Goodness knows we like lists around here, and here comes another one. Listen, we can understand if the idea of spending another year watching the Chiefs lineup in the spread offense is about as appealing as week-old chicken livers. Last year was tough on many of you. We're sympathetic here at Red Zone. Really. We had to watch those games, too.

But there are some good reasons why the Chiefs might need to keep those pages in the playbook in 2009, even if the quarterback is different and comes with a more traditional set of skills than Tyler Thigpen.

This really isn't designed to be the all-weakness showcase, and we promise to eventually get to a position the Chiefs are in good shape at. But by my count, there might only be three truly solid position groups. Can you guess which three I'm thinking about?

Well, while you're thinking, let's knock out another group that might have some trouble in 2009. It's not that there isn't enough talent here. No, there's plenty of that. It's just that none of the Chiefs' wide receivers are exactly where they need to be. And with Tony Gonzalez having been traded -- here's another promise: We won't be dwelling on Gonzalez in this entry -- the team just doesn't have as many reliable options as it would like.

Looks as if San Diego cornerback Antonio Cromartie isn't hurting for confidence in himself or his team this season, particularly when it comes to his predicted dominance over the Chiefs.

In a chat today with NFL.com, Cromartie took a few shots at Kansas City's pass offense, or lack thereof, and his ability to take third-year wide receiver Dwayne Bowe to school. Thanks also to our pals at the recently relocated ProFootballTalk.com for pointing this out.

It's that time again, when we pull the sheet off of reality and offer the potential hard truths of a team that continues to rebuild and continues to have few answers to some important questions.

We hope you enjoyed the optimism of Monday, when we outlined the five things that must happen for the Chiefs to contend for the AFC West title in 2009. Now it's time for that discussion's ugly, mean-spirited cousin: the things that Kansas City must avoid to sidestep a spot in the dungeon of last place.

It's interesting to think that, a little more than 14 months ago, the Chiefs' defensive line was a weapon that needed only cosmetic upgrades here and there. Jared Allen and Tamba Hali made up a terrific set of bookends, combining for 23 sacks in 2007.

Then Allen was traded, Hali was stranded, and yada, yada, yada, the Chiefs had a combined 10 sacks last season. Not only was that last in the NFL last year (and seven fewer than the hapless Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals), but it also was a league record for pass rushing futility.

The Chiefs want to see progress in a way that just hasn't happened in Kansas City in 2009, and really, I'd think that a .500 season would send first-year coach Todd Haley spinning cartwheels down Arrowhead Drive. Anything but a continuation of the last two years, when six wins and a hundred questions made it a complicated and questionable decision to follow the Chiefs.

But why not shoot for the moon? No, it's not likely that the Chiefs will win the division this year. It is possible, though. Miami won the AFC East last year after going 1-15 in 2007. The Dolphins had a lot farther to climb than the Chiefs, and a new coach, GM and quarterback at least helped expedite their return to respectability. Atlanta didn't win the NFC South, but the Falcons made the playoffs. Yep, new coach, GM and quarterback. The Chiefs have made changes at all three of those critical spots.

This time, it's seventh-round tight end Jake O'Connell from Miami of Ohio. Fifth-round offensive tackle Colin Brown of Missouri and seventh-round kicker Ryan Succop of South Carolina previously agreed to terms.

This one is offensive tackle Colin Brown, a fifth-round draft pick from Missouri. Brown agreed to terms on a three-year contract that includes a signing bonus of $154,000.

The Chiefs have agreed to contract terms with veteran safety Mike Brown. Brown, a nine-year veteran and a 2005 Pro Bowler with the Chicago Bears, could challenge either of the incumbents, Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page, for a starting job.

Brown, 31, quickly established himself as one of the league’s top safeties after being drafted by the Bears in the second round in 2000. He is Chicago’s all-time leader in defensive touchdowns with seven.

The Chiefs announced Tuesday that the team will retire Derrick Thomas' jersey number, 58, this season in a ceremony that honors the legendary linebacker the same year he enters the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Thomas' hall of fame ring will be presented to the late player's family during halftime of the Dec. 6 home game against Denver.

Thomas' number will be the 10th to be retired by the Chiefs.