Perhaps as a reaction to the continuing contract stalemate with Tony Gonzalez, and the possibility he will not be in training camp on time, the Kansas City Chiefs have signed free agent tight end Ryan Collins.

Collins, 26, was recently named to the all-NFL Europe team for his standout play this spring with the Amsterdam Admirals. Starting in all 10 games, he had 34 catches for 280 yards and two touchdowns, while demonstrating good blocking skills.

He signed a two-year contract that includes base salaries of $300,000 for this season and $375,000 for 2003. There was no signing bonus included in the deal.

At 6-foot-7 and 265 pounds, Collins presents a huge target, but he lacks the kind of deep speed that has made Gonzalez the league's best player at his position. Collins is, however, said to be a tireless worker and, should Gonzalez not be available for the start of camp, will provide the Chiefs some degree of depth.

A one-time standout at the University of St. Thomas, Collins has been in three different NFL camps and was on the regular-season roster of the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens for part of the 1999 season. In his most extensive action, he played in four games and started three for the Ravens, and caught four passes for 62 yards.

Collins also played last summer for the New York/New Jersey Hitmen of the XFL.

Gonzalez, of course, was designated a "franchise" player by the Chiefs and already there has been some acrimony in contract talks. Because of league rules governing "franchise" players, the team likely won't resume negotiations with Gonzalez until after July 15.

The star tight end, who also played power forward for the California basketball team in college, worked out earlier this week for a spot on the Miami Heat summer league team and has said he would like to pursue an NBA career.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.