Hosts: Sonny, Ryan, and Rich.

In this episode, we discussed the AFC West. With Norv Turner now running the show in San Diego, can the Chargers get past last year’s chokejob and go all the way? Or will the rising Jay Cutler shift the balance of power in this division back towards the Rocky Mountains? We also sort out the bottom of this division. Can Larry Johnson survive another year of being overworked? Or will the Raiders’ improving defense keep them out of the cellar? All of this and more on our continuing coverage of the NFL.

You can find Episode 34 here. (Download mp3)

The Broncos cut all-pro linebacker Al Wilson yesterday, just weeks after they tried, unsuccessfully, to trade him. As far as I can tell, this is simply a cap saving move. Al Wilson, though he may not physically be 100% is one of the best linebackers in football. He has put together a fine career in his first eight years in the league.

I’m sure that Wilson will be able to land with another team this year. If not during the offseason, then certainly when a team needs more linebacker depth during pre-season and training camp. If he is cleared by doctors to play, then there is zero doubt that he will be back on the field causing as much havoc as ever. That’s going to be the big question however, will Wilson be able to play after the neck injury he suffered last year. He came back and played the next week against the Chargers after that injury, so I have to assume that he would be able to come back a few months later. Then again, I’m not a doctor or Al Wilson, so he probably shouldn’t take my opinion into account.

I just hope for Wilson’s sake that he can end up with a team that needs him. We know he can still play, his 113 tackles last season show that. He deserves to still be respected and play for a few more years and he knows that. So I guess this is how the “Al Wilson Sweepstakes” will begin, with him being cut and months and months of physicals and doctors poking and prodding him.

The Denver Broncos may be the most active team in the league when it comes to making trades and signing free agents. The Broncos continued their off season of spending by signing first round bust and journeyman Patrick Ramsey to back up Jay Cutler. They also released former first overall draft pick and also virtual bust, defensive end Courtney Brown.

Ramsey is trash. Drafted out of Tulane by the Washington Redskins, he never fully got a hold of the starting job and, when he did have the opportunity, enjoyed throwing interceptions more than completions. Ramsey failed to earn the starting job with the Jets last season, backing up glass arm Chad Pennington. Now, he’ll back up Jay Cutler while Cutler takes his first full season at the helm of the Broncos.

Courtney Brown, meanwhile, can stand right next to Ryan Leaf in the definition of top pick busts. Yes I know that Leaf was taken second, but when the choice as close as it was for Leaf, I consider him a first overall. Regardless, Courtney Brown forgot how to get to the quarterback somewhere between getting his ass kicked by Joe Paterno and getting drafted by the Browns first overall. He came over to Denver in 2005, but all of two sacks in 14 games played his ass right off the team and back into the free agent pool.

Instead of playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jake Plummer has decided to retire. I guess he didn’t feel he could play up to a level he wanted to in Tampa Bay. That or he realized he was going from one of the best teams in the league to one of the worst.

I can’t say that I know what his reasoning was, but I have to assume it had to do with the talent level in Tampa Bay. If Plummer felt he was capable of playing this year, and was upset when He was benched for Jay Cutler, I don’t think he’s suddenly changed his mind. That would make this quite the slap in the face for the Buccaneers, but based off of what happened to Chris Simms spleen, I can’t say I really blame Plummer.

Despite being Jake the Snake, he wouldn’t have had nearly enough protection from the offensive line in Tampa Bay. Going there would have just been asking for a serious injury at the end of his career. I applaud him for his decision to hang it up instead of pulling a Brett Favre/Roger Clemens, but it’s going to be sad not seeing his terrible beard and his middle finger anymore.

Denver continued their off season spending tirade, signing former Patriots tight end Daniel Graham to a 5-year deal worth up to $30 million. Graham, who was a former first round draft pick by the Pats, caught an uninspiring 21 passes last season for two touchdowns.

Denver is out of control. They love to make trades, and they’re the only team in the NFL that does. They traded for Champ Bailey with the Redskins, dealt Ashley Lelie out of town last year, traded for WR Javon Walker from the Green Bay Packers, and just recently traded for corner back Dre Bly, a move that actually pissed Bly off. Calm down. So far this off season, the Broncos have acquired Bly, Graham, and signed running back Travis Henry to replace traded running back Tatum Bell. And don’t forget about that trade they did with the Buccaneers that sent disgruntled QB Jake Plummer to south beach, a move that pushed Plummer into retirement instead of spending a year with Chucky.? Why can’t Denver sign one or two free agents and be content with that?? This is a team that nearly made the playoffs last season, and this much turnover on the roster is questionable at best.

The Denver Broncos have reached an agreement with Travis Henry to add depth to their running back position. This is a good move for Travis Henry, but almost seems unnecessary for the Denver Broncos. If you put anyone into that system they are going to succeed, so why waste money on a top dollar player?

Anyone can run for 1000 yards in a scheme that is reliant upon chop blocks and holding. Adding a pro-bowl caliber player to that mix will only increase the production. This will mean nothing but good things for Travis Henry and his stats, although he will probably be forced to share playing time with whatever scrub Mike Shanahan decides to add to the team.

This will improve the Broncos offense, but to what extent. As everyone knows the rushing attack is clearly system based, so in my mind they should have spent their money on other concerns, not that the team has too many holes to fill. It will be interesting to see how this ends up playing out for a team that cranks out 1000 yard rushers like it isn’t a problem.