ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons boosted their hopes for another trip to the playoffs by acquiring tight end Tony Gonzalez from the Kansas City Chiefs yesterday for a draft pick next year.

The Chiefs insisted they also improved their chances for success in 2009 by making the trade.

The Falcons will send a second-round pick in 2010 to Kansas City in exchange for Gonzalez, the only tight end in NFL history selected to 10 Pro Bowls.

Gonzalez caught 96 passes for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008. He owns NFL career records for tight ends with 916 receptions, 10,940 yards receiving, 76 TDs receiving and 26 100-yard receiving games.

One of the most popular athletes Kansas City has ever had in any sport, Gonzalez said leaving the town and its fans is not easy.

"I love Kansas City," he said in an interview with The Associated Press. "The fans have been unbelievable to me. I'm going to miss them. This is a happy day for me, but in many ways it's a sad day, too. I'm going to miss running out that tunnel and seeing that sea of red in those stands."

When he was drafted in the first round out of California, passing up his senior season, he had just turned 21.

"And now I'm leaving at 33. It's been a huge part of my life," he said. "When I retire, I'm going to retire a Chief. It's been a beautiful, beautiful ride in Kansas City. I'm not selling my home there."

He also plans to keep his window-cleaning business, Xtreme Clean 88, in Kansas City and be active in Shadow Buddies, a Kansas City-based charity which distributes kits and educational materials to kids and the elderly.

"Kansas City will always be a big part of my life," he said. "At the same time, I don't know how many years I have left to play. Now I'm looking forward to making a Super Bowl run in Atlanta. I hope the fans in Kansas City will understand."

CHARGERS

WILLIAMS PLEADS GUILTY TO TWO TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS

San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Jamal Williams pleaded guilty to two traffic violations yesterday as part of a plea deal stemming from his arrest Feb. 1.

Williams had been arrested on suspicion of DUI, but the San Diego City Attorney's office decided to charge him with misdemeanor reckless driving after his blood-alcohol level showed 0.07 percent, under the state limit of 0.08.

In the plea deal, Williams pleaded guilty to a lane-change violation and speeding. He will pay a fine and take an eight-hour traffic safety class.

COLTS

RECEIVER WAYNE AGREES TO RESTRUCTURE CONTRACT

Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne has agreed to a restructured contract, which will give the Indianapolis Colts more room under this year's salary cap.

Wayne's agent, Joby Branion, confirmed the deal was completed but did not provide details about how much Indianapolis would save.

Players frequently restructure contracts by accepting bonuses after agreeing to lower their annual salaries. The bonuses are then prorated over the remaining length of the deal, in Wayne's case three years, to lower the team's salary cap number in the first year.

COWBOYS

THREE REMAINING FREE AGENTS UNDER CONTRACT

The Dallas Cowboys have signed their final three free agents: receiver Miles Austin, running back Alonzo Coleman and tight end Rodney Hannah.

Austin, a restricted free agent, was being courted by the New York Jets although the Jets never made an offer. Coleman and Hannah have spent the majority of the past two seasons on the practice squad after signing as undrafted rookie free agents.

REDSKINS

AGREE TO TERMS WITH VETERAN PUNTER SMITH

Longtime Indianapolis punter Hunter Smith, who has never missed a game in 10 years with the Colts, will join the Washington Redskins next season, his agent said yesterday.

"Hunter has agreed to terms with the Redskins," Thomas Mills, Smith's agent, wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. Mills would not release financial details of the one-year deal at Smith's request.

Smith has averaged 43.4 yards per punt in his career. He averaged 44.2 yards last season, and his 38.8 net yards per punt last season was the highest total of his career.