PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) - With no indication that Pro Bowl left
tackle Jason Peters is prepared to end his contract dispute and
report to training camp, the Buffalo Bills began making alternate
plans by shuffling their offensive line in practice Wednesday.
Starting right tackle Langston Walker was switched to the left
side in what was described by coach Dick Jauron as an experimental
option in the event Peters' holdout extends into the regular
season.
"We're kind of preparing for any eventuality as we move
along," Jauron said. "I'd definitely like to keep Langston at the
right and have Jason come to camp. But we'll be prepared just in
case."
Walker, who hasn't played left tackle since college, flipped
positions with Kirk Chambers, who had been filling in for Peters on
the left side since the team's spring minicamps. It's not the ideal
move for Jauron because it now affects two positions on his line.
But it's one he found necessary to try.
"You don't want to move a guy that's never taken a rep there
through the whole of training camp," Jauron said. "We feel the
way we're doing it will give us options."
The need for options is key because Bills chief operating
officer Russ Brandon reported no progress in breaking the stalemate
involving Peters' desire to earn a significant raise by
restructuring the final three years he has left on his contract.
Brandon told The Associated Press he's had no discussions with
Peters or his agents since camp opened on Friday, and added he's
done speaking publicly about the player.
"Our only focus is on the 80 guys we have on the field at St.
John Fisher College," Brandon said, referring to the team's
training camp facility.
Entering his fifth NFL season, Peters is scheduled to make a
base salary of $3.25 million this season, considered low for a
player at such a prominent position. He's currently Buffalo's
third-highest paid offensive lineman, behind Walker and left guard
Derrick Dockery.
Peters has not commented publicly about the dispute. His agents,
Eugene Parker and Vincent Taylor, have also declined comment and
have not returned numerous messages left with them by The AP over
the past week.
Peters is being fined by the team a little more than $15,000 for
each day he's absent. In a letter sent to the NFL Players'
Association, the Bills confirmed that they've begun issuing fines
against Peters, union spokesman Carl Francis said.
Peters also did not take part in the Bills spring minicamp
sessions, and was fined more than $8,600 for missing the team's
mandatory practices in June.
Brandon has said he's open to negotiating a new contract with
Peters, but only if the player begins attending team functions.
Walker learned he was switching sides earlier in the day and
said it will take some time to adjust to the new position.
"It reminded me of when I was younger and about 100 pounds
lighter," said Walker, who has spent his six-year NFL career
playing either right tackle or left guard. "It was a learning
process and it's what we're going to need to do depending on what
goes on with Jason's situation."
The challenge for Walker, who's listed at 6-foot-8 and 366
pounds, is dealing with opposing teams' top pass-rushers, who are
generally faster and more agile than the defensive ends he's
accustomed to facing on the right side.
Quarterback Trent Edwards supported the switch, believing it
necessary for the team to consider all of its options.
"I've got all the confidence in the world in our coaches and
our players that we're going to make the adjustments needed based
on whether or not Jason comes back," Edwards said.
Backup quarterback J.P. Losman returned after missing Tuesday
night's practice with a jammed thumb. Starting linebacker Angelo
Crowell (sore left knee) missed his second straight practice, and
listed as day to day.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)