Pay Peters
It's official now, it's a contract dispute between Jason Peters and the Bills. As Paul Peck outlined below, the Bills Pro Bowl left tackle missed today's first mandatory minicamp session.
Although he hasn't made himself available for comment, it's widely believed Peters is looking for a new contract. To be honest, I can't blame him.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
1. Peters signed his current contract (5 years in length) just two years ago, but he was a RIGHT tackle then. Now, he's the team's starting LEFT tackle, acknowledged as the key man on the offensive line. Peters can easily argue that he not only accepted a position switch, but thrived at his new position, and has out performed the contract he signed in 2006.
2. Peters is the only Pro Bowl caliber performer on the offensive line. And he is a legitimate Pro Bowl performer. Remember, Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z named Peters to his All-Pro team in 2006, the season before he went to the Pro Bowl. He is without question the top player on the offensive line, but he's the third highest paid player on the line, behind Dockery and Walker.
3. The Bills re-negotiated Aaron Schobel's contract a few years ago under similar circumstances--he also was two years into a five-year deal. The precedent was set.
Keep in mind, NFL players often get guaranteed money, but their contracts are not guaranteed. The Bills theoretically could release Peters at any time during his five-year deal without recourse. It's the one-way nature of NFL contracts that leads to re-negotiation issues like this one.
Missing the mandatory minicamp is not that big a deal for Peters. I'm confident the Bills and Peters will find some common ground in the six weeks until training camp.
What's your opinion? Should Peters play under his current contract, or has he earned the right to tear it up and start over?
posted by John Murphy at
8:44 PM
4 Comments:
Why do these highly over paid babies, feel that they can disregard a contract that they had previously agreed to. Peters opportunity to get a new contract will come at the end of his current contract. It is time for this guy to grow up and be a man and live by his convictions, agreements and contracts. Professional (or lack there of) athletes make me sick. When is enough, enough?
Mr Peck's point about Schoebel, which I myself have made on here a couple times, is the main reason why you can't blame Peters.
The Bills created the precedent and the mess. Now they have to renegotiate and live with it.
a contract is a contract.......too bad peters.fire your agent and hire someone who will have all your bases covered.........
pay peters he has earned the raise. he is the only lineman at this point worthy of a second look at when it comes to contracts but i think he should come to camp and wait for the bills to finish with evans and crowell. there will be plenty of money for him. the way i see it the bills are in position to say no. he is a pro bowler and has proven that he is capable to protect the QB.
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