Law agrees to 5-year deal with Chiefs

Barring an unexpected change, there will be no homecoming for free agent cornerback Ty Law.

Law, who played for the Patriots from 1995-2004, has agreed to a five-year deal worth $31.5 million with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was scheduled to arrive in Kansas City last night and is expected to undergo a physical today.

Law's contract has yet to be signed, leaving a slight opening in which another team could swoop in at the last moment. But that is considered unlikely as Law is set to reunite with Chiefs coach Herman Edwards, under whom Law played last year with the Jets.

The Patriots had made offers, but they weren't enough to entice Law, according to league sources.

Meanwhile, the team continues to make progress with its draft picks in negotiations. As of last night, every selection except for first-rounder Laurence Maroney had either signed or was in the final stages of doing so.

As for Law, he could have bolstered a Patriots cornerback group that will be led by four-year veteran Asante Samuel and second-year man Ellis Hobbs. Samuel started 17 of the team's 18 games in 2005 (playoffs included) and Hobbs the final 10 contests (playoffs included).

Eric Warfield (ninth year), Randall Gay (third year), Chad Scott (10th year), Hank Poteat (fifth year), and Willie Andrews (rookie) are expected to vie for time at cornerback, with first-year player Antwain Spann and rookie free agents Vernell Brown and Gemara Williams longer shots to break through.

Should the Patriots still decide to pursue a veteran in free agency, the crop of available players is thin and none comes close to matching Law's résumé. Among those who appeared in at least one game in 2005 include Tony Beckham (Titans), Terry Fair (Lions), Joseph Jefferson (Colts), Dexter McCleon (Chiefs), and Willie Williams (Steelers).