Richard Spittlehouse: Hi Jim,

A few quick questions:

1) If the deal goes through, would Hartwig be a big upgrade on a fit Romberg?

2) In your opinion, will the Rams start next season with a WR corp of Holt, Bennett, Hall, Looker and Stanley?

3) Will Fakhir Brown play for the Rams next season? (Your comments last week suggested that he may be in trouble again!)

4) If the answer to 3) is no. Will the Rams make a serious bid to sign Lito Sheppard?

5) Are the Rams now boxed in to picking a DE with their first draft pick?

6) Will they trade down in the first round, in order to possibly have 2 picks in the second round, allowing them to pick a WR & a CB (two glaring needs)?

Thanks for your time.

Jim Thomas: 1.) I have been told by people familiar with Hartwig's play that he would be a considerable upgrade over Romberg.

2.) No. They will add someone, and right now, it's looking more and more like a receiver in the draft.

3.) For reasons I don't want to get into, I'm not allowed to say too much. Let's just say Brown's status looks precarious.

4.) Sheppards already is under contract, so he would have to be acquired via trade. The team is interested. To what extent, I'm not sure.

5.) Sure looks that way, although I wouldn't rule out OT Jake Long.

6.) I think the Rams wouldn't mind trading down a few spots to possibly pick up DE Vernon Gholston while adding a couple of extra picks. But Gholston has been so good in his workouts that I'm not sure he gets past the Raiders at No. 4 overall.

S. Monkey: Hi JT,
Thanks again for the forum. Any news on the Rams LB situation? It appears we are perfectly fine with Culberson/Draft replacing Chillar, or will he come back? Also, I have heard a rumor Julius Peppers is on the trading block. While I'm sure he'll command a Dwight Freeney sized contract, do the Rams have the ability to sign someone of that caliber giving their current cap situation? I know you can always tweak the numbers, but I didn't know if landing (and overpaying) a big time free agent was possible for us over the next couple years. Are we interested in Justin Hartwig? What about Devon Thomas from MSU, is he a possible WR candidate at #33? Thanks!

Jim Thomas: Chillar is close to making a decision. The Rams are still in it, but I still think his top choice is Arizona.
As for Peppers, I'm sure the Rams are evaluating him, but it's more than a little risky considering his lack of production last season (2 1/2 sacks). You always run the risk of paying for a "name" instead of a player.
The Rams have looked into Hartwig, but are concerned about his injuries. Don't know about Devon Thomas of MSU.