Thanks for checking out my AFC West news and notes for May 13^th 2012. This will be my opinion on the happenings in the division as teams enter their rookie camps. All the teams had many free agent signings to act as fodder for camp. The vast majority of these "Street" free agents won't have a shot at making the team. They are there for the "real" players to practice against.

Oakland Raiders News and Notes

Former Raider great Fred Biletnikoff has joined the USFL in an advising capacity. The USFL has been reformed under new ownership, The rumor of the Raiders moving to Los Angeles(again) has begun but the NFL will allow the move only if the team is sold.

Matt Leinart one of the best college and not so great NFL quarterbacks ever has signed to be Carson Palmer's backup. Leinart also backed up Palmer at USC. Darius Heyward-Bey recently was arrested on a DUI offense. Safety Tyvon Branch recently signed his franchise tender and will be with the team for 2012.

San Diego Chargers News and Notes

The team and city were recreantly shocked and saddened at the suicide of Junior Seau. Dan Fouts was one of the speakers at Seau's tribute from the team. The Chargers have retired 55 which was Seau's number with the team. Former Charger LaDainian Tomlinson is probably going to retire since there seems to be no interest in signing him from any teams.

The San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys will be having some join practices. Norv Turner will get to see the team that made him a "Genius" and got him all those head coaching jobs.

Kansas City Chiefs News and Notes

Jamal Charles says he is about 80 percent recovered from his knee injury. Look for a big does of Peyton Hillis early in the season while Charles gets back in good condition. There is some speculation that Dexter McCluster is on his way out of the team's plans. That would be stupid there should always be a place for a playmaker.

I really am looking forward to seeing Poe play on the defensive line for the Chiefs. I am not in love with the pick as Poe was not a dominant player in a small level college conference.

Denver Broncos News and Notes

Cornerback Drayton Florence has been signed by the Broncos to help shore up the secondary .Florence31 years old was with the Bills for the last three seasons. Peyton Manning will be looking to throw to the tight end a lot this season. It was a staple of his inIndianapolis. But if John Fox has anything to do with it the Broncos will also run the ball more than the Colts did with Manning.

Thanks for checking out my grade for the Oakland Raiders 2012 NFL draft. Of course the Raiders were missing some picks due to trades but I will offer my opinion on who they did draft. I am sure Oakland Raider fans hope that Carson Palmer was worth the high price paid for him.

Oakland Raiders Third Round 2012 NFL Draft Pick

Tony Bergstrom OT- Utah

Tony Bergstrom is a nice solid pick in the third round by the Oakland Raiders. Bergstrom may play guard but I don't think that has been decided yet. Bergstrom is very coachable and will do what it takes to prepare for playing in the NFL. This pick fills a need for the offensive line challenged Oakland Raiders in 2012.

Oakland Raiders Fourth Round 2012 NDL Draft Pick

Miles Burris OLB- San Diego State

Very solid pick here as well in the outside linebacker from San Diego State. Burris was a playmaker in college and at the very least will make the special teams in Oakland better. Burris needs to add some strength before competing for a starting job with the Raiders but I like his potential.

Oakland Raiders Fifth Round 2012 NFL Draft Picks

Jack Crawford DE- Penn State

Crawford has nice height at 6ft 5 inches tall and can add some weight. Jack Crawford was a hot and cold player at Penn State but played very well when he was on his game. I like the pick here even if Crawford has to sit on the practice squad for a season.

Juron Criner WR- Arizona

This may be the sleeper pick in the Oakland Raiders draft. Some boards had Criner as a top 10 wide receiver in the 2012 NFL draft. Criner isn't the typical burner that the Raiders pick up each year, but he has great size. Criner is polished and knows how to find the end zone. My favorite pick by the Oakland Raiders in the 2012 NFL draft.

Oakland Raiders Sixth Round 2012 NFL Draft Pick

Christo Bilukidi DE- Georgia State

Christo Bilukidi is a specimen at 6ft 5 inches tall and around 290 pounds, Don't expect to see him on the field this year as he needs major development but was worth a flier here by the Raiders.

Oakland Raiders Seventh Round 2012 NFL Draft Pick

Nathan Stupar OLB-Penn State

Stupar had an ok career at Penn State and may be a special teams guy of some note with the Raiders. I don't expect Stupar to see the field on defense in 2012 but may make the team.

Oakland Raiders 2012 NFL Draft Grade

Of course you can't really grade a NFL draft for at least two years but here is my initial take. I give the Oakland Raiders a C  on their 2012 NFL draft. Trading away the picks hurt them badly but I think the team made some nice choices with what selections they did make.

Former San Diego Charger, Miami Dolphin and New England Patriot Junior Seau has died of an apparent suicide. This is a little morbid but Junior Seau joins seven other San Diego Chargers from their lone Super Bowl team that have died an early death. Read more about that at Sportingnews.

It was thought that Seau attempted suicide once before when he drove his SUV off a cliff in California. Seau claimed he fell asleep at the wheel shortly after being released from jail after getting a domestic violence charge. Several former NFL players have committed suicide after suffering permanent brain damage from playing in the league.

Junior Seau was a great linebacker during his 20 NFL seasons playing with three teams. Junior Seau had over 1,500 career tackles, 325 assisted tackles, 18 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles and 56.5 sacks during his career.

Any suicide is a tragedy of course but when somebody like Junior Seau shoots himself to death it is a complete waste. Seau had the resources to get some help for his depression and did not. Now his family and friends will wonder for the rest of their lives what they could have done to save Junior Seau.

Seau was one of my favorite players ever despite the fact that I was a Chiefs fan when he played for the rival Chargers. Seau was just a special player and kept in great shape which allowed him to play 20 NFL seasons at linebacker.

Junior Seau is by far the biggest "Name" player to have ever committed suicide. Perhaps some good can come from this. I would love to see the NFL put some resources into raising money for treating depression or funding suicide hotlines or something along those lines.

I am sure the San Diego Chargers fans are devastated by the death of Junior Seau. He was a huge figure in the city and loved by the fans there. Most people think of Seau as a Charger despite playing for the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots.

Please feel free to leave a comment about the death of Junior Seau. Maybe share some memories of a favorite play that Seau made or a great game he had at some point. I am sure even fans of other AFC West teams respected Junior Seau and what he brought to the NFL. RIP Junior Seau dead at the age of 43.

Thanks for checking out my grade for the Denver Broncos 2012 NFL draft. Of course you really don't know a draft grade for at least two seasons but here are my initial thoughts about the Broncos 2012 NFL draft. The Broncos traded out of the first round, with the Patriots.

Denver Broncos 2012 Second Round Draft Picks

Derek Wolf DT-DE- Cincinnati

Wolf will probably play defensive end under Jack Del Rio in the new 4-3 defense but could also play tackle. Wolf should have been a first round pick by somebody and I love this pick. Derek Wolf can power his way into the backfield but he also has some speed and athleticism.

Brock Osweiler QB- Arizona State

As I predicted the Broncos drafted Brock Osweiler to be Peyton Manning's understudy and eventual replacement. I like this pick because Osweiler is raw and learning from Manning will greatly help his progress and improve his play down the road when he gets his chance.

Denver Broncos 2012 Third Round Draft Pick

Ronnie Hillman RB- San Diego State

Hillman will join the rotation of running backs but don't look for him to be getting a lot of carries unless somebody else gets hurt. Over time Hillman could become a good third down back but he may have fumbling problems due to his small hands. Hillman didn't always play the best against good teams in college and that has to be a concern.

Denver Broncos 2012 Fourth Round Draft Picks

Omar Bolden CB- Arizona State

Bolden could pay off well here if he is completely healed from an ACL injury. Though lacking top end speed Bolden is a decent player and did well at the weight lifting at the combine.

Phillip Blake C- Baylor

I love this pick as many people had Phillip Blake ranked as the second best center in the 2012 NFL draft. Blake needs to bulk up in a big way but he had a nice college career and I see him as a potential starter in Denver sooner or later.

Denver Broncos 2012 Fifth Round Draft Pick

Malink Jackson DT- Tennessee

Jackson could be a practice squad player in 2012 while he bulks up. But he has experience playing end and tackle so the Broncos may try to get him the rotation this season.

Denver Broncos 2012 Sixth Round Pick

Danny Trevathan OLB- Kentucky

I love this pick in the sixth round. Lost in the shuffle on a bad team Trevathan was a playmaker on the defense and he will knock the snot out of people. At the very least he will be a special teams ace for the Broncos.

Denver Broncos 2012 NFL Draft Grade

I give the Broncos a B for their 2012 NFL draft. I loved the second and sixth round picks. The only pick I wasn't thrilled with was Ronnie Hillman in the third. All in all  think this was a very sound draft for the Broncos.

Thanks for checking out my analysis of the San Diego Charger's 2012 NFL draft picks. Only time will tell if the Chargers had a good draft but I will offer my opinion on all their picks.

San Diego Chargers 2012 First Round Draft Pick

 Melvin Ingram DE-LB- South Carolina

The San Diego Chargers selected undersized defensive end Melvin Ingram who was announced as a linebacker. I think Ingram has good value there as the 18^th pick in the 2012 NFL draft. At 6ft 1 inches tall and 264 pounds Ingram is small for a defensive end in the NFL

But Melvin Ingram is a football player despite his "Tweener" size and I really like the pick here by the Chargers. Ingram will give it his all on every play and should be a good NFL pass rusher if used correctly. Since Ingram was called a linebacker when he was drafted, I am sure that is where the Chargers will put him.

San Diego Chargers 2012 Second Round Draft Pick

Kendall Reyes DT-Connecticut

I really like the Kendall Reyes pick by the Chargers. This is a very fast defensive lineman who can play end or tackle. Reyes is a bit raw but can penetrate the backfield and make big plays.

San Diego Chargers 2012 Third Round Draft Pick

Brandon Taylor SS-LSU

Another good pick by the Chargers as they add a safety who isn't afraid to get in there and hit.Taylorshould be a special teams demon if nothing else as a rookie. It wouldn't surprise me however to see Taylor starting at some point in his rookie season.

San Diego Chargers 2012 Fourth Round Pick

Ladarius Green TE-Louisiana-Lafayette

Green is fast and has a nose for the end zone but isn't the best blocker. Green can learn from Gates for a season or two while he bulks up.

San Diego Chargers 2012 Fifth Round Draft Pick

Johnnie Troutman G-Penn State

Not in love with this pick as Troutman struggles in pass blocking but he is a decent run blocker.

San Diego Chargers 2012 Seventh Round Draft Picks

David Molk C- Michigan

Molk is mouthy and plays with an attitude but was undersized in college before suddenly bulking up a bit for the combine. You have to wonder about that but I like this pick.

Edwin Baker RB- Michigan State

Baker regressed in his senior season after a nice junior year. Probably a practice squad player if he makes the team.

San Diego Chargers 2012 NFL Draft Grade

I give the Chargers a B on their 2012 NFL draft picks at first glance. I really like the first three picks and feel it was a solid draft for the team.

Thanks for checking out my 2012 NFL draft analysis for the Kansas City Chiefs. I will break down each draft pick made by the Chiefs in the 2012 NFL draft and offer my take on the selection.

Kansas City Chiefs 2012 First Round Pick

Dontari Poe Defensive Tackle- Memphis

The Chiefs pulled a shocker when they drafted Dontari Poe with the 11^th pick in the 2012 NFL draft. Poe has the size and athleticism to be a dominant defensive tackle in the NFL. The problem with Poe is that he looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane. Poe rose up the draft boards with a great combine but he didn't do much at Memphis which does not play top talent.

Poe will be the nose in the Chiefs 3-4 defense but I feel he is a pure project and has bust written all over him. Fletcher Cox was still around and while maybe not ideal for a 3-4 he will be a better pro than Poe in my opinion. I did hear former NFL defensive tackle Brenston Buckner say the Poe pick was a good one when Buck was on WFNZ.

Kansas City Chiefs 2012 Second Round Pick

Jeff Allen OT- Illinois

Jeff Allen may be better suited for offensive guard rather than tackle. Allen is a good run blocker but an average at best pass blocker. That bodes well for him getting on the field early as the Chiefs want to ground and pound the ball. If Allen is going to play tackle he may have to develop before becoming  a starter.

Kansas City Chiefs 2012 Third Round Pick

Donald Stephenson OT-Oklahoma

The pick of Stephenson points to Allen playing guard as Stephenson is strictly an offensive tackle in my opinion. Stephenson is 6ft 6 and can stand some time in the weight room to add some bulk.

Kansas City Chiefs 2012 Fourth Round Pick

Devon Wylie WR-Fresno State

Wylie is fast and makes plays in the return game as well as at wide receiver. Not sure this was the best pick as the Chiefs needed some defensive line help here.

Kansas City Chiefs 2012 Fifth Round Pick

DeQuan Menzie CB- Alabama

Not a bad pick here as the Chiefs add a guy to play in the nickel package and probably help on special teams. Menzie has questions about his speed but he makes plays and you know coming from Alabama he knows how to play sound football.

Kansas City Chiefs 2012 Sixth Round Pick

Cyrus Grey RB-Texas A&M

Cyrus Grey is an interesting pick here and could earn a roster spot and some playing time. Good receiver out of the backfield but he needs to work on his pass protection as most rookie running backs do.

Kansas City Chiefs 2012 Seventh Round Picks

Jerome Long DT- San Diego State

More depth for the defensive line which needs some 3-4 nose tackle types in the worst way.

Junior Hemmingway WR-Michigan

Hemmingway is a going to have a struggle to avoid the practice squad or just being released. I do like his size at 225 pounds which may make him a decent run blocker.

Kansas City Chiefs 2012 NFL Draft Grade

Of course it really takes at least two seasons to give an accurate draft grade but I will give it a shot now. I give the 2012 Kansas City Chiefs draft a C because Poe was a big reach and there are too many projects in the mix.