Peters Not At Mandatory Minicamp

by XtrmeCarnage82 on Jun 11, 2008 11:16 AM EDT

Bills Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters did not attend any of the team's voluntary offseason training activities over the past four weeks. It was anticipated that would change come Wednesday when the Bills mandatory minicamp got underway.

It didn't.

Peters was not on hand to practice with his teammates at One Bills Drive as the three-day tuneup for training camp ensued. Bills head coach Dick Jauron when asked as recently as last Friday if he expected him to report on Wednesday this week answered in the affirmative.

"Yes, yes I do," said Jauron at the time.

Jauron has not spoken to Peters personally the entire offseason, though the Bills head coach does send a letter to every player on his roster asking them to consider attending the voluntary OTA sessions in May and June.

With this being a mandatory minicamp the Bills have the option to fine Peters for his absence being a player under contract. In the minicamp setting that fine is a lump sum. For training camp holdouts fines can be assessed day by day for practices missed.

There is widespread speculation that Peters' absence is due to a dissatisfaction with his current contract, but that has yet to be confirmed by the Bills or the Peters' camp.

What is clear is that distractions are not what a team priming for a playoff run needs right now.

"None of us need distractions although they make our lives very interesting," said Jauron. "But these things will pass."

Buffalo's head coach has had outstanding attendance from the balance of the roster through the OTA sessions, with only a few veterans missing more than a couple of practices during the voluntary portion of the offseason schedule.

That's why Jauron believes the club has made strides even with Peters not in attendance.

"It's not affecting our progress," said Jauron of Peters' absence. "We'd obviously like to have him here. We've had great participation and great attendance so we'll just keep moving forward."

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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if this off-season did not have enough distractions, now our best player is holding out for a contract that pays him what he is worth…..

Now I understand why Marv Levy retired after only 2 years…..Russ Brandon must not be getting much sleep

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Jun 11, 2008 11:55 AM EDT reply actions

Full fledged contract dispute

YAY!

The Bills can probably afford to let this one play out for a while. Peters can incur all the fines, if he really wants, but I’m not sure I see the Bills budging any time soon. He’ll be back in time for the season or will risk losing millions in salary this year. If the Bills really wanted to get a new deal done this offseason, they would probably be negotiating one now and Peters would be in camp.

by Kurupt on Jun 11, 2008 12:49 PM EDT reply actions

Its due to Evans and Crowell

Since those two guys need to get paid to stay on the team, or even if they just pay Evans, the Bills are waiting to see how much cash they have left in the bank before paying Peters more cash. I would say Jason gets a new contract come Dec, or Jan just before the new cap year and the Bills see he is healthy and plays well for another full season.

Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....

by WABillsfan on Jun 11, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Come on Peters!!!!

Get your a$$ to camp. This is not the way to handle it. Stop listening to your agent and show some good faith like the Bills did in you not that long ago, remember!!!!

by Joe P. on Jun 11, 2008 12:49 PM EDT reply actions

this really gets my blood boiling...

what is the point of extending a young talent early on in his career to lock him up, when he’s just going to turn around two years later and ask for a new contract? And not even just ask for a new one, but become a distraction by not showing up to mandatory mini camp.

Peters needs to get his A$$ in to camp and wait in line. He’s had one pro bowl season. He’s not Orlando Pace. The former undrafted free agent has three years left on his contract. Evans and Crowell (with one more year each) are much bigger concerns right now. I hope the Bills play hard ball and I hope Peters wakes up and gets his butt to practice.

John I.

by jri111 on Jun 11, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

yeah I know, but

the argument is: If teams can release players who have not performed before their contract expires, then why can’t players who have clearly out performed their contract ask for a new one before their current one expires? I don’t mind him asking for more money…he deserves it. But at this point, I don’t agree with his tactic of skipping camp.

by Joe P. on Jun 11, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

this really sucks

It def. not good when your best player holds out of mandatory events. Dont you think the head coach should have at least tried to get a hold of Peters some time during the offseason, I mean he is one of the best LT in the entire league, and just entering his prime and still getting better, dont you think it would be prudent for the head coach to atleast speak to him once. On the other hand the fact that the Bills took a chance with him and molded him into a probowler, its seems pretty selfish to take the road that he currently is. I know NFL contracts are not guaranteed, what happens if he gets injured? The Bills renewed Schobels contract despite him having a few years left on his contact, so that he would make more than Kelsay, then why cant Peters be compensated for his contribution, he is clearly the best OL on the team and should be paid accordingly, its a double edged sword, and i hope this will be resolved sooner than later, what would this do in terms of team chemistry and attitude towards the front office from the players perspective. PAY THE MAN before he becomes disguntled and chooses not to return to Buffalo.

by Hassanali181 on Jun 11, 2008 3:14 PM EDT reply actions