Wilkins will kick off his preseason Friday against the Raiders

~ The reliable St. Louis kicker has been trying to keep his leg fresh.

ST. LOUIS -- After sitting out the first two preseason games, Jeff Wilkins will be on the field Friday when the Rams play the Raiders in Oakland.

Plans are for Wilkins to handle all kickoffs and place-kicking chores. The 14-year veteran nicknamed "Money" by former coach Mike Martz for his consistency and ability to perform under pressure devised a training camp regimen in which he doesn't kick until Game 3 of the preseason.

"I used to kick a ton in training camp but as I got older, I started realizing quality is more important than quantity," Wilkins said Tuesday. "You only have so many bullets in the chamber. I want to use them for the right time."

Coach Scott Linehan said Wilkins looks sharp in practice.

"He looks real good. His leg looks real strong," Linehan said. "It's going to be good to get him full-game work this week."

At 35, Wilkins remains one of the NFL's elite kickers. He has connected on 346 consecutive extra points, the second-best streak in league history behind Jason Elam's 371 from 1993 to 2002.

Wilkins has the Rams' longest field goal at 57 yards and has made 283 field goals, an 83 percent success rate, for his career. From 50 yards and longer, Wilkins has connected on 72 percent of his kicks.

"There's no limit to taking a shot at three points because he's so good from deep," Linehan said. "As soon as you cross the 50, the consideration is there. He's so accurate and he knocks it through when you need it most."

Wilkins said he is helped by the fact that he's had the same snapper, Chris Massey, and holder, Dane Looker, for several seasons.

"That means the world," Wilkins said. "Chris snaps the same and Dane put its down like I like it. It makes my job easier. All I got to do is put a good stroke on the ball."

Rookie Kevin Lovell, a free agent from Cincinnati, kicked in the first two preseason games. He made all four field goals he attempted, including the game-winner on the last play against Minnesota. In that one, he had to kick it again because of a penalty. Two of the kicks were from 44 yards.

Linehan and Wilkins believe Lovell deserves a shot in the NFL.

"I think the great story of preseason is finding young players who come out of nowhere and show up," Linehan said. "I think it's a great situation with how we do Wilkins. It's like a job interview. If he doesn't make it here, which is a long shot, that there's going be a bunch of teams watching him. He's taking advantage of it."

Lovell said he believes he is doing that.

"I'm just trying to make an impact and get my name out there," he said.

Noteworthy

• Guard Richie Incognito (ankle) started practice but had to quit. Guard/tackle Todd Steussie (neck) and safety Jerome Carter (midfoot sprain) did not practice for the second consecutive day and are questionable for Friday's game.
• The No. 1 unit will play the entire first half and maybe the first series of the second half at Oakland before turning the game over to the second string, Linehan said.