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Posted at 1:03 p.m., Tuesday, September 11, 2007

NFL: Disappointed with rookie, KC signs kicker

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Disappointed with kicker Justin Medlock, the Kansas City Chiefs today signed Dave Rayner to a two-year contract.

Medlock was inconsistent during an 0-4 preseason and missed a 30-yard attempt at the end of an exhausting 15-play drive in the first quarter against Houston on Sunday. The Chiefs went on to lose the game 20-3.

Rayner was drafted by Indianapolis in 2005 and beaten out in Green Bay this year by rookie Mason Crosby, who kicked three field goals, including the winner, in Sunday's 16-13 victory over Philadelphia.

With the Packers last year, Rayner made 26 of 36 field goal attempts.

"He's solid. He kicks off well and he's played in weather conditions," coach Herm Edwards said yesterday. "You need a guy that's kicked outdoors and in the cold weather and with the wind blowing. He's done that in Green Bay. He's gone through that rookie thing you go through. Maybe that's what it takes."

Rayner, 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, hit eight of 11 field goals from the 40-to-49-yard range last year and tied a Packers record with a long of 54 yards against Philadelphia.

Medlock is expected to be kept on the practice squad.

Kansas City also added Arena Football League star Bobby Sippio to its active roster. Sippio spent last week on the practice squad after originally signing with the Chiefs on Aug. 11.

Sippio spent the previous four seasons in Arena Football. He caught 354 passes for 5,137 yards with 142 TDs.