Stephen

Peterman

The third-round pick had a positive camp and was expected to play a major role on Dallas’ offensive line.

Peterman and second-rounder T Jacob Rogers need to make an immediate impact on a weak Dallas O-line.

Peterman was drafted in the weak Cowboys 2004 draft class along with second-rounder Jacob Rogers. He made very little impact since tearing his ACL in 2004.

Raiola is 34 with a $4.05 million base salary and $250,000 roster bonus. Peterman is owed $600K in offseason bonuses, in addition to a $2.65 million salary. The Lions are expected to consider “revamping,” their offensive line for 2013, particularly on the interior. Raiola seems the more likely cap casualty.

The move clears $3.2 million in salary cap space. Peterman started every game at right guard for the cap-strapped Lions in each of the last three years. But he’s 31, was owed $2.65 million in base salary, and allowed a league-high (among guards) 36 quarterback hurries in 2012. The Lions do have depth on the offensive line in talented prospect Riley Reiff, but he profiles better as a tackle. By cutting Peterman so early in the offseason, the Lions are also off the hook for his $500,000 March roster bonus and $100,000 reporting bonus. He may resurface on a veteran’s minimum deal in free agency.

Raiola, 34, and Peterman, 31, are both entering the final years of their respective contracts and will collectively count $9 million against the salary cap. Detroit’s 2013 money issues have been well-documented. The Lions could conceivably have four new starters along the offensive front, and the team’s official website names Riley Reiff, Bill Nagy, and Jason Fox as potential replacements.

They’re expected to sign him if Peterman checks out medically. Released by the Lions in early February, Peterman had generated no reported interest to this point in free agency. Peterman is 31 years old. He has a history of foot injuries and struggled in 2012, so we wouldn’t rule out a last-minute snag.

The Jets extended Peterman a contract offer, but he’s going to continue shopping his wares. Peterman turned 31 in January and is coming off a rough season.

31-year-old Peterman hasn’t missed a start since the 2009 season, but his performance has gradually declined and he’s no longer an effective NFL starter. The Jets are signing Peterman because they’re desperate on the offensive line after losing Matt Slauson and Brandon Moore to free agency, and failing to emerge from the draft’s first two rounds without a legitimate interior starter.