KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The New England Patriots sent Matt Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs and a message to their own fans: Don’t worry about Tom Brady’s knee.
One question, though, remained.
How could the Patriots obtain only a second- round draft choice for a solid, young quarterback and a 12-year veteran leader, linebacker Mike Vrabel? That mystery persisted Saturday after the Patriots announced the trade for the 34th pick in this year’s draft, which the Chiefs earned with a franchise-worst 2-14 record.
Cassel, who hadn’t started the previous seven seasons with Southern California and the Patriots, led New England to an 11-5 record, but no playoff berth, after Brady suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opener — on a hit by Kansas City’s Bernard Pollard, who said it was an “accident.” Cassel’s steady improvement sent his stock soaring as he entered free agency. So the Patriots put the franchise tag on him, requiring any team that signed him to give them two first- round picks. But that tag would have cost the Patriots $14.65 million if they kept Cassel as insurance if Brady’s health was questionable.
By shipping him out so early, they must be sure that 2007 NFL MVP Brady will be ready for the regular season after undergoing surgery for torn ligaments in his left knee on Oct. 6 and a later operation for an infection in the knee.
Cassel and Vrabel join a team being run by new general manager Scott Pioli, who went to the Chiefs in January after serving as vice president of player personnel for the Patriots, the team he joined in 2002.
Jets land CB Sheppard.
The New York Jets shored up their shaky secondary, acquiring two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard from the Philadelphia Eagles for undisclosed draft picks.
Sheppard, who spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Eagles, could immediately start in a Jets secondary that ranked 29th against the pass last year despite having Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis and playmaking safety Kerry Rhodes. “We acquired a veteran corner with Pro Bowl ability,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said.
• The Jets re-signed guard Brandon Moore to a four-year, $16 million deal.
Cowboys sign QB Kitna as backup.
The Dallas Cowboys took care of one of their top offseason priorities when they acquired quarterback Jon Kitna as the likely backup for Tony Romo.
Dallas also signed free-agent linebacker Keith Brooking to a three-year contract. Brooking, released Friday by Atlanta, played all 11 of his seasons with the Falcons. Dallas traded starting right cornerback Anthony Henry to Detroit for Kitna.
Boley signs with Giants.
The New York Giants bolstered their defense, signing former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Michael Boley to a five-year, $25 million contract.
Smith signs with Houston.
Arizona defensive end Antonio Smith signed with the Houston Texans. Contract terms weren’t released.
Brown, Rams hook up.
The St. Louis Rams made Jason Brown the highest-paid center in the NFL, signing the former Ravens lineman to a five-year, $37.5 million deal — including $20 million guaranteed.
Eagles add another Andrews.
The Philadelphia Eagles bolstered their offensive line by signing Stacy Andrews to a six-year contract.
Wideout visits Vikings.
Free agent wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh visited the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday.
Bills sign Hangartner.
Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Geoff Hangartner signed a four-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.
New deal for Stinchcomb.
The Saints have agreed to a five-year contract with offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb. Terms were not disclosed.
