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Carl Peterson's employment with the Chiefs ended with the turn of the calendar to 2009 at midnight Thursday. Since the decision to move up his departure to this season, Peterson has not talked publicly.

He does so here for the first time.

"I’ve had players tell me before they didn’t want to come play here because of what this team’s reputation was," guard Brian Waters said. "So I’m sure there are a lot of agents and players out there jumping up and down saying, ‘Oh, man, Carl Peterson is gone and now the Chiefs are going to be easier to deal with.’ I’m sure there are a lot of fans that are happy, too."

"I’ve been able to sit down with Denny and with Carl, and there are stark differences between the two," Waters said. "Carl is emotional in the way he deals with a guy. Denny’s not. He plays it by the book. He’s a professional negotiator. He’s going to start low and work his way up. He’s very patient. He’s never a guy where you feel like emotions are involved. It’s all business with him."

But Waters wasn’t suggesting Thum is free with the Chiefs’ money

"He’s a staunch negotiator," he said. "He’s a money guy and knows finances, knows the cap. It’s just that there’s never anything personal."