Preston enters picture for Packers

March 23, 2009 12:23 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

DANA POINT, Calif. -- This might not be the name that Green Bay fans have been asking about, but the Packers have expressed interest in free-agent guard/center Duke Preston and could know whether he will sign with them before the NFL owners' meeting ends this week.

Preston started 11 games at center last season for Buffalo and the Bills remain interested in re-signing him. The Packers would seem to be set at center with incumbent Scott Wells, but both guard positions are in flux.

Preston was scheduled to visit Lambeau Field last week. He was originally the Bills' fourth-round pick in 2005.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.

Referee Jeff Triplette was knocked face first into the turf and had his nose bloodied during Shaun Ellis' fumble return for a touchdown in the New York Jets' 31-27 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

"I'm good, I'm good," Triplette told The Associated Press after the game, with both nostrils filled with gauze. "It's not a broken nose. It's just bloodied."

With 1:54 remaining, Abram Elam sacked J.P. Losman from behind and caused a fumble, and Ellis picked up the ball and rumbled into the end zone for the go-ahead score. During the hectic play, Bills center Duke Preston hit Triplette from behind and the official fell face first into the Meadowlands turf.

"There's nothing he could've done to prevent that," Triplette said. "It's a loose ball, it's a fumble and it's just football."

Triplette was checked by trainers briefly and then worked the rest of the game while wiping his face with a towel. He said Preston sought him after the game to check on him and apologize.

"He's a really classy young man because he came to the locker room afterward and wanted to know if I was OK," Triplette said. "Whoever No. 75 is, he's a really classy young man. He wanted to know if I was OK."

Triplette and the rest of his crew were laughing about the injury as they got ready to leave the stadium, with umpire Jim Quirk pointing to his bright red slacks.

"His nose matches my pants," Quirk said, causing Triplette and the crew to chuckle.

The Green Bay Packers have made a big addition to their offensive line, agreeing to terms on a free agent contract with 6-5, 326-pound guard / center Duke Preston, according to agent Craig Domann..

Terms of the deal were unknown.

An unrestricted free agent, Preston started 11 games with the Bills last year, all at center. He has also played some guard and right tackle for the Bills. The Packers consider him a prospect at any of the three interior line positions.

"he's got a nice frame," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this week. "He's more of an athlete. We see him as an athletic frame. Once again, hes young, too. He has a lot of football in front of him."

Though Preston adds a lot of size to the Packers offensive line, McCarthy denied that the Packers were changing their philosophy about what kind of players they want upfront. They drafted 320-pound Josh Sitton last year and were going to start him at guard until he got hurt.

McCarthy said Preston's size is impressive, but it's his athletic ability that stands out. He said that's what the Packers are looking for in their offensive linemen.

"If they are athletic they have the ability to gain more strength and size and be more physical," McCarthy said. "I think the athletic ability upfront gives us the ability to be more physical and be more multiple in our concepts we run."

When he signs his contract, Preston will become the first unrestricted free agent from another team the Packers have add this off-season.