Chiefs Sign Carney; Pats To Activate Brown

The Chiefs have had enough. Having watched Justin Medlock and Dave Rayner wash out as field goal kickers this season, Kansas City has signed veteran kicker John Carney to a one-year deal.

Chiefs cock 'o the walk Carl Peterson said, "With the results of our offense it calls to find a very experienced and accurate field goal kicker. John Carney fits that description and we’ve admired his performance over many years in the NFL."

Rayner was 12 for 18 from beyond 30 yards. On Sunday, he missed a 33-yard fourth quarter field goal that would have put the Chiefs up 10 points. On the next Kansas City drive, coach Herm Edwards eschewed a field goal attempt from 40 yards on fourth-and-1 and the Chiefs running play got stuffed in a 20-17 home loss to the Raiders.

In 20 NFL seasons dating back to 1987, Carney's kicked for Tampa Bay, the Rams, Chargers, Saints and Jaguars. He filled in for Josh Scobee in Jacksonville this season and was 9 for 11.

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The Patriots will activate veteran wide receiver Troy Brown today or tomorrow. The 15-year veteran and career Patriot opened the season on the PUP list. He started practicing with the team 20 days ago and the team had until tomorrow to either activate him or place him on the injured list.

Brown, 36, is joining a roster chockful of wideouts so his biggest role over the final weeks of the season may be on special teams. He has 557 career receptions for New England.

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Tim Graham of the Palm Beach Post is reporting that Dolphins running back Ricky Williams 2007 season is over after one game and four carries. He tore a pectoral muscle when he was stepped on by Steelers rookie Lawrence Timmons. That's one way to dissuade him from inhaling.

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Ravens running back and former University of Miami running back Willis McGahee on former Miami teammate Sean Taylor who died Tuesday morning.

"Sean was a great player, but more importantly a special person. When a senseless tragedy like this happens close to home, it really makes you think about the people in your life. This is much bigger than football life is precious and you are reminded of that every day. I know he is in a better place, and my prayers are with his family."

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Jason LaCanfora of the Washington Post has done a tremendous job this week on the very difficult Sean Taylor story. So too has Post writer Amy Shipley who's on the ground in Miami.

This is sounding less and less like this was a crime perpetrated by someone who merely wanted to relieve Taylor of some money and possessions.

A Post article online this afternoon said that Taylor family lawyer Richard Sharpstein, "has provided details in various interviews. He said Taylor and his fiancee, Jackie Garcia, were asleep with their 18-month-old daughter when they were awakened by noises in the house. Taylor reached for a machete or other form of knife he keeps nearby in case of emergency, Sharpstein said. He told CNN that Taylor then locked the door of the bedroom, but an intruder kicked the door in and fired twice, striking Taylor once in the upper leg."