ordinary player now and that (Jamaal) Charles' load needs to be managed with a 'pitch count' so to speak,” Williamson said. “So insert McCluster more so in that role. It also gets McCluster more touches, which he needs in Year Two. But I still don't think he is built for more than maybe a handful of carries per game … I would make him a Wes Welker slot guy first and then, maybe, mix in touches. But this league is going more and more to guys, who, more or less, play two positions.”

The Chiefs clearly know they have a weapon in McCluster. It seems this is the year they will try to figure out how to best use him.

Who's up for more football?

The NFL would like to expand the regular season to 18 games and eliminate two preseason games by 2012. Seems like a no-brainer.

But at such a politically charged time, the NFL Players Association isn't willing to concede anything. There are reasons against lengthening the regular season. Injuries are prominent in the discussion, and players would like to be paid for playing additional games.

If the NFL wants an "enhanced season," as it's calling the proposal, then the players would like "enhanced compensation."

Beyond that, however, there are many reasons to debate the idea. That's why ESPN.com's Tim Graham and Bill Williamson are squaring off over it.

Tim Graham: Let's waste no time here, Bill, and get to a fundamental aspect about the proposed expanded season. We can deliberate on injuries and tradition and whether the NFL needs to increase revenues -- and we will. But the root of the 18-game concept is that fans want more meaningful action and less preseason silliness. Season-ticket holders must pay full price to watch undrafted rookies and retreads with no shot of making the roster run around in exhibitions. Those games are irrelevant. What matters is the enthusiasm NFL fans have for getting the season started as early as possible. Take a look at the message boards and listen to the talk shows. They're frothing in anticipation of the upcoming season. More and sooner is better.

Bill Williamson: OK, slick, let's get this right: We're supposed to see the greatest sport of mankind completely change its world because fans shouldn't have to pay for parking during the preseason? I totally agree the preseason is a waste of time after the first two games. But cutting back the preseason to add two games to the regular season -- risking further injury and mucking up the tradition of the game -- just doesn't make any sense. Cut the preseason to two games, keep the 16-game regular-season slate and be done with it. That's a win-win to me.

TG: You know darn well lopping off two preseason games won't cut it with the owners, especially guys like Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft and Woody Johnson. Those games are moneymakers for the individual teams because they can sell local broadcast rights and advertising without having to share with the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars. That kind of cash grab can't evaporate without a trade-off. Two more regular-season games increase revenue streams for all 32 teams. As for your contention it would completely change the greatest sport of all time, I disagree. The fact the game is so remarkable is why we should be able to watch more of it.

BW: Tim, you hit on two points that are going to be the reasons we ultimately end up seeing an 18-game regular season: revenue and fan base. Roger Goodell is a fine commissioner. He is a visionary. He is going to capitalize on the country's absolute rabid desire for the NFL. Fans will jump at the chance to see an 18-game regular-season slate (two more weeks of beer and chicken wings is admittedly appealing), and the owners will bathe in more money. But that doesn't make it right. Sometimes, enough is enough, and Goodell is going to be messing with a good thing. The players are the product, and they are going to suffer because of this. Then, in turn, the game is going to suffer. Who wins there?

TG: You just mentioned chicken wings and beer. I can think of two winners already.

BW: Tim, I think we can both agree the toughest task for any NFL team to navigate a 16-game season is staying healthy. Nothing ruins a Super Bowl dream like a couple ripped-up knees. Going to an 18-game season will only increase season-ending injuries. Look, it's a month before training camp starts and there already have been several players lost for the season, including Willie Colon, Limas Sweed and Thomas Davis. It's a nasty game. Why make these guys risk further injury and further dampen their teams' Super Bowl hopes by playing two more games in the regular season?

TG: I agree additional games will escalate the likelihood a given player gets seriously hurt. But some injuries are going to happen no matter what. New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker, for example, crumpled to the Reliant Stadium turf while making a cut in the regular-season finale. He wasn't touched. Who's to say he wouldn't have suffered the same injury the following Wednesday at practice?

BW: Right, injuries happen all the time. That's my point. Why increase the season by 14 days and give players 14 more chances to get hurt in a game or in a practice? In an 18-game world, a team would have to play a minimum of 21 games to win a Super Bowl. It's currently 19 games. It may be only two more games, but that is a big difference down the stretch. It would be physically and mentally draining for players to wake up Dec. 1 and realize they have two extra games to play to reach their ultimate goal.

TG: Wake up on Dec. 1 and then realize they have two extra games? Will the expanded schedule make comas more prevalent? The players, coaches and training staffs will prepare their players for the extra games from the start of the offseason conditioning program. Maybe, for once, organized team activities will become truly voluntary. Subtract some of those workouts. But there are possible in-season remedies too. I understand players will get beaten up with the accumulation of hits and strains. So return to a two-bye schedule, increase the roster size or do away with game-day inactives to give a team more players to use. The NFL also is talking about another developmental league to replace NFL Europa. That would help improve the quality of substitute players.

BW: The 16-game slate has been in play for 32 years, and it's working great. Every Sunday in the NFL is an event. Even in Detroit and Oakland, where the losses have been suffocating, game day is a cherished occasion. That's because there are only 16 game days a year. An NFL Sunday is a rarity. I love baseball. But if I miss my San Francisco Giants (who are killing me these days, by the way) on a busy Tuesday night, I know I'll have Wednesday to catch them. That's not the case with the NFL. Sundays in the fall are must-see NFL days. It also makes the season more urgent for the participants. "Don’t mess up one of these 16 chances" is often the message from NFL coaching staffs to players. Increasing the number of games would take away from the game. What's next? Twenty games? Twenty-four games? Stop the madness. The football season is compact and intense. Why change it?

TG: NFL games are events not because of how many there are, but because your team plays once per week. Fans revel in or grouse about the last game from the final whistle until about Wednesday morning, when they start looking forward to the upcoming opponent. The tension rises steadily as they talk trash about what's going to happen, they set their fantasy lineups, they maybe wager a few bucks, they attend a tailgate party and then settle into their seats for the opening kickoff. It's an unfailing routine. That's why fans go through a hangover the moment the season is over, and why they can't wait for the next season to commence. NFL games would remain an event if we had a 52-game schedule.

BW: Let's not underplay the value of records. There are some stirring records out there that will be broken by the virtue of two extra games. That's not cool. Let baseball corner the market on asterisks. Why should the NFL have to play that game? It's just one more reason why moving to an 18-game slate would damage the integrity of the game. It's just not worth it. My message to Roger Goodell is this: Be happy with what you got. It’s perfect.

TG: Records, schmecords. NFL milestones stood up when the schedule was lengthened to 16 games in 1978. Running backs still target 1,000-yard seasons, but they stopped being special a long time ago. Last year, Fred Jackson hit quadruple digits. He'll be called a 1,000-yard rusher for the rest of his life. Chris Johnson rushed for 2,000 yards, and he was lumped in with O.J. Simpson, who did it in 14 games. Besides, records don't mean nearly as much as they used to because the game itself has changed. Steve Largent retired as the NFL's all-time leading receiver in 1989. Derrick Mason and Larry Centers, a fullback, have more catches, for crying out loud. Eighteen games. Bring it on.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

Falling

Russell

1. JaMarcus Russell's pass attempts: Even when they are trying to play catch up, the Raiders are not opting to do so with Russell’s passing. He attempted just 13 passes Sunday in a 44-7 loss to the New York Giants.

According to ESPN’s Stats & Information, it tied an NFL record for the fewest pass attempts by a team that lost by 35 points or more. It is clear Oakland just doesn’t trust Russell.

2. Chargers’ harmony: The Chargers made some bye-week noise when general manager A.J. Smith called the team soft. Linebacker Shawne Merriman said the comments by the boss were unnecessary. The Chargers are 2-2 and not all is well as they prepare to face first-place Denver.

3. Chiefs’ pass defense: The Chiefs’ pass defense wasn’t great going into Week 5, but now it is struggling badly. Dallas torched Kansas City in the fourth quarter and in overtime on Sunday in a 26-20 win.

Dallas had 348 yards passing and receiver Miles Austin scored on pass plays of 59 and 60 yards in the fourth quarter and in overtime. Austin had 250 yards receiving.

Rising

Orton

1. Kyle Orton's pass attempts: Denver beat New England in large part because of Orton. He completed 35 of 48 passes for 331 yards.

Orton showed that he can lead Denver even if he has to drop back and throw.

Orton was brilliant in the fourth quarter and in the lone overtime drive as he outdueled Tom Brady and showed great leadership.

Royal

2. Eddie Royal, Broncos, receiver: The second-year receiver finally had the big game that had been expected from him all season. Royal had 91 catches as a rookie, but had just eight catches for 58 yards in the first quarter of the season.

Sunday, though, Royal had 10 catches for 90 yards.

Seven of his catches went for first downs. Royal looks like a Wes Welker-type player in coach Josh McDaniels’ system.

Bowe

3. Dwayne Bowe, receiver, Chiefs: Bowe gave the Chiefs a chance to win Sunday against Dallas before the Cowboys won in overtime. Bowe had a 16-yard touchdown catch in the final moments of regulation as the Chiefs sent the game to overtime. He had 74 yards on five receptions. Bowe has been slowed by injuries and a preseason trip to the bench. But he showed Sunday he can help Kansas City.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

DENVER -- The Broncos put themselves back in the game with a 93-yard touchdown drive, capped by a beautiful catch by Brandon Marshall.

Yet, the Denver defense allowed New England to fly down the field to take a 17-7 lead at the half.

The Denver defense is being ravaged by receiver Wes Welker. Welker has six catches for 69 yards. He left the game on the final drive of the half after being hit by Denver safety Brian Dawkins.

Both Tom Brady and Kyle Orton are playing well. They’ve thrown nine incompletions between them on 37 pass attempts.

New England receiver Randy Moss had one catch -- an interception to end the half. He was on defense in a Hail Mary situation. It was Orton’s first interception of the season.

Denver used one Wildcat formation late in the first half after using it often on the first drive.

Denver is not blitzing much at all.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

Five nuggets of knowledge about this weekend’s games:

Raiders hope to be streak busters: The Oakland Raiders are taking on two major demons of their six years of misery. It’s well documented that the Raiders are 24-72 during the past six seasons (new Raider Richard Seymour won 77 games in that span with the Patriots), but there are some sidebars to add to the doldrums. Oakland has lost 11 straight games to the Chargers. The Raiders open the season Monday night at home against San Diego. That transitions to another Oakland issue of late. This will be Oakland’s third Monday night home game to start the season in four seasons. The Raiders have been beaten by a total of 68-14 in the two games, courtesy of the Chargers and Broncos.

	Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images
	Denver's coaches are expecting Eddie Royal to have the same impact in Josh McDaniels' offense as Wes Welker did in New England.

Can the Chiefs keep the quarterback upright? Matt Cassel is going to try to play Sunday at Baltimore in his Kansas City debut despite suffering a sprained knee Aug. 29 in a preseason game. If he can't go, Brodie Croyle probably will play. The question is, can Kansas City’s offensive line keep whatever quarterback plays upright against the Ravens? This line is in shambles. The Ravens have a nasty defense, so this one may get ugly. If Cassel isn’t at his full mobility, he may be better served sitting and waiting to debut as a Chief at home in Week 2 against Oakland. If Croyle plays Sunday, he could be in trouble. He was injured twice last season and has proven to be very fragile. It could be a tough day for Kansas City’s quarterbacks Sunday.

Expect a more active Rivers: Monday night’s opener in Oakland will be an anniversary of sorts for Chargers star quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers made his starting debut at Oakland in a Monday night game in 2006. The Chargers won, 27-0. Rivers was very efficient, but unspectacular on his maiden voyage. He completed 8 of 11 passes for 108 yards. Don’t expect the same shy Rivers Monday night. He will be spraying the ball around as the Chargers will try to jump on the Raiders.

Can Eddie be a Royal pain? Denver receiver Eddie Royal jumped into the national spotlight last season on opening night when he scorched Oakland cornerback DeAngelo Hall on "Monday Night Football." The second-round pick from Virginia Tech had nine catches for 146 yards in a Denver rout. The Broncos hope Royal, who had 91 catches last season, starts his second season with another big game. New Denver coach Josh McDaniels envisions Royal having the same type of impact that Wes Welker had for McDaniels in New England. So, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Royal has another big day.

Curtain opens for three coaches: This will be a big weekend for the AFC West after a busy and tumultuous offseason. Three coaches -- McDaniels, Todd Haley in Kansas City and Tom Cable in Oakland -- are making their permanent debuts with their new clubs. Cable was the interim coach last season. McDaniels and Haley come to the AFC West as hotshot offensive minds and Cable promises stability in Oakland. Will it work? Well, there have been plenty of bumps in the road (especially in Denver and Oakland) to start these coaches' careers, but it all starts counting this weekend as they begin to roam the sideline as the head coach.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Lance from Wichita, Kan., wants to know what kind of role does Denver owner Pat Bowlen play in the Brandon Marshall situation.

Bill Williamson: It depends on who you believe, Lance. Marshall has maintained that Bowlen told him the team would try to trade him back in June. The Broncos deny that. But it really isn't the issue. This thing is beyond Bowlen. I really think Bowlen could have done a better job in the Jay Cutler saga. Yes, I know the Broncos say Cutler didn't return Bowlen's calls. But he could have intervened early. He could have forced Cutler and new coach Josh McDaniels to mend fences. The Marshall deal is about money and Marshall's unhappiness. I really don't pin this one on the owner.

---

Reggie A. Gamble from Rockledge, Fla., wants to know if the Chiefs will make any moves at receiver.

BW: Yes, I expect the Chiefs to add to their receiving crew. Coach Todd Haley all but said he would look for help when teams make their final cuts Sept. 5. The Chiefs already brought in veteran receivers Amani Toomer and Ashley Lelie since training camp began. The Chiefs have the third highest priority on the waiver wire in the league so expect them to be able to help the bottom of their receiving rotation before the first week of the season.

---

David from Akron, Ohio, wants to know what kind of season can be expected from Denver second-year receiver Eddie Royal.

BW: Royal has looked fantastic in McDaniels' offense. He can play several different positions. Expect Royal, who had 91 receptions as a rookie, to have a monster year. McDaniels can't wait to unleash him. Don't be surprised if Royal plays a Wes Welker-like role in Denver. Welker was a slot receiver for McDaniels in New England. And if the Marshall saga continues, Royal will have an even bigger role in Denver's offense.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Denver

Eddie Royal impresses his new coach.

My take: Royal has the goods. I think new Denver coach Josh McDaniels is going to have a lot of fun designing plays for Royal. He could have a Wes Welker-like impact in Denver's offense. Welker thrived under McDaniels in New England. Royal is one of new Denver quarterback Kyle Orton's best chances for success.

Kansas City

Clancy Pendergast is taking control of the Chiefs' defense.

My take: Pendergast is one of the most innovative, creative defensive coordinators in the league. And he'll need to be. The Chiefs' defense is young in key places and has no proven pass rush. There are some intriguing pieces to this unit, but Pendergast has a tough job ahead of him.

Oakland

There is competition at right cornerback.

My take: Stanford Routt is pushing Chris Johnson at the position. Johnson did well after the Raiders cut DeAngelo Hall last season. If Routt can finally become a major player in this defense, it will only help the team. I could see a situation where both Johnson and Routt get significant playing time.

San Diego

Jacques Cesaire is enjoying his new role.

My take: The Chargers thinks Cesaire, who has been a productive role player, will excel in a starting role. He will take over for Igor Olshansky, who departed to Dallas as a free agent. Cesaire will likely get some help in the rotation, but expect him to play well.

Posted by ESPN.com staff

Denver Broncos

• Brandon Marshall says he will report on time for training camp.
• NFL.com's Jamie Dukes says there are trust issues when it comes to new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels.

Kansas City Chiefs

• Former Chiefs receiver Andre Rison still thinks highly of himself and the way he played the game.
• Patriots receiver Wes Welker offers his thoughts on Chiefs QB Matt Cassel and GM Scott Pioli.
  

Oakland Raiders

• According to Brandon Myers' agent, the Raiders and the rookie tight end have reached an agreement on a four-year deal.
• Wide receiver Todd Watkins hopes to make more of an impact in his second season with the Raiders.

San Diego Chargers

• Defensive end Luis Castillo is anxious for the start of training camp.
  

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Let's rank the offenses in the AFC West.

In making our decision, we considered every aspect of the unit. We took into account the passing game, the running game, blocking and coaching. Here is how we saw it:

	Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
	The Chargers' offense runs through Philip Rivers.

San Diego: The Chargers, by far, have the best offense in the division. It is a complete unit. San Diego has a ton of weapons and can win games either in the air or on the ground.

Of course, it all starts with quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers, 27, is emerging as one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL after three seasons as a starter. He threw for 4,009 yards last season.

His top targets are tight end Antonio Gates, who remains a premier player at his position, and receiver Vincent Jackson. A big receiver, Jackson is a deep threat who has a penchant for making big plays in important games.

Rivers works well in Norv Turner's system. Turner might have his detractors based on his work as a head coach, but his prowess as an offensive coach cannot be denied. Rivers has made strides under Turner.

The Chargers' run game is also top notch, even though superstar running back LaDainian Tomlinson is showing signs of decline. Still, Tomlinson, who turned 30 in June, has to be counted as a 1,100-plus yard rusher until he proves he can no longer produce. His backup, Darren Sproles, is a key.

The diminutive Sproles is a terrific change-of-pace back who has proven he can help win games when Tomlinson is out. Expect to see Sproles get more carries this season as Turner tries to utilize both running backs.

San Diego's offensive line isn't as strong as it was a couple of years ago, but if the unit can stay healthy and rookie Louis Vasquez can come along at guard, it should be fine.

Overall, this is a strong group and the best offense in a division that is fairly decent on that side of the ball.

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	Shawne Merriman and Tom Brady were both missed by their teams in 2008.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham and Bill Williamson

Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL.

Two of the safest bets heading into 2008 were the New England Patriots would remain atop the AFC East and the San Diego Chargers would win the AFC West again. A Patriots-Chargers' showdown in the conference title game sounded sensible.

That, of course, didn't happen. The Patriots didn't reach the playoffs, while the Chargers squeaked into the postseason.

The teams were hollow versions of themselves. Each had lost its soul because of knee injuries one game into the season.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady suffered torn ligaments on opening day. Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman tried to play despite a previous double tear of his own, but couldn't do it and opted for surgery.

Brady and Merriman are healthy this year and plan on contending for the Super Bowl. In the latest edition of our weekly "Double Coverage" debate, AFC West blogger Bill Williamson and AFC East blogger Tim Graham discuss which returning superstar will have the bigger impact for his team.

Brady

Merriman

Bill Williamson: Tim, arguing against Brady is like trying to poke holes at JFK at a Fourth of July clam bake on the Cape. I admire Brady's accomplishments and abilities as much as anyone. But I think I have a shot on this one. Merriman is a force, and he proved that he is one of the most indispensable players in the NFL by sitting out all but one game in 2008. Yes, even more than Mr. Gisele. Merriman is more important to his team than Brady. You want proof? New England was 11-5 despite playing most of those games without Brady. San Diego was 8-8, playing 15 of those games without Merriman. In two previous seasons, with Merriman dominating from his outside linebacker position, San Diego won 25 games in 32 regular-season tries. With Matt Cassel as Brady's replacement last season, New England was still a top team. The Chargers floundered without Merriman. Yes, they went to the postseason and New England didn't. But that's more of an indictment on the rest of the AFC West. After all, San Diego was 4-8 at one point. The Chargers were paralyzed without Merriman on defense. The Patriots still flourished without Brady on offense.

Tim Graham: Anybody who wants to marginalize Brady's greatness can make quick reference to what the Patriots accomplished without him. A backup who hadn't started a single game since high school came in and led them to 11 victories. The Patriots almost made the playoffs. But the key word in that sentence is "almost." Cassel turned out to be decent. He was good enough that the Kansas City Chiefs wanted him to be their leading man -- even with a one-year, $14.65 million price tag. But Cassel won those 11 games against the NFL's weakest schedule based on 2007 records. Against an almost identical schedule, the Miami Dolphins went from a one-victory team to AFC East champs. Had Brady been healthy last year, the Patriots would have remained Super Bowl favorites. You do make a good point that the loss of Merriman rendered the Chargers a .500 team, but let me remind everybody the Patriots' win total shrank by five last year. The Chargers regressed by only three victories without Merriman.

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