By Mark Gaughan
The Buffalo Bills have given their offensive line some long-term security.
Starting right guard Kraig Urbik has agreed to a contract extension, the team confirmed today. Urbik was set to become a free agent after the season.
The Bills' starting left guard, Andy Levitre, also has a contract that will expire after the season. The deal is for four years, and ESPN.com reported it is worth $15 million.
Urbik has started the past two seasons for the Bills and given the Bills' stoutness up the middle. The offensive line is one of the strongest units on the team, and the Bills have finally solidified their "middle three" after years of problems up the middle during much of their 13-year playoff drought.
Center Eric Wood has a contract that runs out after the 2013 season. Chad Rinehart, the Bills' top interior backup lineman who is on injured reserve, also will be a free agent after the season. The Bills have ranked among the top five in the NFL in yards per carry the past two years. They led the league last year in fewest sacks allowed and stand 14th this year in sack prevention.
Urbik, 6-foot-5 and 323 pounds, has started 26 of 34 games played for the Bills. He ranked 18th among NFL guards last year and stands 24th this year, according to grades on Profootballfocus.com.
