SPORTS
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Tuesday, August 23, 1994
3B
Raiders look to top league's toughest division
Chiefs, Broncos also will compete in AFC West race
The Associated Press
Once upon a time — 11 years ago, to be exact — an AFC team actually won the Super Bowl.
That team, the Los Angeles Raiders, played very much like an NFC team, using power, size and a strong running game to dominate the opposition. The NFC has owned the Super Bowlsince.
KANSAS CITY
Kansas City didn't help itself much after making the AFC title game last season. Gone are Albert Lewis, Kevin Ross, Lonnie Marts and Martin Bayless from last year's defensive squad. Never arrived was DT Tony Casillas, who reneged on a free-agent contract and didn't report to camp.
Coach Marty Schottenheiner, now 0-3 in AFC Championship games, brought in veterans Mark Collins, Barry Wilburn and George Jamison, but only Jamison figures to be an improvement over the man he replaces (Marts).
Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith are the stars of the big-play defensive unit that forced 38 turnovers in 1993. Except for nose tackle Dan Saleaunuma, the supporting cast doesn't approach their level.
So Kansas City needs big production from an offense that, if healthy, could do the job. That means counting on more than 11 starts from 38-year-old Joe Montana, who will produce if available, and getting a repeat of the '93 season from 34-year-old
Marcus Allen (AFC-high 15TDs, 1,002 total yards from scrimmage). Receivers Willie Davis and J.J. Birden and a talented offensive line will also be crucial to the team's success..
LOS ANGELES
Maybe it's time for the Raiders to return and end the losing streak for the AFC.
"We've got a very good foundation," coach Art Shell says. "I think we turned the corner and are headed for bigger and better things."
Passing is the means by which the Raiders prosper these days. They've lost only one key figure, tight end Ethan Horton, from the offense, and have a collection of receivers unparalleled for speed in the league.
Tim Brown is the "slow poke" of the group that includes James Jett, Rocket Ismal, Darryl Hobbs and Alexander Wright.
Free agent Harvey Williams and rookie Calvin Jones figure to get first call in the backfield, working behind a veteran line anchored by Steve Wisniewski and Gerald Perry.
"Speed is an integral part of fear," team owner Al Davis once said. "We always said we'd rather be feared than respected."
The secondary has added Lewis, who left Kansas City along with Williams. Terry McDaniel (five intersections) is the best pass defender.
The Raiders have lived by the sack and the heavy-duty pass rush since the days of Ben Davidson and Otis Sistrunk. They had 45 sacks in 1993, but Greg Townsend and Howie Long are gone, leaving Anthony Smith and Chester McGlockton to take up the slack.
Los Angeles' linebacking situation is similar to running back, with no apparent take-charge guy.
But there are plenty of them elsewhere. Players such as quarterback Jeff Hostetler, fullback Tom Rathman, tight end Jamie Williams, and guards Max Montoya and Don Mosebar are winners, champions. They just might lead the Raiders to that level again.
It won't be easy in the league's best division. Denver and Kansas City are fully capable of winning a dozen games, while San Diego and Seattle should be strong enough to pull off some upsets.
DENVER
No team improved itself more on offense in the off season than the Broncos, which is a major reason John Elway's smile has been so prominent.
"I can't wait to get started," Elway says. "Just look at what we've got here."
Denver has a dynamic attack led by Elway, still a classic creator who might not have to be so resourceful with receivers such as Anthony Miller, Mike Pritchard and Shannon Sharpe. The offense also boasts runners Rod Bernstine and Leonard Russell and blockers Gary Zimmerman and Brian Habib.
So what can stop the Broncos from a fifth trip to the Super Bowl — and a fourth under Elway's guidance? Defense, of course.
Miller is the best receiver Elway has ever worked with, a versatile threat with great hands and greater moves. Sharpe is an All-Pro receiver at tight end and Russell is coming off a 1,000-yard rushing season.
The Broncos get involved in too many shootouts, which is why Ray Crockett was signed away from Detroit and Ben Smith was acquired from Philadelphia to play the corners.
American Football Conference Statistics
American Football Conference Statistics
TOTAL YARDAGE OFFENSE
Yards Rush Pass
5812 1459 4353 Miami 363.3 91.2 272.1
Houston 5658 1792 3866 Houston 363.6 112.0 241.6
Denver 5461 1693 3768 Denver 341.3 105.8 231.6
Buffalo 5260 1943 3317 Buffalo 328.8 121.4 207.3
Pittsburgh 5235 2003 3232 Pittsburgh 327.2 125.2 207.3
New York Jets 5212 1880 3332 New York Jets 325.8 117.5 208.3
New England 5065 1780 3285 New England 316.6 111.3 205.3
L.A. Raiders 5014 1425 3589 L.A. Raiders 313.4 80.1 224.3
San Diego 4067 1824 3143 San Diego 310.4 114.0 196.4
Kansas City 4835 1655 3180 Kansas City 302.2 103.4 198.8
Cleveland 4740 1701 3039 Cleveland 296.3 106.3 189.9
Indianapolis 4705 1288 3417 Indianapolis 294.1 80.5 213.6
Seattle 4609 2015 2654 Seattle 291.8 125.9 165.9
Cincinnati 4052 1511 2541 Cincinnati 253.3 94.4 158.8
DEFENSE
Yards Rush Pass
4531 1368 3163 Pittsburgh 283.2 85.5 197.7
New York Jets 4712 1473 3239 New York Jets 294.5 92.1 202.4
L.A. Raiders 4723 1865 2858 L.A. Raiders 295.2 116.6 178.6
Kansas City 4771 1620 3151 Kansas City 298.2 101.3 196.9
Cleveland 4778 1654 3124 Cleveland 298.6 103.4 195.3
New England 4796 1951 2845 New England 299.8 121.9 177.8
Houston 4874 1273 3601 Houston 304.6 79.6 225.1
Cincinnati 5018 2220 2798 Cincinnati 313.6 138.8 174.9
San Diego 5066 1314 3752 San Diego 316.6 82.1 234.7
Denver 5149 1418 3731 Denver 321.8 88.6 233.2
Miami 5150 1655 3485 Miami 321.9 104.1 217.3
Seattle 5313 1660 3653 Seattle 332.1 103.8 228.3
Buffalo 5554 1921 3633 Buffalo 347.1 120.1 227.4
Indianapolis 5638 2521 3117 Indianapolis 352.4 157.6 194.8
Steve Atwater is a star at safety, but Denver ranked 27th in pass defense in '93.
If Denver doesn't get more of a pass rush, it could fade no matter how many touchdowns Elway produces. Simon Fletcher and newcomer Shane Dronett were terrific last year, but
on offense, it will have a new look, with Natrone Means and Shawn Jefferson the key players.
they need more help.
The defense ranked dead-last against the pass, so Dwayne Harper, Reuben Davis, David Griggs and Denis Gibson were signed. Only Harper figures to make an impact, leaving Leslie O'Neal, Junior Seau and Chris
SAN DIEGO
San Diego won the division two years ago, then slipped to 8-8 last season. Without Miller and Marion Butts
Seattle isn't quite ready to win, although it is making steady strides. Rick Mirer was a sensation as a rookie quarterback and Chris Warren is a 1,000-yard rusher. Howard Ballard will help at tackle, but fellow former-Bills Nate Odomes and Kirby Jackson were lost from the secondary with knee injuries.
Mins to make up for the departures of Gary Plummer and Burt Grossman.
Cortez Kennedy will get help on the defensive line from top draftraffle Sam Adams, but it won't be enough for a winning record — not yet, at least.
Prediction: 1. Los Angeles (11-
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