SCOUTING REPORT | AFC West

DENVER BRONCOS
2002 record: 9-7.
Coach: Mike Shanahan.
Key additions: T George Foster (D-1), LB Terry Pierce (D-2), QB Jake Plummer (UFA-Cards), DT Daryl Gardener (UFA-Redskins), G Heath Irwin (UFA-Rams), S Lee Flowers (released-Steelers).
Key losses: DT Chester McGlockton (released-Jets), DE Kavika Pittman (released), CB Denard Walker (UFA-Vikings), S Izell Reese (UFA-Bills), QB Brian Griese (released-Dolphins), CB Tyrone Poole (released-Patriots), RB Olandis Gary (released-Bills), RB Terrell Davis (released).
Profile: Shanahan gave up on Griese and now tries to get Plummer to fulfill his potential. He's certainly more mobile than Griese, but his accuracy is in question. He'll have receivers, including Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie, who might be ready to replace Ed McCaffrey as a starter. RB Clinton Portis could easily run for another 1,500 yards. Defensively, DT/DE Trevor Pryce was up and down, and the addition of Gardener is key. Major help is needed in the secondary after giving up 63.6 percent completions last season, despite the fine work of CB Deltha O'Neal.
Key stat: RB Clinton Portis scored 17 touchdowns, 15 rushing.
Schedule:
Sept. 7 -- at Cincinnati1
Sept.14 -- at San Diego4:15
Sept.22 -- Oakland9
Sept.28 -- Detroit4:15
Oct. 5 -- at Kansas City1
Oct. 12 -- Pittsburgh4:15
Oct. 19 -- at Minnesota1
Oct. 26 -- at Baltimore1
Nov. 3 -- New England9
Nov. 9 -- Bye
Nov. 16 -- San Diego4:05
Nov. 23 -- Chicago4:05
Nov. 30 -- at Oakland4:15
Dec. 7 -- Kansas City4:15
Dec. 14 -- Cleveland4:05
Dec. 21 -- at Indianapolis8:30
Dec. 28 -- at Green Bay4:15
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
2002 record: 8-8.
Coach: Dick Vermeil.
Key additions: RB Larry Johnson (D-1), LB Kawika Mitchell (D-2), DB Julian Battle (D-3), LB Shawn Barber (UFA-Eagles), DE Vonnie Holliday (UFA-Packers), CB Dexter McCleon (released-Rams).
Key losses: P Dan Stryzinksi (released-Jets), DE Duane Clemons (released-Bengals).
Profile: After scoring 467 points last season and giving up 399, there's no question where their priorities lie. They yielded 27 passing TDs and 4.8 yards per rush. Yet Vermeil surprised many by grabbing Johnson in the first round, and then going defense. QB Trent Green finally got the hang of the system and, with Priest Holmes running the ball, it set up TE Tony Gonzalez and WR Eddie Kennison. The Johnson pick is an indication they're not fully confident about Holmes' injury situation. They want Battle to step right in and start after they gave up 65.4 percent pass completions last season.
Key stat: Holmes averaged a rushing touchdown every 14.9 carries.
Schedule:
Sept. 7 -- San Diego1
Sept.14 -- Pittsburgh1
Sept.21 -- at Houston1
Sept.28 -- at Baltimore1
Oct. 5 -- Denver1
Oct. 12 -- at Green Bay1
Oct. 20 -- at Oakland9
Oct. 26 -- Buffalo8:30
Nov. 2 -- Bye
Nov. 9 -- Cleveland1
Nov. 16 -- at Cincinnati1
Nov. 23 -- Oakland4:15
Nov. 30 -- at San Diego4:15
Dec. 7 -- at Denver4:15
Dec. 14 -- Detroit1
Dec. 20 -- at Minnesota5
Dec. 28 -- Chicago1
OAKLAND RAIDERS
2002 record: 11-5.
Coach: Bill Callahan.
Key additions: DB Nnamdi Asomugha (D-1), DT Tyler Brayton (D-1), TE Teyo Johnson (D-2), LB Sam Williams (D-3), RB Justin Fargas (D-3), DT Dana Stubblefield (released-49ers).
Key losses: DE Regan Upshaw (UFA-Redskins), FB Jon Ritchie (UFA-Eagles), CB Tory James (UFA-Bengals), DT Sam Adams (UFA-Bills).
Profile: Nice story about all those 30-somethings last season, but it's time to get a lot younger. They want to keep WR Tim Brown, but he must be more dependable than he was down the stretch in 2002. WR Jerry Porter is due for an 80-catch year, and TE Doug Jolley is a killer up the middle into two-deep coverage. They'll continue to pass about 60 percent of the time and blend in Charlie Garner's running.
Key stat: Opponents were 0 for 5 on 2-point conversion attempts.
Schedule:
Sept. 7 -- at Tennessee8:30
Sept.14 -- Cincinnati4:15
Sept.22 -- at Denver9
Sept.28 -- San Diego4:05
Oct. 5 -- at Chicago1
Oct. 12 -- at Cleveland1
Oct. 20 -- Kansas City9
Oct. 26 -- Bye
Nov. 2 -- at Detriot1
Nov. 9 -- New York Jets4:15
Nov. 16 -- Minnesota4:15
Nov. 23 -- at Kansas City4:15
Nov. 30 -- Denver4:15
Dec. 7 -- at Pittsburgh1
Dec. 14 -- Baltimore4:05
Dec. 22 -- Green Bay9
Dec. 28 -- at San Diego4:15
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
2002 record: 8-8.
Coach: Marty Schottenheimer.
Key additions: CB Sammy Davis (D-1), DB Drayton Florence (D-2), DB Terrence Kiel (D-2), T Courtney Van Buren (D-3), FB Lorenzo Neal (UFA-Bengals), WR David Boston (UFA-Cards), S Kwamie Lassiter (UFA-Cards).
Key losses: S Rodney Harrison (released-Patriots), WR Curtis Conway (released-Jets), LB Junior Seau (T-Dolphins), FB Fred McCrary (released-Patriots).
Profile: They won the Boston sweepstakes. Now, can QB Drew Brees get him the ball. The offense might be dominant with Brees, Boston and RB LaDainian Tomlinson. But unless they improve their defense, they'll look like a facsimile of the Chiefs. They also need depth on the defensive line and at least one more primo offensive lineman.
Key stat: RB LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 100 yards or more seven times.
Schedule:
Sept. 7 -- at Kansas City1
Sept.14 -- Denver4:15
Sept.21 -- Baltimore4:15
Sept.28 -- at Oakland4:05
Oct. 5 -- at Jacksonville4:05
Oct. 12 -- Bye
Oct. 19 -- at Cleveland1
Oct. 27 -- Miami9
Nov. 2 -- at Chicago1
Nov. 9 -- Minnesota4:05
Nov. 16 -- at Denver4:05
Nov. 23 -- Cincinnati4:15
Nov. 30 -- Kansas City4:15
Dec. 7 -- at Detroit1
Dec. 14 -- Green Bay4:15
Dec. 21 -- at Pittsburgh4:05
Dec. 28 -- Oakland4:15