BE13.DROOPY: hey jim can you tell us what other coaching positions the rams still need to fill. Also what do you think about the things BD and SS have done so far as putting this organization back on track to win games. Also have you heard anything about trading players or who the rams are targeting in free agency

Jim Thomas: Here's the lineup:
OFFENSE
Coordinator--Pat Shurmur
QBs--Dick Curl
RBs--Sylvester Croom
WRs--Charlie Baggett
OL--Steve Loney and Art Valero
Frank Leonard is either the tight ends coach or quality control coach--
Assuming Leonard is the TEs coach, then the Rams just need a quality control coach
Overall quick assessment: A very experienced group.
DEFENSE
Coordinator--Ken Flajole
Defensive line--Brandon Daly
Linebackers--Paul Ferraro (I think--Ferraro was announced only as a defensive assistant)
Safeties--Andre Curtis (I think--he was announced only as a defensive assistant)
Cornerbacks--????
(Quick note: some teams split up the secondary this way, with one coach for corners, one for safeties)
Quality control--Matt House
Overall quick assessment: Not so experienced group. Assuming Spagnuolo will be more hands-on here.
SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR: Tom McMahon
STRENTGH & CONDITIONING: Rock Gullickson. (And possible assistant Chuck Faucette)
So overall it looks like the Rams need at most one more coach on offense, one more on defense, and an assistant strength coach.
As for your other question, really haven't heard anything substantive on trading players (some rumors that the team is floating Pace's and Holt's names) or free agency.

zn2003: Demoff sounds like a great hire, but there are some inconsistent descriptions of his duties which make it sound like he's more than just a caps guy serving under the GM (which is how most teams with empowered GMs slot the caps guy). If it's true that he reports independently to ownership on all business and football matters, then he isn't really a Devaney subordinate, but more like an equal. I wonder if it's smart to give a GM final say over the entire football side and then not let him be the exclusive voice speaking for his decisions to ownership (after all he takes the heat for his decisions, not the "liaison" if that's what the new guy is.) Also, giving the cap guy some independent say is not only not typical in the NFL, it has a bit of Zygmunt Lite to it (I am not talking about personalities, but about assigned roles: should cap guys have a say in personnel, or be advisors to the GM?). If any of that is accurate it strikes me as an unusual way to set up a front office, which normally has a strict and clear chain of command. I noticed before in Rams history that John Shaw set up shakey command structures that relied more on trusting the individuals involved than on structuring things so they would work efficiently (for example giving Armey, Martz, and Zygmunt equal say and equal votes in 2000, and we saw where that went). The issue isn't whether anyone can trust these guys (Demoff and Devaney) but whether that's a good organizational set-up (people will be people after all.) Out here in Readerland we don't have enough info, but based on the little I've read, it looks to me like they didn't want a team president but then couldn't do without some of the duties normally handled by a team president, so they assigned some of those duties to Demoff, in effect potentially making him an equal voice with Devaney. (Or more than an equal voice in some respects.) Or did they deliberately *intend* to have a double-headed set-up? But then as I said, nothing is clear about this, so it's hard to say. Your thoughts? Ideas? Insights? Revelations?

...

Jim Thomas: Obviously, the Killer Ds _ Demoff and Devaney _ must be able to work together, and work together closely, since Demoff does the contracts and Devaney handles the cap. But to be honest, I don't know where they stand on the organizational depth chart. Are they considered equals? Does Devaney report to Demoff? Or Demoff report to Devaney? I'll try to find out.
And just for all of you with Shaw-phobia, remember, Demoff is the son of Marvin Demoff, the longtime NFL agent. Marvin Demoff is a very, very good friend of John Shaw. But before you start spinning conspiracy theories, keep in mind, I think young Demoff is good. In fact, Jim Haslett was in favor of hiring him had Haslett gotten the job.

ramfandan: Ramfandan: Hi Jim ! Being a Ram PSL season ticket holder from Wisconsin, it sure was fun making frequent visits to Concordia U. training camp last summer.
Have you heard what the timetable might be in deciding if the Rams will be returning to Wisconsin this summer or hold camp in St.Louis ?
I thought the field facilities were first rate and the temperatures (Lake Michigan shoreline ) conducive to good workouts.

Jim Thomas: My sense is that the team will return to training in St. Louis. I too loved the set up at Concordia, and I think the players and coaches liked it up there, too.

Ed in Vancouver Canada: HELLO JIM;

will you be able to attain the scouting combine? And if so will you be able to get a 1-1 interview w/ Spags???

Jim Thomas: Sorry for the delay. We have had some computer problems with our blogs and chats today. Thanks for your patience. Yes, I will be attending the combine. And yes, I should have access to Spagnuolo there.

Jimmy: Hi Jim,

Since Spags is almost done shaping his staff, do you have any insight as to who he would want to bring in free agency? Or do you know what direction they'll go, whether it's offensive or defensive players.
Have you seen Aaron Curry play? Watched him a few times but I think he's more suited as an OLB instead of a MLB. What do you think?
And is there any truth that Holt will be traded to the Giants or any other team?

Thank You

Jim Thomas: No insights yet on Spags' thinking.
Haven't seen Curry play. Everything I'm told is that he's an outside linebacker.
There have been some rumors floating around on Holt, but so far, nothing more than that.