AFC division-by-division breakdown

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 23, 2008 at 11:46 a.m.

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AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

* 2007 rewind: 7-9, second in AFC West. Missed playoffs.

* Training camp: Broncos complex, Englewood. Veterans and rookies report today.

* Best adds: LB Boss Bailey (Lions), WR Keary Colbert (Panthers), WR Darrell Jackson (49ers), LB Niko Koutouvides (Seahawks), S Marlon McCree (Chargers), S Marquand Manuel (Panthers), C Casey Wiegmann (Chiefs).

* Biggest losses: K Jason Elam (Falcons), WR Javon Walker (Raiders), C/G Chris Myers (Texans).

* Rookie to watch: T Ryan Clady (first round).

* Summer job: The Broncos' first three wins of the disappointing 2007 season came off Elam's right foot, and the veteran had four winners overall. That is a big hole for a team that has played it so close to the scoreboard vest in recent seasons. Also, most opposing personnel executives believe one of the biggest defensive failings in recent years has been the pass rush, and if it isn't better, the Broncos will have trouble changing their fortunes on defense.

Kansas City Chiefs

* 2007 rewind: 4-12, tied for third in AFC West. Missed playoffs.

* Training camp: University of Wisconsin River Falls. Veterans and rookies report today.

* Best adds: LB Demorrio Williams (Falcons), DB/KR B.J. Sams (Ravens).

* Biggest losses: DE Jared Allen (Vikings), C Casey Wiegmann (Broncos), WR Samie Parker (Broncos).

* Rookies to watch: DT Glenn Dorsey (first round), Branden Albert (first round).

* Summer job: A team run down by age in 2007 has turned over its roster - 12 draft picks alone - in hopes of turning its fortunes. That's a lot to mesh together this season, especially with large questions on offense. RB Larry Johnson remains, but quarterback still is a riddle, the receiving corps is unproven and they are poised to start a rookie at left tackle (Albert). They have big expectations for DE Tamba Hali, who will replace Allen. But Allen's 151/2 sacks and all-out effort will be missed.

Oakland Raiders

* 2007 rewind: 4-12, tied for third in AFC West. Missed playoffs.

* Training camp: Napa Valley Marriott, Napa Valley, Calif. Rookies and veterans report today.

* Best adds: WR Javon Walker (Broncos), S Gibril Wilson (Giants), DT Williams Joseph (Giants), DE Kalimba Edwards (Lions).

* Biggest losses: WR Jerry Porter (Jaguars), DE Chris Clemons (Eagles), DE Tyler Brayton (Panthers), DB/KR Chris Carr (Titans).

* Rookie to watch: Darren McFadden (first round).

* Summer job: Owner Al Davis has tossed a dump truck load of cash around in yet another search for respectability. So a roster in flux that comes into the season facing playoffs-or-else expectations also has to find some chemistry. And nobody's seat is hotter than coach Lane Kiffin's, whose job security hangs by a frayed thread and must mold a roster he had little impact in creating.

San Diego Chargers

* 2007 rewind: 11-5, first in AFC West. Lost 21-12 to New England in AFC Championship Game.

* Training camp: Chargers complex, San Diego. Rookies reported Sunday, veterans report today.

* Best add: LB Derek Smith (49ers).

* Biggest losses: RB Michael Turner (Falcons), CB Drayton Florence (Jaguars), S Marlon McCree (Broncos).

* Rookie to watch: FB Jacob Hester (second round).

* Summer job: As the team everyone else in the division is chasing, they have largely stood pat in free agency the past two years, choosing to continue to shape a still-youthful roster that has tasted some success. They need to see if that will be enough to win the division and get them over the postseason hump. QB Philip Rivers must take another leap in his development and do-it-all RB LaDainian Tomlinson must remain healthy.

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

* 2007 rewind: 7-9, second in AFC East. Missed playoffs.

* Training camp: St. John Fisher College, Pittsford, N.Y. Rookies and veterans report Friday.

* Best add: LB Kawika Mitchell (Giants).

* Biggest loss: CB Jason Webster (Patriots).

* Rookie to watch: CB Leodis McKelvin (first round).

* Summer job: Groom the young guys. If McKelvin and WR James Hardy start as expected, that will be 10 starters of the past three drafts.

Miami Dolphins

* 2007 rewind: 1-15, fourth in AFC East. Missed playoffs.

* Training camp: Dolphins complex, Davie, Fla. Rookies and veterans report Friday.

* Best add: Ernest Wilford (Jaguars).

* Biggest loss: LB Zach Thomas (Cowboys).

* Rookie to watch: QB Chad Henne (second round).

* Summer job: It's the Parcells way right now, which means lots of turnover and a training camp built around the sole purpose of seeing who will survive and buy into the program.

New England Patriots

* 2007 rewind: 16-0, first in AFC East. Lost 17-14 to New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.

* Training camp: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Mass. Rookies reported Monday, veterans reported Wednesday.

* Best add: LB Victor Hobson (Jets).

* Biggest loss: CB Asante Samuel (Eagles).

* Rookie to watch: CB Terrence Wheatley (second round).

* Summer job: Find out if their offensive line, which was dominated in the Super Bowl, merely had a bad day or has bigger issues to contend with against opposing defenses that believe they now have the blueprint to beat them.

New York Jets

* 2007 rewind: 4-12, third in AFC East. Missed playoffs.

* Training camp: Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y. Rookies reported July 16, veterans reported Wednesday.

* Best add: G Alan Faneca (Steelers).

* Biggest loss: S Erik Coleman (Falcons).

* Rookie to watch: TE Dustin Keller (first round).

* Summer job: Figure out who will throw the ball. Jets coach Eric Mangini has said the competition is open between 32-year-old Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens.

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

* 2007 rewind: 5-11, fourth in AFC North. Missed playoffs.

* Training camp: McDaniel College, Westminster, Md. Rookies reported Monday, veterans reported Wednesday.

* Best add: CB Frank Walker (Packers).

* Biggest loss: DB/KR B.J. Sams (Chiefs).

* Rookie to watch: QB Joe Flacco (first round).

* Summer job: Their plan seems to be to put Kyle Boller back at QB. They need new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron to make it work.

Cincinnati Bengals

* 2007 rewind: 7-9, third in AFC North. Missed playoffs.

* Training camp: Georgetown College, Georgetown, Ky. Rookies and veterans report Sunday.

* Best add: DE Antwan Odom (Titans).

* Biggest loss: DE Justin Smith (49ers).

* Rookie to watch: WR Andre Caldwell (third round).

* Summer job: To repair a run defense that consistently has dragged this team into mediocrity in Marvin Lewis' tenure as coach.

Cleveland Browns

* 2007 rewind: 10-6, second in AFC North. Missed playoffs.

* Training camp: Browns complex, Berea, Ohio. Rookies and veterans reported Wednesday.

* Best add: WR Donte Stallworth (Patriots).

* Biggest loss: CB Leigh Bodden (Lions).

* Rookie to watch: LB Beau Bell (fourth round).

* Summer job: Same old, same old for this playoff hopeful - it has surrendered at least 129 rushing yards a game every season since returning in 1999.

Pittsburgh Steelers

* 2007 rewind: 10-6, first in AFC North. Lost 31-29 to Jacksonville in AFC wild-card game.

* Training camp: St. Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa. Rookies and veterans report Sunday.

* Best add: LB Keyaron Fox (Chiefs).

* Biggest loss: G Alan Faneca (Jets).

* Rookie to watch: WR Limas Sweed (second round).

* Summer job: After Faneca's departure and the ineffectiveness of Sean Mahan at center last season, the offensive line suddenly is a concern.

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans

* 2007 rewind: 8-8, fourth in AFC South. Missed playoffs.

* Training camp: Texans complex, Houston. Rookies reported Sunday, veterans report Friday.

* Best add: G/C Chris Myers (Broncos).

* Biggest loss: CB Von Hutchins (Falcons).

* Rookie to watch: CB Antwaun Molden (second round).

* Summer job: Find two more wins for a young team in a difficult division. An effective run game could make it happen.

Indianapolis Colts

* 2007 rewind: 13-3, first in AFC South. Lost 28-24 to San Diego in AFC divisional round.

* Training camp: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Ind. Rookies and veterans report today.

* Best add: RB Dominic Rhodes (Raiders).

* Biggest loss: G Jake Scott (Titans).

* Rookie to watch: LB Philip Wheeler (third round).

* Summer job: Keep an eye on QB Peyton Manning's left knee - he had an infected bursa sac removed this month - because the Colts routinely go as far as Manning can carry them.

Jacksonville Jaguars

* 2007 rewind: 11-5, second in AFC South. Lost 31-20 to New England in AFC divisional round.

* Training camp: Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla. Rookies and veterans report Friday.

* Best add: WR Jerry Porter (Raiders).

* Biggest loss: DT Marcus Stroud (Bills).

* Rookie to watch: CB Trae Williams (fifth round).

* Summer job: With Stroud gone, this team has to find a pass rush. That means two prized rookies - Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves - will have to come along quickly.

Tennessee Titans

* 2007 rewind: 10-6, third in AFC South. Lost 17-6 to San Diego in AFC wild-card game.

* Training camp: Titans complex, Nashville, Tenn. Rookies and veterans report Friday.

* Best add: G Jake Scott (Colts).

* Biggest loss: G Benji Olson (retired).

* Rookie to watch: RB Chris Johnson (first round).

* Summer job: Continue the development of QB Vince Young, who has to find a way to stress defenses when they keep him in the pocket.

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