The Buffalo Bills acted Thursday to fill a glaring need for depth on the offensive line by signing seven-year veteran Seth McKinney, a free-agent from the Cleveland Browns.

McKinney, a 6-foot-3, 310-pounder, was the sixth man on the Browns' line last year, filling the No. 1 backup job at both guard spots and the center position. He started three games at guard last year and the first eight games of the 2007 season at guard. His sat out the second

half of the '07 season with a shoulder injury.

McKinney, who will be 30 in June, is believed to have signed a one-year deal.

The Bills were in need of veteran depth on the interior line because both Melvin Fowler and Duke Preston became free agents in March.

The prospective starter for the Bills at right guard is Kirk Chambers. The top man at center is Geoff Hangartner, signed as a free agent from Carolina last month. The starting left guard is incumbent Brad Butler. The returning backups from last year's active roster are second-year

tackle Demetrius Bell and fourth-year tackle Jonathan Scott, who was activated to the roster for the last two games of last season.

McKinney is a product of Texas A&M, where he was a four-year starting center. He was a third-round pick of Miami in 2002. He started at center for the Dolphins in 16 games in 2004 and 13 games in 2005. He was born in Buffalo, Texas. He has a brother, Steve, who is an 11-year veteran offensive lineman for Seattle.