Many of you might argue that former coach Herm Edwards' greatest contributions during his three seasons came in news conferences. There always were a few new and interesting reasons why Kansas City didn't win, and his stories about his experiences as a player were often called upon for background and reference.

But the man could coach the secondary. Edwards won't go down as an especially memorable Chiefs coach after his teams lost 26 games the past two years. But the longtime former NFL cornerback had an eye for terrific defensive backs, and that might be reason enough for Edwards to someday return to some team as its secondary coach. Until then, he is being paid handsomely to make those analogies and tell those stories on ESPN's NFL programs.

The Chiefs were not in great shape when Edwards was shown the door in February. The linebackers were beaten up, the offensive line was aging, and the quarterbacks were unproven and downright frightening. But Edwards left Todd Haley a secondary that any coach would have been happy to inherit.

The Chiefs' most impressive position group is its secondary, in particular Kansas City's cornerbacks. Three rookies finished 2008 with significant playing time to their names, and Brandon Flowers emerged as a legitimate No. 1 cornerback, having covered stars such as Randy Moss and Steve Smith and held his own. Brandon Carr emerged later, and Maurice Leggett seemed to have a knack for being in the right place as the right time.

The safeties, of course, were a different debate at times. Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard have had their difficulties, but both young defenders are solid if not spectacular players. Pollard's tackling has been atrocious at times, and that needs work, but he's young and has admitted that he has work to do before reaching his potential. Just in case that doesn't happen, the Chiefs signed veteran safety Mike Brown last week as a sort of insurance policy, motivator, or replacement for the first safety who shows he can't cut it to Haley's and coordinator Clancy Pendergast's standards.

But those cornerbacks showed reasons last year that they are legit, and that's a position at which NFL teams need a surplus of talented youngsters. The Chiefs underscored that thought when they drafted former Ohio State cornerback Donald Washington in the fourth round. That choice remains a puzzling one, particularly with the team's other needs, but perhaps Kansas City just wanted to continue adding fresh legs to an important and high-pressure position. Don't forget about second-year safety DaJuan Morgan, either. He'll probably remain a backup in 2009 unless both Page and Pollard have tough seasons, but Morgan is a strong backup with good potential.

Washington didn't join the Chiefs until very late in offseason practice because of his college's graduation requirements, and that could stunt his growth and hinder his chances of significant playing time in 2009 unless he's impressive at training camp. He'll be assigned to observe players such as Flowers. He was one of youngsters who played well enough last year that former Pro Bowl corner Patrick Surtain was phased out of the defense and eventually released. Surtain indicated to me late last season that he saw that coming. And how could he not? He wasn't even the nickel back after Leggett's emergence as a solid option.

For a team that has few position groups that inspire confidence, the Chiefs' defensive backs seem to have been assembled well. Players have said that last year was uncomfortable, having to jump into the starting lineup as rookies and all, but they're better for it now. This is one position the Chiefs shouldn't have to worry much about as it enters an important training camp later this month.

GRADING THE INTANGIBLES
TALENT: B+ -- Flowers had first-round talent last year when the Chiefs grabbed him in the second round. Carr was a fifth-rounder, and Leggett went undrafted -- but both became starters. Page and Pollard have plenty to prove, but Brown is there to either push the Herm Edwards holdovers or take one of their jobs. Either way, Brown will be a factor.
CHEMISTRY: A -- It occasionally was an uncomfortable assignment for three rookies to start and finish games for the Chiefs last season, but they proved themselves capable. All of Kansas City's defensive backs seem to have good rapport because, if nothing else, they have shared in some difficult times together.
EXPERIENCE: B- -- The Chiefs' top four cornerbacks have one year or less of experience, but they did play significant amounts last season. The youngsters will be better in 2009 than a year ago, but they still might carry with them some growing paints.
OUTLOOK: A- -- The Chiefs' most reliable position should enter the 2009 season in good shape. Pollard must show improvement from last season, and he's the more likely candidate to relinquish his starting job to Brown, who is a natural free safety but whose talent allows him to shift to the strong safety position, too.