TimGraham

The confusion comes from the uncapped year. The NFLPA had advised Jackson he would remain exclusive rights if there's no new CBA in place for next year, but upon clarification, Jackson should be restricted whether there's a new CBA or not.

A minor update ... salary talks are going well for Peters, but adhering to some salary-cap nuances might make it tricky for the Eagles to finalize tonight. Looks like it might be Saturday or Sunday before it's official. A hiccup, I suppose, but nothing to jeopardize the deal.

Everybody ... Just wanted to let you know things are happening so fast and my phone is ringing so much I won't be able to post every link today. Please check the AFC East blog for updates as I learn them.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afceast/0-7-83/...for-Peters.html

Stayed tuned.

I'll be honest ... In the conversations I've had with Bills people, his name never has come up. But next time I have the chance, I'll try to find out for you.

Jon Corto wouldn't be in the NFL if it weren't for the Bills either, but that doesn't mean he and Fred Jackson should be in the same tax bracket Also, Jackson isn't under contract. So the Bills wouldn't be caving to him on anything. As for Peters, he's one of only two Bills who went to a Pro Bowl last year. I think the players in the locker room understand where he's coming from in wanting a new contract. I don't think the Bills playing him will set any sort of precedent. Who else on the Bills could justify holding out for a new contract? Nobody.

I'm not picking sides here, but there have been a couple of comments on here about waiting his turn. But just as a point of order: If the Bills are so busy, then where did they find the time to renegotiate Marcus Stroud's contract? If people think Jackson needs to stand in line, how did Stroud jump to the front with two years left on his deal and three months until training camp? I don't think the Bills are too busy to get Jackson's deal done. Fact is, they don't have to do anything because he's an exclusive-rights player.

He has been working out even though he's not under contract. If he's injured, there's an agreement from the team that will take care of his medical in a workman's comp-type way.

Anyone care to field this one for me?

I've lost count at the number of messages I've left on his office and cell phone. Counting last summer, probably upwards of 30 or 40 messages. Not one has been returned.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afceast/0-7-77/...ract-front.html

I disagree. Otherwise, I wouldn't have wasted my time during dinner hour to report it. But thanks for taking time out of your day to comment.

I agree, but it's coming to a head within the next 10 days. If he doesn't get traded before the draft, the chances of him getting traded at all this year become tiny.

They are trying to do that, but it's not considered a high priority. They're looking for a reliable body.

This blog must have flown under the radar today because it has zero comments, which is unusual for a Bills story, especially one about Jason Peters ... http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afceast/0-7-71/...o-stay-put.html

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afceast/0-7-71/...o-stay-put.html

I think teams measure character differently. Some will put a line through their name before the draft ever begins. Others will weigh what they know if the time comes that a player is available when they're on the clock. Drafting is an art more than a science. Character is an issue in all 32 draft rooms, but there probably are 32 different ways to plug it into an evaluation process.

Lynch and his representation asked for the meeting to move along the process and try to impress upon the commissioner that he will make changes in his life.

I think it looks as manageable as possible. http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afceast/0-7-65/...e-analysis.html

There is a chance, and that's a good idea. Maybe I will cover it from there instead of the media room. I hope to be back in Buffalo by the end of the month to do some house shopping, and I'm trying to coordinate so that I can be there for the draft. But too much is up in the air. I'll keep you posted.

That was your second mistake.

I can't say for sure, but I highly doubt it. The Bills still want to sign him.

I just watched the "NFL Total Access" replay, and Lombardi didn't mention any proposed numbers. In fact, he didn't even mention that a recent offer had been made at all. Where did you get the $9.75 million? Lombardi did say he thought it was a 75 percent possibility IF a team can satisfy the Bills with a "high first-round pick and some other things helping it" and Peters' salary demands. I don't think Lombardi is blowing smoke, but what he said sounded more like educated speculation than insider info.

I can say I had a lot of fun on the show. As much as I respect Lombardi, I still have to believe what my sources told me about Peters until they inform me otherwise. This latest development might not matter because the context of our conversations took into account that Peters will not be signed before the draft anyway. The Bills are prepared for another holdout. But I do think the likelihood of Peters being traded before the draft changes by the day. This is a fluid situation.