old cowboy: Gordo, Interesting comment by Martz saying he wasn't surprised by where the Rams are and their particulair state of disgrace. He alluded to lack of retention of players, your thoughts on this and does this fall squarely on the shoulders of Shaw and Zymunt?

Jeff Gordon: And the coaches, like Martz, who made their own mistakes. There is shared blame here. Nothing was ever Mike's fault when he was here. His unwillingness to hold himself accountable after stepping all over personnel decisions is one reason why he departed prematurely.

Zygmunt made too many personnel calls, since he was the keeper of the cap. Linehan made mistakes, too, like wanting Drew Bennett and later casting Bruce aside.

The Rams have been as hurt by the players they allowed to leave (Fletcher, Bly, Pickett, Curtis, Warner, et al) as some of the slugs they drafted.

John: Hi Jeff,

The games are too painful to watch; I have a good-looking Rams coat that's too embarrassing to wear; and the season tickets that we've owned since season one, game one, are too expensive not to use. Aaagh!

John

Jeff Gordon: I'll feel your pain. Feel free to see this week's tickets to a Bears fan, if you know one.

TTT: Gordo,

Thanks for the chats.

If you magically remove the second quarters from the last 3 games, the Rams would have gone 2-1 and would have been outscored only 41-29. Not horrible at all, and that’s ¾ of the games. Your thoughts please: Why would a team fold in 2Q and be okay for the other three? RE the decent showing in the 2nd halves, do you think Haslett might be doing a pretty good job at half-time “rallying the troops” or did the other teams just let up once it was over?

Jeff Gordon: Jim has been OK at halftime, but the team's habit of collapsing totally under duress is alarming. This speaks to the collective character (or lack thereof) of the group. The offense makes big mistakes and the defense just caves in.

NFL games always twist and turn. This team is so accustomed to losing that it just packs it up when trouble hits. This is why the team needs an extreme makeover, starting with the high-paid veterans.

9elbirdos: Gordo,
I was willing to give Bulger some slack but his play on Sunday in the first half was beyond ridiculous. He had all kinds of time and threw into double coverage without even looking the field over. He had his mind set with the snap where he was going with the ball. The Rams have got to cut their losses this year with him. If he goes some where else and excells more power to him. I don;t know about drafting another QB or signing a free agent or let Trent try next year but something has to change.The expermint with Carriker in the middle is also a bust they need a real dt in the middle of that defensive line. I know you have said all these same things but I just had to vent. The linebackers are even more of a joke they are way to small and playing out of position. Also it looks like Pace could be done for his career with the Rams. Thanks again for letting me vent.

Jeff Gordon: Can't argue with any of those points. Bulger is making mistakes a highly paid former Pro Bowler cannot make. He is at the wheel of this football team and he keeps driving into trees.

The LB play was shockingly bad. This defensive collapse is killing Haslett's campaign to be remove the "interim" tag.

9elbirdos: Gordo,

What is up with the Cardinal's waiting on signing a free agent 2basemen or ss? They should have had a player identified as to who they wanted right away. So that one of these two major needs should have been addressed already.

Jeff Gordon: Any Type A free agent would cost the Cards a first-round compensatory pick if the signing happens this month. IF the Cards are going to a mid-priced, short-term option like Renteria, then waiting until next months makes sense. If Detroit decides not to offer Edgar arbitration (and they won't), then he would be available without costing the Cards the pick.

The only top second baseman, Orlando Hudson, doesn't seem worth the top dollar. Furcal would be worth it at SS, but he would cost the Cards long-term money and the puck.

John Mozeliak has lots of trade chips, so he could go that route to get the needed middle infield help after buying LH relief help. He has made offers to a couple of lefties already.