Teicher: Chiefs come to terms with Wiegmann and two reserves

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs come to terms with Wiegmann and two reserves
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

The Chiefs were busy on the first day of free-agency, agreeing to contract terms with three players, including starting center Casey Wiegmann. The others are reserves, wide receiver Terrance Copper and defensive back Travis Daniels.

The Chiefs were also working towards an agreement with at least two of their other free agents, defensive lineman Shaun Smith and safety Jon McGraw, but neither deal appeared to be final.

Wiegmann turned 38 last week but had one of the best seasons of his 15-year NFL career last year. He started all 16 games plus the playoff loss to Baltimore. He hasn’t missed a game or even a snap since the season opener of the 2001 season.

The Chiefs drafted Florida State’s Rodney Hudson in the second round of this year’s draft to be their long-term center. The return of Wiegmann allows Hudson the opportunity of learning as a backup.

Hudson can also play guard, and the Chiefs could try him at one of those spots.

Copper caught 18 passes as a backup for the Chiefs last season and was one of their better special-teams players. Daniels also played mainly on special teams last year.

Smith and McGraw were part-time starters last season. Smith played both end and nose tackle as part of the defensive-line rotation. He had a sack of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and also scored a touchdown on a one-yard run in a November win over Seattle.

McGraw was a special-teams player who also gave the Chiefs some experience at the back end of their defense. Two rookies, Eric Berry and Kendrick Lewis, started at safety last season.