ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (April 5, 2006) -- Offensive tackle Aaron Gibson, a former first-round draft pick, was among four free agents signed by the Buffalo Bills.
Gibson, drafted 27th overall in 1999 by the Detroit Lions, has 34 starts in 38 career games. He spent last year out of football after spending two seasons with Chicago, including 2003 where he played under new Bills coach Dick Jauron.
Gibson's professional career has been plagued by injuries and weight concerns, a disappointment for the former Wisconsin stalwart who was a finalist for the Lombardi Award and Outland trophy, college football's top two awards given to offensive linemen.
He also had a brief stint with Dallas overlapping the 2001 and 2002 seasons before he was released because of knee and shoulder injuries.
The Bills also signed offensive lineman Matt Morgan and defensive backs Kiwaukee Thomas and James Bethea. Thomas, who has had 11 starts in 85 career games, spent his first five seasons with Jacksonville and last season with Miami.
Morgan appeared in three games with St. Louis last year after spending the previous season on the Rams' practice squad. Bethea played in NFL Europe last year and spent the 2004 season on the Washington Redskins' practice squad.
