European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 01, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 34 the stars and stripes sports thursday september -1. Has the chiefs went 11-5 last year Al though Montana started just 11 of 16 games and won eight in the regular season. Last year s backup Dave Krieg is now in Detroit and Montana s old pal Steve Bono is in from san Francisco Toback him up. But the running game could be a prob Lem. While Marcus Allen had an excellent first season with the chiefs he s 34 and can t be expected to play full time. Greg Hill was drafted to replace a busted no 1, Harvey Williams and John Stephens i around for depth. If Stephens can regain the Rookie form he flashed in new eng land that depth will be considerable an Welcome. We still expect a lot from Marcus says coach Marty sch Ottenheimer. But we have to know when to rest  another Rookie third round Lake Dawson has been a pleasant Surprise at wide receiver and will provide height to complement the diminutive . Bir Denand Willie Davis Montana s prime tar. Gets. The key is the defense particularly Derrick Thomas who was switched to end last year from linebacker and had an in and out season. He s Back on the out Side this year and he and Neil Smith Are a potentially awesome pass Rush duo. Dan Saleaumua anchors the Middle with the underrated Tracy Simien Back at linebacker. But the secondary is a question Mark it lost Albert Lewis and Kevin Ross to free Agency replacing them with Mark Collins and retread Barry Wilburn. But the key May be Dale Carter defensive Rookie of the year two years ago but in consistent last season. Another soft spot is at kicker where it s unlikely anyone can replace the de parted Nick Lowery. Come by Dave Goldberg a football writer the Kansas City chiefs hoped getting to Montana last season might finally get them to the super bowl. So while they made it farther than they had in 20 years even Montana could t get them past Buffalo in january losing30-13 in the acc title game now they return with Montana at 38,a year older and every team in the Divi. Sion improved with the possible exception of the chiefs. We were just average last year and now we have to improve to even get to that level says Bobby Ross coach of the8-8 san Diego chargers. Ross May be right. On paper the acc West looks like the Best division in foot  chiefs retain their formidable nucleus whatever the questions about the durability of Montana s Elbow and the los Angeles raiders track team make them the consensus favorite despite Lack ing a Home the coliseum is still being renovated after being damaged in Las Winter s earthquake. Denver has Given John Elway the Best receiving corps he s Ever had and just added Leonard Russell to its running  "  .-.-. The chargers have two of the game s Best defensive player in Junior seau an Leslie o Neal. Seattle improved by four games with Rookie Rick Mirer at quarterback Las year and expects to have redoubtable defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy to regain some of his spectacular 92 moments. Kansas City acc West preview final 93 finish  City 11-5 2. Los Angeles raiders 10-6 3. Denver 9-7 4. San Diego 8-8 5. Seattle 6-10 predicted 94 finish 1. Los Angeles raiders 11-5 2. Denver 10-6 3. Kansas City 10-6. 4. San Diego 7-9 5. Seattle 7-9 los Angeles raiders like the chiefs the raiders trek tothe super bowl ended in the Frost of Buffalo Only a week earlier. 7 but Jeff Hosteller provided them wit the quarterback they had lacked for years leading them to a 10-6 regular sea son. And the receiving corps was Brilliant Tim Brown finally came into his own As an All around pass Catcher an James Jett an olympic sprinter was a revelation As a Rookie. Add to that mix rocket Ismail who joined the team late anyone who watched the raiders race by Denver in the playoffs saw what a fac Tor that can be. As Long As. Hosteller stays healthy it will be a major Factor. L Steve Wisniewski anchors a solid of-7 Tensive line but the running game is More of a question. Williams was picked up from Kansas City and will Back up Greg Robinson a standout As a  Sieve Smith moved on to Seattle and Tom Rathman was signed to replace him. It remains to be seen whether Rathman can still do the Little thing Shell acquired him to do tight end could be a problem because the productive Ethan Horton defected to Washington. So the raiders Are trying to re create Horton with Nick Bell a former running Back who is being converted tothe position. Expect somewhat of a drop off. On the defensive line Howie Long re. Tired Scott Davis in retired but the keys Are two former no. 1 picks Anthony Smith and Chester Mcglockton. The secondary headed by cornerback Terry Mcdaniel is one of the nil s Best and adds Lewis from the chiefs but the line backing is just Ordinary at Best. Denver Broncos Denver 9-7 last year is another Tea that will score. Thee Broncos signed Anthony. Miller from the chargers then traded to get Mike Pritchard from Atlanta and will april Kansas City  Hall of Farmers Marcur Allen left and Joe Montana into the lineup last year. Standing Pat May leave the chiefs behind in 94. Team them with Shannon Sharpe who caught 81 passes As a combined Slot receiver Light end last season. I be never had any group like this to throw to says Elway. It should be  the fun May Beci watching Denver s games Many of which should end 35-33or the like. Tyrone Braxton and Charles Dimry the slow Corners were dispensed with _ but. Ray Crockett and Ben Davis might not be the answer either. In fact the entire defense is a question Mark Karl Mecklenburg and Dennis Smith retired rather than take Cap required cuts. Steve  a Force at safety but there Are few other Impact player around.  __., san Diego chargers san Diego 8-8 after winning the Divi 5�s,at -12"4 with a last place schedule in1992, has Impact Guys on defense seau and o Neal Are As Good As any tandem in the league and second year Man Darrien ordon has helped the secondary. The run defense might be soft with the departure of linebacker Gary Plummer tothe49ers. The real questions Are on offence where free Agency has Cost Miller and Nate Lewis at wide receiver and turn Dover the offensive line. Shawn Jefferson is coming on at receiver and Tony Martin and Mark Seay will have to develop. But Ross Calls this the Best group of receivers we be   runners natron Means Ronnie har Mon and Eric Bienieny Are Strong. And Stan Humphries seems secure inthe no j quarterback Job although Gale Gilbert was brought in from Buffalo to serve As a backup. Seattle sea Hawks Seattle has Mirer whose most optimistic boosters consider to be another Joe Montana. It also has two underrated stars safety Eugene Robinson and running Back Chris Warren. Kennedy the defensive player of the year in 1992 who slipped after being double and triple teamed last year should be greatly helped by the arrival of massive Rookie Sam Adams from Texas am. But the sea Hawks should Stop trying to raid Buffalo. They signed offensive tackle Howard Ballard and cornerback Nate Odomes for big Bucks and added cornerback Kirby Jackson. So what happened Odomes and Jackson were lost for the season with knee injuries. Despite the continued improvement of Mirer the sea Hawks have too Many ques Tion Marks to be the playoff contender some expect them to be. Tomorrow pfc East