Tj: Chris Chamberlain at #7. Maybe a bigger cheaper version of Adam Archuletta? Is he projected as a LB or SS?

Jim Thomas: Chamberlain was worked out _ I believe at the Senior Bowl _ at safety. The Rams see him as a weak-side linebacker. (But mainly as someone who might be able to help on special teams.)

Ron: Jim - Since both of the receivers the Rams drafted are "plus" returners, do you think Dante Hall will have to compete for kick/punt returns even if he's healthy? Or will he be around to compete after June 1?

Thank you.

Jim Thomas: Dante Hall is in the last year of his contract, and since he was acquired in a trade, there are no salary cap implications if he's cut before or after June 1. Either way (before or after June 1) the Rams save just under $2 million if he's released. So that definitely is something to keep an eye on if any of these youngsters really shine in the preseason.

Jay Effnou: Supposedly the Jets tried to move from 6 to 2 to get Chris Long. What was the best offer the Rams received? If it is true that the Rams tried to pry a #2 from Atlanta to move up one spot and assure themselves of Matt Ryan, why didn't the Rams loosen those demands before making the pick, so they could have paid Chris Long less? Finally, couldn't the Rams have slid back a few spots in the second and still come away with Avery? Thank you -- I really enjoy your work.

Jim Thomas: To the best of my knowledge, the Rams received only "nibbles" from the Jets about moving up to No. 2. I was told that the most serious trade talks at No. 2 came from Baltimore trying to move down from No. 8 (apparently to get Ryan). But I was told the Ravens were offering only draft picks _ and not enough to excite the Rams.
If you believe what the Rams told me, and that 8 or 10 other clubs apparently had Avery as their top-rated WR, I don't think a trade-down would've worked. I think it was something like nine of 18 picks were WRs in the second round beginning with the Rams selection of Avery.

Joesph Phan: Jim,
I read your Chris Long story, and you didn't report any of his contract information. That's important, how could you leave that out?

Joesph Phan

Jim Thomas: It's very important. But he doesn't have a contract. The Dolphins' signing of Jake Long at No. 1 before the draft is very rare. Most first-round picks aren't signed until mid to late July.

John: Jim,
As always, thanks for taking Rams' fans questions. I live in San Antonio and have been a fan since the early 1970s, so you are one of the ways I keep abreast of the Rams' progress. I have mixed feelings about the draft. I know that fans are upset with Avery, but I am going to allow time to determine the outcome of that issue. My question deals with the issue of LB's. I was hoping we would address this issue earlier than the 7th round. I know we have a 4-3, but we use a 3-4 type of defense on many occassions. Are our 7th rounders going to pan out at LB's? I am skeptical? if not, what are the Rams going to do to remedy this problem? Or, what should the Rams do? As I said, I am a Rams fan since the 1970s, so I hope for less pain than last year when I watch the games on Direct TV. My wife says I am a masochist.
Thanks for being a connector for Rams' fans,
John

Jim Thomas: I too have mixed feelings about the draft. I thought the Rams would pop on an LB in the fourth round. I was a little surprised to see them add another WR there (in Kentucky's Keenan Burton). The Rams had only five LBs on the offseason roster prior to the draft. (Mizzou's Dedrick Harrington, who was singed just before the draft as a street free agent, would've been a sixth, but he's being converted to TE.)
Anyway, the Rams will keep seven LBs on their final roster, so the numbers seem to favor both guys. Both the LBs run fairly well and were very productive in college. Mr. Irrelevant, David Vobora, was even invited to the Combine and tested well there.(The Rams did add a couple of rookie free agents after the draft, and I'm sure they will look around at any bargain basement FAs this spring and even this summer to see if they can add another veteran.)