Ram101: Jim why is everyone talking about the OT issue, that was not the problem with either line, it was the middle of both lines, no attitude, no power, no ability to move anyone any were, we need a Big mean Center and another Big mean Guard, then GO for a Big stout MLB and pick up a proven NT, move Carriker back to DE and presto! your thoughts

Jim Thomas: The Rams gave a lot of help to both tackles in pass-blocking situations over the course of the year. Pace will be entering his 13th NFL season and turns 34 in November. Barron is what he is. He has some durability and plays through injuries. But he still gets pushed back by the bull rush, commits too many penalties, and seems to lack a true passion for the game. He's entering the last year of his contract with the team. And there's no proven third tackle on the roster. So I would say tackle is a huge issue for this team.

Johnny: Hi Jim,

What was your reasoning for picking Eugene Monroe over the other tackles, that include Jason Smith, Andre Smith and Michael Oher? My top two picks for OT are Monroe and Oher though.
I am just wondering why if the Rams picked Rey Maualuga at the ILB position and them moving Witherspoon to the OLB, people are not happy with picking him that high. He has a better base than Aaron Curry, meaning his thighs and girth is more suited for the MLB than Curry. I understand that if you trade down, you risk of losing him to another team that might trade up to get him. And he is the only player that I see that will be like drafting a player that takes two positions.
What about moving Carriker back to his natural postion at DE. I believe he has been playing out of postion at DT and may flourish with this new coaching staff. Also, it will help the DE position with Little retiring at the end of the year as he has stated.
Is there any indications on them bringing back Trent Green? Or are they considering trying to get Jeff Garcia(a player that I hope they get) or David Carr as others have posted?

Jim Thomas: By all indications, Monroe is more of a finisher than Oher, and he's a better pass blocker than Andre Smith. And he doesn't have any of the background issues of Oher or Smith. So in that sense he's a safer pick.
As for Maualuga, the question is can he cover well enough to be an every down linebacker? If he's a liability on second-and-long or third-and-long, you simply can't spend the kind of money on him as a No. 2 overall pick.
Carriker wouldn't be much of a pass rusher as a defensive end, so it doesn't make much sense unless you're switching to a 3-4, which doesn't appear to be Spagnuolo's M.O. Also, if you moved Carriker outside, then you'd have to make DT a huge priority in the draft.
Don't know about Trent Green yet. But he did work with the new QB coach (Dick Curl) in Kansas City in 2006.

COGzilla: On the rams chat forum the question of our lb personnel is ofetn discussed.
i know you like pisa, but the guy has more missed tackles and tackles ten yards downfield than any other backer we have. spoon is our will. we know this to be true. what do you do with pisa, and please dont tell me he has a chance at sam.they do want to get bigger right? he is an awfully expensive backup will...is he gone???

Jim Thomas: Very good question. And I don't know the answer. I don't think Pisa moves well enough to be used at strong safety.

Dan in Honolulu: Coach Spagnuolo is a revered DC. No argument there. But is he HC savvy enough to know that the Offensive lIne is the foundation of the team and that the Rams O-line stinks right now? The Rams need depth at every line position, and because this years draft crop of LT's and interior three is thin, the Rams should trade down and get several big bodies? Agree?

Jim Thomas: You're assuming that there's someone willing to trade up. A player that somebody just has to have. And if you're the Rams I don't think you want to trade down too far.

BE13.DROOPY: Hey jim how do you like the coaching staff spags has put together so far do you think they are well qualified for the jobs. Especially the coordinators do you think theyre any good. Also who would you pick for the rams in the draft

Jim Thomas: I think Pat Shurmur is a bright mind and an up-and-comer as offensive coordinator. I don't know a lot about Ken Flajole as defensive coordinator, although I covered the University of Missouri in 1989-90 when he was defensive backs coach for Bob Stull. I can recall interviewing Flajole a couple of times on the Tiger beat. But he certainly did a good job with the Panthers linebackers at Carolina.
I'm not too hung up on the fact that most of these guys have some ties to Spagnuolo. To a large degree, that's what coaches always do.