Molotov: Jim

I've heard it two different ways: The Rams' braintrust is happy with Barron, and the Ram braintrust is looking to eject him. Personally, I think leaving Barron at left tackle and starting Smith at right tackle might be wise, but I could see the benefits of swapping them. But it makes no sense to get rid of Barron. Didn't the Rams just solve their OL depth issue? I think the Rams could have a great OL with Smith, Barron, Brown, Bell, and Richie.

If you were a betting man, who starts at LT and RT on opening day?

Jim Thomas: I'd say Barron at LT and Smith at RT. From everything I hear, Smith is less polished as a pass blocker right now, and more of a finished product at run blocking. If that's the case, it makes sense to start Smith at RT. We'll see what happens this week at the minicamp.
I think in adding Smith, the Rams are set at the OT position, although it would be nice to have one more tackle with a pulse in the mix.

ncdc: Hey Jim,

First, let me set the table here: The Rams knew the 49ers hired an O.C. to run a run-heavy offense in S.F. The front office also saw the Cards draft Chris "Beanie" Wells (a 233 pound bruiser) 4 spots ahead of their next pick. If, and stress IF, the Rams make the playoffs, they will have to face the Giants (Maroney & Jones), Giants (Jacobs & Co.), Philly (Westbrook & McCoy), Vikings (Adrian Peterson), Falcons, Bears, and Saints. All have very strong running games.

So, who do you want at MLB: a very productive backer who can play "all 3 downs" but makes a lot of tackles 3-4 yards on the wrong side of the line of scrimmage; or the nastiest, toughest LB'er in the draft, who may not be a 3-down LB'er?

Jim Thomas: Believe me, I get your point. But I think there were some off-field issues with Maualuga.

Curt: Okay, Jim-

The Rams entered Day 2 of the draft looking to add defensive help. There was word (and I believe you even expected) that the Rams would trade Pisa Tinoisamoa for a draft pick. Looking at the linebackers in the draft on Day 2 leading up to the 125th pick and you have:

69th overall: Jason Williams (Dallas)
76th overall: DeAndre Levy (Detroit)
97th overall: Tyronne McKenzie (New England)
104 overall: Kaluka Maiava (Cleveland)
110 overall: Victor Butler (Dallas)
118 overall: Stanley Arnoux (New Orleans)
With 8 more LB's drafted from #125 until the end of the fifth round.

Obviously, many teams needed linebackers. From the list above, who could step in the season opener September 10, 2009 any better than Tinoisamoa? Did the Rams try to trade him? Were they asking too much? Is there something that seriously de-valued Tinoisamoa's draft value that the public doesn't know about? What's up here?

Oh, the #125 pick in the draft? DE Lawrence Sidbury. He sure would have looked good in a Rams uniform lined up opposite Chris Long!

Jim Thomas: I don't think I ever expected the Rams to trade Pisa. I thought he might be a cap cut however. I am not aware that the Rams actively shopped him.

idahofatboy: Are there any free agents at wide receiver that the Rams can go after? Not just rookies out of college but veteran nfl players with a few seasons under their belts?

Also, I like the free agent signings of the two BYU players. Most of those guys are older because of their time spent on Christian missions and you have to be both tough, and a little mean, to be successful in the WAC.

Now, about finding another WR . . .

Jim Thomas: Plaxico Burress, Marvin Harrison, Amani Toomer, Ike Hilliard, Dane Looker are all available. I'm told the Rams aren't interest in Burress. Looker may be re-signed this month, although his agent told me yesterday at this time he had yet to hear from the Rams. I was also told pre-draft that the Rams weren't interested in Toomer or Hilliard. (Maybe that changes post-draft.) I haven't even asked about Harrison, figuring his age (37 in August) and potential asking price wouldn't make him a fit here.
I too like the BYU signings, in fact, I think it's a better group of undrafted rookie free agents than the Rams have had in a while.

Rammer: Hello, JT

How big of a reach is Fletcher considered? Donnie Avery or Heyward-Bey reach or just minor since it was a 3rd round pick? I like the pick actually, since in this division now the Rams CBs have to go against Boldin/Fitz, Crabtree/Bruce, and T.J. Houzmenzadeh. Another 6' corner could be good for us.

Also, I know this is way too early, but any idea on Smith's number? 60s or 70s?

Thanks

Jim Thomas: Jason Smith's number in St. Louis will be 77.

As for Bradley Fletcher, I think the Rams were poised to take Shonn Greene the Iowa RB at the top of the 3rd when the Jets traded up to snatch him. Among the various draft "experts," and I use that term loosely, there were wide ranging opinions on Fletcher. He certainly fits the size (6-1, 196) and style requirements that Spagnuolo wants. He wants big, press corners. The projection is because there's not a lengthy body of work with Fletcher. He was a full-time starter only one year.


Sorry for the delay, Chris Draft stopped by to say hello in the media room, and says hello to all Rams fans. . . .