RIVER FALLS, Wisconsin (Ticker) - Coach Herman Edwards can start integrating defensive end Tamba Hali into his system.
The Kansas City Chiefs signed Hali, their first-round pick in the 2006 draft, to a five-year contract on Friday before the start of training camp.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Edwards is counting on Hali to help a defense which ranked 16th in the NFL and managed only 29 sacks.
"I was cautiously optimistic we could get something done (with Hali) before training camp," Chiefs president Carl Peterson said. "I know he was excited to get it done."
The 20th overall pick, Hali was born and raised in Liberia, a nation ravaged by civil war before he fled to the United States at age 10 to live with his father.
The 6-3, 275-pound Hali was a first-team All Big Ten Conference selection last season after tallying 51 tackles, 12 for losses, and six sacks for Penn State.
The Chiefs on Friday also signed quarterback Brodie Croyle, their third-round pick.
Croyle started 12 games for Alabama last season and passed for 2,449 yards and 14 touchdowns with four interceptions. He will compete with Damon Huard and Casey Printers for the backup job to Trent Green.