Buzz: Jim,
Most of the draft experts panned the selection of WR Donnie Avery by the Rams in the second round. They cite his hands and route running concerns. Pro Football Weekly has written that both Avery and Keenan Burton have trouble catching the ball. Did you see enough of them in Minicamp to form an opinion? What are the coaches saying? Can these guys catch the ball consistently or not? Those two receivers will make or break the 08 draft. Thanks.

Jim Thomas: I didn't really see enough of Avery and Burton to form an opinion. I'll have a better idea a couple of weeks into camp. What the "experts" may not have known is that Avery had a hand injury (I think it was a thumb problem) that made it more difficult for him to catch the football. I'm not ready to say these guys have hands like Torry Holt, but they did catch a ton of footballs in college _ so they must have some ability in that area.

Russ in Phoenix: Hey Jim!
Thanks for taking my question.
I always viewed Isaac Bruce as the Spiritual leader of the Rams due to his strong personal relationship with God. Who would succeed Isaac as the Spiritual leader?
Is former DT Ray Agnew still with the team as team pastor?
Thanks again!

Jim Thomas: Ray Agnew is still around. And during the season, there has always been regular Bible studies with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (Walt Enoch and Ricky Horton, the former Cards baseball pitcher.) But I'd be hard-pressed to name one or two current players that might be considered spiritual leaders.

Russ in Phoenix: Hey Jim!
Chris Long's number OFFICIALLY is number 72?
The number 98 was too Wistrom or something?
:-)

Thanks

Jim Thomas: Maybe that was it.

CPL Thomas: Hey coach I think I figured this damn thing out. I wanted to ask how the cougars are doing. Thanks.

Jim Thomas: Is this Cadet 3rd Class Thomas, aka Corporal Thomas, of the United States Military Academy, West Point?

If so, your old Cougars team is unbeaten, 11-0, in the spring high school league at Affton Athletic Association. We've clinched the division title and begin the playoffs next Monday. It's a far cry from when you played there, son. Those Ballwin teams were tough, weren't they?

Do you still have your Isaac Bruce jersey? Shouldn't you be in class? And when do finals start? Next week? Go ARMY!!!

redbird ridiculous: I've heard that the rumors about the Patriots taping the Rams walk-through before SB XXXVI have been around for a while. Has this been reported before February of this year, and, if so, why are these rumors only recently being reported and/or investigated? Thanks.

Jim Thomas: It was first reported on prior to this past season's Super Bowl. Why it took that long to surface, I'm not sure. But I'm sure the allegations last September about the Patriots illegally taping the Jets' defensive signals stirred this up.