Afc West

QUARTERBACKS

This is a question-mark position for every team except Oakland. Coach John Madden fields the NFL's best former Alabama quarterback, 30-year-old Ken Stabler (see Key Player), although Stabler had trouble last year with interceptions; his total of 24 was second highest in the league to Joe Namath's 28.

At Denver, Steve Ramsey succeeds the retired Charley Johnson. A bespectacled six-year veteran with a semi-sidearm delivery, Ramsey has a quick release but his bland manner hardly inspires confidence, and he lacks Johnson's leadership and flair. San Diego acquired Clint Longley from Dallas after his bouts with Roger Staubach. He backs up Dan Fouts, who always seems to be hurt and who last year suffered seven different injuries. Neal Jeffrey is available, too. All three young quarterbacks will profit from the coaching of Bill Walsh, who tutored Ken Anderson at Cincinnati and has become the Chargers' offensive coordinator.

With Lenny Dawson definitely retired. Mike Livingston finally is No. 1 for Kansas City. "Livingston is not a finesse guy but a street fighter who gets the job done," says Coach Paul Wiggin. Livingston has started 31 games in eight years—and the Chiefs have won 18 of them. Tampa Bay's John McKay (see Newcomer) hopes he can coax Steve Spurrier, who is returning to Florida after nine years with the 49ers, into displaying his 1966 Heisman Trophy form. Spurrier's laconic style may unsettle McKay. Spurrier has always unsettled purists with his swanlike passes. Told that John Brodie had said Spurrier throws one out of three passes into the ground. McKay cracked: "That's O.K., we'll just get shorter receivers."

OFFENSES

Oakland's line—from left tackle to right: Art Shell. Gene Upshaw, Dave Dalby, George Buehler and John Vella—may be the best in the game. Mark van Eeghen, 24, replaces fellow Colgate alum Marv Hubbard at one running spot. Hubbard recently had his third shoulder operation and may not see action until the playoffs, if then. Veterans Clarence Davis and Pete Banaszak work opposite van Eeghen. Banaszak scored 16 touchdowns a year ago but had a disastrous fumble in the playoff loss to Pittsburgh. Cliff Branch (51 receptions, nine touchdowns) is Stabler's long-distance threat, while Fred Biletnikoff (43 receptions) and Mike Siani work medium range. Dave Casper and ex-49er Ted Kwalick are the tight ends. Oakland has one glaring weakness: the lack of a game-breaking back (O.J., where are you?).

Oakland's most dramatic change saddens the shuffleboard set. Fred Steinfort, 23, will do the placekicking, not 48-year-old George Blanda, who was finally done in by time after 26 seasons. If Steinfort has troubles, Punter Ray Guy—the NFL's best—could double up.

Denver lost its offense in last year's fourth game when Otis Armstrong, who had led NFL rushers in 1974 with 1,407 yards, was lost for the season with a torn hamstring. "When I was hurt," Armstrong says, "my dreams of being No. 1 started to fade in my mind, and I don't like not being No. 1." Along with most of the 19 starters who missed at least one game in 1975, Armstrong has recovered. Fullback Jon Keyworth is healthy again, too; he bores through the middle and keeps defenses honest for Armstrong. The weak Bronco line has been weakened further by the expansion-draft loss of disgruntled Tackle Mike Current, who started in 105 straight games. Tackle Marv Montgomery broke a leg and wrecked a knee in recent seasons but seems in good shape. Bill Bain, a 1975 No. 2 draft pick by Green Bay, whom the Broncos acquired last week, could start if Montgomery falters; however, he did not play regularly for the line-poor Packers. Rookie Tom Glassic will start at guard. Jim Turner's placekicking is a Denver plus (he made two 53-yard field goals in 1975).

One of San Diego's best weapons, rookie Joe Washington from Oklahoma, had knee surgery during training camp and will miss at least half the schedule. However, Don Woods, the 1974 Rookie of the Year when he rushed for 1,162 yards, returns as a fullback after missing the final nine games of 1975 following knee surgery. Coach Tommy Prothro reacted to criticism of his stodgy offense by hiring Walsh from the Bengals and handing him the attack. Walsh brought Flanker Charlie Joiner (37 receptions) with him and has put plenty of camouflage and razzle-dazzle into the playbook, but Washington's absence may force the Chargers to revert to Dullsville.

MacArthur Lane and Woody Green run behind a young line in Kansas City as the Chiefs try to rebuild. Rookie Rod Walters, the No. 1 draft, starts at guard. Otis Taylor—the other half of Dawson-to-Taylor for the touchdown—was traded to Houston, and the remaining KC receivers are only average, with the exception of Tight End Walter White, the find of 1975 (23 receptions and three long TDs of 69, 60 and 48 yards). Jan Stenerud's placekicking could be the main weapon for the Chiefs. Besides McKay's wit, Tampa will depend on three Oakland expansion rejects—Tight End Bob Moore and Running Backs Harold Hart and Louis Carter—and on two former Florida backs, Jimmy DuBose and Vince Kendrick. And on Wide Receiver John McKay, the coach's son.