NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Countdown to Kickoff: Profile on Philadelphia Eagles No. 71 LT Jason Peters

By Jeremy Klump

Dec 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jason Peters (71) blocks Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jason Peters (71) blocks Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The NFL Spin Zone ‘Countdown to Kickoff’ series continues with 71 days until kickoff, profiling Philadelphia Eagles left tackle, No. 71 Jason Peters.

Today is June 29, 2016, which means there are exactly 71 days until the NFL season kicks off.

While 71 days may seem like a lot, but the fact of the matter is the NFL football season is getting closer. In 71 days, we will watch the rematch from Super Bowl 50 between the defending champion Denver Broncos and 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton’s Carolina Panthers.

As we wait for the two teams to kickoff the NFL season, the team at NFL Spin Zone has decided to profile a player whose number is associated with the amount of days until that first kickoff.

With all that in mind, I will highlight No. 71, Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Jason Peters.

Related Story: Eagles: Vinny Curry will out-sack Olivier Vernon in 2016

Sticking to the theme of Super Bowl 50, the Carolina Panthers were looked at as the best team in the NFL heading into that game. Newton had an unbelievable 2015 season and was looking to cap that off with a Lombardi Trophy. The only problem was the Panthers offensive line missed the memo that said the Broncos have Von Miller.

Miller dominated the Panthers, recording two and a half sacks, one of which forced a fumble that the Broncos recovered in the end zone for a touchdown, and led to him being named the Super Bowl MVP. Miller’s triumphs showcased the Panthers struggles on the offensive line, highlighting how important good lineman truly are.

The player who wears No. 71, Peters, is exactly that and then some. You could call him a good offensive lineman, but you’d be grossly understating his abilities.

Peters is great.

More from Philadelphia Eagles

The 34-year old went undrafted in the 2004 NFL Draft, mainly because he played tight end as an Arkansas Razorback, but was looking to play tackle in the NFL.

He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent and took some time to transition to a full-time tackle. He was cut, re-signed and played on special teams his first two seasons. Peters was able to win a starting spot before the start of 2006 and he never looked back.

He started all 16 games in 2006 and showed he has legitimate potential to become a star in the league. The Bills understood the potential he possessed and switched Peters to left tackle in 2007, which led to Peters earning Pro Bowl honors for the first time. After the 2007 season, Peters followed up with another Pro Bowl season in 2008, but was unhappy with his contract in Buffalo.

The contract dispute led to the Bills dealing Peters to the Eagles for a 2009 first-round pick and more. The trade is one of the best moves in Eagles history because Peters just continued to get better.

Dec 6, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jason Peters (71) during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jason Peters (71) during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /

Other than 2012 when Peters missed the entire season due to an Achilles injury, Peters has made the Pro Bowl each year in Philadelphia giving him a total of eight Pro Bowls in his career. Along with the eight Pro Bowls, Peters was named First-Team All-Pro in 2011 and 2013.

Over the last five seasons, Peters has played well enough to be recognized as one of the best left tackles in football and a player that will be remembered forever in Philadelphia.

As he is getting up there in age, this could be his last season in Philly, but it will most likely result in his ninth Pro Bowl and a chance at his third time on the first-team All-Pro list.

Time will tell how many more years Peters can play in the league. But if he can keep up the level he plays at now for a couple more seasons, he could end his career in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Countdown Continues: No. 72 Michael Bennett

Check out all of the Countdown to Kickoff series posts here.

Home/Philadelphia Eagles