Bills trade Peters to Eagles

The Bills traded left tackle Jason Peters to the Philadelphia Eagles rather than risk another offseason holdout from their disgruntled two-time Pro Bowl player.

The basics of the deal were agreed to Friday, a person familiar with the trade talks told The Associated Press. The Eagles are attempting to work out a contract extension with Peters before completing the trade, said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.

In exchange, the Bills will receive the 28th overall pick - the second of the Eagles' two first-round picks - and a fourth-round selection in next week's NFL draft.

While the Bills lose their most talented offensive lineman, they rid themselves of a potential headache. Peters was threatening to repeat last year's offseason holdout. Scheduled to make a base salary of $7.2 million during the final two years of his contract, Peters is considered underpaid for a player at such a high-profile position.

Peters traveled to Philadelphia to meet with Eagles executives Friday. By landing the 6-foot-4, 328-pound Peters, the Eagles fill an immediate hole on their offensive line after left tackle Tra Thomas signed with Jacksonville in free agency last month. Thomas, who protected Donovan McNabb's blind side the last 10 seasons, didn't get an offer from Philadelphia. The Eagles still have their own first-round pick, the 21st overall, and nine other picks. They acquired the 28th pick from Carolina in a draft-day trade last year.

The Eagles have revamped their offensive line since losing to Arizona in the NFC title game. They signed former Bengals right tackle Stacy Andrews early in free agency. Andrews, the brother of Eagles right guard Shawn Andrews, is expected to replace longtime starter Jon Runyan, an unrestricted free agent coming off knee surgery.

Without Peters, the Bills have another need to address in either free agency or the draft. Buffalo was already in the midst of revamping its offensive line after releasing left guard Derrick Dockery and electing not to re-sign centers Duke Preston and Melvin Fowler in February.

The Bills have added Geoff Hangartner, who is expected to take over at center, and versatile Seth McKinney in free agency.

JETS: The NFL has moved up the start time of the Jets' game against the Titans on Sept. 27 after the team complained to the league about having to play home games on consecutive Jewish holidays.

The league changed the start time from 4:15 p.m. to 1 p.m., one day after Jets owner Woody Johnson sent a letter to Commissioner Roger Goodell suggesting the switch to allow fans to arrive home before sundown on Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement.

The Jets' home opener against New England is 1 p.m. Sept. 20, which falls during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.