COMMENTARY
Bucky Gleason: Bills show no signs of budging
Nobody knows for sure what's ticking in Jason Peters' head these days, but it's reasonable for him to claim partial victory last week when Steven Jackson signed a six-year contract worth $44 million with the St. Louis Rams, a rarity in which a running back paved the way for an offensive lineman.
Jackson ultimately received his desired result after holding out of training camp in a contract dispute. The situation intensified with every day Jackson missed practice as negotiations inched forward. The Rams eventually buckled and emptied the vault. It was genius work by Eugene Parker, the agent Jackson shares with Peters.
Peters was never the type to wish ill on a teammate, but it would have been natural for him to believe he gained leverage Sunday when his replacement, converted right tackle Langston Walker, headed to the Buffalo Bills' sideline. Walker sat out Thursday night's preseason finale against Detroit with a bruised forearm, a reminder that the Bills needed their Pro Bowl left tackle.
Logic suggests Peters could kick back and watch the Bills from afar, wait for the regular season to unfold, chart how often they run off the left side, see if the sacks allowed totals climb, allow the evidence of his absence to sway public opinion and renegotiate once the Bills see the errors of their ways.
Sure, it all makes sense. The problem with rational thinking is that it doesn't always coincide with reality in professional sports. And the reality, so long as Ralph Wilson is the owner and Chief Operating Officer Russ Brandon maintains his senses, is that Peters isn't getting a new deal in the near future.
The Bills are prepared to play the entire season without him no matter their record or the stability of their offensive line or the health of their quarterbacks. It has become increasingly apparent over the past several weeks that management is holding its ground while the standoff with Peters drifts into the backdrop.
It's one thing when overpaid athletes get little sympathy from fans, but Peters isn't getting much from his teammates, either. They're not saying much publicly, but behind the scenes they're questioning his common sense and timing. The guy has the potential to make $12 million over the three years he has remaining on his contract.
If anybody should have a beef, it's Lee Evans. He's accomplished more in his first four years than any receiver in Bills history. Rather than gripe about money, he's intent on making a stronger case for himself. By golly, the two sides are talking about an extension that would make Evans a very wealthy man.
See how it works?
For all the criticism they'll take for refusing to budge if the losses mount, management opens itself to be ripped royally if they succumb to Peters' demands. The guy hasn't even given them the decency of returning a phone call, let alone make progress. This is a time in which the Bills should take a stand.
After all, the Bills hold all the cards. They don't need to set a precedent by reworking Peters' deal because he overestimates his importance. The Bills lost plenty with him in the lineup in his first four seasons. They can certainly lose without him.
Peters already has come calling for more money three times. Each time, it has been in the months after he hired a new agent. It's not a coincidence. Less than a year into their relationship, Parker and Peters have this much in common: Neither is making a penny off Peters' current deal.
Yes, he's underpaid. He's scheduled to earn $3.25 million and worth twice as much, maybe more, given today's soaring market for left tackles. The Bills restructured Aaron Schobel's contract three seasons before it expired and gave the defensive end a tidy seven-year deal worth $50 million.
Tennessee left tackle Michael Roos is pocketing more than $7 million a year. Miami rookie Jake Long has $30 million in guaranteed money on a five-year deal worth more than $57 million.
Anyone with half a brain would suggest Peters' salary is a great injustice. That's anyone who doesn't work for the Bills, who view his contract as a great deal. They did their job. It's about time he shows up for his.
You want to sit, Jason. Sit.
Everybody else is getting ready for the season.
