One day after addressing their offensive line needs, the Buffalo Bills are focusing on filling

a big hole in the middle of their defense.

Minnesota free agent defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy is scheduled to visit One Bills Drive

today, according to a league source.

Kennedy, 30, has played for four teams in his eight years in the NFL, starting 31 games. He

was a huge disappointment during his first four seasons with the St. Louis Rams, who took him

with the 12th overall pick in the 2003 draft.

The Rams traded him in 2007 to Denver, where he was waived before playing a game. The

Chicago Bears picked him up for the last three games that season but declined to match a one-

year contract offer from the Jacksonville Jaguars, who released him midway through the 2008

campaign.

But Kennedy revived his career last season with the Vikings, who signed him late in 2008

when it looked like Pro Bowl tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams were suspended (they were

later reinstated) as part of the ongoing StarCaps case.

Playing mostly on passing downs, Kennedy was an effective interior pass rusher. He finished

with 18 tackles (four for lost yardage), three sacks and seven quarterback pressures.

The Bills need more size on the defensive line, particularly at nose tackle, with their

planned move to the 3-4 scheme. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Kennedy has been in 4-3 defenses since

entering the league, but lined up over the center in St. Louis.

Kennedy is the third player the Bills have brought in since free agency began last Friday.

They signed veteran right tackle Cornell Green to a three-year contract Monday.

The Bills fell out of the running for Kansas City free agent guard Wade Smith when he

agreed to terms with the Houston Texans Wednesday. Smith had visited the Bills last Saturday.