KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Matt Cassel, who stepped in for an injured Tom Brady last year and led New England to an 11-5 record, was traded to Kansas City on Saturday with linebacker Mike Vrabel for the Chiefs' second-round draft pick.
A career backup who hadn't started a game since high school, Cassel threw for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns in 15 starts.
The Chiefs, coming off a 2-14 season, sent the 34th pick in April's draft to New England.
While Brady began rehabbing a severe knee injury, which required a second operation because of infection, the Patriots put the franchise tag on Cassel. That meant the team would have to pay him $14.5 million to keep him as insurance.
Vrabel was part of three Super Bowl-winning teams in his eight years with New England, primarily as an outside linebacker.
People are also reading…
OTHER NFL
Cards lose DE Smith to free agency, Texans
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans signed free agent defensive end Antonio Smith on Saturday.
The 6-foot-4-inch, 285-pound Smith appeared in each regular-season game and started three of four playoff games for the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals last season. He had eight tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the Super Bowl loss to Pittsburgh.
• The Dallas Cowboys acquired quarterback Jon Kitna Saturday to back up Tony Romo for cornerback Anthony Henry. Kitna started four games for Detroit last year, completing 68 of 120 attempts for 758 yards and five touchdowns with five interceptions.
• The Denver Broncos signed seven-time Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins, who had spent his entire 13-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
• The New York Jets acquired two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard from the Philadelphia Eagles for undisclosed draft picks.
GOLF
Van Pelt, Wilson tied at Mayakoba Classic
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, México — Bo Van Pelt shot a 3-under 67 on Saturday to catch Mark Wilson for the lead at the Mayakoba Golf Classic. Wilson shot a 69, leaving both at 11-under 199 through three rounds of the PGA Tour's annual stop south of the border.
• In Pattaya, Thailand, American Paula Creamer had three consecutive birdies on the back nine for a 5-under 67 on Saturday and a three-stroke lead heading into the final round of the $1.45 million of the Honda LPGA Thailand.
MISCELLANEOUS
Venus easy winner in Mexican Open
ACAPULCO, Mexico — Venus Williams beat defending champion Flavia Pennetta 6-1, 6-2 to win the Mexican Open title on Saturday, her 41st career singles title and second in two weeks.
• In Hallandale, Fla., Quality Road made a move toward the Kentucky Derby field by winning the Grade 2, $250,000 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.
• In Arcadia, Calif., The Pamplemousse solidified his status as a leading Kentucky Derby candidate Saturday with a six-length victory in the $200,000 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita.
