Gabriel to Snow: hello Jim, Chip hasn't exactly taken the bull by the horns, but I doubt that would have been helpful to the team or appreciated by the staff. He seems to have a clear sense of the long tradition of Rams football. Not surprising since he has been around the team for nearly 30 years. He also clearly wants a well operated & efficient front office leading to winning football. I get the impression that he is very knowledgeable about the game but is loath to blow his own horn or appear to "steal thunder" from the front office people & coaching staff. It is plain he wants to win, & I dare say that just may be the prioity over balance sheet figures. I have been pleasantly surprised. We all knew next to nothing when he took over. If I weren't a die hard fan, reading every scrap of info several times & then reading between the lines, I'd still know next to nothing. I believe Chip will be an excellant owner, so long as the "good football people" every owner needs are always around to do the heavy lifting. Devaney is a good start & I think many were surprised that Chip didn't let the final act of the Linehan regime just play itself out. He wants it turned around right away, what more could we ask for? I'm happy, how do you feel now that Chip has been in the saddle for awhile?

Jim Thomas: Chip is still getting his feet wet. He has made it clear he will not be a Jerry Jones, Dan Snyder type owner, meddling in everything. He prefers to let his hired people in management, personnel, and coaching do the jobs they were hired to do. He has a very good relationship with Shaw, who has been very helpful showing him the ropes in the NFL.
Also, Chip has made it clear he's going to sit back, observe, listen, and learn, before he starts making decisions.
He's not sure how long he will earn the club, but I think he is sincere in his wishes to see the team return to their successful ways. And he is very much aware of and respectful of the family's long tradition of owning an NFL franchise.
How much say he eventually has in team matters remains to be seen. He's still in the feeling out stage.

Mike - Colorado Springs: Who are the WR possibilities for the Rams in round 2? I know there are concerns about Sweed's wrist and he doesn't have elite speed but he would seem to be the best value if he's available. Have the Rams invited him for a visit or had their doctors check him out? Unless one of the top two slips out of the first round, I don't see corner worthy of a pick this high. There should be a worthy OT available. Which one is the greater need, WR or OT, assuming a DL is picked in round 1?

Jim Thomas: I just checked on Sweed's status for the Rams Park visit next week, and was told by his agent he wasn't on the list. I know Indiana's James Hardy is, although I know there are some at Rams Park concerned about some off-field issues with Hardy. I know Linehan really likes USC's DeSean Jackson, and Jackson is on the visit list. But it's debatable whether Jackson will still be around at No. 33. I think he's projected as a middle to late first rounder.
Assuming DL is picked in Round 1, I would say WR ranks as a higher need in Round 2 over OT.

Gabriel to Snow: Jim, just a note to say I loved the response to the guy who asked you if you thought it really was Fakir Brown posting questions to you awhile back. "What do you think" was perfect. Got a good yuk out of that. By the way, do think I am me?

Jim Thomas: The Rams are hoping to have clarification on Brown's status before the draft. But there are no guarantees.
I do believe you are you.

Don: Jim--this may be more of a rant than a question--why don't the Rams just go back to their royal blue and gold uniforms full-time!? The current uniforms are horrble! Looks like a USFL team! The 90's era uniforms were classic and looked great. The current drab dark blue and gold that doesn't look gold does not say Rams!

Jim Thomas: Yeah, but I don't think the shade of blue on the helmet matched the shade of blue on the jersey of the '90s era unis. So I don't see any full-time change in the making. As for the throwbacks, Chip Rosenbloom is on record as saying he wants feedback from the St. Louis fans. We're going to try to get an on-line poll going on that topic in the near future.

D King: This is part two of our chat last week when I had suggested the Rams draft the Clemson D end in the second round along with Dorsey in the first. Your question to me was what about the other needs of the team what do they do? My reply is simple this is not a team that is one or two players away from a division title or playoff berth they are a team that needs to get younger better faster and more depth they have over the years wasted draft picks on reaches that have now come back to bite them in the butt. This year if it was my choice I would fix the defense starting with the line and the D backfield get some depth at linebacker. That is why I am in favor with the trade with Dallas for Carpenter and the 2 first rounders for our first. Is one person who can fix this team, no this is a building process and I suggest they take the proper steps to right the ship. And more draft picks is the right step for me. Three of the top 35 is a good start that is a D tackle a D end and also a D back or safety< and that gives them depth and also younger players who in a year or two are ready to start plus and probably the most important it gives you salary cap help with cheaper talent. Well thats all thats just how I feel we have to realize we are rebuilding not reloading Thank You Jim.

Jim Thomas: I agree with you that the Rams are more than just a player or two away. But when you're drafting No. 2 overall, you have a rare chance to get a difference-maker. Depending on who you talk to, there are six, seven, eight such players in the draft. Why would you trade down lower than that spot? And do you think Carpenter brings that much to the table? I'm looking at Dallas' stats from last season. He played in all 16 games during the regular season and had 2 tackles.