KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Amani Toomer played 13 successful seasons with the New York Giants, so the Kansas City Chiefs brought him in to provide leadership to a young group of wide receivers. Alfonso Boone is a nine-year veteran and opened training camp as a starter at defensive end.
The Chiefs released both players Tuesday, casualties of the what-have-you-done-lately approach that Todd Haley is taking in his first year as the team's coach.
"The thing I've been stressing to these guys is finding the right 53, and we're going to do it at all costs," Haley said. "Every day is an evaluation, and if you're not out there, how can we depend on you? If you're out there and don't know what to do, how can we depend on you?"
The Chiefs also released rookie offensive tackle Cameron Goldberg and placed running back Kolby Smith on the physically unable to perform list after missing most of the preseason with an undisclosed injury. Wide receiver Devard Darling, a preseason starter with Dwayne Bowe stuck in Haley's doghouse, was placed on season-ending injured reserve after hurting his knee in Saturday's game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Toomer signed with the Chiefs on Aug. 4, but he never had much of an impact, spending most of the preseason with the second and third teams.
Boone spent his first eight seasons with the Chicago Bears and started 19 games in the past two seasons. He opened training camp as the Chiefs' starter, but he quickly was shuttled down the depth chart when rookie Tyson Jackson, a first-round draft pick (No. 3 overall), caught up after holding out the first week.
Two veterans gone, and the next round of cuts -- 22 by Saturday -- figures to be just as direct. Haley only wants players who perform. No mistakes, no excuses. Produce or be shown the door.
"We're going to play the guys we can depend on, the guys who give us the best chance to win," he said. "That's it."
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
