I liked the Chiefs more than I thought I would last week, Tim. They're an interesting group. But here's the difference between the Raiders and Chiefs: The Raiders are counting on LaMont Jordan and Randy Moss to boost the offense. Moss is a proven major star. Jordan appears -- and of course he hasn't done it yet -- to be ready to break through as a Willis McGahee-type of back. Those are two big parts of an offense desperate for impact. As for the Kansas City defense, I like Johnson, but he's totally unproven. I like Patrick Surtain --  excellent upgrade. Sammy Knight's a nice addition. I don't know if Kendrell Bell can stay healthy. Can you look at those four guys and know the Chiefs will go from 31st to, say, 13th in NFL team defense? I'm not saying it won't happen, but it's no lock. Whereas the Raiders were the league's 17th-rated defense last year -- 32nd in rushing -- and I could see them easily rising into the top five with those two impact guys.

NAMING RIGHTS ARE HERE TO STAY. From Mark Baird of Lexington, N.C.: "Do you think that the current trend of selling naming rights of stadiums to large corporations will ever end? I know it probably isn't related, but ever since they left RFK stadium, the Redskins have stunk up the NFL. There's something to be said for a good old-fashioned name that honors an individual or a place.''

Mark, you must have been born in the '40s. Teams will be selling the names of stadiums from now till they stop building new sports palaces. Player salaries demand it.

A GOOD TIP, IF YOU LIKE ITALIAN FOOD. From Chris Heinonen of Portland, Ore.: "The only Italian chef who might be better than Mario Batali is his dad, Armandino. He has a little shop called Salumi just a stones throw from Qwest Field in Seattle. Next time you're up there to cover football, check it out (Tuesday-Friday, 11-4 only, though.)

You should be a scout, Chris. I guarantee you I will be there next fall.

FREDDIE IS BETTER THAN HE SHOWED IN PHILADELPHIA. From Wanda Z., of Salem, Mass.: "Over the weekend the Chiefs signed Freddie Mitchell. I was surprised that Dick Vermeil would waste his time. Why K.C.?''

Vermeil thinks (and I agree) that Donovan McNabb, for whatever reason, had no trust or faith in Mitchell. If Mitchell is given a clean slate and gets to be a slot receiver with a quarterback (Trent Green) who will give him every chance to catch 50 balls, why not try it? The cost to Kansas City is near the minimum. It's a good risk, particularly because Mitchell knows he has play tough, quiet and sure-handed to continue his career in the NFL.

FATHER'S DAY LEFTOVER. From Tim Novak of Pittsburgh: "Your Larry King and Donald Trump comments aside, I hope you are not classifying all divorced men as poor fathers. I would be very disappointed, if you were.''

I am classifying two men with a total of 10 marriages as highly, highly questionable choices as Fathers of the Fear. I understand divorce happens. But don't tell me if you're divorced six times, as King was, you could qualify as a father of the year. Part of fatherhood is staying around. One divorce, I can see it. Two, well, starting to go over the line. Six? Gimme a break.