Into Peters' Mind

by MARVelous on May 21, 2008 11:13 PM EDT

After hearing all this speculation about Jason Peters and the possibility of him seeking a new contract, I started to think "What is Jason Peters thinking?"

To start it off, he plays LT, and lines up right next to Derrick Dockery, who last year came in with a 7 year/$49 million dollar contract. So Peters, who went to the Pro Bowl had time to think all off-season about how he is one of the elite players at his position and he is making an average of $3 million a year which is 3-5 million a year less than what he deserves to make based on the market in today's NFL for a premier NFL LT. This is a natural human reaction. You are in a job, you do your job very well, respected by your peers, and yet a guy who does not do as well as a job, but has some more experience gets paid way more.

But to play devil's advocate, Jason Peters signed a deal that at the time for his experience was very fair. He knowingly signed a 5 year deal. Shouldn't he honor that contract? I think panic is setting in with the CBA up in the air, and Peters knowing that that ~$20-$30 million in guaranteed money is what he needs to feel financially comforted. I understand Peters position, if this is truly what he is feeling like. Again, I think it has more to do with what Dockery and to some extent Langston Walker are making, when Peters is the best OL on the team and should be compensated like he is. I would not be against the Bills standing firm for 2008. However if Peters does hold out, a deal has to be reached; because Peters is too critical to the success of the 2008 Buffalo Bills.

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Oops. Title should be "INTO PETERS' MIND"

MARVelous

by MARVelous on May 21, 2008 11:18 PM EDT 0 recs

Fixed! :)

by Brian Galliford on May 21, 2008 11:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

Pretty much exactly where I stand, Marv – talk to him now, see what he wants. See if something can be done before camp (don’t forget about Evans, though – he’s still important, too). If nothing materializes before camp, see what Peters does. If he reports, let it rest until he inevitably brings it up again after the season. If he holds out, get the deal done.

by Brian Galliford on May 21, 2008 11:23 PM EDT 0 recs

Peters should hold out

It’d be stupid for him not to. He deserves to be paid more along the line of Derrick Dockery than of Melvin Fowler. This is one situation where the player should have pretty much all of the bargaining power. This guy is our franchise Tackle, he’s going to need to be paid like it really soon.

I wish we could have gone another season or two with the discount rate in place, but after the Pro Bowl season, it’s hard to argue that Peters should play out his current deal that was signed when he was just getting started as a starting RIGHT tackle.

by Kurupt on May 21, 2008 11:58 PM EDT 0 recs

nah

I don’t think Peters has all of the leverage in this situation. The previous negotiation was seamless. Before he fully proved himself, the Bills gave him a lucrative extension to secure his future. This goodwill will most definitely play a part in any future negotiations. The Bills should see what he wants, but if it doesn’t fit right now, I do not think Peters will sit out.

He signed the contract two years ago. It has three years left. I would much rather negotiate a new deal after this year. It makes little sense to give a player security in their future if you are going to extend the player again two years later. They may decide to do it if the money works out, but it would not be cheap or inconsiderate to make Peters play another year off of the earlier extension.

I would lose a lot of faith in Peters’ commitment to the future of this team and organization if he actually held out with three years left on his contract. Regardless of his play, he signed a deal that was offered in good faith by an organization willing to overpay a young player with a lot of potential. I would much rather they pay Peters than Evans, but not this offseason.

by jmorris0823 on May 22, 2008 1:04 AM EDT 0 recs

check this

This is taken right from the piece I did in February:

Could Peters ask for a raise? Sure. It wouldn’t be motivated by greed or selfishness either. Put yourself in his position: you work for a multi-million dollar company, you work with four other guys, who combined with you make up a very critical part of that company. You handle the most important position in your group – and have received accolades from your peers as being one of the best in the business – yet you aren’t paid like it. In fact, you are third in pay in your department, despite the accolades and the more difficult position you play. It’s human nature to want to be acknowledged, both in respect and in monetary compensation, for your efforts.

I understand completely where he is coming from.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on May 22, 2008 6:58 AM EDT 0 recs

Marshall Faulk

Maybe this is why he said we needed a new stud left tackle.

by BigBadBillsFan on May 22, 2008 8:42 AM EDT 0 recs

Bargaining Power

I feel his bargaining power is limited based on him having 3 years left on his contract. If he wants to get paid re-negoiate next year. If I were the Bills I would play hard ball on this one. If he wants his money and to play football this year he will report and play hard. No one person is bigger than the team.

In response to sirenic analagy if I was lucky enough to get a great job by a big employer with relatively no experience or production based solely on potential and get a salary that at the time is much better than I ever could have expected. I would work out my contract b/c I know at the end of it I will be rewarded accordingly but that company or another. Even though 2 yrs ago Peters was good, he was not great until this past season.

by Berg79 on May 22, 2008 9:27 AM EDT 0 recs