Chiefs plan to spend wisely
The Chiefs haven't been big spenders in free agency since Scott Pioli arrived as their general manager two years ago. That may or may not change during this year's condensed signing period.
But Pioli defended the Chiefs from charges they're cheap when it comes to paying their players, saying the Chiefs would do whatever they believe is necessary when it comes to improving their roster.
"We spent probably to the tune of $110 million (in cash) last year and we're going to continue to spend when we feel it's right and it's productive,'' Pioli said. "I want to say this loud and clear: There has not been one time since we've been here... where I've talked to (chairman Clark Hunt) and Todd (Haley) has talked to Clark about signing players and he's said no. We're going to continue to build this football team the best way we can with the best players we can.
"I haven't been given a limit on what I can spend. The plan is to spend money wisely. I can't tell you what we're going to spend. I don't have a budget, so to speak. We'll spend money as we need to spend money to get good football players signed."
NFL teams were allowed to begin contacting free agents on Tuesday, though the signing period doesn't open until Friday.
The Chiefs agreed to contract terms with three of their own free agents, starting center Casey Wiegmann and two reserves, wide receiver Terrance Copper and defensive back Travis Daniels.
They were also working on agreements with two of their other free agents, defensive lineman Shaun Smith and safety Jon McGraw
This year, the Chiefs are limited in free agency only by the league salary rules that require them to spend, in cash, at least 99 percent of the league's $120.4 million spending cap.
"We do have some cap space so we're not constrained,'' Hunt said. "We also don't have to worry about meeting the league minimum. That's something we'll easily meet. So we'll be able to make decisions that are in the best interest of the football team without having to worry about constraints on either side.
"I've always encouraged Scott to be as aggressive (in free agency) as he feels prudent. Scott has a mindset of how he wants to build the Chiefs.''
Both Hunt and Pioli have said the Chiefs would be built over the long haul through the draft. But both also said the Chiefs may occasionally make the big splash in free agency.
"It's a philosophical belief of mine and Todd's that spending money isn't what makes us a good football team,'' Pioli said. "Spending wisely on good football players makes a good football team. Part of what we've done and will continue to do is sign good football players.''
He pointed to the contract extensions given last year to Jamaal Charles and Derrick Johnson, among others, as evidence of their willingness to spend.
"Those are players we felt that were good players for us and will continue to be good players and we wanted to move ahead with and do good deals,'' Pioli said.
The Chiefs will leave for training camp in St. Joseph on Thursday. They will practice at Missouri Western State University at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Those practices will be open to the public.
President Mark Donovan said the Chiefs were still determining the rest of their practice schedule but indicated several night practices would be held.
Pioli said he expected all nine draft picks, including first-round wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin, under contract and with the Chiefs when they begin training camp. New NFL rules regarding rookie contracts leave little wiggle room in negotiations, particularly for higher picks.
"The way this system has been put together, it makes (rookie contract negotiations) pretty close to cut and dried,'' Pioli said. "There are minimums and maximums not only in the rookie pool but for each individual player. Hopefully, it shouldn't be too challenging.''
Haley and his staff are putting together a plan under new NFL rules governing practice time. Teams are limited to one padded practice each day. Sunday is the first day the Chiefs can practice in pads.
"The time spent here over the past three or four months, when we didn't have the players around like we normally would have, it gave us a bunch of extra time that we would have been spending with them on trying to get ready for exactly what's going on now,'' Haley said. "So I feel good about our plan and the direction we're going. Everybody's under the same rules and the staffs and the organizations that are the best prepared and have the best plan for this situation will have a chance to excel.''
This story was originally published July 27, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Chiefs plan to spend wisely."