The Chiefs selected linebacker Derrick Johnson out of Texas with the No. 15 overall pick. Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
	MAILBAG Peter King will answer your questions each week in Monday Morning Quarterback: Tuesday Edition. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- I visited Chiefs camp last Wednesday, and one player stood out above the rest: Derrick Johnson. He's the rookie linebacker from Texas taken by Kansas City in the first round in April, and he's fast. Really fast. I got a chance to watch him on the practice field, unpadded, as offense played defense in a non-contact, play-installation drill. If he's this good when they put the pads on -- which, of course, nobody knows yet, and it's silly to pretend one workout can portend greatness -- the Chiefs might finally have the really good linebacker they've been lacking since the death of Derrick Thomas.

Of course, we all know if Kansas City's defense doesn't improve, it'll be stuck in Eight-and-eightville, three games or so behind San Diego. You don't want to burden Johnson right away, but it was impossible not to notice the kid flying around. On one play, rookie tight end Edwin Thompson caught a pass in the flat and turned to run up field. From the other side of the formation, Johnson sprinted through traffic like he was running around human cones and collared Thompson. Had the pads been on, Thompson might have gained two yards before the collision with Johnson. And on it went during the workout, Johnson flying around like a force the Chiefs haven't had in years.

"What's great about Derrick is not just the speed you saw out there, but his game speed,'' coach Dick Vermeil said. 'He's going to be special.''

"I know that's what they expect out of me,'' a drenched Johnson said as he walked off the practice field on an 84-degree cloudless day. "Speed's crucial in football. That's my game. I should be able to get to a lot of plays.''

It was easy to make the Chiefs' defense a punching bag the past few years. They were 31st and 32nd in NFL team defense in 2002 and 2003, respectively, then thought they fixed the problem by replacing read-and-react defensive coordinator Greg Robinson last year with attack-man Gunther Cunningham. Big mistake. Coaches coach. But they scheme. They hit no one. They chase no one. And with no major changes in the starting lineup, the Chiefs stunk on defense again.