1999 record: 9-7, second in the AFC West.

Last five years: 51-29.

Coach: Gunther Cunningham (9-7 in one season with Kansas City, his first as an NFL head coach).

Playoff past: The Chiefs lost out on the playoffs last year when they blew a 17-0 lead at home to Oakland in regular-season finale and were beaten in overtime. Kansas City last made the playoffs in 1997 but lost in the divisional round. Twice the Chiefs had a bye throughout the AFC playoffs but lost their first game. They were just 3-7 in the playoffs in the 1990s.

Outlook

Any incentive the Chiefs defense needs this season will be provided each time they walk into their locker room and pass by former teammate Derrick Thomas' old stall.

There, encased in glass, is Thomas' jersey, helmet and shoes, just as he left it on Jan. 23 when he headed for Kansas City International Airport to go the NFC title game in St. Louis.

TE Tony Gonzalez is the most potent weapon on an offense that's lacking them.(Allsport)

Coach Gunther Cunningham isn't sure how the Chiefs will react to the shock of one of their best players in history being gone. But he and general manager Carl Peterson have made sure Thomas always is on the players' minds.

A large portrait of Thomas and his framed No. 58 jersey are in the lobby of Arrowhead Stadium. A tribute to Thomas is planned for a regular-season home game early in the year.

Thomas was the Chiefs' emotional leader and their best pass rusher.

The pass-rush duties will go to Duane Clemons, a free agent who formerly played for the Minnesota Vikings.

On non-passing downs, Lew Bush, a free agent who formerly played for the San Diego Chargers, will take Thomas' outside linebacker spot.

"I'm being very realistic when I say we have better personnel here than we had when we were the No. 1 defense in San Diego a few years ago," Bush said.

The Chiefs always seem to play good defense, no matter who they lose.

Donnie Edwards is one of the NFL's top young outside linebackers. Even at age 35, James Hasty is playing at a Pro Bowl level at cornerback. When he wants to, Chester McGlockton is one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the league.

"I think this can be one of the NFL's best defenses," said Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez.

They'll have a long way to go to equal last year, when the Chiefs scored seven defensive touchdowns, two each by Edwards and Hasty.

"I'll tell you how good we could be," Bush said. "I see our linebackers fighting with defensive linemen for tackles."

But even with their stellar defense, the Chiefs have been unable to make the playoffs the past two years and in three of the past four.

They are conservative on offense yet lack a franchise back. This year, it's second-year pro Mike Cloud's turn to see if he can hold onto the starting job.

"There have been times when Mike has made some amazing cuts," said quarterback Elvis Grbac. "You look at some of the holes, and it's almost reminiscent of Marcus Allen. There's just that little, skinny hole, and to make that cut and keep the forward movement, he's making cuts that a 10-year veteran makes."

Wide receiver continues to be a problem. Veteran Andre Rison is coming off his worst year. First-round pick Sylvester Morris was supposed to be the answer but has missed all of camp to this point in a holdout. He is expected to start opposite veteran Derrick Alexander.

The Chiefs' only legitimate threat offensively is Gonzalez, who had 76 receptions last year.

"Ever since he came into the league, we were afraid to match up a safety with him," Bush said of Gonzalez. "We had to double him. We had to work hard to cover him. ... You miss him on the line and he's gone because he runs like a wide receiver."

Schedule preview: The Chiefs had better get hot early if they want to be in the AFC West hunt or make the playoffs. Five of their first seven games are at home. Five of the next six are on the road, including a stretch of three in a row at Seattle, Oakland and San Francisco. They're back on Monday Night Football (Oct. 2 against Seattle and Dec. 4 at New England) after having no appearances on ABC in 1999.

1999 offensive ranking: No. 12 overall, No. 22 passing, No. 4 rushing.

1999 defensive ranking: No. 14 overall, No. 16 passing, No. 11 rushing.

Key players lost from 1999: LB Derrick Thomas (deceased), DT Tom Barndt (to Cincinnati), Joe Horn (to New Orleans), Bam Morris (released), Glenn Parker (to New York Giants), Reggie Tongue (to Seattle), Tamarick Vanover (released).

Key additions for 2000: OG Jeff Blackshear (Ravens), LB Lew Bush (Chargers), DE Duane Clemons (Vikings), DT Steve Martin (Eagles) C Aaron Graham (Cardinals), P Todd Sauerbrun (Bears), OG Brendan Stai (Steelers).

Rookies to watch: WR Sylvester Morris, the first-round pick from Jackson (Miss.) State, was expected to challenge for a starting job but was unsigned as of Friday. How much he can catch up on will be a key to the passing game. Cornerback William Bartee, a second-rounder from Oklahoma, and safety Greg Wesley, a safety from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, will add depth in the secondary.

Offensive line: This is a position that received a boost this week when right guard Will Shields, the team's franchise player, agreed to contract terms. Left guard Dave Szott is expected to start but is out because of taking medication for a blood clot. While he's sidelined, free-agent acquisition Brendan Stai will replace him. The tackles are solid with second-year pro John Tait, the 1999 first-round draft choice, on the left side and Victor Riley on the right side.

Wide receivers/tight ends: Fourth-year pro Tony Gonzalez has developed into one of the top tight ends in the NFL. He earned his first Pro Bowl berth after catching 11 touchdown passes last season. Wide receiver is a different story. Andre Rison had only 21 catches a year ago and got into trouble off the field again this spring. Derrick Alexander started strong but fizzled late in the year. Kevin Lockett is a backup. The Chiefs need Morris to be their big-play threat.

Running backs: The Chiefs continue to be stubborn. Unless they are able to get Corey Dillon away from Cincinnati, they likely will handle this position by committee again. Cloud, a second-round pick a year ago, likely will be the starter. Converted fullback Donnell Bennett is effective in one-back sets. Kimble Anders is coming off an Achilles' injury. Fullback Tony Richardson was their most productive back after Rashaan Shehee, who took over for the injured Anders, struggled down the stretch with injuries of his own in '99.

Quarterbacks: There is something about Elvis Grbac that many Chiefs fans don't like. Sure, he's not Joe Montana. He's not even Len Dawson. But he was efficient a year ago. He was fifth in the AFC in passing despite having a mediocre receiving corps. If something were to happen to Grbac, the Chiefs have a capable backup in Warren Moon, who should be well-rested. He took only three snaps last season. But Moon is being pushed for the No. 2 job by Todd Collins.

Defensive line: This always seems to be a Chiefs strength and should be again this year even with the death of Thomas, one of the best pass rushers in league history. Clemons will get the first crack at replacing Thomas. The middle of the line will be anchored by McGlockton, who had his best year in Kansas City last season. Last year's other starting tackle, Dan Williams, was a disappointment and will move to end. Steve Martin, a free-agent signee who formerly played for Philadelphia, could start at the other tackle.

Linebacker: When Thomas wasn't rushing the passer, he wasn't that effective. So, the Chiefs think Bush will be a better every-down player at strongside linebacker. Edwards led the team in tackles, had five interceptions and scored two touchdowns. Middle linebacker Marvcus Patton, an 11th-year pro, is coming off one of his best years. He had 6½ sacks and 135 tackles.

Secondary: Hasty shouldn't be this good. He's 35 years old yet led the NFL in interceptions with seven, two of which he returned for touchdowns. Cris Dishman, also 35, struggled in his first year with the Chiefs but is having an excellent training camp. With Reggie Tongue gone, second-year pro Larry Atkins will have the tough job of replacing him at starting strong safety. There are few tacklers better than starting free safety Jerome Woods.

Special teams: A year ago, the Chiefs were horrendous in the punting game and on kickoff coverage. They think the addition of former Bears punter Todd Sauerbrun will correct that. Kicker Pete Stoyanovich will strictly handle placements. The Chiefs also have to replace return specialist Tamarick Vanover, who was released.