FanHouse AFC West

Coal. Thanks a lot, Jets.

The Chiefs were enjoying their Christmas. Everything from the entire weekend rolled their way. They went from facing impossible odds to making the playoffs to facing half-impossible odds. That is, until about 10 minutes before Christmas was over when the Chiefs found out that the Jets' victory over the Dolphins once again downgraded the Chiefs' playoff chances to "impossible."

This is the second year in a row where schedule strength has single-handedly handed a playoff berth to a playoff team. I'm in no position to complain. The Chiefs lost too many games that they should have won. Then again, the Chiefs also won a bunch of games against intensely competitive teams. Among their major accomplishments, the Chiefs were only one of two teams to beat the Chargers. But it aggravates me that the Jets will walk into the playoffs having only beaten one team over .500--I'm sorry, I know that the answer is actually "two," but can you really count a Kerry Collins led team as a real victory? I think even USC would have won that game.

The Chargers, using the training camp and the preseaon games as a well from which they drew their conclusions, decided which players didn't have a future with the team.

Pro Bowl Safety Hanik Milligan may seem as a surprise to some, but his trip to Honolulu came via special teams plays, not for his work on defense. He simply didn't posses the ability to be a contributor on defense. Some even felt that WR Kassim Osgood was more deserving of the accolade, even though he was injured for part of the season.

The Chargers have a plan for the QB situation (they are curently set with 2 - Philip Rivers and rookie Charlie Whitehurst), but what it is exactly remains a mystery. They could trade for a veteran like Billy Volek, but do not be surprised if the Chargers go into the season only two deep at quarterback. The Steelers made it to the Superbowl last season but did so with three Quarterbacks getting playing time because of injuries. It should be a priority for the Chargers to aquire a third QB for protection.

RB Ray Perkins was the most productive player this preseason to be cut, but the Chargers feel comfortable with RB LaDainian Tomlinson and RB Michael Turner, and who can argue with that? Despite being banged up the past two season, LT has never missed a start due to injury. The one start of his career he didn't make was a coaching decision to rest him for the 2004 playoffs. RB Tyronne Gross showed great power and burst, and has a future in the NFL. But his future may come with a team like Indy who is looking for running backs.

Outside Linebacker Akbar Gbaja-Biamila was too much of a project for the Chargers at this time. He showed potential, frequently around the play but he failed to make enough of them to warrent a roster spot. The transition to Wade Philips' 3-4 defense as an OLB was simply too overwhelming for Gbaja-Biamila.

As with other stacked teams in the NFL, good players get cut because there are better players in front of them. The Chargers final 53 is Superbowl caliber, so those players who couldn't make this team will look to find work with teams who may need them:

QB Brett Elliott
WR Robert Ortiz
WR Ricky Bryant
RB Larry Croom
RB Ray Perkins
RB Tyronne Gross
FB Jonathan Evans
TE Kelly Griffeth
C Nick Mihlhauser
G Wes Sims
T Jeromey Clary
T Ben Johnson
CB Steve Gregory
S Andre Lott
S Mitch Meeuwsen
S Hanik Milligan
LB Jonathan Pollard
LB Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
DT Alvin Smith
DT Brandon McKinney
DE Chase Page