Two Bills Drive

‘Buffalo would love to land Vincent, a five-time Pro Bowler who at age 32 hasn’t lost much. He’d replace Winfield and add tons of leadership. However, the Cincinnati Bengals, after clearing $4-5 million in cap space after releasing ex-Bill Jeff Burris, were in the driver’s seat for Vincent as the weekend approached. Vincent played for Bengals defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier in Philadelphia. Carolina and Kansas City are also in the running for Vincent.’

‘Defensive end – Bills pass rush was spotty, despite Aaron Schobel’s 11.5 sacks, helping to explain their NFL-low 18 takeaways. Team has spent second-round picks on Ryan Denney and Chris Kelsay the past two seasons with very little return so far.’

‘The Bills may regret not going after rising young receiver Justin McCareins of Tennessee, a restricted free agent the rival New York Jets picked up in a trade for a second-round pick. McCareins averaged 17 yards per catch last season and is a rising deep threat, something Buffalo needs. Now the Bills will have to face him twice a season.’

‘In my opinion, Willis McGahee needs to prove he can handle the every day grind of being a professional running back. If he makes it through mini-camp and the exhibition season unhurt, he could be a major factor for the Bills this year. I do believe it is McGahee’s time to shine. The only question is, will he take the opportunity and run with it.’

The Bills got the best bargain guard, Chris Villarrial, the former Bear who might be the best of the three. He got a four-year deal that averages $2.82 million, which is relatively mild compared to the other two deals. But even $2.8 million is a lot to pay for a guard. They should be developed, not acquired in free agency. And if you do want a veteran, sign that player to a two or three-year deal with a minimal signing bonus and an average of about $1 to $1.5 million. They’re guards after all.

2004 Players Signed: Chris Villarrial; 2003 Players lost: Ruben Brown, Sam Gash, Keith McKenzie, Dave Moore, Sammy Morris, DaShon Polk, Dainon Sidney, Antoine Winfield

‘But the Bills have been reluctant, and wisely so, to overpay for the sake of quickly closing the deal. Signing the best player available to an excessive pact, becoming a buyer in an overinflated market, amounts to compromising the future for the benefit of immediate gratification.’

‘In Buffalo, the Bills have decided to follow the Patriots’ approach to free agency. They released Pro Bowl guard Ruben Brown and didn’t make an offer to retain corner Antoine Winfield because they were no longer “value players.” They were both solid starters, but neither played to the level of his contract. Off they went. Brown, still unsigned, was scheduled to count $5.8 million on the Bills’ salary cap. Winfield signed with Minnesota for $35 million over six years, including a $10.8 million signing bonus. Replacing Winfield will be difficult because he did play well. But with only one interception in the last 37 games, the Bills felt that their money could be better used in other areas.’

‘Many general managers and coaches are attending college pro days – Ohio State showcased its potential draft picks on Friday – making the signing of free agents at this point an exercise in creative scheduling.’

‘Several fullbacks have auditioned in Orchard Park as it appears Buffalo won’t re-sign 35-year-old Sam Gash. And the Bills’ interest in quarterback Drew Henson and, to a lesser extent, Tennessee’s Billy Volek, has been well-documented. Clearly the NFL minimum for a 10-year veteran is way too much money for a soon-to-be 34-year-old journeyman, no matter how popular he is in the lockerroom.’

‘Morris, who played his first four NFL seasons in Buffalo, will back up Rob Konrad and play on special teams.’

‘”Sammy Morris adds several different dimensions to our backfield, having played fullback, halfback and serving as the third-down back,” Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman said. “He was a leader on the Bills’ special teams unit the last few seasons and was their captain, and we expect that he will have the same impact with our team.”‘

‘Morris, 26, is a solid reserve back who can also return kickoffs. He signed a two-year deal, details of which were not immediately known, after also being courted by Cleveland and New England. The former Texas Tech star was a fifth-round choice of the Buffalo Bills in 2000. He played well as a rookie, then was buried on the depth chart, as the Bills brought in several other tailbacks.’

‘”I knew I wanted to stay with the Bills,” Tucker said. “They approached my agent before the Super Bowl about maybe doing a long-term deal. It was something I was interested in.’

‘Bills Vice President of Communications Scott Berchtold said quarterbacks coach Sam Wyche has not made plans to scout the unrestricted free agent, as sources told The News on Wednesday. Berchtold said he could not comment on the possibility of a future visit by the Bills with Volek but that none currently has been set.;