Franklin: Oh Jim,

Any thoughts on C.J. Ah-You's long-term outlook in the NFL? Did David Roach open any eyes late in the season? Any other practice squad members/alumni on the ascent in Billy D's eyes?

It's me,
Franklin!

Jim Thomas: Ah-You just completed his second season on the practice squad. He shows some occasional flash on the practice field, but isn't very big. He has just one more season of practice squad eligibility, so he's running out of time to make a move.
As for Roach, I do think the Rams like him, and he will have a chance to make the 53-man next August.

Bryan: Do you know which HC candidate is at the top of the Rams list? Also is it true that if Haslett is picked that he will try to bring Mike Martz back? I sure hope not.

Jim Thomas: The Rams are still formulating their list. So it's too early to identify a frontrunner.
Haslett has thought about the possibility of seeing if Martz wants to come here. I'm not sure if team managment would be crazy about that idea.

Mitch From San Diego: Hi Jim,

Thanks for the offseason chats. Please keep it up. The rest of the media ignores the Rams. My prediction as far as the great coaching search is that Jim Haslett will be retained. I'm fine with that. He would have been let go by now if managment were really considering going elsewhere. The "search committee" brought in by Mr. Devaney is to provide cover at the announcement. All these interviews are for information gathering as well as just plain window dressing.

There will be a new defensive coodinator, though. Bernie M. says Dom Capers and that makes plenty of sense based on his "Blitzburg" history he shares with Haslett. There could be a new offensive coordinator, too. Not sure about that one (I like Al Saunders) except bringing back Mad Mike would fill seats real fast just to see Haslett and Martz standing on the same sideline. There is precedent in fired head coaches returning in lesser roles with Gunther Cunningham and the Chiefs as well as Dave Campo and the Cowboys just to name two.

I also predict Al Roberts, the special teams coach, will be retained. These are easily the most consistently good special teams we've had in years. Haslett won't mess with that.

Of course, I could be completely wrong. You tell me.

Thanks, Mitch from SD

Jim Thomas: Sounds like you're a believer in conspiracy theories. I don't think there have been anything close to any guarantees made with Haslett. There will, in fact, be a new defensive coordinator if Haslett is retained, although Venturi will still be on the staff. And Capers indeed is a possibility. And although Capers is known as a 3-4 guy, he's capable of running a 4-3 as well.

Todd from Michigan: Hi Jim and thank you. Jim I was just wondering how come no Mariucci or Billick to interview for the Rams job?

Jim Thomas: Don't know what to tell you other than I have not heard their names come up at all.

fcoprado: Jim, How are you?
A question on Leslie Frazier:He is a Tony Dungy disciple of the Tampa cover 2 defense.Right.If so, how will he fit(if hired) with what the Rams want to do on defense wanting to get bigger instead of those undersized speed cover 2 defenses he comes from?I'm just tired of the Rams defense being undersized, getting run over and playing Lovie's D even after 5 years he left.

Jim Thomas: Frazier runs an interesting hybrid. It's part "Tampa 2" and part Jim Johnson (Philadelphia) blitzing. So I don't think it means the Rams will stay small if Frazier comes here.