Dolphins Trade Stoyanovich to Chiefs; Bengals Claim Hearst Off Waivers

Pete Stoyanovich, one of the Miami Dolphins’ most popular players and the fourth most accurate kicker in NFL history, was traded Wednesday to Kansas City for an undisclosed draft choice.

The Chiefs are intent on avoiding a repeat of last year when an excellent season unraveled with three missed field goals against Indianapolis in Kansas City’s playoff opener.

“We all know what happened there the last few years,” Stoyanovich said. “They are going to put a lot of emphasis on the kicker this season.”

The 29-year-old kicker was called over to talk to Miami Coach Jimmy Johnson during practice. Later, he choked back tears.

“Coach Johnson is a businessman and very well respected,” Stoyanovich said. “I kind of saw things coming. There will always be a place in my heart for South Florida. It’s been a great thrill.”

Johnson elected to go with untested kicker Joe Nedney.

The Chiefs waived kicker Roman Anderson this week and Wednesday waived kicker Bjorn Nittmo to make room for Stoyanovich. Talk that Stoyanovich would be traded heated up Monday after Nedney made a 48-yard field goal in the rain against Minnesota, and Stoyanovich hit the goal post on a 42-yard attempt.

Nedney will make the NFL-minimum $131,000. Stoyanovich, who signed a three-year contract extension, was due a base salary of $800,000.

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The Cincinnati Bengals went to the waiver wire and claimed running back Garrison Hearst to back up Ki-Jana Carter, last year’s No. 1 pick who still has not played in a regular-season game.

The Bengals claimed Hearst from Arizona and fullback Brian Milne, a rookie out of Penn State, from Indianapolis. Last year, in his first full season, Hearst rushed for 1,070 yards and caught 29 passes for 243 yards.

Hearst’s agent, Pat Dye Jr., said he expected the Bengals to try to convince Hearst to renegotiate his $2.1-million, one-year contract.

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Vance Joseph, a starter in six games last season, was cut by the New York Jets. The Jets actually released Joseph, a cornerback, late Tuesday, but did not announce the move until they could contact him. The team added wide receiver Chris Doering. . . . Cornerback Toi Cook was signed by the Carolina Panthers, two days after he was released by the Denver Broncos. . . . The Tampa Bay Buccaneers claimed running back Reggie Brooks off waivers, adding depth to a backfield without holdout Errict Rhett. . . . The NFL suspended Larry Webster for the season after the Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle violated the league’s substance abuse policy for the third time.

The Detroit Lions signed free-agent linebacker Pepper Johnson and defensive end Pat Ivey. Johnson was released by Cleveland this summer after leading the club in tackles last season. Ivey was an undrafted free agent from Missouri who signed with San Diego this year before being released. . . . The head of the Greater Detroit hoteliers group said members support a plan that would tax hotel rooms to help pay for a $225-million downtown stadium.