Chiefs Sign Cornerback Ray Crockett

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Cornerback Ray Crockett, a free agent who spent the last seven seasons with the Denver Broncos, agreed Thursday to a six-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.

With the Chiefs having dropped the veteran cornerback James Hasty in a salary cap move, Crockett will bolster an inexperienced secondary and reduce the need for Kansas City to look for a cornerback in this year's draft.

Hasty, 35, a two-time Pro Bowl choice, had been with Kansas City since 1995.

Crockett, 34, is entering his 13th NFL season. He played at Baylor and spent five years with the Detroit Lions before joining the Broncos as a free agent in 1994.

``Ray is a very talented, experienced competitor who will provide valuable guidance to the young cornerbacks on our roster,'' said team president Carl Peterson.

Greg Robinson, the Chiefs' new defensive coordinator, came to the job after holding the same position with the Broncos.

Crockett has shown big-play potential, returning three interceptions and two fumble recoveries for touchdowns. One of those was a 50-yard return against the Chiefs on a fumble recovery in 1995.

For his career he has 813 tackles, 656 of them solos, and 33 interceptions. Last season he appeared in 13 games for the Broncos, starting 11, with 32 tackles and four interceptions.

He was a member of the Denver teams that won two straight Super Bowls and while with the Broncos was named AFC defensive player of the week three times.