Tribune pro football reporter Don Pierson analyzes the AFC West heading into training camp.
(In order of 2002 finish)
Raiders
Training camp: Napa Valley Marriott, Napa, Calif., Thursday. Top additions: DT Dana Stubblefield, FB Cecil Martin, TE O.J. Santiago.
Rookies to watch: CB Nnamdi Asomugha, DE Tyler Brayton.
Key losses: DT Sam Adams, DE Regan Upshaw, CB Tory James, S Anthony Dorsett, RB Terry Kirby, WR James Jett, FB Jon Ritchie.
Camp goals: Making sure Super Bowl no-show Barret Robbins earns way back into good graces of teammates. He’s one of league’s best centers. Revamping defensive line. Does ex-Bear Trace Armstrong still have a year left?
Broncos
Training camp: Bowlen Center, Englewood, Colo., Thursday.
Top additions: DT Daryl Gardner, QB Jake Plummer, S Lee Flowers, G Heath Irwin.
Rookies to watch: OT George Foster, LB Terry Pierce.
Key losses: CB Denard Walker, QB Brian Griese, RB Olandis Gary, DE Kavika Pittman, G Lennie Friedman.
Camp goals: Plummer hopes to give coach Mike Shanahan more big plays than Griese did. New defensive coordinator Larry Coyer is replacing Ray Rhodes.
Chargers
Training camp: Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif., Friday. Top additions: FB Lorenzo Neal, WR David Boston, OT Solomon Page, S Kwame Lassiter.
Rookies to watch: CB Sammy Davis, S Terrance Kiel.
Key losses: WR Curtis Conway, LB Orlando Ruff, RB Terrell Fletcher, S Rodney Harrison, CB Alex Molden, LB Junior Seau, FB Fred McCrary, S Rogers Beckett.
Camp goals: Get Boston assimilated into offense immediately. Young secondary (maybe two rookie starters and second-year corner Quentin Jammer) must improve 32nd-ranked pass defense.
Chiefs
Training camp: University of Wisconsin-River Falls, began Saturday.
Top additions: CB Dexter McCleon, LB Shawn Barber, DE Vonnie Holliday.
Rookie to watch: RB Larry Johnson.
Key losses: DE Duane Clemons, P Dan Stryzinski, CB Derek Combs, CB Ray Crockett.
Camp goals: If RB Priest Holmes has not recovered from hip injury, rookie Johnson will have to step up to push Tony Richardson. Worst defense in league needs help from newcomers.
