Most Indispensable-AFC West
Last Week's divisions included a couple of legitimate Super Bowl contenders and today I'll go over the AFC West who can claim a favorite of their own, The San Diego Chargers. The Chargers for years have been on many preseason favorites lists and this year is no exception......
San Diego Chargers
Scouts Inc-Ryan Matthews-RB
My Pick:
In reviewing the list this was one of the few that stood out immediately and did so for the wrong reason. When selecting the most indispensable player on a team, I find it very hard to give the title to a player who has yet to take a snap in that team's uniform. Especially in this case where you're choosing a running back on a team that has shown, in recent years, a move to a "pass first and often" type of offense. A shift from an offense that for years called Ladainian Tomlinson their franchise player. The transition from being Tomlinson's team to now following the leadership of Philip Rivers tells me that their franchise player now throws the football instead of carrying it. Because of this and their tendency to pass the football, the Chargers will need one of their players who didn't show up to camp to show up for their week 1 game against the Kansas City chiefs. That player is not Vincent Jackson, but their Pro Bowl Left Tackle Marcus McNeil.
Denver Broncos
Scouts Inc-Ryan Clady-T
My Pick:
Hard to disagree here, as their top lineman Ryan Clady will be essential to their team if they plan to have any type of success this year. Ryan is a solid choice but the fact of the matter is, their most indispensable player is out for an extended period of time, and that's Elvis Dumervil. With their best pass rusher on the sidelines and with the Leagues move to a pass first league, the Denver Broncos will have to find another way to pressure the Quarterback. Last year, the Broncos selected Robert Ayers in the first round to do just that and with the absence of Elvis Dumervil, they'll need him more than ever. As I watched SNF last night, I saw the Broncos play and among other things noticed Robert Ayers put some pressure on the Quarterback, earning him his 2nd sack of the preseason. They'll need more of that once the games start to matter.
Kansas City Chiefs
Scouts Inc-Jamaal Charles-RB
My Pick:
Another good choice by the guys over at Scout Inc but I'll have to disagree once again. While Jamaal Charles will be an important piece to this offense, the success of their true most indispensable player Matt Cassel may lie with the improvement of his stud Wide Receiver Dwayne Bowe. Since his first snap in this league, I've been a Dwayne Bowe guy and feel he has all the potential in the world and may very well become a top 6-7 receiver. If Dwayne Bowe is not on the football field, an already struggling offense may become non existent.
Oakland Raiders
Scouts Inc-Nnamdi Osomugha
My Pick:
There's simply no way I could disagree with this pick and be able to support my pick with any real logic. Nnamdi is just too critical to that defense and as has not been the case in past years, he's vowed to cover the number 1 receivers opposing teams have to offer. Usually Nnamdi would be paired with a teams 2nd option and has taken that guy along with his side of the field off of the Quarterbacks radar. This year, Nnamdi Asomugha or "the reason Darrielle Revis is holding out", has an even bigger assignment and one which may include limiting a team's biggest playmaker to watching check down after check down.
