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Buffalo's highest-profile offseason move thus far has been to sign Terrell Owens, but its most important might have just occurred -- trading two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters to Philadelphia (according to this report at espn.com). Buffalo already looked to have one of the league's shakier offensive lines heading into the season; in having to now also replace a high-quality left tackle, it could be among the league's worst.
The Bills lost left guard Derrick Dockery to Washington during free agency, and they'll also have a new center -- likely lineman Geoff Hangartner, primarily a backup in Carolina the last two seasons. That means the team will have at least three new starters on the offensive line (with two first-rounders now, perhaps they'll use one of those on a tackle).
Buffalo also let starting tight end Robert Royal go in free agency, and will be without the suspended Marshawn Lynch for the first three games of the season (though maybe that will be reduced on appeal). Backup Fred Jackson is reportedly unhappy the team hasn't given him a new contract; his exclusive rights tender is a relative pittance. In short, the trade of Peters, who the team was unable to agree with on a long-term deal, is just the latest hit for an offense that's taken a lot this offseason.
For the Eagles, of course, Peters' acquisition is a boon to an offensive line that is replacing both veteran tackles from last season. They signed Stacy Andrews from the Bengals last month. Having dealt one of their two first-rounders (No. 28 overall, according to ESPN's report; they still have the 21st overall pick), it now seems a little less likely that they'd make a deal for Anquan Boldin, who's also expected to bring a first-round pick in return.
--Andy Richardson
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