Free agent defensive lineman Jimmy Kennedy said Friday he's looking for a chance to start

with the Buffalo Bills.

Kennedy, a 6-foot-5, 320-pounder, is a former 12th overall draft pick of the St. Louis

Rams. He spent four mostly disappointing years with the Rams, making just 30 starts, before

bouncing from Denver to Chicago to Jacksonville to Minnesota. He was rejuvenated with the

Vikings last season, producing three sacks in a reserve role and providing solid play in

pass-rushing situations. The Bills were his first free-agent visit.

Asked if he aims to start, Kennedy said: "Of course. That's basically asking me, am I

satisfied with my career. I'm trying to go out there and get better. Am I satisfied with what

I did last year? No. ... I'm thinking it's just a start."

The Bills' prospective starters at defensive end are Marcus Stroud and Spencer Johnson. If

he signed, Kennedy presumably would vie with Johnson for a starting end job and could spell

Kyle Williams at nose tackle.

Asked what went right with the Vikes last year, Kennedy said: "I'd have to say it was the

coaching staff for the most part. My relationship with [defensive line] coach [Karl] Dunbar.

He's a straight shooter. He told me what he expected to be done. I went in there with a clean

slate. He told me the 12th pick and all that other stuff was years ago. Right now I just see a

football player. Come out here and play football and have fun. That's what I did."

On his impressions of the Bills' coaches, Kennedy said: "I'm impressed with them, talking

to coach [George] Edwards and the D-line coach, [Giff] Smith, they seem to have their head on

straight and know what they want. Of course, they can see me in their plans right now. So it's

just about me seeing myself in their plans and trying to get a grasp of what it is they want

me to do. ... Where I'm at in my career, I want a ring, and I want to be able to put my best

foot forward out on the field. They're doing a great job of convincing me that I'll fit in

here."