You snooze……..You lose – Article by Phillip Maxwell
Well, there hasn’t been any snoozing going on in the American Football Conference this offseason, that’s for sure……What in the wide world of sports is going on in the AFC?
It’s been like watching a shark frenzy this last month and a half…..AFC teams have been clamoring for upgrades like a Walmart mob on Black Friday fighting for that last big-screen TV. In their defense, though, having to watch the same team (Chiefs) advance to the AFC Championship 4 seasons in a row while reaching the Superbowl in two of them has got to be a little disheartening some, degrading. For example, the Denver Broncos, who haven’t had a victory over the Chiefs in over six years–a 13-game losing streak!
AFC teams are trying their best through whatever means possible to get that edge over the Chiefs…especially the AFC West.
Let’s take a look at some of the new acquisitions via FA signings and Trades that our AFC West counterparts have made.
Denver Broncos
o Acquired QB Russell Wilson formerly of the Seattle Seahawks
This move was huge, folks! Denver shook the NFL world up when they managed to trade for this SB Champion QB …I mean, wow! The Broncos were already a contending squad that was missing one key ingredient, so they went out and got it. Russell will have a group of receivers that will be tough to defend, fielding three talented receivers: Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, and Courtland Sutton.
o Randy Gregory
This guy pulled an Emmanuel Sanders on the Cowboys. He waited until the Cowboys literally announced they had come to a 5-year agreement with him and then, at the last second, performed an impression of Lucy pulling the ball away from Charlie Brown and then yelling, YIKES! If this guy can keep his nose clean. He had a tough time in the past. He will be a positive factor for the Bronco’s pass rush by staying clean.
o Signed Depth Players K’Waun Williams, DJ Jones, and OTs Billy Turner and Tom Compton
In some depth moves to bolster their defense, they brought in K’Waun Williams and D.J. Jones and a couple of OTs in Billy Turner and Tom Compton.
I have to give the Broncos an “A” on this one.
Los Angeles Chargers
o Signed Khalil Mack
Khalil Mack? Wait, what??? Yeah, I guess that is a good addition.
o JC Jackson (CB)
The Chargers managed to steal an insatiable ballhawk away from the Patriots. Jackson has snagged the most INT’s of any defensive player over the past four seasons, tallying up an impressive 25 total takeaways. That is pretty darn impressive, if I might say. In a couple of other defensive depth moves, the Charger brought in NT Sebastian Joseph-Day and DL Austin Johnson.
o Center Corey Linsley
The acquisition of Linsley fills the void at center and helps solidify the OL(Former All-Pro)
o Signed OG/OT Matt Feiler
After acquiring Linsley, the Chargers picked up Feiler. Ostensibly he will play LG but has the versatility to play OT.
o G Oday Aboushi
The Chargers OL was a weakness in 2021. They had problems with the IOL. They also signed Aboushi as part of the counter to that previous weakness. Aboushi was a great value signing at one year, $1.6 million. They Signed three starters to address the exposure.
o DL Depth – NT Sebastian Joseph-Day and DT Austin Johnson
In a couple of other defensive depth moves, the Charger brought in NT Sebastian Joseph-Day and DL Austin Johnson.
o A lone Offense Player added TE Gerald Everett
The Chargers have the offensive firepower to compete for the Division Title. Their questions will be answered based on that. They did not add to the DT rotation in the draft, but their Defense acquisitions were solid.
o Key Depth Players on Defense: Edge Rusher Kyler Fackrell, CB Ryan Smith, and DT Christian Covington
One thing is sure about the Charger’s Defense: Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack are charging (pun intended) at QBs from both sides. What a great Pair of Edge Players to field. I don’t know what would if that doesn’t give offensive linemen that deer in the headlight look. This acquisition made me shoot coffee out my nostrils, followed by what some would call a child-like tantrum.
I’d rate the Charger’s Offseason free agent signings as an “A.” The Mack trade alone deserves to make the grade of an “A.”
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders improved in free agency by acquiring WR. The cost of draft capital was the single-most addition they made in Free Agency. What they gave up to acquire him was a 1st and 2nd round draft pick in 2022’s draft. The result was that the Raider draft was made considerably weaker. However, the trade did give QB Derek Carr the missing ingredient of a top aerial target.
o Davante Adams
In a move that almost caused Aaron Rodgers to pack up his toys and go home, the Raiders snagged Aaron’s favorite and most dependable weapon in Adams. Davante was the highest-graded receiver in the league in 2021. Davante should make even Derek Carr look good.
o Chandler Jones
Again….what??? After retaining stud Edge rusher Maxx Crosby, the Raiders then bring in Jones to create another AFC West Dynamic Rushing Duo. All I can say is, I hope the Chiefs offensive linemen have stocked up on their Wheaties. Jones boosts the pass rush capability of the DL. He is a worthy addition to pair with Maxx Crosby(emerging Edge Player). The downside for Chandler is to duplicate previous success at age 32. He is not a foundation player.
o Bill Davis – DT
Davis is a solid plug-and-play IDL.
o Rock Ya-Sin – CB
Rock is a solid defender and will aid the secondary.
o Depth Player addition CB Darius Phillips, OG Alex Bars
After retaining stud Edge rusher Maxx Crosby, the Raiders then bring in Jones to create yet another AFC West Dynamic Rushing Duo. All I can say is, I hope the Chiefs offensive linemen have stocked up on their Wheaties.
I know the Raiders were cheering about trading for Davante Adams. You can see the team tried to shore up the defense. Is it enough? the new Raider GM Dave Ziegler went the veteran acquisition route and sacrificed the draft to do it. Grade it an “A.” The same question abounds for them as for the Chargers: is it enough?
A lot of shifting – no Team in the AFC West was Asleep at the Wheel
Snooze or Lose, all three of the Chief’s opponents took their shot at improving to take away the AFC West stranglehold the Chiefs have had on the West title. Is it enough? All three of the Chief’s opponents improved in the 2022 off-season. Neither did the Chiefs succumb to sleep and snore away. They, too, came away with an off-season “A” grade. Despite improving their roster, the Chiefs still have two exposures on the DL, getting young, faster, bigger, and more physical players aboard. They have converted one of those with the signing of Mel Ingram(UFA). Most of us feel that a pass-rush DT is needed. Solving that potential weakness remains to be done. At the same time, Brett Veach resolved every other exposure or liability despite losing the Lone Wolf great WR, Tyreek Hill.
No one snoozed. All four AFC West teams earned an off-season grade of an “A.” For the Chiefs, the downside of this AFC Arms race is that our opponent teams’ GMs have stepped up to the plate.
At this point, it’s a huge question mark as to who is powerful enough to win the west. I’d bet on Patrick Mahomes. Sure, this is a prejudiced opinion. But, from all the various pundits around the NFL, it appears that the Chiefs are still favored to win the AFC West title. The 2022 season will be an intriguing season, no matter what!
Outside the AFC West, here are some honorable mentions across the AFC
Cleveland Browns QB DeShaun Watson and WR Amari Cooper
Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill….. #%&#!
Buffalo Bills Edge Von Miller
The AFC West will be a terrific struggle, as will the AFC overall.
Phillip Maxwell – ArrowheadOne