ncdc: Hey Jim,

Someone is passing the buck. Your thoughts?

ncdc: Dear Gordo,

Have you heard if there is any interest on the Rams part in free agent DT Shaun Cody? As a three+ year starter for Detroit, he hasn't quite lived up to the USC and 2nd round hype, but at 6-4 308 would be very good as Carriker's backup/rotational player, IMO. Your thoughts?

Jeff Gordon: I would check with Jim Thomas to see if there is any interest there.

Jim Thomas: I believe Cody has signed elsewhere.

ernie from central california: Jim,

The Rams need additional makeovers (truth hurts), what do you think about trading their 2nd pick for Philly's 2 -#1's (21 and 28)? Philly would entertain that idea since they feel they are a player or two away from the big show. The Rams could then draft high quality and quantity, assuming that they are not back to their ole ? drafting ways. What do ya think?

Jim Thomas: I'm not sure if getting a 21 and 28 is enough for a No. 2. No. 2 is pretty high real estate.

Tim: IM not sure what I think of Barron being moved to Left tackle. Obviously he has all the potential to be elite at the LT spot, I think the best in the league. Obviously though just not the passion or focus. My question is how does one coach a guy to play harder, not make stupid mistakes, and play with some fire? Obviously Linehan not only failed with Barron but the rest of the team. COuld an offseason of old school weight lifting, harder work, and a Coach like Spagnolo really be the ticket or are those things that just can be coached? What do you think?

Jim Thomas: Well, you have to hope that's the case. But Barron has frustrated more than one set of head coaches and line coaches. He's still young enough to mature, but you have to wonder after four seasons in the league if he's going to change.

S. Monkey: Hi JT,

Thanks always for the chats. How do you see the defensive line shaping up for the start of the year? Will Little be our starting DE or will he and Adeyanju rotate? Will James Hall be used as an interior pass rusher or on the edge? Lastly, will there be any more additions to the DLine via the draft or remaining waves of free agency?

Jim Thomas: We'll see. Spagnuolo obviously may have other ideas. But I would guess Adeyanju is used on some run downs, with Little specializing in passing situations (but still being used on some run downs). Some scouts around the league think fairly highly of Adeyanju and feel he would be a pretty good 3-4 end. Obviously, Hall has value as an interior pass rusher on passing downs, and given Spagnuolo's track record at New York of often playing four DEs on passing downs, I would expect this to continue. As for additions, you've got to feel the Rams will add an interior guy. Right now, it's only Carriker and Ryan at DT. And I do know that the Rams have legitimate interest in Ziggy Hood.

OT RamFan: I watched Warner get destroyed with Martz offense and the same happened to Bulger, who unfortunately continued to get pulverized thereafter, all well-documented. Warner took a few years to recover but seems to have his courage and desire back, but he never had a contract like Bulger. My question: can you go back to what Warner was like at the stage Bulger is in and have any insight into the comparison of their psychological and emotional make-up and project your opinion with regard to Bulger ever making it back. My impression is Warner has a much tougher mental approach, would love to be wrong. Personally, I don't know how either of them took the beatings and went back. Warner didn't bounce right back and I don't think Bulger will either. Maybe Spags can speed the process with maximum protection schemes.

Jim Thomas: I don't really want to get into the psyches of Warner and Bulger, but I do think Warner is more of a natural leader than Bulger. I think a system with a more balanced approach on offense and a stronger defense will take some of the pressure off Bulger and allow him to get his mojo back. But on the other hand, who will Bulger be throwing to in '09? That has to be a concern. For years, he relied on Bruce and Holt, now they're both gone. Another factor with Warner, beyond getting beat up and or shellshocked. He has had that thumb issue (from his Arena League days), and when he started wearing a glove on his throwing hand in '07, his grip improved and his ball security improved. That has made a big difference in his amazing renaissance. (Although it doesn't hurt having Boldin and Fitzgerald on hand, either.)