<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>TAMPA - The Chiefs don't intend to give Trent Green away, and that's understandable.But in attempting to put the big squeeze on Miami for a better draft pick, Kansas City GM Carl Peterson is risking something far more valuable.Team chemistry.Green turns 37 in July and Coach Herm Edwards wants to go with either Damon Huard or second-year pro Brodie Croyle under center this fall.Green has no problem with KC's youth movement and he already has worked out contract terms with the Dolphins, who intend to make him their starter.Miami's offer of a sixth-round draft choice is deemed inadequate by Peterson, noting Green was one of the league's most prolific passers during his six years as a Chief.The Dolphins appear in no hurry to sweeten the deal. With Green slated to make $7.2 million in 2007, Miami can wait Peterson out, knowing the Chiefs likely will release him before camp opens in two months.Edwards appears caught in the middle of this crossfire. He's trying to walk a fine scrimmage line, suggesting Green could keep his starting job next season.That's nonsense, and nobody's buying it in Kansas City, including Green."It's not a fair competition - it's a weighted competition," said Green, who threw 118 touchdown passes in 88 games for Kansas City.Green has played his last game as a Chief, period. He knows it, Edwards knows it and so do the players in a locker room that suddenly appears fragile.Pro football is a harsh business, but you don't mess with one of your warriors.Green proved very durable until suffering a severe concussion in the 2006 season opener against Cincinnati. He missed eight games and when he returned, he wasn't the same efficient leader.Edwards stayed with Green too long during a 23-8 wild-card playoff loss at Indianapolis, where the Chiefs didn't register a first down until late in the third quarter.Still, Green never stopped trying to make a play in his finale with the Chiefs."There were some things that were promised to me in terms of getting an opportunity to move on," Green said. "I just hope that's followed up on."When Green attended practices this week and took some snaps, it triggered a circus atmosphere that isn't fair to Edwards or his players.In discussing the stalled talks with Miami, standout guard Brian Waters talked about the "shrewdness" of Kansas City's front office. In this case, it wasn't meant as a compliment.Is it shrewd to have players question a franchise's loyalty toward one of its stalwarts? Especially when the potential payoff is a future fourth-round pick?The Chiefs are picking the wrong battle here.The Dolphins have the leverage in this situation, knowing Green doesn't fit into Kansas City's plans. Yes, they want Green in a Miami uniform before dumping Daunte Culpepper, but the Dolphins own the advantage in this test of wills."We're making a big deal out of nothing," Edwards said. "This is not a distraction in any stretch of the imagination."Those are the words of a head coach loyal to the organization. But Edwards also knows his players are watching to see how this sticky scenario unfolds.It would be nice if both sides could work out a deal based on conditional picks. That's the sensible solution.Don't hold your breath.Green has been a class act, a leader on the field and in the community. That should count for something, even in a cold profession.The Chiefs need to move Green sooner rather than later. It's the right thing to do for an exemplary employee. Treating him with dignity will pay dividends down the road in terms of team camaraderie.By any standard, it's good business.</div>
