Chris: JT:

When is Linehan's contract up? I originally thought that he was signed for a 3-year deal with his last being this coming season, but I've heard another version that he has 2 years left on his contract.

If he has only 1 year left, what are the chances that Cowher would be hired as his replacement after this season?

Jim Thomas: Linehan is under contract through the 2009 season; he has two years left.

Charlie Connors: Jim,

When the offensive line doesn't block and the receivers do not get open, you get your first rushing td in week 8 or 9, is it possible for a Qb to look good?

Bad habits and all, how much better do you think Brady (who doesn't even know what it is like to be touched) Manning, etc. would have faired?

Also, why did Rams give Olson a 3 year extension after last year only to scapegoat him this year?

CC

Jim Thomas: Answer to Question No. 1: No doubt Bulger had next to no help. But he still could've done some things better. He conceded as much at the end of the season.

Answer to Question No. 2: They gave Olson a 3-year extension after last year in part because they weren't expecting to go 3-13 in '08.

Les Dean: Jim, Why are folks making such a big deal with the Rams trying to hire an OC? Most teams have a Head Coach and two Coordinators? I know Linny was brought in to run the Offence but many teams fire their OC and get another one.

Jim Thomas: It's just a byproduct of the intense interest in the NFL. And it's also a reflection on how bad the offense was in '07.

Steve: Jim...Rams management has experienced fan apathy in the past to the point where they had to relocate the franchise to St. Louis. Evaluating Shaw/Zygmunt's responses thus far to lackluster performances on the field and radical attendance declines...it appears the two didn't learn a thing from prior mistakes in LA. Because of this..it ca only be a good thing for St. Louis where ownership of the franchise is about to change hands.

I read where Georgia's son is going to sit on some of the team meetings this week in L.A.....any chance of getting a one on one with him and asking the right questions?

Jim Thomas: Actually, Rosenbloom has attended his share of league meetings in the past and meets regularly with John Shaw. Of course, we'll interview Rosenbloom when the time is right.

Larry in Alaska: Is there a way the club plans on freeing up cap room to persue free agents or do they plan on sticking and staying. Plus how does this effect signing a number 2 pick if they keep it?

Jim Thomas: The Rams are in pretty good cap shape to begin with for '08. But they can free up several million dollars alone by converting Leonard Little's $7.17 million roster bonus into signing bonus. (That's because for cap purposes, signing bonus money can be spread out over the length of a contract; roster bonus money cannot.) There are a few other players with high base salaries for '08 that can be converted into signing bonus to free up cap space.
The Rams' cap situation is such that it won't affect the signing of a No. 2 pick if they keep it.