Afc West

Los Angeles Raiders

The Raiders' bodies are in Los Angeles, but where are their minds? What's happening to the kids in school back in Hayward and Alameda? How about the nice little house in Marin County that's now up for sale? Or the prices of real estate in Southern California? You say Allied Van Lines wants how much to move us? Hey, don't bother me with that stuff; I've got a game to get ready for.

Don't forget, there are still two slender threads that bind the Raiders to Oakland—the city's eminent domain suit and a possible act of Congress that would yank them back north, if not this year, then next.

Nobody has figured out how the won-lost ratio is influenced by mental stress off the field. One clue: Three years ago, when the Raiders experienced a rare fall from playoff contention, the party line was that they lost their concentration because their boss, Al Davis, wasn't available on a regular basis to give them their daily ration of inspiration. This year Al monitored them closely in their Santa Rosa training camp—when he wasn't flying off to L.A. to check on the ticket situation. And the Raiders are coming off their first losing season since 1964.

The quarterback once again is Jim Plunkett, who lost his job to young Marc Wilson after the three-shutout debacle early in '81. Davis prefers Plunkett's get-it-done-quickly, attacking style to that of Wilson, who's still feeling his way. Plunkett's failings of '81 are now attributed to groin pull and thumb troubles he didn't tell anyone about. He also has shed the banquet poundage that resulted from the Super Bowl season of' 80.

The Raiders' No. 1 draft of USC Tailback Marcus Allen was viewed by the cynical as a ticket push, but Davis says just wait, the kid will open eyes. Running backs Billy Taylor and Greg Pruitt join Davis' 1982 list of imports, along with Lyle Alzado, who's expected to fill Cedrick Hardman's spot as designated rightside sacker.

Flanker Bob Chandler suffered a preseason knee injury. He should be O.K., but he's 33, and durability is imperative in his all-important role of possession receiver—to keep the hounds off deep threat Cliff Branch.

The Raiders' swarming defense got consistent All-Pro-level play from outside linebackers Ted Hendricks and Rod Martin but still slipped to 24th against the pass in '81. Why? Left Cornerback Lester Hayes played at 220 or thereabouts. Strong Safety Mike Davis broke his leg—and the whole operation came unglued. Hayes is now trim and mean again, and Davis is back. The Raiders' 1981 record of 7-9 could have been worse. They won three games by six points, total.

San Diego Chargers

Here's the thing I can't understand about the Chargers. Why stiffen your back and pound the table when loyal and proven veterans such as John Jefferson and Fred Dean want more money, and then open the vault to bring in older talent from around the league? The Chargers wrecked their defense and weakened their offense (yeah, we know, they got Wes Chandler from New Orleans, but there's only one Jefferson) by letting Dean and J.J. go, and instead of a draft this year they got veterans, none of whom is in the minimum salary range—linebackers Dewey Selmon and David Lewis and Tailback Ricky Bell from Tampa Bay; Safety Tim Fox and Wide Receiver Harold Jackson from New England; and Safety Bruce Laird from Baltimore.