THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Amani Toomer played 13 successful seasons with the Giants, and was brought in by Kansas City to provide leadership to a young group of receivers. Alfonso Boone is a nine-year veteran, and opened training camp as a starter at defensive end.

Both were released Tuesday, casualties of the what-have-you-done-lately approach Todd Haley is taking in his first year as Chiefs coach.

"The thing I've been stressing to these guys is finding the right 53 and we're going to do it at all costs," Haley said. "Every day is an evaluation and if you're not out there, how can we depend on you? If you're out there and don't know what to do, how can we depend on you?"

Kansas City also released rookie tackle Cameron Goldberg and placed running back Kolby Smith on the physically unable to perform list after missing most of the pre-season with an undisclosed injury. Receiver Devard Darling, a pre-season starter with Dwayne Bowe stuck in Haley's doghouse, was placed on injured reserve after hurting his knee Saturday against Seattle.

Toomer, 34, signed Aug. 4 after 13 seasons with the New York Giants. He never had much of an impact, spending most of the pre-season with the second and third teams.

Boone spent his first eight seasons with the Bears and started 19 games the past two seasons. He opened training camp as a starter, but was quickly shuttled down the depth chart when rookie Tyson Jackson caught up after holding out the first week.

Two veterans gone and the next round of cuts -- 22 by Saturday -- figures to be just as direct. Haley only wants players who perform. No mistakes, no excuses. Produce or get shown the door.

"We're going to play the guys we can depend on, the guys who give us the best chance to win," he said. "That's it."