More details on the Bills' trade of OT Jason Peters

by Brian Galliford on Apr 17, 2009 8:02 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

If you've had a busy Friday and missed all of the craziness, here's what you need to know: the Buffalo Bills on Friday agreed in principle to trade OT Jason Peters to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for the Nos. 28 and 121 overall picks in this year's NFL Draft (first and fourth round picks), as well as a yet-to-be-officially-disclosed day two pick in the 2010 draft.

The trade ends months of speculation and over a calendar year of headache for the Bills. The deal is not yet official, as the Eagles won't cement the trade until they reach a contract extension with Peters and agent Eugene Parker. That is expected to happen sometime this weekend, and perhaps as early as later tonight.

Now that the initial shock has worn off, let's dive into some of the more minute details surrounding the deal:

Bills draft picks updated
The Bills now have two first-round picks in this year's draft - No. 11 overall and No. 28 overall. They also now have two fourth-round picks, Nos. 110 and 121. The team now has nine total picks heading into draft weekend, including round two (No. 42), round three (No. 75), round five (No. 147), round six (No. 183) and round seven (No. 220) selections.

ESPN.com's Tim Graham, meanwhile, believes that the 2010 compensation will be a sixth round pick.

Judge: Bills turned down first- and third-round picks in 2009
CBS Sports' Clark Judge reported on the trade earlier this afternoon and included this little nugget:

Initially, one source close to the Eagles said, Buffalo considered making the trade for a first- and third-rounder this year but, in the end, held out for three draft picks to give the Bills more flexibility.

The Eagles' third round pick is No. 85 overall - and they've obviously retained that selection. The Bills chose to take an extra pick next season, sacrificing 36 spots in this year's pecking order in the process. Feel free to speculate on possible reasons why - if you're asking me, I think the decision is tied to the ultimate fate of WR Roscoe Parrish, another Bill currently on the trade block.

Giants in the picture as well?
In ESPN.com's coverage of the trade, it's mentioned as a casual aside that the New York Giants showed interest in Peters as well. We had also heard word that the Detroit Lions were involved in conversations. These are the first confirmed reports of other teams being interested beside Philadelphia, and the interest from these teams may have been the driving force behind the Eagles' willingness to move quickly on the trade front. Philadelphia has also reportedly been targeting Peters since the team's January exit from the playoffs, which may have given them an edge in negotiations.

Is Eugene Parker in Philly or not?
ESPN is reporting that Peters has passed his physical and the Eagles will continue negotiating with Eugene Parker, Peters' agent (and a man with a bit of a reputation amongst Bills fans), throughout the rest of this evening. However, AFC East blogger Tim Graham had a slightly different take earlier this afternoon:

Peters is meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles sans agent Eugene Parker, and talks are going extremely well. So well, in fact, that the deal could be announced Friday. The initial expectation was it could take until Sunday.

We're guessing that Parker is in the building - negotiations are reportedly moving along quicker than anticipated, which would be indicative of the presence of the agent. Whether or not Peters gets the type of money he was asking of the Bills - reportedly in excess of $11 million annually - remains an intriguing talking point in these parts.

We do not anticipate hearing much more about the Peters trade this evening unless negotiations heat up. Remember, this isn't officially official until Peters has a new deal in place with Philadelphia. This story is still worth keeping an eye on - and we'll do our best to keep you updated.

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possible reasons why – if you’re asking me, I think the decision is tied to the ultimate fate of WR Roscoe Parrish, another Bill currently on the trade block.

Lets hope so or it doesn’t make much sense. Waters for Parrish + ??

"Get ready for the pain women…the pain train is coming Whooo Whooooo !!!!!" – Terry Tate Office Linebacker

by Joe P. on Apr 17, 2009 8:09 PM EDT reply actions

W;hy would Roscoe’s fate have anything to do with the compensation for Peters????

by Bob on Apr 17, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

They might have taken a slightly lower draft pick to package with Parrish. It’s easier and fairer to package a 4 with him than a 3. Plus, they get the extra pick next season.

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by Brian Galliford on Apr 17, 2009 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions

have we determined who is interested in parrish?

by PWilliams on Apr 17, 2009 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Negative.

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by Brian Galliford on Apr 17, 2009 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Let’s hope it’s KC and Waters.

by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 17, 2009 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions

SNAG!

My only faint hope is that they won’t be able to agree on a contract, Peters will be sent back to the Bills, Peters will come to his senses and agree to a fair contract with the Bills. Yeah right, that simply will not happen. Peters is gone. Peters will probably take less money than Jordan Gross to play for the Eagles, just to slap the Bills in the face.

Jason Peters for #28? I’m sick to my stomach. Teams are at the mercy of their players. What’s to say that this won’t keep happening? Why sign a player to a contract and “lock him up long term” when he can force his way out whenever he wants?

Obviously we’ve discussed this possible trade for a while, but I didn’t want to believe that it would happen. Now it’s a reality and it’s hit me hard. My team just lost out big time. My attitude and outlook is all screwed up right now. I must find a way to move on.

Great plays don't make great players; great players make great plays.

by Fort Worth on Apr 17, 2009 8:37 PM EDT reply actions

agreed

It’s never good to give away a proven NFL player, especially in a crucial position like left tackle, for a draft pick which could or could not even make the team. However, in the Bills’ defense Peters apparently held them hostage. Peters wins, the Eagles win, and the Bills – iffy, at best.

You’re right, Forth Worth – greedy pigs like Peters make contracts look worthless. It’s a shame he gets away with it.

by ccthemovieman on Apr 17, 2009 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

Players are having their way in this league, and their former teams are suffering because of it.

It would take a miracle for me to come out of this situation happy – like drafting Jason Smith at #11 and Clay Matthews at #28. In other words, I’m not a happy camper right now. I don’t think the Bills are either. The Bills are moving on, and I need to find a way to move on also. The Bills did what they could, but that doesn’t mean they will come out on top.

Great plays don't make great players; great players make great plays.

by Fort Worth on Apr 17, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Two picks this year and one next is worth more to the Bills than Peters. It’s actually worth a lot more to the team than a happy Jason Peters. Sure, they might not all work out, but then again , they all might. Especially the two picks this year will help us bring in some desperately needed talent in other areas. Also, I believe we can draft or play one of our development / depth guys (Bell, Chambers) and at least replace Peters’ production from last year. And bring in Ayers or Pettigrew to boot. Not too shabby, if I do say so myself.

It is a shame that this worked for Peters, as he is talented, but the Bills got at least equal compensation if not the better of Philadelphia, as far as trades go in the NFL. Also, remember that the left side tackle is really no important than the right, unless you listen to those guys on TV. A good LT is one that you’ve never heard of until he’s been in the Pro Bowl 5 times, like Walter Jones :)

Relax, and enjoy. I think the the Bills can work this headache into a great year.

by syrbillsfan on Apr 17, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's some more thoughts on all of this..

I think now more than ever, I want to see the Bills trade down from the eleven spot. I think it’s perfectly reasonable to hope as much, and as always, I think it’s in their best interest to do so. If they dropped down to the early twenties, they could pick up a mid second to early third. That’d make for six picks in the top 121. That’s enough to satisfy the quality and quantity upgrade this team needs, all the while being nice on the cap.

Who is Bell’s agent? Doubt he has a high profile one. It’d bet if he plays this year at LT (which I almost think he has a chance to now, depending on the draft), he gets a high profile one. Wouldn’t it suck if he hired Parker? I don’t know what would be worse – seeing Bell turn into starting material and hiring Parker, or seeing Bell turn into a good player and then having to watch Karl Malone close-ups wearing Bills gear on TV.

While I’m on my usual "I hate agents soapbox," wouldn’t it be nice to see what potential draft picks have as agents? If there were two guys with equal talent, potential, yada, yada…I’d see the Bills drafting a Rosenhaus guy before they picked a Parker guy. Is that absurd to think like that?

Does anyone have a link that would show who the top one hundred guys have signed with?

For the record – Hardy is a Parker guy. You think it ticked off Parker when the Bills signed TO? A Rosenhaus guy took away playing time from a Parker guy (even if Hardy was expected to make a minimal contribution). Just thought I’d mention that…

I could live with Pettigrew at #28. I’m still big on Fine, and I just don’t see the need to draft this guy at that #11, considering all of the other needs. If they trade up to get him from #28, burning one of those 4 picks from round two to four, I will punch myself in the face…with a hammer.

I think Fred Jackson is going to get screwed. I think they’ll wait until after the draft to deal with him. If they see a guy they like sometime after the fourth round, they might take a RB, in my opinion.

If Parrish gets traded for a fourth, that makes seven, count ‘em, seven picks in the top 128. To me that screams that they will be trading up to get guys they target. I’d prefer it if John Guy did his job a little better, and they used a pick or two on a trade for a young vet who isn’t fitting in with his current team, yet might be a good fit here.

by krytime on Apr 17, 2009 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

I think Pettigrew would be a great pick at #28. I also believe Pettigrew will be long gone by #28.

The Bills need blocking tight ends now more than ever to help the tackles block. Max protection schemes with less receivers running routes. So much for going 4/5 wide with Evans, TO, Reed, etc.

Great plays don't make great players; great players make great plays.

by Fort Worth on Apr 17, 2009 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d be okay with that at #28. I just don’t want to use a pick to move up how ever many spots it would take to get him.

by krytime on Apr 17, 2009 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I think I’ve read in the past that teams have passed on players in the draft specifically due to who those players hired as agents. My memory is certainly fuzzy but Rosenhaus’ name comes to mind.

It would be a sort of cosmic justice if any draftees represented by Parker went into a free fall on draft day.

by Ron From NM on Apr 17, 2009 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions

It happens a freaking LOT in baseball where teams will pass on players due to low signability due to their agent

And they just take a risk on a less high ceiling dude simply because they know they can sign him and get him out on the diamond, I would not be surprised if some NFL teams also look at some agents that way. Parker is wearing out his welcome quickly, the Rams last season and the Bills this season, hope he is banking the cash from the deals….

If the Bills were a drug, I could only hope they were like speed so I could lose some weight as well.

by WABillsfan on Apr 18, 2009 6:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Scott Boras clients always fall in the draft. Scott Kazmir was a top five talent but because Boras was his agent he fell to the Mets at 17 (I think) .

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

by sireric on Apr 18, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Nice trade Mets!

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Apr 19, 2009 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't see the logic of the Parrish angle

Buffalo has a 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th already. What sense does it make to turn down a 3rd rounder (picks who almost always make the final roster) for a 4th and (2010) 6th? If, for example, the Bills had a team interested in trading, say, a third for Parrish and a 4th (or 6th for that matter) what’s the downside of using Buffalo’s 4th for the deal? Buffalo would then have had:

#11, #28 (Philly), #42, #75, #85 (Philly), a 3rd from the team Parrish was traded to, #147, #183 and #220

That sounds better to me than:

#11, #28 (Philly), #42, #75, a 3rd from the team Parrish was traded to, #121 (Philly), #147, #183 and #220

I guess I’m saying that I’d rather have three third rounders and no fourth rounders than two third rounders and one fourth.

by Ron From NM on Apr 17, 2009 9:58 PM EDT reply actions

agreed

seems completly illogical to me

John I.

by jri111 on Apr 17, 2009 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Other Way Ron

My guess – We will package the Philly 4th with Roscoe to KC for Waters

by freddyjj on Apr 17, 2009 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I think thats what they were hinting. Phillies 4th is worth a lot less than ours, so maybe it gives a more equal trade than the Bills’ 4th. Also, next year picks are devalued a round so we get a better pick next year.

by syrbillsfan on Apr 17, 2009 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions

If the Bills front office actually traded OUT of a better option (3rd rounder rather then a 4th, and a late round throw-away next year)…..then they seriously need to be thrown out. Are you kidding me? That is literally the dumbest thing I have ever heard of from a front office. There is legitimately no explanation that would have this make sense to me.

by Posluszny Pollocks on Apr 18, 2009 12:12 AM EDT reply actions

Here's why I disagree.

Honestly how much better is a third round pick than a fourth round pick. Are they twice as likely to be a top contributor? No. So you get an extra guy who could work out for a marginally better player. It’s not idiotic. It’s just not what you would do.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Apr 20, 2009 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions