The Kansas City Chiefs hired Brian Daboll as the team’s new offensive coordinator Monday, bringing in a familiar face for new head coach Romeo Crennel.

Daboll spent last season in the same job for the Miami Dolphins, and the previous two years serving as Cleveland’s offensive coordinator. He worked with Crennel when both were with the Patriots.

“Brian is a fine football coach and offensive mind,” Crennel said. “I worked with him when he was a young coach in New England and I am proud of the way his career has developed. We had a very thorough process for this position and it was clear to me that Brian was the right choice. He was coveted by multiple teams and I am glad he will be joining our staff.”

Daboll replaces Bill Muir, who announced his retirement last week. Others known to have interviewed for the job were quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn and former Raiders offensive coordinator Al Saunders.

Daboll also has connections to Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli after spending time in New England, where Daboll coached wide receivers and Crennel was defensive coordinator. Daboll later spent two seasons as the New York Jets’ quarterbacks coach before taking over as offensive coordinator in Cleveland. The Browns were last in the NFL in total offense during his first season and 29th in Year 2, after which he departed for Miami.

The Dolphins were 22nd in total offense this past season, though there was marked improvement over the second half of the season. Miami also piled up 31 points in a victory over the Chiefs.

A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Daboll was a safety at Rochester before he got into coaching.

“This is a great opportunity,” Daboll said. “After meeting with Romeo, it was clear to me Kansas City was a good fit. I have a lot of respect for Romeo and a strong appreciation for the Kansas City Chiefs franchise. Romeo and I have similar ideas on the direction of the program and we have a good core group of players to get started with. I’m ready to get in as soon as possible and start working to be a part of something special.”

Daboll would be taking over a potentially potent offense in Kansas City.

All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles is expected to participate in offseason workouts after missing all but the first two weeks of the season with a knee injury. Tight end Tony Moeaki will also be back after sustaining a similar knee injury during a preseason game, and quarterback Matt Cassel will return after hurting his hand during Week 10.

There are still questions surrounding the offense. Top wide receiver Dwayne Bowe is a free agent, though the Chiefs are considering whether to use the franchise tag on him.

Pioli also has promised that there will be competition for Cassel at quarterback. Kyle Orton became a free agent after finishing out the season for Kansas City, which means fifth-round draft pick Ricky Stanzi is the only other quarterback currently under contract.

KANSAS CITY — The Kansas City Chiefs hired Brian Daboll as the team’s new offensive coordinator Monday, bringing in a familiar face for new head coach Romeo Crennel.Daboll spent last season in the same job for the Miami Dolphins, and the previous two years serving as Cleveland’s offensive coordinator. He worked with Crennel when both were with the Patriots.“Brian is a fine football coach and offensive mind,” Crennel said. “I worked with him when he was a young coach in New England and I am proud of the way his career has developed. We had a very thorough process for this position and it was clear to me that Brian was the right choice. He was coveted by multiple teams and I am glad he will be joining our staff.”Daboll replaces Bill Muir, who announced his retirement last week. Others known to have interviewed for the job were quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn and former Raiders offensive coordinator Al Saunders.Daboll also has connections to Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli after spending time in New England, where Daboll coached wide receivers and Crennel was defensive coordinator. Daboll later spent two seasons as the New York Jets’ quarterbacks coach before taking over as offensive coordinator in Cleveland. The Browns were last in the NFL in total offense during his first season and 29th in Year 2, after which he departed for Miami.The Dolphins were 22nd in total offense this past season, though there was marked improvement over the second half of the season. Miami also piled up 31 points in a victory over the Chiefs.A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Daboll was a safety at Rochester before he got into coaching.“This is a great opportunity,” Daboll said. “After meeting with Romeo, it was clear to me Kansas City was a good fit. I have a lot of respect for Romeo and a strong appreciation for the Kansas City Chiefs franchise. Romeo and I have similar ideas on the direction of the program and we have a good core group of players to get started with. I’m ready to get in as soon as possible and start working to be a part of something special.”Daboll would be taking over a potentially potent offense in Kansas City.All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles is expected to participate in offseason workouts after missing all but the first two weeks of the season with a knee injury. Tight end Tony Moeaki will also be back after sustaining a similar knee injury during a preseason game, and quarterback Matt Cassel will return after hurting his hand during Week 10.There are still questions surrounding the offense. Top wide receiver Dwayne Bowe is a free agent, though the Chiefs are considering whether to use the franchise tag on him.Pioli also has promised that there will be competition for Cassel at quarterback. Kyle Orton became a free agent after finishing out the season for Kansas City, which means fifth-round draft pick Ricky Stanzi is the only other quarterback currently under contract.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs hired Brian Daboll as the team’s new offensive co-ordinator Monday, bringing in a familiar face for new head coach Romeo Crennel.

Daboll spent last season in the same job for the Miami Dolphins, and the previous two years serving as Cleveland’s offensive co-ordinator. He worked with Crennel when both were with the Patriots.

“Brian is a fine football coach and offensive mind,” Crennel said. “I worked with him when he was a young coach in New England and I am proud of the way his career has developed. We had a very thorough process for this position and it was clear to me that Brian was the right choice. He was coveted by multiple teams and I am glad he will be joining our staff.”

Daboll replaces Bill Muir, who announced his retirement last week. Others known to have interviewed for the job were quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn and former Raiders offensive co-ordinator Al Saunders.

Daboll also has connections to Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli after spending time in New England, where Daboll coached wide receivers and Crennel was defensive co-ordinator. Daboll later spent two seasons as the New York Jets’ quarterbacks coach before taking over as offensive co-ordinator in Cleveland. The Browns were last in the NFL in total offence during his first season and 29th in Year 2, after which he departed for Miami.

The Dolphins were 22nd in total offence this past season, though there was marked improvement over the second half of the season. Miami also piled up 31 points in a victory over the Chiefs.

A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Daboll was a safety at Rochester before he got into coaching.

“This is a great opportunity,” Daboll said. “After meeting with Romeo, it was clear to me Kansas City was a good fit. I have a lot of respect for Romeo and a strong appreciation for the Kansas City Chiefs franchise. Romeo and I have similar ideas on the direction of the program and we have a good core group of players to get started with. I’m ready to get in as soon as possible and start working to be a part of something special.”

Daboll would be taking over a potentially potent offence in Kansas City.

All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles is expected to participate in off-season workouts after missing all but the first two weeks of the season with a knee injury. Tight end Tony Moeaki will also be back after sustaining a similar knee injury during a pre-season game, and quarterback Matt Cassel will return after hurting his hand during Week 10.

There are still questions surrounding the offence. Top wide receiver Dwayne Bowe is a free agent, though the Chiefs are considering whether to use the franchise tag on him.

Pioli also has promised that there will be competition for Cassel at quarterback. Kyle Orton became a free agent after finishing out the season for Kansas City, which means fifth-round draft pick Ricky Stanzi is the only other quarterback currently under contract.

Brian Waters couldn’t be happier with his decision to join the New England Patriots.

But as the 12-year NFL veteran prepares for his first Super Bowl, he will allow himself to reflect about his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. In the early part of the last decade, the Chiefs were considered to have the best offensive line in the NFL. Along with Waters, the unit was anchored by fellow guard Will Shields and left tackle Willie Roaf.

While Waters will be in Indianapolis this week to prepare to face the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, Shields and Roaf will be awaiting to see if they will be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Shields and Roaf are among the 17 finalists for election into the Canton, Ohio museum. The vote will be held Saturday, the day before the Super Bowl.

Waters didn’t need to be reminded of the connection.

“I’ve already thought about it,” Waters said. “It’s going to be a special time for all of us. We all have an opportunity to accomplish something we’ve all worked so hard to get. I’m really glad I’m able to share this week with those guys. We were a special group.”

It has to please Chiefs fans to see that Waters is carrying a piece of his Kansas City past with him as he readies for the biggest game of his life. Waters will go down as an all-time great Chief. After as signing as free agent in 2000 (the undrafted Waters was on Dallas’ practice squad in 1999), Waters became a stalwart in Kansas City. He made six Pro Bowls as a member of the Chiefs, including last season. Extremely charitable off the field, Waters won the prestigious NFL man of the Year award in 2009.

However, Waters was cut by the Chiefs during the summer. Waters said it was a mutual decision that worked out well for both sides. There were rumblings that the Chiefs no longer thought Waters was a starting-quality player and that’s why he was cut. Waters said he never got that feel. If there were any questions about Waters’ abilities, he answered them in New England. He made the Pro Bowl again and he was widely considered one of the best guards in the NFL at the age of 34. He was dominant in the win over Baltimore in the AFC championship game.

Five weeks lapsed between Waters being cut in Kansas City and him signing with the Patriots. Waters said there were times when he wondered if he wanted to continue his career, but a lack of offers wasn’t a problem. “The phone rang every day,” he said. Once the he got the right call, Waters grabbed his shoulder pads.

“This was the right play place for me,” Waters said. “I’ve enjoyed this year so much it’s been a very smooth transition for me and now we get the chance to play the game that I’ve always wanted to play in.”

Could Waters imagine hoisting the Lombardi Trophy a day after his close friends get to punch a ticket to Canton?

“That would be unbelievable.”

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears have hired Kansas City Chiefs director of college scouting Phil Emery as their new general manager.

Emery was an area scout for the Bears from 1998-2004 and replaces Jerry Angelo, who was fired after an injury-riddled 8-8 season.

Emery and New England Patriots director of pro personnel Jason Licht were finalists and both interviewed twice. The Bears also interviewed San Diego Chargers director of player personnel Jimmy Raye, New York Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross, and current director of player personnel Tim Ruskell.

Emery’s hiring comes after a major collapse marked by season-ending injuries to quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte, as well as a drug scandal involving backup receiver Sam Hurd. The Bears dropped five in a row after a 7-3 start, spoiling a promising season before closing with a win at Minnesota.

Chicago has now missed the playoffs four times in five years following a trip to the Super Bowl after the 2006 season.

Angelo was fired two days later, though he was signed through 2013. The Bears also parted with offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who had an expiring contract, and quarterbacks coach Shane Day but made it clear head coach Lovie Smith was safe for next season.

Since then, they’ve promoted offensive line coach Mike Tice to coordinator and announced they will hire a passing coordinator to work with their QBs.

Emery has one mandate from president Ted Phillips: Close the talent gap with Green Bay and Detroit in the NFC North. Another criteria was to be able to work well with Smith, an area where Emery was thought to have the edge because of his previous ties with the Bears.

From 2004-08, Emery served as director of college scouting for the Atlanta Falcons and also worked as a regional scout for the Falcons leading up to the 2009 draft.

Emery started his career as a student assistant at his alma mater, Wayne State, before joining Central Michigan as a graduate assistant. He went on to become the offensive line/strength and conditioning coach at Western New Mexico for three seasons before taking the position of defensive line coach at Georgetown College.

Emery served as the defensive line and strength and conditioning coach at Saginaw Valley State from 1985-87 before joining Tennessee as the Volunteers’ assistant strength and conditioning coach from 1987-91.

He made his last collegiate stop as the director of strength and conditioning services and as an associate professor at the U.S. Naval Academy from 1991-98.

During Angelo’s 11-year run, the Bears won four division championships, reached the Super Bowl and got back to the NFC championship game last season. But he was undone on several fronts – especially this season when backup Caleb Hanie struggled mightily after Cutler was hurt.

Emery inherits a team that could use help on both lines, in the secondary and at wide receiver. Forte’s rookie contract is up, and Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs has made it clear he wants to renegotiate even though his six-year deal runs through 2013.

He’ll also be running a team that features a franchise quarterback in Cutler along with stars such as Forte, Briggs, Julius Peppers and Brian Urlacher. As dramatic as the Bears’ fall was, they still seemed poised for a playoff run at one point.

They never recovered, though, once they lost Cutler.

He broke his right thumb trying to make a tackle following a late interception with the Bears on the way to their fifth straight win against San Diego on Nov. 20, and that’s when the season soured. Forte sprained a ligament in his right knee against Kansas City on Dec. 4, leaving the offense without its two best players.

That would be tough for any team to handle, but the injuries exposed an eye-opening lack of depth. Hurd’s arrest on federal drug charges in mid-December was just another blow for a team that was already sinking fast.

Besides the issues behind center, backup running back Marion Barber made some key mental and physical mistakes in losses to Kansas City and Denver. Receiver Roy Williams struggled to hang onto the ball, and the defense slumped late in the season, giving up 38 points to Seattle and 35 against Green Bay the following week.

One area where they certainly need to improve is in the draft, where Angelo had more swings and misses in recent years than hits. High-profile picks such as Rex Grossman and Cedric Benson were disappointments at times, and 2008 first-rounder Chris Williams has mostly struggled. Gabe Carimi, their first-round pick last year, missed most of his rookie season with a right knee injury.

The Bears plan to introduce Emery in a Monday news conference at Halas Hall.