What about Bob?

Matt Cassel has just 15 NFL starts on his resume, but he has parlayed that into a whopping new contract with the Chiefs.

The $63 million deal will pay him a shade over $40 mil in the first three years of the contract, which runs through 2014.

Not bad for a former seventh-round pick, who had the good fortune to play well in the injury-related absence of Tom Brady. The Patriots' star quarterback went down in the first half of the first game of the season - against the Chiefs, no less - with a knee injury that required reconstructive surgery.

Cassel took over and guided the Patriots to an 11-5 record, He threw for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns.

(AP Photo)

The late Derrick Thomas, who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year, will have his No. 58 retired by the Chiefs on Dec. 6 during halftime of their Week 13 game against the Broncos.

Thomas, who played linebacker for 11 seasons in Kansas City, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Aug. 8. He was a nine-time Pro Bowler, who recorded double-digit sack totals seven seasons, including a career high 20 in 1990 (that led the league that year and is sixth most all time). His seven sacks of Dave Krieg in a Week 10 game against Seattle that season still stands as a single-game record (see video below).

Thomas, who finished his career with 126.5 sacks (11th all time), also made 642 career tackles with 41 forced fumbles, 19 fumble recoveries, four defensive TDs and three safeties. Kansas City selected him with the fourth pick in the 1989 draft after an illustrious career at Alabama, where he won the Butkus Award (given to the nation's top linebacker) in 1988.

On Jan. 23, 2000, Thomas was involved in a severe car crash and he died two weeks later. Reports showed that he was not wearing a seat belt at the time, and that he was speeding and weaving his Chevy Suburban through traffic on I-435 in Kansas City.

-Chris Mascaro

Bill Belichick loved collecting veteran linebackers in New England, and his former sidekick, Scott Pioli, is doing the same thing in his new gig as the Chiefs' general manager.

Pioli signed 35-year-old linebacker Zach Thomas, adding his experience to a linebacking corps that also includes 33-year-old former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel, who was acquired in the trade that also sent Matt Cassel to the Chiefs.

Rest assured the presence of Thomas and Vrabel will do wonders for fifth-year linebacker Derrick Johnson, a first-round pick in 2005. Johnson has yet to show the kind of consistently explosive pass rush the Chiefs had envisioned. He finished with just four sacks last year.

The former Giants' wide receiver won the right to get a $1 million bonus as part of his contract with the team, but Chiefs running back Larry Johnson lost his grievance and thus a shot at plenty of guaranteed dough over the next two years.

Special Master Stephen Burbank ruled that if the Chiefs release him, they no longer are required to pay him a $3.5 million guaranteed salary next season because he breached his contract after being suspended last season.

Last month, Johnson was sentenced to two years probation after pleading guilty to two counts of disturbing the peace following two separate confrontations involving women at nightclubs last year.

Johnson, who had asked to be traded in recent months, has since softened that stance and is willing to remain with the team. He is participating in the team's off-season conditioning program.

In fact, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt says the future Hall of Fame tight end isn't on the market, period. The owner thinks Gonzo will be a Chief in 2009, which could impact the Giants' plans moving forward. The Giants offered a fourth-round pick for Gonzalez shortly before the trading deadline last season, and could still be a trade partner if the compensation is high enough.

But our suspicion on this one is that the Chiefs will hold onto Gonzalez, and not just for sentimental reasons. The fact is the guy can still play at a very high level, and with quarterback Matt Cassel joining new head coach Todd Haley, there is every reason to believe the Chiefs will be a vastly superior team to last season.

So why get rid of your top receiving threat? Just doesn't make sense, especially with emerging wideout Dwayne Bowe ready for what could be a monster year.

(UPDATE: The AP is reporting that a source close to Gonzalez says the tight end would be open to a trade if the right deal came along. Gonzo is not demanding a trade, but indicates that he's open to one if it's to a team of his liking.)

Well, that didn't take long.

One day into free agency and the trading period, the Patriots have sent quarterback Matt Cassel to the Chiefs

No word yet on draft choice compensation. The Chiefs have the No. 3 overall pick, although that seems high for this type of a trade. There might be a future first-round pick involved.

Either way, it's a great deal for the Chiefs, who fill a major need with a veteran player who showed plenty last year in his first extensive action in place of the injured Tom Brady.

The move also has ramifications for the top two quarterbacks in the draft, Matthew Stafford of Georgia and Mark Sanchez of USC. With the Chiefs out of the running for a quarterback, it allows another team to move up, or could signal a drop for either of the two presumptive top 10 picks.

The trade might also impact the immediate future of tight end Tony Gonzalez, who has made noises about wanting a trade. But new general manager Scott Pioli, Bill Belichick's former sidekick in Cleveland, New York and New England, might be inclined to hold onto Gonzalez now that he is set at quarterback. Cassel will take over for journeyman Tyler Thigpen.

The Chiefs' All Pro tight end, heading into his 13th NFL season, says he isn't opposed to remaining with the Chiefs. But it sounds like a lot would have to happen for him to keep his yap shut about wanting to skedaddle.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Scott Pioli is going to come in there and do an amazing job and so is Todd Haley, the new head coach," Gonzalez said during a sideline interview at the Pro Bowl. "But I’m going into year 13. I want to play maybe two more years, and that’s maybe.

“I’ve been in three playoff games and won none. Just looking at the Super Bowl this year, it would be so great to get that opportunity to play for that.

“I’m not saying the Chiefs can’t do that. They will eventually turn that corner; it’s how soon can they do that. Once free-agency comes, and they’re wheeling and dealing, and they’re making trades, and it looks good, then I have no problem staying with the Chiefs.”

We've already suggested that Giants GM Jerry Reese ought to dial up Pioli when the time is right to talk about trading for the 33-year-old Gonzalez, who is still the best pure receiving tight end in the NFL. Hmmm. Wonder if Eli Manning nuzzled up to Gonzo while the two were out sipping tropical drinks on the Big Island ... uh, I mean, in Honolulu.

Well, no, probably not. But it appears both won't be back in Arizona next season. Haley has accepted the head coaching job with the Chiefs, while Boldin told ESPN's Rachel Nichols that his chances of returning to the Cardinals were "very slim."

Boldin would provide a solid one-two punch with Dwayne Bowe in K.C., but I wouldn't hold your breath on that one. Rather, look for a team without a big-play receiver — possibly the New York Football Giants — to make a run at Boldin.

Where do you guys/gals think he'd be a good fit?

(Photo by Paul Connors/Associated Press)

Todd Haley has accepted an offer to become head coach of the Chiefs, according to Fox's Jay Glazer and the Kansas City Star.

Haley has been the frontrunner for the job the last several weeks. He did a terrific job in leading the Cardinals' offense throughout the season, and especially in the playoffs.

Haley had said in the days leading up to the Super Bowl that he was perfectly content working for the Cardinals, and that he wasn't anxious to move with his wife and five kids. But he never did slam the door on the notion that he'd be interested in a head coaching job.

Welcome to the NFL, Scott Pioli.

The Chiefs' new general manager, still trying to land a coach (see: Todd Haley), has now seen his star tight end and his star running back say publicly they want to hightail it out of town.

Tony Gonzalez is done with the rebuilding idea, and so is Larry Johnson, the disgruntled running back.

I still say the Giants ought to think seriously about dealing for Gonzo. He's 33, still has a couple of good years left in the tank, and would add another receiving threat.

Looks like Chiefs new general manager Scott Pioli is heading in a different direction for his head coach.
Todd Haley, anyone?

Or maybe Mike Shanahan.

(UPDATE: It's official. Edwards is out. Still no definitive word on whether Shanny is the guy, but all indications are pointing in that direction ... or not: According to NFL Network's Adam Schefter, the Chiefs have had no contact with Shanahan.)

This will probably come as a surprise to tallyrand (see the comments section), but there's already speculation that Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley might be considered by Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli in the event he parts ways with Herman Edwards.

Evidently, Pioli is reading our blog, because we've already suggested that Haley is head coaching material.

There's some buzz in KC about Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo joining newly hired general manager Scott Pioli as head coach.

Still early in the process, but this would not be a surprise at all. But Pioli does have ties to Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, who would have been a candidate for the Browns job had Pioli gotten the Cleveland gig.

Browns owner Randy Lerner decided to hire a coach before a general manager, however, and settled on Eric Mangini, the former Jets' head coach. Lerner is still looking for a GM. One of the candidates on his radar was Patriots personnel man Nick Caserio.

Too late. Caserio has been promoted to replace Pioli in New England.

The Chiefs scored a major coup by hiring Patriots longtime personnel man Scott Pioli to succeed Carl Peterson as the team's general manager.

Pioli is one of the most highly respected executives in football, and he will undoubtedly put the Chiefs in good position moving forward.

That process will likely not involve head coach Herman Edwards, who is not expected to be retained.

Pioli is the second key loss for the Patriots in the last two days. Yesterday, the Broncos hired offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to succeed Mike Shanahan as head coach.

The 10-time Pro Bowler went over the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth time in his career, the most in NFL history for a tight end. He had shared the record with Kellen Winslow, Todd Christensen and Shannon Sharpe.

Gonzalez also is within striking distance of 100 catches for the second time in his career. Heading into the regular season finale against the Bengals, he has 91 catches.

But here’s where Gonzalez separates himself from the rest: He’s playing this season on a 2-13 team with a third-string quarterback (Tyler Thigpen) in only his second NFL season.

Incredible.

See you in Canton.

Carl Peterson will step down as the Chiefs' general manager at the end of the season, a move that could ultimately have an impact on head coach Herman Edwards, who was hired by Peterson.

The Chiefs are 2-12 and are coming off a horrendous home loss to the Chargers, who rallied with two Philip Rivers touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.

The future Hall of Fame tight end thought he'd had an understanding with Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson. Evidently, that was not the case, because Gonzalez is still a Chief, not a Giant ... or an Eagle ... or another team he would have preferred joining.

"I’m not the first guy that’s felt like he’s been wronged around here," Gonzalez told reporters after practice yesterday, the day after the trading deadline came and went without a deal. "Ask Jared Allen. Ask a lot of guys. Ask John Tait. That’s what happens.”

Gonzalez sounds like a man who is playing his final season with the Chiefs. Even though he's under contract in 2009, there is no way he's going back. He'll either force a trade or retire. Bet on a trade.

“He wasn’t sorry,” Gonzalez said of Peterson. “It’s a sour taste. But at the same time, it’s business. I don’t think Carl was out there going: ‘You know what? I’m going to screw Tony on this one. This is what I’m trying to do.’ I don’t know what reasons there were. Maybe I’ll sit down and talk to him about it, and maybe I won’t. But I’m not going to forget about it."

A few years ago, when Herman Edwards was coaching the Jets, he was asked about his quarterback situation by a columnist from a competing newspaper. When said columnist didn't get quite the answer he was looking for, he asked Edwards to expand on his answer. When Edwards still didn't give him what he wanted, he shrugged his shoulder and said something to the effect of, "Oh, just answer the question."

Edwards then snapped: "You bristlin' up? ... Huh? ... You bristlin'?"

The dialogue ended there, but we were reminded of that moment when the word "bristled" was used to describe Edwards' body language when a reporter asked him yesterday what the Tony Gonzalez trade request said about Edwards, team president Carl Peterson and the organization at large.

"It doesn’t say anything about me,” Edwards said. “It doesn’t say one thing about me. It has nothing to do with me. You need to ask the player that. That’s not for me to answer. I’m not going to answer for a football player. I don’t have to do that. I answer to the decisions that I make; what comes out of my mouth. You’re asking the wrong guy. You need to ask him. I have enough problems.”

The Chiefs are interested in the former Jets' starter now that he has been released. Pennington and Edwards got along famously during Herm's tenure in New York, although Pennington would be viewed as a backup to Brodie Croyle for the short term.

The Chiefs expect Pennington to wind up with Miami, where he would likely become the Dolphins starter. Dolphins football czar Bill Parcells drafted Pennington when Tuna was the Jets' GM in 2000.

The first-round pick is being counted on heavily to provide pass protection for a Chiefs line that had become porous, but Albert suffered a sprained foot in Thursday's scrimmage against the Vikings and might not be back for a couple weeks.

Actually, the Chiefs would be delighted if that's all the time he misses. He's a huge part of the team's youth movement.

The foot injury that ruined most of Larry Johnson's 2007 season appears to be fully healed.

Just for good measure, Herman Edwards is keeping his fingers crossed.

They got Minnesota's first overall choice and two third-rounders in agreeing to trade defensive end Jared Allen last night.
It's a huge move for Kansas City, which now has two picks in the top 20 (they've also got the fifth overall). And it gives them plenty of flexibility to address multiple positions - they need offensive linemen and cornerbacks, and might take a shot at BC quarterback Matt Ryan at No. 5.

Check out this video clip from Chiefs pass rusher Jared Allen to see what the real story is behind his breakout season.

Apparently, it has nothing to do with his "swim move" or "rip" or all those other cool things that pass rushers do on their way to the quarterback.

We still aren’t convinced that Holmes will be with the Chiefs this season, due to his inactivity over the last two seasons because of a severe neck injury. But if the Chiefs eventually release him and he still wants to play, Holmes has hinted he’d like to join the Cowboys . . . How about this for an incredible comeback: Browns cornerback Gary Baxter, who tore both patella tendons while trying to defend a pass against the Broncos last Oct. 22, is hopeful of being ready for the start of the regular season. Baxter was in the hospital for two months and had to use a walker when he was released . . . How good can the Cowboys’ defense be? “I feel it should be the best defense in the NFL,” defensive coordinator Brian Stewart said. The Cowboys have used their last eight first-round picks on defensive players, so it had better be good. But best in the NFL? We’ll see.

It's still not a done deal that Priest Holmes returns all the way from a neck injury, but it won't be for lack of trying.

Holmes has indicated to the Chiefs that he will report to the team's training camp later this week in River Falls, Wisc.

Team president Carl Peterson indicated that he might put Holmes on the physically unable to perform list so that the team can gauge his fitness. But so far, all systems are go for one of the prolific running back, who missed all of last season with a neck injury. He was injured in the seventh game of the 2005 season.

It's still not out of the realm of possibility that Holmes does not play this year, especially if the Chiefs coaching staff feels as if he'd risk further injury. But at least he's gotten this far.