LA Rams fan: Hey Jim,

Thanks in advance for the chat. Any chance the Rams will deal for Boldin?

What meaningful free agents are available on the defensive side that we might be able to stock up on?

Keep on kicking ass, Jim!

Jim Thomas: I don't know, but why wouldn't the Rams at least kick the tires with Boldin and Braylon Edwards?
As I mentioned earlier, Dewayne Roberston is still out there as DT; LB Morlon Greenwood I think is still available and could be an option. But at this stage, guys like that could be post-draft pickups.

Gabriel 2 Snow: Hi Jim, any updates on cadet Thomas?As for the Rams, ever since the Devaney hiring, I have been more & more impressed with the direction of this organization. Starting with Billy, then right on through the other front office hirings, the coaching staff, the players kept, together with the new players added, these are all the kind of people you want to see do well. The emphasis on character throughout the organization is transforming the atmosphere. It was impressive to be able to keep Bartell. Spags impressed him, just as he seems to do with everyone. I'm not saying we're on+our+way+to+the+playoffs+this+year.+I'm+just+saying+I+think+we+will+be+proud+of+the+group+trying+to+right+the+ship.+Wins+must+come+eventually+of+course,+but+most+of+their+moves+can+be+defended+logically.+All+retained+or+added+players+are+twenty+somethings+entering+their+prime.+I+say+well+done.+Games+are+along+way+off,+but+if+they+can+coach+well+enough+to+put+a+competitive+team+on+the+field,+I+will+start+to+fear+a+sale+of+the+club.+In+my+opinion,+Chip+deserves+alot+of+credit+for+his+decision+making+to+this+point.+Overall,+since+the+end+of+the+08+season,+I+give+the+whole+organization+a+solid+B+grade+in+it's+efforts+to+restore+pride+to+this+franchise.+Am+I+way+off+base+anywhere?+Like+all+fans,+I+tend+to+get+overly+optomisitic+this+time+of+year,+so+I+am+eager+to+get+your+take+on+the+direction+of+the+club+to+this+point.+Thanks+Jim!+

Jim Thomas: Cadet Thomas didn't come home for spring break, he went with some cadets to Matzlazan (Sp?) Mexico. He lost his cell phone (in a New York cab) on the way back to campus. (Since I once lost my wallet in a strip club as a college freshman, I wasn't too distressed.)
As for the Rams, I do think they're off to a good start. The moves to date look good on paper. We'll see what happens once the game start. But for now, there seems to be good chemistry between Spags, Devaney, and Demoff. There seems to be a game plan. And I too think Chip deserves some credit. (I'm working on a Q&A with him for Sunday's paper, by the way, based off an interview at the owners meetings.) Chip has had to make a lot of tough decisions in his first year on the job. And I think all of them have been made with a sincere interest to improve the product and try to get this franchise back on solid footing. Believe me, it wasn't easy for him to fire a coach in mid season, _ early season, actually _ not retain Haslett, and clean out the front office (particularly Zygmunt, who he has known for a long time), as well as agree to the release of mainstays such as Pace and Holt.

Mike Gregory: If Aaron Curry is the highest rated player in the draft, to me it's a no-brainer, you must take him because we do need linebackers. Also, there appears to be more depth at offensive tackle than at inside linebacker. Several tackles will still be available at pick #35 whereas inside linebackers such as Maualuga and Laurinitis will probably be gone. Something else to ponder, what if Ziggy Hood is sitting there at #35? Wouldn't that help our defensive tackle rotation? One more question, I understand that the Jones Dome is undergoing renovations so the draft party cannot be held there, but what about Rams Park for the draft party? I would think after the last two seasons, the Rams need to establish some rapport with their most loyal fans, wouldn't you think? Thanks, Mike.

Jim Thomas: True, the dome won't be available due to the reservations. The indoor facility, I'm told, is being considered for the draft part. But that's still to be determined.

NYRAMFAN26: Jim -
Obvious need is WR and there is a certain veteran available with ties to the Rams. What are the realistic chances the Rams will even speak with Bruce and what are the chances he would come back? Think about the possibilities of fixing a major wrong. We could sign him for one year with incentive filled contract. Fans get one last year to thank him for everything he has done and the new organization gets to show it actually cares for people who have bled gold and blue for this team. He would be an excellent mentor not just to the WR's but to the whole team and he could retire a RAM. Finally -- he moves into coaching (ala Henry Ellard) and stays with the organization for years to come. Can you write a better conclusion to the Isaac Bruce legend! Start the noise now and get Devaney to work something out.

Jim Thomas: I like what you're saying, and if you put the truth serum into the front office, I think they'd tell you that Bruce has more left at this stage than Torry (their opinion). But they seem to be divesting themselves of those Greatest Show on Turf Rams, so I'd say unlikely. But if Bruce gets cut, it's certainly worth checking out.

Armen Dacity: Any word on who the top prospects (Monroe, J.Smith, Curry, Raji, Crabtree) have selected as agents? Do you think that matters? Are their agents (ahem... Postons... ahem...) who could tip the scales against a player (all other things being relatively equal)?

Jim Thomas: Monroe has an obscure agent, Sanat "Sunny" Shah, a U.Va. graduate, who has very few clients; Jason Smith has Ben Dogra of the St. Louis-based mega agency CAA (Condon, Steiner, etc.); Curry has Andy Ross of Octagon (another major agency that represents lots of NFLers); Crabtree has Eugene Parker (Parker's very good and gets a lot of top-flight guys, but he does occasionally have holdouts _ see Steven Jackson); I'm not sure on Raji (but I think it might be Condon.)
With that, I have to go. I'm sorry I didn't get to as many questions today _ I got sidetracked a few times during the session and had some computer issues as well. But I'll be back at the usual Tuesday time next week 1 p.m. and will talk to you then.