By Nick Wagoner

Senior Writer

 

After battling through a serious knee injury and two concussions, Rams quarterback Trent Green has just one concern when he steps on the field to take his place under center.

 

“This year I’ve probably had three or four different helmets that I’m experimenting with, just to find one that’s comfortable,” Green said.

 

It’s safe to say if headwear is the utmost of Green’s concerns he feels quite comfortable back inSt. Louis.

 

After returning to the Rams on March 10, the first step of the Vianney High graduate and resident of Kirkwood ’s reunion tour was complete.

 

Thursday night, that tour will continue as the Rams visit the Chiefs in Kansas City for the annual Governor’s Cup. Green has spent eight of his 14 NFL seasons with the Rams or Chiefs so he is intimately familiar with the in-state rivalry that is the Governor’s Cup game.

 

This year, Green makes his return to Arrowhead Stadium as the backup for the Rams. But coach Scott Linehan announced Tuesday that Green would get the start and some work against his former team on Thursday night because Green needs a few more snaps to prepare for the season.

 

“ Trent has really had limited work and I think could use some time out there on the field,” Linehan said.

 

Getting Green some substantial playing time will be important for a number of reasons.

 

In this preseason, Green has thrown just eight passes and didn’t even enter last week’s game against Baltimore .

 

The reasons for Green’s limited work are fairly clear, however. Green has spent most of his career working with offensive coordinator Al Saunders, who is in his first year in that role with the Rams.

 

In other words, Green essentially knows the system forward and back. That makes it more important for starter Marc Bulger and youngsters Brock Berlin and Bruce Gradkowski to get as many snaps as possible in the preseason to get acclimated.

 

Of course, Green’s 14 years of experience and two Pro Bowls provide plenty of reassurance to Linehan and Co. that he can get the job done if called upon.

 

“Because of my experience level – I won’t say age but I’ll say my experience level – I feel comfortable with where I am right now,” Green said. “And like I said, because of the situation I am coming out of camp a lot healthier than I have a long time.”

Finding a way to enter the regular season at full health is another reason for Green’s limited preseason snaps.

 

In the past two seasons, Green has missed 19 games because of a pair of concussions. And Rams fans haven’t soon forgot the hit then San Diego safety Rodney Harrison put on Green in the 1999 preseason that tore Green’s ACL, MCL and lateral meniscus, ending his first season in St. Louis before it started.

 

One would think those injuries would place some fear or apprehension in Green’s head but none has been evident in practice or his limited appearances in the first two preseason contests.

 

“He’s had an outstanding training camp for us and the practices he’s been involved in; he’s had a lot of work there,” Linehan said. “He’s done very well, but it’s really hard to get four guys ready when you’re really working on your starter and you’re working on your third quarterback battle. We take a lot of things for granted with Trent as you all could understand. There are a lot of things he can do and we’re real fortunate to have him.”

 

Any questions about Green’s state of readiness will likely be put to rest this week when Green returns to Kansas City .

 

Green spent the best season of his career as the Chiefs’ signal caller, playing six years in Kansas City where he ranks among the franchise’s leaders in just about every major passing category.

 

“It’s been a great run,” Green said. “It’s been a great career. I have enjoyed every minute of it. You learn from all of the different experiences. My time in Kansas City , the six years I was there, I have a lot of great memories from that, a lot of great friends, teammates. It will be nice going back to see a lot of them.”

 

Considering all Green has been through in recent seasons, many thought he would take the opportunity to retire upon receiving his release from the Dolphins.

 

When he was offered the chance to return to St. Louis and work with close friend Bulger and be reunited with Saunders, Green jumped at the opportunity.

 

For his part, Green says he never even really thinks about what’s happened in the past as far as concussions, the knee or any other injuries.

 

“Everyone has a hard time believing that,” Green said. “I don’t know where that comes from. I’ve just tried some different helmets and things like that, since I’ve worn the same helmet since basically the mid ‘80s. There’s some new technology out there. Other than just trying a new helmet, that’s really the only way that I would know that anything’s gone on. I don’t think about it.”

 

As for the helmet issue, Green says he has been trying out a variety of different styles in search of something he will feel comfortable in after suffering serious concussions in back to back seasons.

 

So far, Green has worn a different helmet in each of the three preseason games though the one he wore last week didn’t get much of an opportunity because he didn’t play. He has yet to decide on a piece of headgear but expects to in the near future.

 

“The technology, there’s air, there’s liquid, some are bigger, some are smaller, some have more depth, some protect the jaw more,” Green said. “It’s just finding a comfort zone. There are certain ones that sit differently. It’s just finding one that’s comfortable.”

 

If Green can find a helmet as comfortable as his role on this team in this city, don’t expect any health issues for him in 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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