MANKATO, Minn. -- Observations on the 2003 Kansas City Chiefs from training camp practices:

	Holmes

1. The Chiefs are doing it the right way with Priest Holmes. He finished last season with a bruised hip and had arthroscopic surgery to remove a chip in his hip. The hip is fine but he's still trying to catch up for five months of lost conditioning from the inactivity after the surgery. Holmes runs routes and non-contract running plays with the same speed and elusiveness that has made him one of the most exciting runners in football. He did take a few hits in the second day of the scrimmage against the Vikings, and he bounced back well.

2. Backup halfback Larry Johnson looks a little quicker than advertised. He's a long-legged straight-ahead runner that showed a few good moves against the Vikings run defense Wednesday and Thursday. The plans are only to use him for spot duty, but he's been showing he has the ability to make the big play every now and then.

3. The cornerback position is still an enigma for the Chiefs and the team still doesn't know how to resolve the issue. The Chiefs finished No. 31 in pass defense last season allowing almost 275 yards per game. On paper, they should be fine. Eric Warfield, William Bartee and Dexter McCleon are talented and have the chance to be upper echelon corners. This year is their chance to show it.

4. Defensive end Eric Hicks has been bordering on greatness off and on for the past couple of years. This should be his breakout year in which he could get double-digit sack numbers. The addition of Vonnie Holliday on the other side of the field at defensive end should open things up for Hicks. The Chiefs should also be improved at defensive tackle with Ryan Sims entering his second year.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.