Two Bills Drive

‘A first-round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins in 1992 and the seventh player selected overall he moved to Philadelphia for the 1996 season.’

‘In his 12-year career, Vincent has started 172 of the 174 regular season games in which he appeared and has recorded 42 interceptions, 858 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 14 forced fumbles and 5 fumble recoveries.’

‘”I always thought that coaching may be something I want to do when I am done playing football,” Neufeld said. “I worked in the offseason last year as a coach for St. Francis High School in the Buffalo community, and that helped me obtain the internship I have now.”‘

‘How much star-caliber football does Vincent have left? That’s a key question. The Eagles did not make any effort to re-sign him. If Vincent could play two good years at cornerback and then successfully switch to safety, that would be a good scenario for Buffalo.’

‘More significantly, Vincent was a strong presence in the locker room. As the team’s players’ union representative, he served as the go-between for the players and coach Andy Reid. The Trenton native also was extremely active in the community with various business and charity ventures.’

‘But the Eagles felt that at 32 years old, Vincent had lost a step, was becoming injury prone, and was no longer the player he was a few years ago.’

‘”He’s made his decision and he feels very good about it,” Bodley said. “What made it so hard and what took so long was that he was dealing with three very good teams, three very good coaches, three very good front offices and three very good cities. He couldn’t have gone wrong.”‘

‘He received a $3.6 million signing bonus, a good deal for a cornerback who will be 33 in June, but less than nine other free agents at that position have signed for since the signing period began March 3.’

‘The Bills employ former Eagles personnel chief Tom Modrak, who is fond of Vincent. Buffalo apparently hopes Vincent can mentor 2001 first-round draft choice Nate Clements, their other starting corner. Vincent made his first visit to the Bills and subsequently traveled to Kansas City and Cincinnati.’

‘”Until my play tells me different I think I can still play at a high level,” said the 32-year-old Vincent. “I think I’ve shown that. I still believe I bring great value to a football team. I’m not going to the (Pro Bowl) All-Star game by reputation. My club doesn’t send me there. It’s about winning Super Bowls. It’s about contributing and being part of an organization that is committed to the community as well as committed to winning.”‘

‘Vincent, who in Buffalo will be reunited with former Eagles personnel chief Tom Modrak, reportedly gets a signing bonus of $3.6 million. He replaces 26-year-old Antoine Winfield, who inked a six-year, $35 million pact with a $10.8 million signing bonus with the Minnesota Vikings.’

‘”I think once they knew they weren’t getting Antoine back, they wanted me,” Vincent said. “All three teams were good to me. That’s what made it tough to make a decision. But I had to take emotions out of the mix and not compromise on what was best for me and my family.’

‘”It’s not a negative for us,” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said in a radio interview of losing Vincent. “It’s a decision he had to make for himself and his family.”‘

‘The Bengals have targeted the defensive secondary as an area of need this offseason, and Vincent, who turns 33 in June, was highest on their wish list. Taylor, 30, despite missing 10 weeks last season with a strained foot suffered in the season opener, wasn’t far behind. He has a trip set to visit Washington on Thursday and is still contemplating taking a look at Dallas.’

‘Vincent also might have simply accepted the best financial offer. Financial terms of the Bills’ contract and the Chiefs’ offer were unavailable, but Vermeil said last week Vincent would have competed with Eric Warfield and Dexter McCleon for a starting job, indicating the Chiefs may not have offered starter’s money.’