Chiefs take Wal-Mart route in free agency

By Darrell Laurant  |   Monday, March 27, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Kansas City Chiefs
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You can't catch trophy fish using worms for bait. Kansas City Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson understands that, and he's fine with it.

"I haven't felt the urgent necessity to jump into the fray," Peterson said of this year's free agent signing season, adding: "We spent a lot of money last year, and we -- not like Washington -- can't do that every year."

Therefore, more or less standing pat on a 10-6 record in 2005, the Chiefs are shopping at Wal-Mart. So far, they have purchased RB Quentin Griffin (cut by the Denver Broncos last year) and DT Ron Edwards (a part-time starter for Buffalo).

Peterson has also mended a few fences to contain current players, re-signing backup QB Damon Huard, defensive linemen Lional Dalton and Carlos Hall, as well as tight end/long-snapper Kendall Gammon. The Chiefs are also bringing in Canadian Football League star Casey Printers to challenge Huard for the backup QB spot behind incumbent starter Trent Green. Last year's No. 2, Todd Collins, jumped ship to sign with the Redskins.

Huard threw for over 1,200 yards when pressed into service in Miami in 1999, then slipped back into obscurity. But as long as Green stays healthy, Huard should spend most of his time wearing headphones and wielding a clipboard.

The acquisition of Griffin is important because Priest Holmes may or may not recover from last season's back problems. That would leave a gaping hole behind Larry Johnson at running back -- a position the Chiefs will probably also address in the draft.

Edwards, the new D-lineman, is a proven run-stopper at 6-2, 320.

Meanwhile, longtime fullback Tony Richardson left for Minnesota and LB Shawn Barber was cut. The Kansas City Chiefs are also negotiating with DB Lenny Walls of the Broncos, who once played under current Chiefs' defensive backs coach Gary Gibbs.

"Right now, his price is a little too high," Peterson said.
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