Carl Peterson, their longtime president and general manager, was of course present. But he was flanked for the first time by new head coach Herm Edwards and the recently promoted Bill Kuharich, now heading the Chiefs’ draft preparations in his new job as vice president for player personnel.

Peterson might have people in his ear different from Dick Vermeil and Lynn Stiles, but one thing will remain the same.

The final draft decisions will remain with Peterson.

“That hasn’t changed in 18 drafts,” Peterson said.

But that’s not to say that he won’t listen to the advice of his scouts and head coach.

“I’ve always believed in the importance of having the opinion of the head coach,” Peterson said. “Ultimately, he and his assistants are the ones who have the most hands-on time with these players and are the ones that are going to teach them and develop them.”

But he’s still not going to turn the final decision over to anyone.

“I just can’t look at 2006,” Peterson said. “I have to look at 2007 and beyond. That’s not to say Herm or Dick Vermeil or any of our head coaches weren’t concerned about the future. But their job is to win in the current season. I want to do that, too. I also have to have any eye on 2007, 2008 and so on.”

“Ultimately, the final decision I’ve considered a Chiefs decision. I can’t work in a vacuum. (Edwards and Kuharich) are the most important people to me in making that final decision on a choice of a player.”