thomasme55: Jim, thanks for the forum.
Here is my reason for drafting Curry with our second pick in the draft. Jim I don't know the exact number, but numerous times in the last two seasons we were ahead or within a few points of a victory if only our defense could make a stop late in the game. Too many times have we allowed another team to either score late or run the clock out. Maybe by adding Curry we will be able to win a few of the close ones. What do you think?
Thanks M.Thomas

Jim Thomas: I still can't help looking over the offensive line and seeing only one full-time tackle under contract in Alex Barron, whose contract expires after the 2009 season. Plus, I thought Spagnuolo's comments were very telling at the NFL owners' meetings coaches breakfast, when he said teams were built from the lines out. But we'll see. I guess there's still a scenario where if the Rams stay at No. 2 and have such a high grade on Curry that the take him, and go for a tackle in Round 2.

bfulton: Do you have any reason why the Rams signed Boller over Leftwich, the latter of which has always had better statistics?

Jim Thomas: I really don't.

bfulton: As always, thanks for your reporting and insight.

Devaney has been quoted as saying that the Rams probably should've signed Ron Bartell the summer before he hit free agency, because then it would've been cheaper. He has also recently been quoted as calling LOT Alex Barron a "core player." Should we soon expect a new contract for Barron who is now entering his last year before free agency?

Jim Thomas: I haven't heard that "core" statement.

Dan Lum: Aaron Curry is a trained OLB. Why does everyone think he can transition into the middle of a 4-3 and be a dominant force? Are the Rams considering 3-4? Say Curry is taken by the Lions, the Rams go OT at #2, and Maualuga, Cushing, and Luaranitis are gone? Who then in Rd2? PLease not WR!

Jim Thomas: Don't understand why you say "please not WR." As I pointed out in my P-D story today, other than Avery the Rams had only 24 NFL regular-season catches on their ENTIRE roster at wide receiver before the Laurent Robinson trade. That's a gaping hole on the depth chart.

Steve B.: Jim: Thanks, as always, for these terrific chats.
My question regards the Rams' apparent interest in Mark Sanchez.
Which of the following scenarios seem most plausible to you?
A) They really are seriously thinking of drafting him second overall.
B) They are thinking of drafting him if and only if they trade down in the first round.
C) It's all a smaokescreen to try and convince another team that wants him to trade up to get him.

My own guess is that it is either B or C.

Jim Thomas: My guess is C.