NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: ; Patriots trade QB Cassel, Vrabel to lowly Kansas City

Matt Cassel won't have to worry about being the NFL's mostexpensive backup next season.

A little more than three weeks after New England put thefranchise tag on Cassel as insurance for two-time Super Bowl MVP TomBrady, the Patriots traded him and veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel toKansas City on Saturday.

The Chiefs, who earned the third overall selection following afranchise-worst 2-14 season, gave up just their second-round pick -No. 34 overall - for the two players in a deal that highlighted abusy second day of NFL free agency.

Cassel hadn't started a game since high school but stepped inwhen Brady suffered a season-ending knee injury less than eightminutes into the season opener against Kansas City. He went on tothrow for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns in 15 starts.

Brady's rehab was set back when an infection forced a secondoperation. By putting the franchise tag on Cassel, New England wouldhave had to pay him $14.5 million to keep him as a backup.

"It is very easy to root for guys like Matt Cassel, who doeverything the right way and flourish as a result," Patriots coachBill Belichick said in a statement. "As much as we would have lovedto continue working with Matt, we wish him nothing but the best ashe takes this next step forward in his career."

In other major moves, Denver signed seven-time Pro Bowl safetyBrian Dawkins, who spent 13 seasons with Philadelphia; the Eaglestraded Lito Sheppard to the New York Jets; Dallas acquired Jon Kitnafrom Detroit to back up Tony Romo, and signed linebacker KeithBrooking; linebacker Michael Boley signed a five-year deal with theNew York Giants; and Houston signed defensive end Antonio Smith.

Getting Cassel and Vrabel is the latest move for Chiefs generalmanager Scott Pioli, the Patriots' former personnel director whojoined Kansas City in January.

"I have a long history with both players," Pioli said. "Mike andMatt are men that I respect both personally and professionally. Ilook forward to having them as new members of the Chiefs family."

The 33-year-old Vrabel was part of three Super Bowl-winning teamsin his eight years with New England, primarily as an outsidelinebacker. He joins a team whose linebackers were devastated byinjury and played poorly.

Although Dawkins turns 36 next season and is clearly on thedownside of his career, he brings a hard-hitting style andleadership qualities coveted by new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels.

McDaniels, the New England Patriots' offensive coordinator beforehe was hired to replace Mike Shanahan in Denver, envisions his newveteran safety playing a role similar to what Rodney Harrison had inNew England in recent seasons.

The Broncos also signed free agent safety Renaldo Hill, whohelped lead the Miami Dolphins' turnaround last season. McDaniels istapping the New England pipeline as he tries to resurrect theBroncos, luring two free agents from the Patriots in wide receiverJabar Gaffney and long-snapper Lonie Paxton.

Sheppard, who spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Eagles,could immediately start in a Jets secondary that ranked 29th againstthe pass last year despite having Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revisand playmaking safety Kerry Rhodes.

"We acquired a veteran corner with Pro Bowl ability," Jets coachRex Ryan said. "This young man has already gone to two Pro Bowls. Heis a great athlete with the top-end speed that we look for to playthat position. We think he can match up with some of the bestreceivers in the game."

Neither the Jets nor the Eagles announced terms of the deal, butPhiladelphia will reportedly receive a fifth-round pick in April anda conditional pick in next year's draft.

Dallas traded starting right cornerback Anthony Henry to Detroit,where Kitna appeared in only four games last season before going oninjured reserve with a back injury.

When Romo missed three games last season because of a brokenpinkie finger, the Cowboys went 1-2 and leaned heavily on theirdefense to beat Tampa Bay 13-9 for the lone victory in that stretch.The Cowboys, who began the season as a Super Bowl favorite, insteadfinished 9-7 and missed the playoffs.

The 36-year-old Kitna, who was due a $1 million roster bonus nextweek, was not expected to return to the Lions. He's scheduled tomake $1.95 million this season.

The 26-year-old Boley, who signed a five-year, $25 millioncontract with the Giants, is excellent in pass coverage and isexpected to be given a shot at winning the weakside linebacker jobafter playing the strongside for Atlanta.

In other moves Saturday:

* St. Louis agreed to a deal with free-agent Jason Brown, makinghim the NFL's highest-paid center with a five-year, $37.5 milliondeal - including $20 million guaranteed.

* Brandon Moore re-signed with the Jets a day after Pittsburghguard Chris Kemoeatu turned down an offer and returned to theSteelers. Moore inked a four-year, $16-million two days after he wascut.

* Buffalo signed linebacker Geoff Hangartner.

* Tight end Jim Kleinsasser re-signed with the Minnesota Vikingsfor a $9 million, three-year contract.

* The Lions signed running back Maurice Morris to a three-yeardeal and cornerback Eric King to a two-year contract.

* Wide receiver Brandon Jones agreed to a five-year, $16.5-million deal with San Francisco.

* The New Orleans Saints agreed to a five-year contract withoffensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb.

* The Eagles signed right tackle Stacy Andrews to a six-yearcontract, pairing him with younger brother Shawn Andrews.