BillP: Hello Jim, I just read your Sunday article, and it mentions Devaney saying that it's his responsibility to make sure the coach gets the type of players he's looking for in the college draft. How is this concept different from the previous drafts where Martz and Linehan had strong input as well and they basically got who they wanted? What's different now as oppossed to what we were doing in previous years? Thanks and have a good week!

Jim Thomas: Sorry for the delay in getting started. There's a lot going on around here, as usual.
In the past, even pre-dating Martz, the Rams always seemed to defer to the head coach (over the personnel dept. head). Now it seems to be the other way around. Obviously, Devaney will work closely with the next head coach, but now it's Devaney who has the tiebreaker _ and not the head coach. It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

Ed in Vancouver Canada: Re: Head Coach hire.

Once this Sunday's game between the Ravens & Titans is over, when should we expect to have a interview date set-up for interviewing Ryan & Schwartz???

And more importantly have you heard and rumours to whom they might bring in to be the OC & DC?

Jim Thomas: League rules are specific on this matter: If your team has a first-round bye (this year, it's the Giants, Steelers, Panthers, and Titans), coaches can be interviewed during the wild-card week, but all interviews have to be done by Sunday of wild-card weekend. So the Rams had all last week to interview Schwartz _ or any coaches from those four teams that had byes. They did not interview Schwartz. The thinking, as explained to me at Rams Park, was that Devaney already knew Schwartz pretty well from being part of the interview process last year in Atlanta. (Schwartz was interviewed by the Falcons.) So there was no need for a preliminary interview. Schwartz could be brought back for the finalist round of interviews. Now that the wild-card weekend has passed, the Rams can't interview Schwartz until after the Titans are eliminated from the playoffs.
As for Ryan, he and the Ravens were involved in wild-card weekend, obviously defeating the Dolphins. The rules for coaches who are involved in wild-card games is that they can be interviewed the following week if they win their wild-card games. So the Rams can interview Ryan anytime this week. The problem is that the Ravens have a short work week _ they are playing at Tennessee on Saturday _ and a source who's very close to Ryan has indicated that the doesn't want to do any interviews until after the Tennessee game. So the very earliest he could be interviewed by the Rams would be this coming Sunday.
Hope that makes sense.
I have no idea who Schwartz and Ryan would be thinking about as an OC or DC.

Ed in Vancouver Canada: Jimmy as of today and what we have learned about Billy and his process w/ the HC search moving forward could you honestly say things are looking bright. It's early but I am drinkin' the Billy D kool-Aid are you?
It's reasuring that he was in on the Atl hiring of Smith and how we can land a good football guy w/ true leadership skills

It's Kool-Aid time folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim Thomas: I just think it's weird that we're nine days into the offseason and there has been only one known coach interview _ Winston Moss on Saturday. What are the Rams waiting for? Do they plan on hiring the coach in March? There has to be more going on, and that's one of the reasons I'm scrambling on and off the chat today _ trying to find out.

donsods: Jim,
Lots of talka baout coaches, draft, & FA. The one issue out there that the fan base has been silent on is DT Claude Worten. Does he come back under any scenario? Did Haslett like him? Is he of any use? Not a a big NT--a big Ram need, but a physically talented lineman. I am curious.

Jim Thomas: Boy, there's one out of left field. To be honest, I haven't asked Haslett or Devaney about him. I'll try to do so at some point. But I seriously doubt if he's back. Remember, the Rams even filed a greivance to try to get some of his signing bonus money back.

marvin slay: Mr. Thomas,

This is what i don't understand.
Why draft a middle round quarterback for Bulger to "bring up"?
In other words why would we draft a mediocre quarterback for the future of the rams.
It just doesn't make any sense to me.
The future is with the quarterback. Why don't we draft the best one with the best potential on our second pick. Thats likely the Rams future right there.

Its worth it even if it delays immeadiate Offensive and defensive needs in liew of a possible decade or more of potential excellent quarterbacking.

BTW it always seems their is some 370 lb OT hiding somewhere in the european football league or somewhere else that seems to be able in a few games do well in the NFL with some training.

Your Thoughts?
Marvin Slay
San Diego

Jim Thomas: Just because a quarterback is taken in the middle rounds doesn't mean he's mediocre. Tom Brady was a sixth-round draft pick.
Hey, a new coach could change the entire dynamic, but right now _ like it or not _ the Rams are going with Bulger as their starter in '09. They feel they have more pressing needs at the top of the draft than quarterback.