Bills sign free agent OT

Ralph Wilson Stadium - The Buffalo Bills have made their first strike in the 2010 free agent market. They signed veteran offensive tackle Cornell Green Monday night, after he spent the last three years with the Oakland Raiders.

Green reportedly gets a three year contract to come to Buffalo.  He'll be 34-years old when the 2010 season begins this fall. 

Green spoke with reporters early Monday night, and he said he's being told he'll play right tackle for the team.

"Right now, the offensive line is kinda young," he said.  "They're looking to me for my leadership and experience."   Green will wear number -74 for the Bills.

The Bills had a crying need for help at offensive tackle, after veteran Brad Butler surprised them last month by announcing his retirement.  Green has also played with the Bucs, Broncos and Jets.  In his NFL career, he's started 46-games, most of them at right tackle for Oakland last year.

Bills Head Coach Chan Gailey issued this statement regarding Green:  "Obviously we wanted to address the tackle position either in free agency or the draft, or both.  It was great to find a quality player like Cornell Green in free agency, and we're looking forward to having him with us."

"I love the Bills.  There's a lot of tradition here, and a lot of good people in the organization," he said Monday night.  "I'm just glad to have an opportunity to play here."

Green was the second offensive lineman the Bills talked to since free agency began last Friday.  They had veteran Wade Smith in for a visit last week.