Kenny Britt wants to catch on for long stay in L.A.Gary Klein
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Off-season surgeries on his shoulder and his knee kept Rams receiver Kenny Britt mostly on the sidelines during organized team activities in June.
So the eighth-year pro was eager to start working when training camp opened last week.
The 6-foot-2, 223-pound Britt appeared fit at the Rams’ first practice in pads on Tuesday and said he was looking forward to a productive season in the final year of his contract.
“I’m trying to be back with these guys,” Britt said after making several impressive plays. “I want to be one of the guys that sets the platform for the next years to come with the L.A. Rams.”
Britt, 27, caught 36 passes last season, three for touchdowns.
The Rams ranked last in the NFL in passing offense and also had a league-worst 11 touchdown passes.
They took a major step to address the issue by trading up to select quarterback Jared Goff with the top pick in the draft.
Coach Jeff Fisher hired Mike Groh as receivers coach and passing game coordinator but the receiving corps returns largely intact with Britt, Tavon Austin and Brian Quick the three most experienced players.
“We’ve got to take ownership,” Britt said. “When we line up [against opposing defenses], it’s got to be, ‘If you know whether it’s coming or not — you have to stop it.’ And that’s how we have to play all year.”
Britt has played for Fisher nearly his entire career.
The Tennessee Titans selected Britt out of Rutgers with the 30th pick in the 2009 draft and he caught 42 or more passes in three of his first four seasons. He had a career-best nine touchdown catches in 2010.
The Rams signed Britt as a free agent before the 2014 season and he caught 48 passes, three for touchdowns.
Quarterback Case Keenum, who opened training camp atop the depth chart, completed several passes to Britt on Tuesday and said they were building chemistry and “nonverbal communication” so that he can anticipate the receiver’s moves.
“I just need to look at him and know he knows that I know that he knows that I know-type deal,” Keenum said. “It’s getting there and it’s fun to see.”
Britt said the rookies were learning from the veterans and the veterans were learning from rookies, including Goff.
“With a rookie quarterback, my job is to help him any way possible and take some things off his back,” Britt said. “He’s coming together to be the quarterback the coaches want him to be.
“He’s not going to get it in one day and each day. Each day he’s becoming himself and getting to know how to take advantage of the tools in his tool box.”
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