Wire re-signs; Thurman in the Hall

Bills special-teams ace Coy Wire (pictured right) has re-signed with the Bills, agreeing to a "multi-year deal". Chris Brown, of BuffaloBills.com, broke the story here.

This is an important re-signing for the Bills. No, it's not Nate Clements. No, it's not London Fletcher-Baker. It's not even Chris Kelsay, Mike Gandy or Anthony Thomas. But few players mean more to the Bills than Wire. For starters, Wire is the best special teams player on the roster. He plays on all four units (kick and punt returns, kickoff and punt coverage), and often represents the Bills as their special teams captain.

Will Play Linebacker
Wire also confirmed that he will return as a linebacker for the 2007 season. With the Bills very deep at the safety position (Ko Simpson and Jim Leonhard at free safety, Donte Whitner and Matt Bowen at strong safety), Wire wasn't really needed in the defensive backfield. The move to linebacker better suits his instincts and gives the Bills some much-needed depth at the position with questions surrounding Fletcher-Baker and Takeo Spikes.

Last season, the Bills often presented 4-4 defensive fronts (four defensive linemen and four linebackers). Regardless who the starting linebackers are this coming season, it's safe to assume that Wire will see a lot of time as the fourth linebacker. His speed, power and a background in coverage will help him be a real asset at that position - especially if he bulks up a bit and spends the off-season picking the brains of his coaches.

Thurman Thomas Makes the Hall
In what did not come as a huge surprise, former Bills standout running back Thurman Thomas (pictured right) was elected to the Hall of Fame this past Saturday. Thomas owns several Bills team rushing records and earned a league MVP during his playing days.

Thomas is widely regarded as one of the best running backs in league history. Known as much for his receiving skills as his rushing skills, Thomas was the predecessor to all-purpose backs that are prevalent today, such as Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook and Giants future Hall member Tiki Barber.

For Chris Brown's take, click here.

'90s Bills' Future Representation
Thomas is the fourth member of the Bills' organization that participated in an NFL-record four straight Super Bowls to make the Hall. The head coach of those teams (and current GM) Marv Levy was the first, followed by quarterback Jim Kelly and wide receiver James Lofton. Wide receiver Andre Reed, also a standout member of those teams, was one of seventeen finalists this season.

Reed is one of several former Bills from the early-'90s teams that is expected to make the Hall of Fame. Center Kent Hull, defensive end Bruce Smith and special teams ace Steve Tasker are three others who are deserving of the honor. Having seven Hall of Fame members from a team that appeared in four straight Super Bowls should take the sting out of the fact that those four games all ended in loss for Buffalo.