Two Bills Drive

‘They’re called Pro Days, the chance for top college prospects to give NFL teams one final look at what they have to offer at the professional level. But the workout, which usually takes place on the player’s college campus, carries more importance for those athletes who bypassed the opportunity to work out at the Indianapolis combine.’

Winfield, formerly with the Buffalo Bills, will receive a six-year deal from Minnesota that is worth just shy of $35 million. The deal includes a $10.5 million signing bonus.

‘Winfield’s agent, Richard Katz, was believed to be in favor of Winfield signing the deal. But the player wanted to make other visits, in part because the Minnesota Vikings convinced Winfield he was the top cornerback in free agency and needed to explore the market rather than sign with the first team he visited.’

‘Bruener was known as the National Football League’s best blocking tight end for much of his career. After enduring injury-plagued seasons in 2001 and 2002, he found himself as the Steelers’ No. 3 tight end last year. He saw little action behind Jay Riemersma and Jerame Tuman. Bruener missed four games with a knee injury in 2002 and seven with a shoulder injury in 2001.’

‘Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Pat Williams will be among those honored Thursday as Kevin Guest House holds its annual Heart Awards luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Transit Valley Country Club, Amherst. Williams will receive the Kevin Garvey Award for Courage.’

‘The Buffalo Bills retained Scene and Herd Productions, a Buffalo-based film and video production company, to produce a 45-second game day video to be shown immediately prior to kick-off at Ralph Wilson stadium.’

‘Bruener owes his reputation as one of the NFL’s top blocking tight ends and most consistent performers in large measure to what he learned under Mularkey, himself a former NFL tight end. “Mike is somebody who has a burning desire to win and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to win,” said Bruener, who was released last week.’

‘Because neither Winfield nor his agent returned phone calls, it’s unclear what those reported personal problems are, but this sure smacks of the agent using the Jets for leverage to up his client’s price before prancing off to other, richer, suitors.’

‘Face it: The Jets got jilted by the top player on their wish list, the last thing they needed after their embarrassing offseason in 2003.’

‘But in a bizarre twist, it appeared that other teams who’d been scheduled to meet with Winfield intervened while the Jets were trying to close the deal.’

‘Winfield’s agent, Richard Katz, was believed to be in favor of Winfield signing the deal. But the player wanted to make other visits, in part because the Minnesota Vikings convinced Winfield he was the top cornerback in free agency and needed to explore the market rather than sign with the first team he visited.’

‘The Vikings rank cornerback as their top need and have more room under the salary cap than any other NFL team, about $30 million. Vikings defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell was Winfield’s defensive coordinator for two of his five seasons in Buffalo.’

‘Cornerback Antoine Winfield had pen in hand, ready to sign a $30 million contract with the New York Jets, when the Vikings managed to whisk him away from the Big Apple on a private airplane late Thursday night.’

Late in the evening, as the two sides were finalizing the deal, Winfield backed away for what sources described as personal reasons. And the Jets, who had been expected to introduce the newest addition to a rebuilding defense at a Friday news conference could now see Winfield make some visits to other clubs that have been pursuing him.

‘If Winfield does not end up with the Jets, it would be a huge embarrassment for a franchise hoping to make up for a disastrous 2003.’