Dan Husselbee: Hey Gordo,

Why is it that neither one of our QB's seem to be able to hit Holt, Bruce, Bennett or Jackson at full stride. On Gus's first INT he had Holt wide open at least twenty yards had he got Holt the ball it was most likely a TD. Are the QB's (Mark-Gus) just not seeing the opening in time? It's no wonder the Rams don't hit on the big pass play anymore.

Oregon Ram Fan

Jeff Gordon: I'd argue that the Rams offense doesn't feature enough quicker routes that allow the QBs to hit the WRs in stride, hitting a seam with speed. That said. Bulger's lingering rib injury took away some of his arm strenght. Frerotte still has the gun, but he has never been as accurate as Bulger. But he certainly stepped Sunday in the first half.

Dan Husselbee: Hey Jeff,

Several times in the last year you've been asked what should be the fate of the Rams Head Coach Scott Linehan, you have been siiting on the fence long enough. At the end of the season should the Rams power base (John Shaw) make a change?

I've seen Corey Chavous miss so many tackles in the past two years, some cost us the game. Week 2 vs 49ers comes to mind. He nearly cost us again against Atlanta. Why isn't Ron Bartell playing safety? He can at least make open field tackles.

OregonRamsFan

Jeff Gordon: If the decision were made today, Linehan would have to go. No question. To this point, he hasn't demonstrated enough leadership ability to succeed at this level. But what if the Rams finish with a flourish, despite all the injuries? Since NFL teams just don't fire coaches in midseason, sportswriters shouldn't fire a coach in midseason.

Bartell has great value in his current role, as he proved in this game. So I would look to upgrade the safety position in free agency and/or the draft.

Dave: So have you finally stopped sipping that Mizzou Kool Aid? Most of your stuff is dead on but picking them over OU was irrational.

A couple things....

1. Does Chase Daniel thinking whining around and looking mad on the sideline shows leadership? His childish could not have helped to motivate his teammates.

2. What chance do you give Illinois against USC?

Jeff Gordon: Daniel is ultra competitive, so his frustation was understandable. He showed up Rucker a bit, which was unfortunate, but that was a heat of the moment thing. If I played, I'd rather have a guy like Chase than, say, Eli Manning.

Illinois can beat anybody, as we've seen. The D will make the Trojans work. If Juice has become the QB we saw at end of the year, look out.

How about the Illini-Tigers game next summer? How great will that be?

Bill: Here is a novel concept......stop complaining about the BCS! It is the system we have. Mizzou had a chance to control their own destiny and they got routed on National Television. It's simple, win the game and you don't have anything to worry about

Jeff Gordon: True, but safeguards are in order. If the system reward weak scheduling, then the industry will suffer. TV will lose good early season games and boosters will have to buck up to watch their team eat nothing but cupcakes in non-conference play. And the system simply must account for the fact that some teams play conference title games and others don't. Why should SEC schools suffer because they have the extra game? Their conference schedule is tough enough.

Buzz: Gordo,
I've been trying to think rationally about the second half meltdowns that the Rams keep suffering. I don't think the playcalling was overly conservative in this one. However, I do believe the problem started with Linehan's obsession with protecting leads at the expense of big play opportunities. This offense fragile pyche has been infected by his lack of confidence in them, and it won't be easy to reverse the trend. Sadly, I think we have just witnessed the final victory of the Scott Linehan era. The new HC must impart some swagger into this Murphy's Law worshipping group. Thanks.

Jeff Gordon: Fair point. This team got used to winning on the attack. This is what Holt and Bruce did. The holdovers from the "Greatest Show" don't do "measured" well. I get the need to be more careful than Martz, who seemed to dismiss turnovers as an issue.