THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Kurt Warner has not played for the St. Louis Rams since 2003. In fact, after one year with the Giants, he has spent the last five seasons with NFC West rival Arizona. Yet his name still evokes great passion among most Rams’ fans. What do you think it is about Warner that holds such a special place among the fan base here?

JIM THOMAS
Warner’s rise from obscurity to Super Bowl MVP was THE sports story in 1999. The Greatest Show on Turf teams will go down in history as one of the greatest offenses ever. Teams like the Patriots and Colts may have had longer staying power. Great offenses like the Saints come and go. But no team will probably ever duplicate what the Rams did in scoring 500-plus points three years in a row — at least not in a 16-game schedule. But it’s not just what Warner did on the field as triggerman of those offenses, it’s the way he did it — with class, character, and charisma — that makes him a St. Louis sports icon.

BILL COATS
Two Super Bowls . . . one Super Bowl victory . . . two league MVP awards . . . the best pro football St. Louis has ever seen, 1999-2001. Beyond all that, St. Louisans love to embrace athletes who shine off the field, too. Warner certainly fits that bill, with his charity work, his faith, etc. Plus, his continued loyalty to St. Louis resonates here.

JEFF GORDON
One, he is an amazing story. Two, he actually led this star-crossed franchise to two Super Bowls. Warner was the ultimate underdog-made-good story and he never let his storybook success go to his head. He remained committed to helping people and sharing his faith. So not only did he succeed at a very high level, he remained a genuine hero to his fans. Such stories seem rare in our sports world.

KATHLEEN NELSON
First, he was the Super Bowl MVP. He led Rams fans to the promised land.

Second is his underdog backstory. It fits with the perception of St. Louis — from within as well as without — as a scrappy underdog. He had the common touch, which even nonsports fans can relate to, and he didn’t lose it. He led the underdogs and the undervalued to the promised land

Third, his religious and family values resonate with a large portion of the population. He showed that nice guys could finish first. After success in the Super Bowl, he became more committed to his foundation and its work, spending more time, not less, with his coat drive and families with special needs kids. He was an example of giving back, remembering where you came from, and always staying grounded.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Hindsight is always 20/20 … but perhaps not so much with the 2009 NFL draft class. If you could go back in time and reselect the Rams No. 2 overall pick, who would you have selected based on the first-half performance of the rookies this season?

JIM THOMAS
I was intrigued by the prospect of LB Aaron Curry, but have no problem with OT Jason Smith. But James Laurinaitis has worked out fine at LB as a second-round pick. And I wonder if Sanchez truly is a franchise-type quarterback.

BERNIE MIKLASZ
Well, I’ll be consistent and stay with what I said at the time: QB Mark Sanchez. I didn’t have a problem with the choice of OT Jason Smith. I believe Smith will be a terrific offensive tackle in the NFL and anchor the offensive line for a long time. But Billy Devaney and Steve Spagnuolo can’t fully implement their program until they install a quarterback who will be their long-term starter. Sanchez was the ideal fit for a West Coast offense. He’s certainly had some struggles during his rookie season, but that doesn’t mean much if you pay attention to history. Many Hall of Fame quarterbacks came out of the gate slowly as young NFL starters. The Rams could have used this season as a way to slowly ease a rookie QB into the offense to get him some work and experience. Instead, if they draft a QB in 2010, which is something we can expect, 2010 will be a developmental season for the rookie QB. In other words, the Rams will have wasted a year in beginning the inevitable process. And for those pining for Keith Null: internally he is not viewed as a long-term answer at QB for the Rams. Sorry.

JEFF GORDON
If the Rams had taken LB Aaron Curry, they probably wouldn’t have taken James Laurinaitis. But Curry’s early returns for Seattle were awesome. He looks like a home-run hitter on the defensive side, a game-changer. The Rams could have landed a tackle in the second round and possibly come out ahead. Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford have promise at QB, but both would be losing game after game here — and perhaps developing bad habits.

KATHLEEN NELSON
“Based on first-half performance?” Percy Harvin looks like a good pick. He’s made an immediate impact in the offense and on special teams with the Vikings; two kickoff returns for TDs, 369 receiving yards, 3 TD catches. Maybe it helps to have Brett Favre throwing to you, though. I’m not dissing Jason Smith, though. I think he could grow into an anchor on the offensive line. He just hasn’t been as fast out of the blocks or as visible as Harvin.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: If the Rams are to have any chance against the 8-0 New Orleans Saints this weekend, what are the keys to the game plan?

JIM THOMAS
1. Ball control on offense, the Saints are a modest 19th in run defense.
2. Takeaways on defense, easier said than done against Drew Brees.
3. Something special on special teams, be it long returns, blocked kicks, etc.

This is a challenge similar to what the Rams faced against Minnesota and Indianapolis — but New Orleans may be the most high-powered offense of the three.

JEFF GORDON
If the Rams can consistently throw the ball downfield to balance their offense, maintain time of possession and finish off scoring drives, they can stay in the game. But apparently this is an impossible task for this offense, so the Rams are doomed to a blowout loss. Even if the Saints turn the ball over again and again, they will win this game unless the Rams used their bye week to reinvent their offense.

BRYAN BURWELL
After seeing Carolina run up and down the field against the Saints, the run-oriented Rams certainly have a chance. If the Rams can stick to a Steven Jackson rushing attack and keep Drew Brees off the field, the home crowd could become a huge factor.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
Call Tonya Harding and ask for some advice on how to “handle” competition? Lock the doors of the Dome just before the Saints arrive and lose the keys?

Sorry. Couldn’t resist. Seriously, there is no way this game is competitive. None. The Saints are the highest-scoring team in the league averaging 38 points per game and the Rams are the lowest-scoring team in the league at just over 9 points per game. Heck, the Saints are 59 points better than the next highest-scoring team this season (Minnesota). The Rams have scored a total of 77 points as a point of reference.

But wait, there’s more. The Saints are +129 when points scored are compared to points allowed and the Rams are -144. That’s a 273 point difference between these two teams over eight games. That’s a 34-point-per-game difference in case you were wondering.

There is nothing the Rams can do to be competitive in this game. Nothing legal anyway.

QUESTION: Despite another rough outing Sunday, obviously the coaches still believe QB Marc Bulger gives the team its best chance to win or he wouldn’t be playing. Do you agree with that assessment or do you think it’s time to give Kyle Boller - or even Keith Null - a chance to run the offense?

JIM THOMAS

Even with the patchwork receiver corps, the results against Detroit - one of the worst pass defenses in the league - were underwhelming. But the problem with Boller is that he seems to be more mistake prone than Bulger, which leads to more turnovers. Null simply isn’t ready to start in the NFL, although it wouldn’t hurt to see him in mop-up situations.

BERNIE MIKLASZ

It’s time to get ready to draft a quarterback.

Unless the people running the Rams have lost their minds, Bulger’s time here is winding down. Boller is Boller: a more mobile Bulger, but not an accurate passer and prone to silly mistakes. I don’t understand the people who want to throw Null to the wolf pack and see the kid fail. Null came to the NFL from a small-college program that ran a spread offense, and he has received virtually no reps in practice. At this stage of his career, starting Null in a regular-season NFL game is crazily irresponsible. I wouldn’t mind it if the Rams worked Null into a fourth-quarter series here in there to get him acclimated, but nothing more than that.

As I wrote in today’s column, unless the Rams want to get RB Steven Jackson killed, they’d better get serious about drafting and developing a quarterback.

JEFF GORDON

Since the Rams just won a game, there is no reason to change quarterbacks. Had Bulger’s targeted receivers caught more of those balls within reach - like the would-be TD pass to Randy McMichael - his numbers would have looked better. The Rams need to throw more of those passes down the field. This is a check-down scheme, as it stands today, and Bulger is OK doing that. But how many more games can this team win checking down? When Bulger gets hurt again, Boller will get another chance. His mobility is a huge plus, but inaccuracy is a huge problem. As for Null, I would use him at the end of blowout losses to give him a taste of it.

BILL COATS

Boller isn’t a good fit for the offense, and Null simply isn’t ready to start - although I’d like to see him get some action in mop-up time. It’s become obvious that Bulger isn’t capable of reprising the kind of play he showed during his Pro Bowl seasons. Still, he’s the best option the Rams have right now.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)

It really doesn’t matter who takes snaps from center right now. Bulger isn’t getting it done, nothing in Boller’s track record suggests he would get it done and Null is too big a project to throw into the fire at this point. Boller would simply be a slightly different version of Bulger, a veteran whose future lies as a backup in the NFL. Null can’t possibly be ready for the NFL considering how little work he gets. Let’s also remember it took a while for him to win the 3rd QB job from Brock Berlin. That’s not exactly the sign of a player ready to jump into the fray. The entire 2009 Rams season is about one word - patience. Some things just aren’t going to get fixed this season and the QB position is one of them.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Many feel this Sunday’s game vs. Detroit is the Rams best chance of a victory this season. That said, if the Rams are to win, what are the keys to victory Sunday?

JIM THOMAS
The Lions have one of the worst pass defenses known to man. Some way, some how, the Rams’ receiver corps — yes, the Rams’ receiver corps — must exploit this weakness. Mr. Avery, here’s your chance for a breakout Sunday.

BILL COATS
If Calvin Johnson is in the lineup, the Lions are dangerous in the passing game. So, it’s essential that the Rams find a way to get some pressure on the quarterback. Offensively, the Rams should be able to move the ball against a medicore defense. They need to finish drives in the end zone instead of settling for field goals or, even worse, committing critical turnovers.

JEFF GORDON
Even with the loss of cornerback Bradley Fletcher, the Rams have enough defense to win this game. But . . . the Rams absolutely, positively have to ATTACK THE LIONS DOWN THE FIELD. If they come out firing and keep firing, they can create room for Steven Jackson. And they will actually score touchdowns! Of course, Marc Bulger can’t throw pick sixes while attacking the Lions. That would not be good.

KATHLEEN NELSON
The passing game needs to get going. Donnie Avery needs to shake off his injury assortment and catch a couple passes. Marc Bulger needs to regain his accuracy. A better passing game should open up the running game for Steven Jackson. On defense, someone needs a game-changing takeaway. The defense needs to muster more effective pressure on the QB. Chris Long would quiet his critics by doing the big, visible, obvious things in a big, visible, obvious way. Maybe a sack or two.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Do you believe the Rams’ troubles are due simply to a talent deficiency, or would you have expected more progress from this group as they near the halfway point of coach Steve Spagnuolo’s first season?

BERNIE MIKLASZ
Both. This is the worst roster in the NFL. But even where there is talent, the Rams don’t utilize it properly. One example: giving Steven Jackson only five touches in the second half of the Jacksonville game. (And ignoring Jackson at times in other games.) Another example: not playing No. 2 overall draft pick Jason Smith at left offensive tackle, where he belongs, from the time he checked into camp. And what’s up with this three-man rotation at OT? A third example: as a rookie DE, Chris Long was better in the pass rush than he’s been in this, his second season. Why has he regressed? Isn’t the pass rush supposed to be a Spagnuolo specialty?

JEFF GORDON
The Rams ARE horrible, make no mistake about it. But there are a lot of bad teams in the NFL this season and the others have found a way to win a game. If these coaches can’t find a way to win a game here or there while rebuilding, why would the next owner want any part of them? Everybody working at Rams Park today must realize that would-be owners are paying attention.

KATHLEEN NELSON
Few problems in life have simple solutions. The Rams’ talent at wide receiver has been depleted and not replenished over the last three years. Marc Bulger has yet to achieve the level of proficiency that led to two Pro Bowl appearances. Injuries also have set back the team’s progress. The players are learning a new system, and the coaching staff has endured growing pains. Five lopsided losses must be discouraging to fans, though.

BILL COATS
Obviously, the Rams’ talent pool is very shallow. Still, I did think that by this point, they’d have a couple of wins. I actually thought 7-9 was possible before the season began. That’s probably not going to happen.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
Count me in the group that believes that it’s as simple as not having enough good players. The things Spags is trying to implement have worked extremely well in Philadelphia and New York so there’s no reason they wouldn’t work here if they can get the right players. 99 percent of the time it’s talent that wins in pro sports. Bill Belichick was known as “Beli-choke” when he was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns and he got run out of town. Since he took over in New England and had a team with some talent he’s now an NFL “genius” with his own family of coaching assistants who are now running their own teams at the college and pro level. I don’t know if Steve Spagnuolo will be a difference maker as head coach or not, but that’s because there’s no way to determine that until the talent on the squad is upgraded significantly.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: If the St. Louis Rams were to take a quarterback in the first round of next year’s draft, which current college quarterback would you suggest they select?

BERNIE MIKLASZ
Very tough call, and of course I reserve the right to change my mind later, after these kids play more games and also go through the NFL Scouting Combine. Because a lot can change between now and the draft. But if we are talking right now, I’d go with Washington’s Jake Locker. Big (6-3), strong and athletic, Locker has a plus arm, and a quick release. He’s been thriving in the pro-style offense installed by first-year head coach Steve Sarkisian. Also, Locker is being tutored by one of the best, QBs coach Steve Clarkson, who in the past has worked with Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Leinart and others. Clarkson cleaned up Locker’s mechanics and the improvement was immediate. And keep in mind that Locker is getting it done at Washington, and he’s not surrounded by elite talent. That makes his performance even more impressive.

Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen has moved up as an NFL prospect. Clausen has always had the natural talent, but he’s grown at Notre Dame, and is more physically imposing now. Looks like a tough kid, too. He is certainly used to pressure and it doesn’t get to him. The best is yet to come for Clausen. The red flags are out on Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford; it’s not only the shoulder injuries, but the questions of whether he can throw while under pressure, because he doesn’t encounter much of a pass rush at OU. Cincinnati’s Tony Pike could be the steal of the draft; he’s likely to be downgraded and drop down the board because of multiple injuries to his left wrist. But he’s a player. Not sure if Colt McCoy (Texas) has the frame, but he seems like a good fit for a West Coast offense. Jevan Snead (Ole Miss) has been touted by scouts and draftniks, but I haven’t seen enough (yet) to get excited by his NFL future. Again, that could change. All of this could.

VAHE GREGORIAN
With his bum shoulder this season, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford may be losing stock for the 2010 draft or may even be considering waiting another year to come out. But if he’s available, the Rams would be wise to snap him up. Although he could stand to be more mobile, especially considering the Rams line, last year’s Heisman Trophy winner has all the tools to build a team around: accuracy (67.9 percent of his passes last season), height (6-4) and a leadership presence that makes players want to play better just for him, OU coach Bob Stoops says. Maybe some will see the shoulder injury and apparent aggravation of it last week against Texas as something chronic or signs he is brittle, but sometimes quarterbacks just get hit and hurt. There’s no reason to think it’s anything more with Bradford.

JEFF GORDON
After watching Florida, Notre Dame, Texas and Oklahoma play recent games, I didn’t see a first-round candidate on the field. It’s nice that Colt McCoy can use his feet and make plays on the move, but can you put a rebuilding franchise on those shoulders? The ideal scenario would be Bradford electing to come out in this draft and slipping into the second round because of his shoulder injury. He could be a great second pick.

REID LAYMANCE
The shoulder injuries this season are a bit of concern but Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford still best fits the NFL mold at 6-4, 223. A junior, he could still come back for another season at OU but it’s hard to tell if that will help his draft status. Say what you want about Mel Kiper, the ESPN draft guru, but he had Bradford at No. 1 before the second shoulder injury against Texas and dropped him only to No. 5 overall. Jake Locker of Washington is moving up after his team upset USC but Bradford has a better track record. Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow are both proven winners in college. Tebow isn’t asked to win as often with his his arm as his legs so the jury is still out if that style translates to the NFL. The darkhorse could be Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen, a junior, but I’d rather see a few more wins out of him before we start thinking he could be a Joe Montana story.

KATHLEEN NELSON
First, I’d suggest they seriously consider whether they want to take a QB so early. In the past five drafts, a dozen QBs have been taken in the first round.

2009: Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez
2008: Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco
2007: JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn
2006: Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler
2005: Alex Smith, Aaron Rodgers and Jason Campbell

Eight of the 12 are starters. Only Rodgers and Flacco rank among the league’s top 10 QBs in yardage. Only Ryan and Rodgers rank among the top 10 in QB rating. Only Ryan and Cutler start for teams above .500 this season.

If they insisted on taking a quarterback, maybe they could take a shot at Jimmy Clausen. The scouting reports say he has a stronger arm than Colt McCoy or Sam Bradford, and he seems to get more snaps under center than the other two.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
Can my answer be “nobody?” With Sam Bradford’s shoulder possibly requiring season-ending surgery, I can’t see a QB that I would spend a high first-round pick on. Colt McCoy doesn’t have the prototpyical arm or strength, Tim Tebow has goofy mechanics and has never run anything remotely resembling pro style offense and Jevan Snead is having an awful year at Ole Miss. Cincy’s Tony Pike is hurt and I like both Jimmy Claussen and Jake Locker but they don’t exactly have long track records of success in college.

If Bradford’s shoulder were 100 percent healthy come the spring I’d take him over all the others, but shoulder injuries are scary. If I had to pick someone today it would be Locker. He has the size, arm strength and athleticism to be an NFL star.

I’d rather have safety Taylor Mays from USC, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska or receiver Brandon LaFell from LSU over any of the QB’s though.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: The Rams had just one rushing first down and a total of 55 yards on the ground Sunday. This against a Jacksonville defense that was ranked 18th in the league coming into the game. What happened to the Rams run game Sunday?

JIM THOMAS
True, Jacksonville was 18th in run defense, but they were a top 10 team in yards per carry allowed. So you knew the rushing yards wouldn’t come easy. But you’ve still got to try. Jacksonville kept pounding away with Maurice Jones-Drew, and he ended up with 100 yards-plus and saw some key runs down the stretch. Especially with Donnie Avery out, there’s no excuse for not using Steven Jackson more in the second half.

BILL COATS
The blocking up front was poor, affording Jackson little room to operate. Also, Rams OC Pat Shurmur called almost twice as many pass plays as he did runs — 35-18. That wasn’t a bad strategy, however, since the Jaguars ranked 30th in the league in pass defense.

JEFF GORDON
Once Donnie Avery got hurt, the Rams showed little interest in throwing the ball downfield. Once they decided to attack only a portion of the field, the Jaguars could load up against the run without concern and outnumber the Rams blockers. If this team can’t mount a halfway decent downfield aerial threat, Jackson will find little running room from here on out.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Given time in the pocket, do you think Marc Bulger is capable of rediscovering the accuracy that marked his play earlier in his career?

BERNIE MIKLASZ
When Bulger was at his best, 2006, he was throwing to Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce and Kevin Curtis. And Steven Jackson was having a career year in the backfield. The last time the Rams won a playoff game, 2004, Bulger not only had Holt, Bruce and Jackson, but Marshall Faulk also contributed 1,000+ yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving). If the quality around Bulger is above-average, he can be an efficient quarterback. And there’s no doubt his completion percentage would go up. But he’s not the type of QB who can elevate a team. He needs the cast around him.

JIM THOMAS
Sure. But it pays to have receivers that can consistently gain separation and get open. And that obviously hasn’t always been the case this season with a young, unproven receiving corps.

BILL COATS
He’s very accurate in practice, when pressure isn’t being applied. So, you’d have to assume that he could be accurate on Sundays if protected. It also would help him if the Rams had a more formidable stable of receivers.

JEFF GORDON
Accuracy from the pocket will not be a problem for Marc IF the Rams protect him. He will make some nice throws. But will the offensive game plan allow him to attack opponents with those mid-range passes he can hit all day? Also, will his lack of mobility prevent him from succeeding on the roll-out and bootleg passes that Kyle Boller throws so well? Those questions will remain even if the offensive line can build a sturdy pocket for him.

KATHLEEN NELSON
Time in the pocket isn’t enough to revive the passing game. The Rams need reliable receivers as well as improved pass protection.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
I suppose it’s possible but a lot of that accuracy early in his career was the product of having top-shelf receivers. Those guys caught everything they were supposed to and then caught some more just for good measure. More time to see a play develop is always going to help but having proven, Pro Bowl caliber receivers like Holt and Bruce had as much to do with those high completion percentages as the amount of time Bulger had to throw the ball. More time to throw would benefit Bulger, no doubt, but more time and more talent at wide receiver would be the only way to do a true comparison between Bulger now and Bulger back then.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: What a night Thursday was. Cards lose in the bottom of the ninth. Mizzou gives up 27 points in the fourth quarter and falls to Nebraska. Blues give up 1-0 lead to lose their home opener. In your time covering sports here in St. Louis, what has been the most devastating loss you’ve witnessed?

DAN O’NEILL
What happened Thursday night was bad, but not close to being the most disappointing for this scribe. There was the Cardinals losing Game 7 of the 1968 World Series to Detroit, with Bob Gibson on the mound and Curt Flood misplaying a ball in center field. Gibson losing Game 7 — unthinkable. …There was Missouri’s overtime loss to Nebraska in 1997 when the Cornhuskers caught a bogus tipped pass in the end zone to stay alive. … Missouri’s basketball loss to UCLA in the 1995 NCAA Tournament when Lollipop Guild member Tyus Edney went the length of the floor with six seconds remaining. … the Don Denkinger call in the 1985 World Series. … Adam Vinatieri’s 48-yard field goal as time expired to beat the Rams in the Feb. 2002 Super Bowl. … Neil O’Donoghue’s miss from 50 yards as time expired in Washington, denying the Football Cardinals a playoff spot in 1984. … all were more disappointing than Thursday.

JIM THOMAS
Well, that’s a lot of ground to cover. I was in Oklahoma that sunny day in 1986 for the Norman Conquest: Sooners 77, Missouri 0. LB Brian Bosworth — The Boz — eating a hot dog, standing near the stands in the second half. … I covered a succession of Missouri basketball losses to the likes of Northern Iowa and Rhode Island in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. … And I’ve seen the Rams lose in just about every manner conceivable. But I have to go with Super Bowl XXXVI, New England’s stunning Super Bowl triumph over St. Louis. The Rams, Mike Martz, the Greatest Show on Turf were never the same after that one.

JEREMY RUTHERFORD
For sure, the Rams’ 20-17 Super Bowl loss to New England in 2002 was the worst in recent memory. Watching the Rams tie the score and then seeing Tom Brady march the Patriots 53 yards on six completions for Adam Vinatieri’s game-winning field goal was tough. But I’m going to throw another heartbreaker into the mix for the hockey fans. … It happened on Dec. 6, 2006. With a sellout crowd in attendance at Scottrade Center, where a lavish pregame ceremony took place to retire Brett Hull’s No. 16, the Blues laid a complete egg in a 5-1 loss to the Red Wings. To me, that was rock bottom of the Blues’ freefall. I’ll never forget Hull doing an interview with a few us during the game, and he made a comment about it being a great night despite the debacle on the ice. A few days later, Blues coach Mike Kitchen was fired, and the Andy Murray era began.

BILL COATS
Game 7 loss to the Tigers in the 1968 World Series. Cardinals were up 3-1 in the series, then Curt Flood slips in center field, then Mickey Lolich shuts down the bats. That took a while to get over.

KATHLEEN NELSON
Game 7, 1985, the game after the Denkinger fiasco against KC. The Cardinals lost 11-0. For goodness sake, it was the seventh game of the World Series and the Cardinals totally flopped. Their inability to rebound for the biggest game of the year was far more disheartening than losing because of a blown call.