lawdog: Now that we appear to have addressed the FB and SS holes in the lineup, and have let one of the best OLTs in the history of the game go due to diminishing skills and to free additional cap space, do you see us making serious attempts to sign another FA? Are there any quality OTs or LBs still available in the FA market that might realistically sign with a SOSAR squad like ours?

It would appear to me that our first three picks of the draft will be OT, LB and WR--probably in that order. Any ideas as to who may be available at those spots that we might actually draft?

Man 1999 seems like 1000 years ago... Thanks for giving us these glimpses from the inside!

Jim Thomas: Even with the release of Pace and Holt, the Rams aren't really swimming in cap space. Unless someone becomes available that the Rams just have to have, I don't see them making another big move via trade or free agency. The Rams barely had enough to squeeze in Butler under the cap before cutting Pace, Holt, and Becht. Then you sign Karney, Setterstrom, Eric Moore. The Rams want to re-sign Goldberg and Craft. Next up in terms of outside free agents probably are QB Gus Frerotte, and quite possibly blocking TE Billy Bajema. Each one of those players takes away another $300K, $500K, $1 million, $1.5 million from the cap, etc. Plus, the team's rookie salary cap will be about $6 million for the draft. But again, if the right guy is available, I think they'll find a way to create cap space.

As for free agency, there's not a whole lot left. Some names at LB--Angelo Crowell (injury issue), Morlon Greenwood, Cato June, Napoleon Harris; at WR, a lot of oldies--Amani Toomers, Ike Hilliard, Bobby Engram, D.J. Hackett; at OT, Harvey Dahl, Jon Runyan, Mark Tauscher. . .John St. Clair.

As for the draft, I'm really not ready to project into the second and third rounds right now. At this point, the first-round possibilities are pretty obvious.

dominic: Jim....welcome back!
We as fans need to remember this fact...the Rams were 5-27 with Torry Holt and Orlando Pace.And Bill Parcells always said it is better to release players one year sooner than one year later when they dont have anything left.With that being said,good move to our new front office.
1)Try and trade down for more choices.If not,take a playmaker instead of a tackle.Curry?Raji? We can get a tackle in the later rounds.....your thoughts?
2)Any names you hearing that the Rams are interested in signing?
3)Since my dream cut has been made,(Bennett),what are you hearing about Pisa? We all know he is so overrated.....agree?
Glad to have you back!!!!

Jim Thomas: 1.) Remember, it takes two to trade down. Somebody's is going to have to want a player pretty badly to trade up into a $50 million plus spot (No. 2 overall).
2.) Frerotte and Bajema are the only ones I know on the radar right now.
3.) Haven't heard anything about Pisa at this time.

nyramsfan: Jim,

I am ok with what the Rams have done but we need to make the releases of Holt and Pace make sense.They need to go with my plan and tell me what you think and if these guys are indedd on the Rams radar?

1) Please sign an solid OT like Scaffer from Clevland) or i do believe Womack from Seattle is available also (what do you think of the rececently realesed Kwame Harris of Oakland)
2) Draft Crabtree and move down some spots to gain some extra picks to add depth on the O line or D line
3) Pick up a linebacker like Crowell (who could be had relatively chep right now)
4) Sign Bajema the tightend from the 9ers
5) Draft Britton or Laurnitis(I know I butchered his name but the the spelling of his name evades me right now) in the second round if one is still avail and hopefully we can pick up an extra pick or 2 if we find a dance partner to move out of the number 2 spot but of course still grtting Crabtree
6) Sign a Dt like William Joseph or in a perfect world Tank Johnson but i know he does not meet the 4 Pillars but with that being said I maybe going out on a limb here but do not be so fast to drop Woten as he meets a need and though he does not meetthe 4 pillars he is a current Ram and not brought in via FA and I believe he should be give one final chance and a clean slate.

I think with the money we have saved from Holt and Pace and if you do go through with all these moves I mentioned you do have enough money to sign these players and the draft class of 09 and then maybe one or 2 other cuts for flexability.

Thanks,
Anthony

Jim Thomas: 1.) Womack recently signed with somebody. Don't know about Harris or Shaffer.
2.) Let's see how Crabtree's foot is in about a month.
3.) Another veteran LB would be great _ if you're not drafting Curry or a second-round LB.
4.) They do need a run-stuffing DT.
5.) I would be stunned if Wroten is around once his suspension ends.

NJ#1RAMFAN: Good Agternoon JT
1. Do you think we will ever get anything out of Tye Hill.
2. Is there any hope at all for Claude Wroten, or just write him off.
3. And my biggest concern, are you guys over rating Butler. People around here (New Jersey), are laughing saying that Butler stinks and we can have him. I tell them I think Spags knows what he is doing. Your take on Butler?

Jim Thomas: 1.) We're about to find out.
2.) See earlier answer.
3.) Butler's an upgrade over Chavous, but I don't think anyone around here regards him as the next Ronnie Lott.

Bopat: Hello Jim,
Any chance of trading Bulger to Denver for Jay Cutler?

Jim Thomas: What in the world is so great about Cutler? He has a 17-20 record as a starter. He throws a lot of interceptions _ 37 in 37 games. He's never been in a playoff game. His best passer rating is 88.5.