This strikes me as being a fair assessment: noting the improvement, but admitting the problems.

Coach Dick Vermeil was pleased with the performance of the first string offense and defense on Friday night in New York. "There was nobody in the first groups I was disappointed in, though there are people I expect more of as we get going," said Vermeil. Even though the offense had a few fundamental breakdowns in the first half, Vermeil thought they executed extremely well. Vermeil was especially happy about the performances of rookie wide receiver Richard Smith and rookie center/guard Ryan Lilja. Vermeil said Smith has taken advantage of opportunities with the veterans out, and Lilja has performed excellent at left guard with the second unit. Another rookie who has been making waves in practice is tight end Kris Wilson. The second round pick has caught everything thrown at him in practice but had a couple of drops against the Giants in his first live NFL game. Vermeil isn’t too worried about Wilson’s drops. "It’s just part of growing up in this league," said Vermeil. The highlight of the defense’s performance was the play of the defensive line. The first string defensive line made New York quarterback Kurt Warner throw every pass on a scramble. Vermeil was especially excited with the play of defensive ends Jared Allen and Jimmy Wilkerson. "We expect Eric Hicks, Vonnie Holliday and Ryan Sims to do good things because they’ve been doing it on the field, but when you see the younger guys do some things, it’s exciting," said Vermeil. Although Vermeil was pleased with the defensive line’s performance, he feels they can play better. One of the problems with the defense was the linebacker play. Although Scott Fujita made a big step in understanding Defensive Coordinator Gunther Cunningham’s system, according to Vermeil, the rest of linebackers had problems of overreacting or under reacting. Vermeil says the problems are well defined and will be worked on. One of the most difficult jobs for the LB’s is just fitting right and knowing assignments because Cunningham’s system is completely different from what they have been doing for two years and from anything in the NFL, according to Vermeil. The head coach related it to learning a new golf swing. "Old habits are very tough to break, and you’ll get it right one play and wrong the next; it just takes time," said Vermeil. A positive sign about the linebackers, according to Vermeil, is when Cunningham’s downhill-attack-style concepts are done right, the offense has no place to run. The final line of defense, otherwise known as the defensive backs, played well in the eyes of the head coach, especially cornerback Eric Warfield. Vermeil said Warfield tackled well and made it look easy out there. Vermeil also said cornerback Dexter McCleon played a good game but was not tested. Vermeil thought Lawrence Tynes kicked well and that it may be a very tough decision between Tynes and 23-year NFL veteran Morten Andersen. While Andersen has experience on his side, one aspect Tynes has in his favor is his ability to kickoff. Vermeil thought all of his kickoffs, except one, had good distance and hang-time against the Giants. Kansas City had 19 penalties against New York. Vermeil said it was too many penalties but most of them were by second and third stringers. Vermeil said he gets really upset when his veterans are committing penalties. The Chiefs' focus now turns to fixing things, refining fundamentals and finding a backup tackle, preferably a left tackle. Vermeil says, after this week of practice, KC only has three padded practices left before traveling to take on the Denver Broncos in the season opener. Vermeil wants to have a third tackle in place by the end of this week. After this final week of practices, the Chiefs will return to Kansas City.

The defensive line was the achilles' heel last year. Another problem was the play of the cornerbacks. Both did well in the first preseason game. The biggest problem this year seems to be the LB crew, but since Gunther was a LB for three years and says the LBs can do it, I think things will come along well.

From all accounts, Richard Smith, Kris Wilson, Jared Allen, and Kevin Sampson have all already demonstrated they can play in this league, although it may be a few seasons before they are good enough to start. Not bad for a draft most people labeled as 'mediocre'. They got the players with the talent to both make a difference this year and eventually become starters or even stars...without having to pay '1st round' level-pay for 'em. Not bad at all.