James in San Jose: What do you make of the team's apparent interest in M. Pittman? At first look, it appears running back is one position the Rams are pretty well stocked at... Does this signal that perhaps Saunders is not all that impressed with A. Pittman or Leonard? I have heard that Leonard is working to add bulk to his frame again, where do they plan to play him, rb, fb, or H-back?

Or could this be a negotiating ploy regarding S. Jackson contract extension?

Jim Thomas: Rams aren't entirely sold on Antonio Pittman as the No. 2 RB. And there's a M. Pittman tie with RB coach Art Valero (who's from Tampa Bay). But if the Rams signed him, I think they'd like to wait until training camp, that way youngsters A. Pittman and Leonard could at least get a lot of reps in the OTAs and minicamps later this spring. But M. Pittman might not want to wait that long.

sid mull: Do you know if the rams have looked at the Qb Flacco at all I like his size and progression in college and think he can do well in the NFL

Jim Thomas: The Rams have looked at Flacco. I'm pretty sure they attended his Pro Day. If for some reason he slips to the middle rounds, which probably won't happen, he'd probably be somebody they'd draft.

george_allen: jim, thanks for providing this benefit to rams fans.

other than the obvious jackson and atogwe, is the rams fo looking/hoping to extend anyone else during 2008?
incognito, bartell specifically?

also, there was some buzz awhile back that detroit's wr roy williams was on the trade blocks for a draft pick - is there any chance this maybe an option for the rams or is this a closed case at this point because it would have been done by now / williams doesn't fit what saunders wants to do and needs?

Jim Thomas: Have heard nothing on possible extensions to Incognito and Bartell.
I think Detroit has been very firm about not wanting to trade Williams.

E. Dickerson: The Rams are 21st in a recent pole of all 32 teams, do you think that is about right?
Why can't they find a great, not good running back like myself?
It would be hard to coach all the babies in the league today.
Old school versus new school doesn't mesh very well.
Jim, I feel your pain in having to cover the Rams.
Have a great week!

Jim Thomas: I'd say 21st out of 32 sounds about right at this moment.
They have a very, very good RB in Steven Jackson.
As for covering the Rams, it's all relative. Less than a decade ago, I had the pleasure of covering one of the greatest offenses in NFL history. And besides, as my father used to say: It beats digging ditches.

Keith: With interest in rams football at an all time low, why would Linehan move training camp out of St. Louis? Also, a terrible start this season would Linehan be fired mid season. Its bad enough we have to put up with this guy another year.

Jim Thomas: Judging by the number of posts on this chat every week, I wouldn't say interest in the team was at an all-time low.
And to be honest, Rams fans hardly knocked down the doors at Rams Park to watch training camp practice the past three seasons in St. Louis.