Hen: Hi Jim,

I have so many questions or rather concerns with the state of the Rams. 1) Why did Linehan get a pass with the injuries and Boudreau did not? 2) What role will the 2nd round pick Leonard have next year if Pittman beat him out? An undersized FB? I thought Linehan was going to look at the things he did wrong but it looks like he is hiring another of his long time associates from the Bucs. What role...OL coach? Does he have any experience as an OL coach in the NFL? 3) Will we continue to carry 4 tight ends and no true fullback? 4) Why are the Rams waiting around to make the changes that are needed?

We got rid of Hedgecock & Fitzpatrick, signed Bennett & Ferrotte (2 million/yr). I have concerns that the Rams will continue to make poor personnel decisions.

The biggest concern I have is that I don't think Linehan gets the most out of the talent he has. Good coaches do. I would appreciate your comments.

Jim Thomas: There are more questions than answers this time of year, but here goes:
1.) Maybe it's because Shaw made the decision on Linehan; while Linehan made the decision on Boudreau. But I do agree that Boudreau got the short end of the stick.
2.) It was very puzzling that Leonard barely got the ball over the final 8 games. I'm not saying the guy is Red Grange, but he did rush for 100 yards against Arizona. Personally, I'm not sold on Pittman as the No. 2. Yes, he flashed once or twice, but that was about it.
3.) McMichael and Klopfenstein are the only TEs sure to come back; I don't think Byrd is long for the Rams, and Walker is an unrestricted free agent. But it would be nice to have a true blocking fullback on goal-line and short-yardage plays, wouldn't it?
4.) Obviously, except for your own players, nothing can be done about signing players until the "league year" begins the first week of March with the start of the free agency and trading period.
As for coaches, with the elimination of the Cowboys from the playoffs, some of the dominoes should start to fall very soon. I don't think Linehan has as much time to assemble his staff as he thinks.

Don: Jim, So much, yet so little happening. Can you give us a glisps of what you think will happen Ram-wise in the next 2-3 weeks, as well as your opinion on those happenings?
As I always tell you "Please give us some hope!"

Jim Thomas: After the summit meetings conclude this week in LA, the coach staff and scouts will head to Mobile, Ala., for the Senior Bowl. At the very latest, Linehan should have his coaching staff completed by then.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, nothing really can happen in terms of player acquisition until March (unless the Rams re-sign some of their own players).
I know fans, and media, want the answers to everything immediately. It's the nature of the society we live in today. But the offseason takes months to unfold, and we won't have a good idea of the shape of this team until after the draft in late April.

Loren Baker: I am a lifetime Ram fan and even had my picture taken with Torry Holt at the Pro Bowl a few years back at the JW Marriott. He seemed like a great guy who had passion for what he does. This is the reason out of everything that went on this season him yelling at his coach really opened my eyes. I hoped it opened coach Linehan's eyes as well. We do have leadership on this team and Linehan needs it now more then ever. I live in Idaho so I really want him to succeed. I even watched a few games with his Nephew here in Boise. My question is if we hire Cam Cameron what will Coach Linehans responsibilitis be. He will have a offensive coach and a defensive coach with much more experience then he has and what respect will he generate from these two. I feel for the guy they are almost putting him in a no win situation. If the Rams do well its the coordinators the Rams have and if they fail its still falls back on the head coach. What does Linehan need to do to make this a win for him.

Boiseramfan

Jim Thomas: At the start of the 2007 season, only 10 of 32 NFL head coaches were calling their own play. So having Linehan as the CEO, overseeing what's happening on offense, defense and special teams with input in all three areas, is what most coaches do in the NFL.
Under your scenario, if the Rams click with Cameron as OC and Haslett as DC, Linehan will still be a head coach. Which is what he wants.

Pat Morrill: Jim,
What do you think the chances that the Ram's bring in Cam Cameron in? If they do would the offence be his or would Linehan have the same amount of involvement as he did with Olsen? If not Cameron is there any other names getting tossed around Ram's Park?

Thank you,
A die hard Ram's fan in Massachusetts

Jim Thomas: As I wrote in last Saturday's paper, and it was also on Stltoday.com, the new offensive coordinator will call the plays. So by definition, I don't think Linehan will have the involvement he had with Olson. Other possibilities that I've heard of through team and league sources are Bill Callahan, Chan Gailey, Mike Mularkey, and Ken Zampese. Supposedly, the Rams have a working list of 10 to 12 candidates.
I think Cameron is a longshot. It apears that he has a few options (Baltimore, especially), and I think he might want to bring in an assistant or two to the offensive staff, which I'm sure Linehan wouldn't be crazy about.

Brian from Vegas: Jim,
Thanks so much continuing these chats. I wanted to know what you thought of the following young players, in regards to their NFL ability, skill and intangibles. They should represent the "core" of the Rams team the next few years. If you have any comments on their contract status or likelihood of resigning with the Rams, I would appreciate you sharing it.

Alex Barron
Ritchie Incognito
Tye Hill
Ron Bartell
Victor Adeyanju
Jerome Carter
Jon Alston and Claude Wroten - ha ha, just kidding

Jim Thomas: Barron--Remains an enigma. Immature, needs to be pushed as a worker. Doesn't like to lift weights. But has the physical attributes to still be a special player. Seems to play his best against the best competition. Underrated in terms of toughness; has played hurt on several occasions over the past couple of years.
Incognito--He's the style of player that Linehan prefers on the line. Big, strong, and physical, with a nasty streak. Trouble is, Incognito at times has too much of a nasty streak and his temper has gotten him _ and the team _ in trouble on more than one occasion in the past two seasons. Injuries also have to be a concern after Incognito appeared in only four of 16 games because of ankle and knee problems.
Tye Hill--I think Hill was starting to come into his own during the '07 season when he suffered his season-ending wrist injury against Atlanta on Dec. 2. Remember, he missed four games at the start of the year with a back injury, so you have to wonder about his durability, particularly since he's undersized. Hill is very competitive, still needs to work on his tackling, has the speed and quickness to cover the league's fastest receivers. He's a guy who wants to get better.
Ron Bartell--Bartell has grown on me. He has the size and speed that Haslett loves in a CB. He has better playmaking ability that he was given credit for coming out of college. Still needs to use his size to be more physical, although he's getting better in this area. Quicker receivers give him some trouble, but he's good in the slot.
Victor Adeyanju--Unless he suddenly develops pass rush skills, Adeyanju will never progress beyond being a role player and rotation player. He is a high effort player, who's pretty good against the run. As he fills out his frame, he could end up being 290-plus and provide value as a rotation player at end and tackle.
Jerome Carter--He had a reputation as a hard-hitter coming out of college, cut I've yet to see it in the NFL. When healthy, I thought he was a disappointment on coverage units. When he's gotten a chance to play safety, he has shown some playmaking ability from time to time. I think he's a backup.
All of the above players are under contract with the Rams for '08 except for Carter, who's a restricted free agent.