By Jarrett Bell | USA Today Sports
Troy Vincent hasn't had the typical climb up the ladder in becoming a major NFL powerbroker.
The former defensive back was recently named executive vice president of football operations, promoted after serving hfour years as vice president of player engagement. In his new role, Vincent, 43, oversees officiating, player discipline, game operations and more. He previously focused on off-the-field issues.
Before that, he was on the other side of the negotiating table as president of the NFL Players Association.
And, by the way, he earned five Pro Bowl selections and NFL Man of the Year honors during a 15-year career that began in 1992 when the Dolphins drafted him as a first-round cornerback (seventh overall) from Wisconsin. He has covered a lot of ground.
Excerpts from Vincent's extended interview with USA TODAY Sports NFL columnist Jarrett Bell:
Q: You're making quite the transition from one crucial post in the league office to another. What's striking to you about your new position?
TV: "I'm back on the field. I'm in the weeds, the fabric of football. Over the last few days as I was looking over materials, it was, 'Ok, I'm back on this side of our business again.' I spent 14 years as a player evaluating why something worked or not. In talking to the coaches and GMs, there's been a lot of natural synergies."
Q. While with the NFL players union, you were often on the side of defending players with regard to NFL-imposed discipline. Now player discipline falls under your umbrella as a key responsibility. So you've traded places, so to speak. What will that dynamic be like for you?
TV: "I have some thoughts. I'm having this data pulled right now: Tell me about my high-risk players. Players that were fined previously. Tell me about those who are right on the edge of us having to take action. I want to visit with them, their clubs, their agents, and let's talk about how do we adjust? The objective is not to take your money. I've been there before. And defended you on that side. But let's talk about what you're seeing. Help me to assist you. Were you just out of place? Did you take the proper angle? Just sitting down and having that real conversation so that we can prevent taking that player off the field, but also driving the awareness that is the way we have to keep the game safe."
Q: It's no surprise that the NFL has outlawed dunking over the goal post, considering the game in Atlanta last season that was delayed a half-hour after that hanging-on-the-rim encounter featuring Jimmy Graham. How do you think that will go over with fans?
TV: "Friday night I get home, and it's the first time I see my family in 15 days. Everybody's home, all seven of us. Troy, Jr, says, 'Ok, Mr. EVP, what are you going to do next?' My middle schooler (Taron) says. 'Y'all are taking the fun out of the game. Why can't they dunk anymore?' The reason is the goal post gets off-kilter, and the time of delay to fix it could be 30 minutes. My son said, 'Y'all didn't say that.' OK, learning moment. It's not about the celebration. And now we're adding 5 feet to the uprights. A delay wouldn't be good for the players, the fans at the stadium or the viewers."
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