Bills Re-Sign Kiwaukee Thomas

For the second straight day the Buffalo Bills have re-signed a veteran that was instrumental to the team's improvement in 2006. With Nate Clements finding greener pastures in San Francisco, the Bills on Tuesday re-signed Kiwaukee Thomas (right), who will likely compete for a starting spot with second-year corner Ashton Youboty in '07.

Chris Brown is reporting that the agreement between Thomas and the Bills is a multi-year agreement, but no details have been specified. I expect to hear those at some point later in the day, and will post them here time permitting.

Signing Thomas is great for the team on two levels - first, it brings a veteran presence back into a secondary that could feature three second-year starters. The team needed to keep a vet back there who has been around the league to keep the young guys cool in tough spots. Thomas can do just that.

Second, it gives the team that much more flexibility in the draft - the team could still take a corner, but at this point it doesn't need to, with Thomas, Youboty and Jabari Greer fighting for playing time alongside starter Terrence McGee. The team can instead focus on linebacker early, or could even adopt Marv Levy's preferred "best player available" method.

DE Schobel in Orchard Park Today
No, not Aaron Schobel - although he may be in town, I'm referring to Bo Schobel. The fourth-year free agent defensive end (and cousin to Aaron) is in Buffalo today on a free agent visit. Schobel spent last year as a reserve defensive end and special teams ace for the Indianapolis Colts. Read the story here.

Bo is viewed as potential competition for current Bills defensive ends such as Anthony Hargrove, Eric Powell and Ryan Neill. Schobel, if signed, would have a hard time making this roster with Aaron, Chris Kelsay, Ryan Denney and Hargrove all virtual locks to make the team. Schobel could surprise, however - he's a blue-collar player who works his butt off and could find a niche on this team, especially on special teams. Stay tuned - if he signs, you'll read about it here.