R.B. FALLSTROM
AP Sports Writer
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Kenny Britt had a quiet game in the St. Louis Rams’ preseason opener.
He played just 17 snaps before the backups took over, with no catches and nothing even thrown his way.
The wide receiver has been making plenty of noise at practice, with production to match the trash-talking.
“He loves the game,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “He’s not afraid to voice his opinion and he’s pulling the young guys along with him. He practices one speed and that’s full.”
So far Britt has made good on his second go-around with Fisher. The Titans drafted him in the first round in 2009 when Fisher was the coach.
The Rams (0-1) are hoping Britt, who turns 26 next month, can settle down and be a veteran leader at a position loaded with youth.
They didn’t need to tell Britt. This will be his sixth season and he realizes it’s time to set an example for his teammates.
“It’s being the veteran guy without even saying it,” Britt said. “It’s the point of growing as a man and growing as a person and a player. You put it in your mind, it’s time to do things and handle things certain ways.”
Britt will be trying to get open for quarterback Sam Bradford, who will be making his first appearance coming off knee surgery against the Packers (0-1) on Saturday.
Whether or not he gets his first catch with St. Louis, expect Britt to be chattering away.
“It’s definitely true. I like to motivate the guys and we’re starting once we hit the doors in the morning,” Britt said. “I’m a competitive person and people who like to compete often talk a lot,” Britt said. “And I guess I’m one of those guys.”
Cornerback Janoris Jenkins confirms and added: “It doesn’t even matter to me. He chirps, I chirp.”
Britt has had off-field problems and injuries. Last year, he made just three starts and had 11 catches for 96 yards.
Britt bristles at the notion Fisher had to defend him in Tennessee, and believes he’s largely been misunderstood. He’s been a positive presence at training camp.
“Most people that don’t know me look at the media stuff, the outsider stuff,” Britt said. “Most people that meet me, understand the person I am, and they get to really like me.
“Everybody in the world’s not going to like you and everybody in the world’s not going to be mean and dislike you, so you’ve just got to keep on living life.”
Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers also will see his first game action along with running back Eddie Lacy, whose legs are being saved for the regular season.
“It’d be nice to take a couple of hits maybe, legal hits,” Rodgers said. “This is the time of year we’re trying to get to be playing the right way, and get in and get out.”
The Packers likely will be without at least one key pass catcher, with Jordy Nelson (hamstring) limited this week.
“I think you’ve got to be practical about the production in the passing game,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “I think there’s been a lot of consistency in our practices on the way the ball’s thrown and caught and the production.
“So, we’ll see how they do.”
Fisher’s goals for Week 2 are reducing mistakes and getting the kids to improve. The Rams had 14 penalties in a 26-24 loss to New Orleans.
Most of the 18 players held out in Week 1 are expected back. Left tackle Jake Long (knee) is set to make his debut next week and the defense could be without Jenkins (hamstring) and middle linebacker James Laurinaitis (ankle).
McCarthy has similar objectives with the Packers, whose roster is just as young. They lost 20-16 last week at Tennessee.
“I think you have to look at the player acquisition process and the time that is put into that group of people,” McCarthy said.
“The player instruction, that’s been our approach, our philosophy since Day One, understanding what it takes to get a young team trained and we’re nine years into it.”
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