Bills, Jason Peters Far Apart in Contract Talks

The Buffalo Bills' best offensive player isn't running back Marshawn Lynch or wide receiver Lee Evans. It's left tackle Jason Peters. So any chance the Bills have of ending their eight-year playoff drought is going to be seriously hindered if the Bills can't get Peters on the field.

But as the Bills open training camp, Peters won't be on the field. He's unhappy and holding out, and Bills chief operating officer Russ Brandon said he doesn't see a break in negotiations any time soon:

"To be very honest with you, it's really been a road map of silence to date," Brandon said regarding dialogue over Peters' situation.

"He hasn't been here to date," Brandon said, "and it's difficult to have discussions with someone who's not here and has elected to not participate in what we're trying to do."

Peters was an undrafted free agent in 2004, and by 2005 he was a solid starter. The Bills recognized that they had an absolute bargain on their hands, so in 2006 they gave him a raise.

But that raise still isn't enough for Peters, who is one of the best linemen in the league and wants to be paid like it. The Bills say they gave him a raise once and don't plan to give him another any time soon. They're planning to fine him $15,116 a day until he shows up. Peters has indicated that the fine will be awfully big by the time he gets there.