Two Bills Drive

‘”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.’

‘The Bills, who also wrapped up a deal with free agent cornerback Troy Vincent yesterday, were a late entry in the negotiations for Volek, but they were serious enough to have contacted Staninger at least three times yesterday.’

‘As for Volek, who has a three-year offer on the table from the Falcons, agent Ken Staninger told The City Paper that only Tennessee and Atlanta had made proposals to his client.’

‘Vincent’s agent Linda Bodley told The Associated Press her free-agent client agreed to a six-year deal, choosing Buffalo ahead of two other teams — Cincinnati and Kansas City — that had courted him. “He’s relieved that he’s finally made a decision,” Bodley said. “And with any of the three teams he couldn’t go wrong. He’s very pleased.”’

‘Barring an offseason move, Teague will continue centering a line that is bookended by emerging tackles Mike Williams and Jonas Jennings. The Bills bolstered their right guard position by signing Chris Villarrial earlier this month.’

‘Vincent, a five-time Pro Bowl player and until Monday arguably the premier defender still available in free agency, chose the Bills over proposals made by the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs. He considered the offers during the weekend and after visiting with the Chiefs coaches and officials last week, and had promised all a decision by Monday.’

The Bills picked up the two-year option on center Trey Teague, giving him a $2 million option bonus. Teague is now signed through the 2005 season. By picking up the option, the Bills are retaining the final two years and $5.75 million of his contract.