Jan. 26, 2007

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with Ramiro Pruneda, the offensive lineman who led Monterey Tech to four Mexican national championships.

Several print and television reporters from Pruneda's hometown of Monterey were on hand Friday to see the 6-foot-6, 317-pounder introduced at a formal news conference. Honored three times as the best offensive lineman in Mexico, he was supposed to play in NFL-Europe last year but pulled out because of a knee injury.

The Chiefs plan to have him participate in all their offseason workouts prior to training camp in July.

"He plays the tackle position and has played guard," Chiefs president Carl Peterson said. "You can never get enough good football players. It's fair to say there were a couple of other NFL teams interested in him. Now we're going to put him in the hands of our coaches and see how fast and how much he can develop."

Pruneda admitted he'll face a drastic transition going from collegiate competition in Mexico to the NFL.

"It's a big jump for me. It's a big transition," he said. "But I really worked hard for this. I'm really happy. I don't have words to express my feelings. It is a dream come true."

Offensive line figures to be a position group in flux for the Chiefs the next few years. Will Shields, their 12-time Pro Bowl right guard, may retire. And veteran tackles Jordan Black and John Welbourn struggled at times this year.

"The upside is he's 6-6, 315 pounds and very athletic on his feet," Peterson said. "He has played American football for four years at Monterey Tech. We were impressed with his workout. We were impressed a year ago when he was getting ready to go to NFL-Europe. It's certainly worth the opportunity to do this. We're going to have him here for some time and see if he can step up. He is a young developmental player, but he's got all the attributes you look for in an athlete and he likes this game and he's got a good temperament about him.

Pruneda said Tony Gonzalez, the Chiefs' Pro Bowl tight end, called to urge him to sign with Kansas City.

"I was overjoyed," he said. "I was in shock. He's a great person. I talked a few minutes with Tony. He's really popular in Mexico. He's one of the best players in the NFL and he is really loved in Mexico."