Bobincorona: Jim,

You had reported that there was a restriction on what the Rams would want to pay for a head coach and then Chip came out and said there are no monetary limits in the search.

Did Chip change his mind and is now willing to pay whatever it takes or was his statement window dressing to pacify the fan base?

Personally when this dog and pony show is all over I still see Haslett being given the position with two high profile co-ordinators at his side with the reasoning that Haslett did a great job considering the situation.

Jim Thomas: I don't think Chip changed his mind. But I still think at the end of the day, the Rams are much more likely to be hiring a coach in the $2 million to $2.5 million range. Besides, almost all of the "high-priced" guys _ Cowher, Shanahan, Schottenheimer _ are out of the mix. None are looking to work in '09. So the point's kind of moot. Unless we're talking about _ on a slightly lower pay scale _ someone like Spagnuolo, Garrett, or even McDaniels.

Web: Thanks for taking our questions, Jim.

Do you think there's any way we could trade Bulger and Jackson? Just kidding.

How serious should we take these first-round coaching interviews (i.e. Moss, Frazier, Fassel). And, do you know what the problem was w/ Fassel the first time around (money, personality, interview, Zygunt/Shaw?).

Thanks

Jim Thomas: Hah-hah on Bulger and Jackson.
As for first-round interviews, one of them might just wow the Rams. Mike Tomlin wasn't at the top of Pittsburgh's list at first.
As for Fassel, my sense is he was more of an insurance policy (as a former head coach who had at least some degree of success) in case the less proven guys (finalists Linehan, Cam Cameron, and Ron Rivera) shot craps in their final interviews.
With that, I'll have to go. Talk to you all next week.