Dennis: Jim,
I love reading your articles, just two questions:

1) Who do you think the Rams should take with their first round pick? (I think C. Long or Dorsey are our best bets)
2) Do you think the Rams will have a new GM and President by next season and if so who do you think would be the best fits?

Thanks for your time.

Jim Thomas: 1.) I would take Long. But I wouldn't quibble with Dorsey.
2.) I think the Rams will have a new head of the personnel department (I don't know if he'll have the GM title.) I believe Shaw will step back to more of a consultant role and Zygmunt will remain president. (This is just my educated guess.)

james: Jim,

I read that Mr. Shaw and Mr Zymut might be leaving, when can we expect that? In my opinion, they are a large part of the problem. We've had 3 good years out of what 25? Whether or not the coach had a big say in drafting, we have done so very poorly. If we had a real GM, one capable of evaluating talent instead of relying on statistical analysis, things would probably be better.

I still can't believe that Rams weren't allowed to coach the Senior Bowl. One of the biggest mistakes in years. A chance to work with these kids all week and we blew it because we can't get our coaching situation settled, what a disgrace.

Coach Linehan is still a joke. He keeps hiring FOSL's and what does he have to show for it? I know you advocate giving the guy another year as Mr Vermeil had a poor record, but lets look at the facts. Dick Vermeil never lost his players. They always played hard, even when they stunk. Mr Linehan had 3 Pro-Bowl players argue or yell at him on the sideline this year, including Torry Holt! If that isn't a sign that he lost the team I don't know what is.

I just pray that Mr. Rosenbloom gets real football people in the front office and hopefully within the next few weeks. There is plenty of blame to go around for our bad season, but it all starts at the top.

GO RAMS!

Jim Thomas: I guess you forgot the near-revolt under Vermeil early in the '98 season when player rep D'Marco Farr went up to Vermeil's office to voice a formal complaint about many problems with practices, etc.
And at the end of the '98 season, several players either skipped the team flight from the season finale at San Fran and/or skipped the season-ending team meeting the next day. Sound familar?

Nick: Jim,
Any chance the Rams try and sign a WR in free agency? I hope they decide to keep Bruce, but if they do an he is in a demoted role are the Rams content with Bennett as the no.2? I would love to see a Bernard Berrian or Bryant Johnson, personally...

Jim Thomas: In Linehan's mind, I think WR might be his top need. Since there really isn't a WR prospect in the draft worthy of a top 10 pick, I think free agency might be the way to go. You'd have to overpay for Berrian, but didn't the Rams' overpay for Bennett? Didn't the Eagles overpay for Curtis? In a sense, Berrian strikes me as a one-trick pony _ a deep threat. But isn't that what the Rams need?

bfulton: Any new word on adding a personnel man? I understand that the front office doesn't want to saddle a new owner with too many new guys but they are making a lot of changes amongst the coaching staff. With free agency and draft coming up, doesn't even make sense to make changes in the personnel office at this point?

Jim Thomas: I expect Softli to be around at least until the end of the draft. We're too close to free agency and the draft to change personnel chiefs right now.

Kevin: Hi Jim,
I live in Nj but have followed the Rams since LA. First question, what are these people thinking when talking about trading Steven Jackson? This is a guy in his prime and one of the best in the league. When he's not in the lineup look at the #'s. Second, would you go defense line or OL or trade down with the #2 pick? and finally who would you go with for OC? Keep Bruce!!..He's still a gammer!
Thanks and have a good one.

Jim Thomas: I know the Packers since Steven Jackson is the best back in the league.
I would go defense with the first-round pick.
And of course, Saunders is nowt he OC.