Will they get In?

The 2012 NFL season is winding down and the playoff picture is becoming clearer every week.  Last week I discussed the AFC/NFC South picture.  This week we will discuss the improving AFC/NFC West conference playoff picture.  We will go into remaining schedules and predictions.

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs: The NFL can certainly change quickly.  The Chiefs were the AFC West 2010 Champs.  In 2011, injuries have decimated this team and now their HC Todd Haley was recently fired.  I think Haley is a good OC, but not a good HC.  He lacks the ability to remain consistent in his day to day approach.  Injuries were a huge detriment this season with season ending injuries to Matt Cassell, Jamal Charles, Tony Moeaki, and Eric Berry.  That is a lot of talent on the IR.  Currently at 5-8 they are not mathematically out of the playoffs but they are not going to make it in this year.   They play the Packers and the Raiders at home before going to enver.  At best the Chiefs will finish 6-10 and a good chance of improving next year.

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Will they Get In? AFC/NFC West Playoff Picture: The John Skelton Dilemma - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

could LaMichael James bring back the element the Chargers are missing since the departure of Darren Sproles

The San Diego Chargers have had a reputation of being a very talented team, but the truth of the matter is that since they drafted Shawne Merriman in 2005, they have been more average then good in the draft.

Their first three rounds picks since 2005:

2006: Antonio Cromartie, Marcus McNeil, Charlie Whitehurst

2007: Craig Davis, Eric Weddle, and Anthony Waters

2008: Antoine Cason, Jacob Hester

2009: Larry English, Louis Vasquez

2010: Ryan Matthews, Donald Butler

That’s not fantastic.

Anyway, the Chargers do have some talent, but they have more needs than most people admit. They need outside linebacker help, they need someone to play safety next to Eric Weddle, they need another backup tight end because Gates has had a habit of missing games due to injuries. They need more OL depth, they could use another WR, and they definitely need more cornerbacks (unless they think Gilcrhist and Wright are the answer). Their cornerbacks have gotten abused much of this season (I don’t care if they are 8th in yards per game through the air on defense re-watch the Jets and Raiders game with two subpar passing games make big plays in the passing game all day).

This mock is hard to make because it is possible that A.J. Smith and/or Norv Turner will not be with the team next year.

I believe the Chargers have one pick in each round (7 picks). Right now I’m going to assume the Chargers are picking around 18th. If you click on the names of the players it will link to our scouting report for that player. Be sure to check out all of our scouting reports on our scouting report page

1st round: Brandon Jenkins, OLB, Florida State University

Jenkins numbers are down this year, but that’s because hes’ playing more of a hybrid DE/OLB position and being asked to drop into coverage much more and take on double teams. He’s a really quality player who will benefit from the practice dropping into coverage. Larry English isn’t the answer for the Chargers outside. The Chargers need to find someone to pair with Shuan Phillips. Adding a good pass rusher is one way to help their secondary out as well.

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2012 NFL Mock Draft: San Diego Chargers - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Ryan Matthews had a down rookie year, how is he playing this year?

I decided to go around and ask bloggers how rookies are doing for the teams they cover. For today’s Q and A I turned to Ernie Padaon  of Bolt Beat, a San Diego Chargers blog.

Here’s what he had to say from the questions I peppered him with.

1)   Is G.M. A.J. Smith too Smart for his own Good?
His ego is too big for his own good. AJ Smith really started going downward after he brought in Norv Turner as the head coach. Either Norv is giving him bad advice on draft picks or AJ has AJ just lost his magic touch. There have been a lot of questionable draft picks and he likes to reach for “his type” of player. 
 
2). Early on it looked as though the Chargers stole Philip Rivers from the Giants for Eli Manning because they also added Shawne Merriman to the mix. Merriman is no longer on the Chargers (and Kicker Nate Kaeding, also added is out for the season). In hindsight did the Chargers make the right move (assuming that Eli Manning would have played for the Chargers even though he was being a baby about it)?
 That is a big assumption with Eli, but it still is the right move. We got a lot of productive years with Shawne and Nate here. Philip Rivers is still a good quarterback, but he is in a HUGE funk right now. It was the addition of these players that helped bring the Chargers back to relevance in the NFL again.

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San Diego Chargers Rookie Review - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Will it Last?

How many times do we see a team or a player exceed expectations in a football game and we think, there is no way that can last.  That player is either too young or not that good.  That team had an easy week or the ball just bounced that way.  Most times it does not last, but every so often those early signs are premonitions of what is to come.  In this weekly column we will look at 3 players and 3 teams who jumped out. 

Players

1. Alex Smith: Lets get one thing straight; he is not setting the world on fire and will probably still give way to Colin Kaepernick in a year or two.  That being said he is a huge reason the 49ers are 6-1.  Jim Harbaugh is an amazing coach.  He has Alex Smith managing games and being efficient.  Alex Smith is completing 63% of his passes, throwing for only 1267 yards but 11.01 yards per completion, and has thrown 9 TD’s to 2 int’s.  With these efficient numbers the question is will it last?  Yes, though mostly to the coaching staff, the dominate run game, and a dominate defense.  Alex Smith finally gets some redemption.         Will last this season.   

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Will it Last Part 5: Alex Smith seeks Redemption, while Tebow gets thrown under a bus - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

32.  Indianapolis Colts (Previously Colts)

I thought the Colts had enough pride to put together a few good showings this season amd maybe squeak out a few wins. I could not have been more wrong. They are absolutely terrible.

Peyton Manning, if he is their quarterback moving forward should win M.V.P every year until he retires. In fact, Peyton Manning should win some M.V.P votes THIS year with how bad this Colts team is.

He’s also not paid enough.

They are playing absolutely awful.

31.  Miami Dolphins (previously Dolphins)

I’m beginning to think that Matt Moore isn’t a bad option as a backup quarterback, and he’s had the Dolphins close to two wins, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.  Had the Rams come out and played poorly again I might have been able to move the Dolphins up a spot in their good battle vs the Giants, but the Rams walloped the Saints, so no luck for the Dolphins.

30. Arizona Cardinals (Previously Rams)

The Cardinals had a huge lead vs the Ravens and a chance to pull of a major upset like the Rams did, but lost it at the end. It would have been the second embarrassing loss in a row for the Ravens. The Cardinals now have a lot of division games left, but also games vs the Eagles, Cowboys, and Browns. The Cardinals have an outside chance to suck for Luck. This upcoming game vs the Rams is a big one for the Cardinals as they will be playing vs the Rams.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 8: AFC West Movers and Shakers (Chiefs Up, Chargers Fumble Game Away, Broncos Just Bad) - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

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Rivers fumbles snap in waning moments in field goal range, Chiefs win in overtime - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

After a disappointing rookie season Ryan Matthews is really playing well in 2011 (bleacherrport.com picture source)

What a crazy week it was for the New York Jets. Oh wait, well, maybe not. Many people will argue it was a typical week for the New York Jets. It started out with Rex Ryan claiming that he would have won two superbowl titles with all the talent on the Chargers Norv Turner has had (I don’t think he’s the only one who feels that way, but you shouldn’t say that out-loud). Eventually he called up Norv Turner and apologized. Turner didn’t take the comments too kindly. Then on Friday Darelle Revis got in a debate with WFAN’s Mike Francesa. It sounded worse on radio, to me, then it did watching it on t.v. as I was watching that as it happened. Francesa looked to be in a joking manner, with a grin on his face, but Revis was annoyed when Francesa continued to insist that his pick six on Monday night vs the Dolphins should have been called a pass interference. What does all this mean? Nothing really.

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New York Jets at San Diego Chargers: What to Watch For - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football