AFC WEST
DEFENDING CHAMP
PIERSON’S FAVORITE
1. DENVER BRONCOS
Where: Bowlen Memorial Centre, Englewood, Colo.
When: July 27.
New arrivals: DE Kenard Lang, WR Javon Walker, LB Nate Webster, CB Willie Middlebrooks.
Gone: RB Mike Anderson, DT Trevor Pryce, TE Jeb Putzier, RB Quentin Griffin, CB Lenny Walls.
Top rookies: QB Jay Cutler, TE Tony Scheffler.
What’s up: Walker must show he’s fully recovered from knee injury that left him on Green Bay’s expendable list. If Cutler shows early promise, this could be QB Jake Plummer’s last chance in Denver to get to a Super Bowl. Plugging in replacement for top running back Anderson nothing new for coach Mike Shanahan.
2. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Where: University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
When: July 27.
New arrivals: Coach Herm Edwards, RB Quentin Griffin, DT Ron Edwards, CB Lenny Walls, CB Chris Johnson, OT Kyle Turley, OT Ian Allen, QB Casey Printers (B.C. Lions).
Gone: Coach Dick Vermeil, LB Shawn Barber, CB Dexter McCleon, LB Gary Stills, CB Eric Warfield, QB Todd Collins, WR Mark Boerigter, FB Tony Richardson, WR Chris Horn, WR Brett Fisher, S Jerome Woods.
Top rookies: DE Tamba Hali, S Bernard Pollard.
What’s up: Edwards needs to jack up 25th defense while maintaining top-ranked offense. RB Larry Johnson started only nine games last season but gained 1,750 yards. He will carry heavier load. Did defense get enough help? Quick development of Hali is key.
3. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Where: Chargers Park, San Diego.
When: July 28 (July 24 rookies).
New arrivals: S Marlon McCree, TE Aaron Shea, WR Rashaun Woods, TE Brandon Manumaleuna, CB Raymond Walls.
Gone: QB Drew Brees, CB Jerry Wilson, LB Ben Leber, G Bob Hallen, WR Reche Caldwell, CB Sammy Davis, DE DeQuincy Scott, CB Jamar Fletcher, TE Justin Peelle.
Top rookies: CB Antonio Cromartie, OT Marcus McNeill.
What’s up: It’s third-year man Philip Rivers’ team now that Brees has left. He’s way behind fellow 2004 draftees Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger and coach Marty Schottenheimer didn’t want to see Brees go. Could contend for Super Bowl if Rivers comes through.
4. OAKLAND RAIDERS
Where: Napa Valley Marriott, Napa, Calif.
When: July 24.
New arrivals: Coach Art Shell, CB Tyrone Poole, QB Aaron Brooks, DE Lance Johnstone, G Kevin Garmon, CB Duane Starks, LB Robert Thomas.
Gone: Coach Norv Turner, DT Ted Washington, CB Renaldo Hill, QB Kerry Collins, CB Charles Woodson, DT Ed Jasper, DT Tim Johnson.
Top rookies: S Michael Huff, LB Thomas Howard.
What’s up: Shell returns to team in perennial rebuilding mode. Replacements look no better than losses, especially at quarterback. Shell’s main task is to restore pride to franchise with only 13 victories since 2002 Super Bowl season. WR Randy Moss needs to stay healthy and happy.
NFC WEST
DEFENDING CHAMP
PIERSON’S FAVORITE
1. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Where: Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Wash.
When: July 28 (July 27 rookies).
New arrivals: LB Julian Peterson, DT Russell Davis, OL Tom Ashworth, WR Nate Burleson, TE Will Heller, DE Kemp Rasmussen, S Mike Green.
Gone: CB Andre Dyson, LB Jamie Sharper, CB Michael Harden, WR Joe Jurevicius, S Marquand Manuel, TE Ryan Hannam, G Steve Hutchinson, OT Wayne Hunter, WR Alex Bannister, P Tom Rouen.
Top rookies: CB Kelly Jennings, DE Darryl Tapp, G Rob Sims.
What’s up: Coach Mike Holmgren will try to guard against letdown by Super Bowl loser. Last five failed to reach playoffs, which seems impossible for Seahawks in weak NFC West. League MVP Shaun Alexander got huge contract to defend rushing title.
2. ST. LOUIS RAMS
Where: Rams Park, St. Louis.
When: July 26.
New arrivals: Coach Scott Linehan, DE La’Roi Glover, S Corey Chavous, LB Will Witherspoon, CB Fakhir Brown, QB Gus Frerotte, LB Raonall Smith, P Matt Turk, OT Todd Stuessie, RB Tony Fisher, KR Brad Pyatt, DT Jason Fisk, QB Dave Ragone.
Gone: Coach Mike Martz, LB Chris Claiborne, S Adam Archuleta, DT Damione Lewis, S Mike Furrey, RB Arlen Harris, OT, Rex Tucker, DE Tyoka Jackson, TE Brandon Manumaleuna, QB Jamie Martin.
Top rookies: CB Tye Hill, TE Joe Kopfenstein, DT Claude Wroten, LB Jon Alston.
What’s up: Former Saints coach Jim Haslett is Linehan’s choice to revamp 30th-ranked defense. Linehan wants to protect QB Marc Bulger better by running big Steven Jackson more.
3. ARIZONA CARDINALS
Where: Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff.
When: July 30.
New arrivals: RB Edgerrin James, G Milford Brown, KR Troy Walters, S Jack Brewer.
Gone: S Quentin Harris, QB Josh McCown, DT Russell Davis, CB Raymond Walls, WR Reggie Newhouse, OT Ian Allen.
Top rookies: QB Matt Leinart, G Deuce Lutui, TE Leonard Pope, DT Gabe Watson.
What’s up: Coach Dennis Green thinks James is the missing piece on a team that finished in the top 12 in all offensive and defensive yardage totals except rushing, where they were dead last. Incumbent QB Kurt Warner will try to hold off Leinart.
4. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Where: 49ers Complex, Santa Clara, Calif.
When: July 27.
New arrivals: WR Antonio Bryant, WR Bryan Gilmore, CB Walt Harris, OL Larry Allen, CB Sammy Davis, LB T.J. Slaughter, QB Trent Dilfer, S Chad Williams, P Tom Rouen.
Gone: CB Ahmed Plummer, WR Johnnie Morton, DE Andre Carter, WR Brandon Lloyd, LB Julian Peterson, FB Fred Beasley, WR Rashaun Woods, QB Ken Dorsey.
Top rookies: TE Vernon Davis, LB Manny Lawson.
What’s up: Rookie quarterback Alex Smith threw only one touchdown pass last season, but this year’s rookie tight end, Davis, is supposed to change that. Allen will change attitude of offensive line if not entire offense.
