The Fan-Sided bloggers in the AFC West decided to make some observations and overall assumptions regarding how other teams in our little group will fare this season.
This is a marginal division, and while I give each team respect… I will also give them some realism.
Oakland Raiders: JaMarcus Russell could be the ‘guy’. Darren McFadden, a rookie, could make some waves… but history tells us he won’t have immediate success. Could it be different this season? Let’s just say I am not on the edge of my seat. I have an inkling that the Raiders will turn some heads. It’s a great formula. [...]

As the epic showman ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair said often, “To Be The Man, You Gotta Beat The Man.”
Every power ranking out there won’t give the Giants top 3 consideration. While this power ranking will abide by that philosophy, I find it odd that the Super Bowl champ is summarily disregarded as a viable heir apparent to the crown. We’re still… still… still annointing the Patriots a championship game berth with top dog in the NFL status despite the tremendous choke job in the big game. Such is life.
Below are my power rankings based not on Patriot pandering or safe [...]

The defensive end Luis Castillo has a fatter wallet. His contract was extended five years with a guaranteed payday of $18 million, with a potential payday upward of $40 million. Good times.
Like to see the Bolts make it rain on the other side of the ball.
While he’s missed six games each of the past two seasons, this guy has a ton of talent. The Chargers need him. It’s a solid contract. Castillo’s deal was due up next year and they took care of it early. That’s good for business. The defense is bolstered. Bolts definitely deserve a top 5 power [...]

Every sports news outlet on the planet is squeezing the last bit of milk from the ‘Brett Favre hostage crisis’ teat. They will ask anyone and everyone what they think. Here’s what LaDainian Tomlinson has to say: L.T. defends Favre

I have to imagine the vast majority of those who pretend to know better felt that Brett Favre wouldn’t stay retired. I said it back in March (Favre Retires… Not For Long?).
Your very own Johnny Heck lamented… “Society tends to have a short attention span these days. It bodes well for those of yesteryear, which is why I feel Brett Favre will be lured back to the field. He’s going to see the endless tributes on television and be inundated with interviews where the media kisses every part of his ass, and rightfully so.”
It was obvious, painfully so, that Favre [...]

Several news outlets including LATimes.com are reporting that former San Diego Chargers safety Terrence Kiel was killed in a car accident Friday in San Diego.
The former Texas A&M star and second round pick in the ‘03 draft started just over 50 games for the Chargers. Personal issues led to his release after the ‘06 season.
BoltBeat.com would like to extend its sincere condolences to Terrence’s family and friends.
Terrence Kiel 1980-2008

A few of us on the Fan-Sided Blog network decided to ponder the best sports doubleheader…
During a regular season game, the San Diego Chargers record 12 sacks against Tom Brady, who will miss the remainder of the regular season with a broken uterus, and shut out the New England Patriots 56-0. LaDainian Tomlinson pounded the Patriots by scorching them for 405 all-purpose yards, including over 200 on the ground. Philip Rivers lit up the defense, passing for four touchdowns, gaining 327 yards. He also ran for a score and drop kicked a field goal.
Shortly after the game, a party bus [...]