ncdc: Dear Jim,

Leading up to the draft, it was widely reported that the Rams wanted another big back behind SJax. The Rams were one of the teams that showed up for Rashad Jennings' Pro Day. I believe Jennings was one of the players the Rams brought in for a pre-draft visit. Every draft site had Jennings as a late second to fourth round talent.

He has the size (6-1 233), strength (29 reps at 225), decent speed (mid 4.5), and experience (one year starter at Pitt, 3 years at Liberty). His character was unquestioned. A strong Christian upbringing also led to his decision to leave Pitt after a great freshman season on a national stage, and enroll at Liberty so that he could be at home and help take care of his dad who had just lost a leg to diabetes. Add to that that he has been a RB since he was 6 years old!

So what did the Rams do on draft day? They took a converted WR with little RB experience, who is smaller, not as strong, and may or may not make the team.

Every draft site I went to that provided a pick by pick analysis basically said this about Jennings: "he WILL (emphasis added) be the #2 back behind Jones-Drew", and "he was an absolute steal in the 7th round". The same sites had this to say about the Rams Chris Ogbonnaya: "a converted WR who is still learning", "had limited touches as QB McCoy was the leading rusher", "might make a decent #3 back in the NFL".

Might? Excuse me?! #3 back? We already have that in Darby! So, basically, the Rams bypassed a reported definate #2 to draft a possible #3. Here is what the local press is Jacksonville has to say about Jennings:

"Seventh-round running back Rashad Jennings was that player on offense. Jennings flashed speed, quickness and pass-catching ability you usually don’t see in a player his size. He also displayed an element of poise and comfort you don’t often see in a player from a lower-division school in his rookie mini-camp. Jennings was sensational. He especially caught everyone’s attention on Sunday morning with a darting run up the middle that froze defenders."

And...

"Jennings, the Jaguars’ seventh-round running back who set mini-camp on its ear, was a high school football star at Lynchburg Christian Academy..."

And...

Q: "What players did the Jaguars pick with our 2009 compensatory picks?

Vic: The Jaguars selected Rashad Jennings and Tiquan Underwood. I genuinely believe Jennings and Underwood could turn out to be home-run picks for the Jaguars. Wouldn’t that be something?"

What did the P-D report about Ogbonnaya at camp? Not much!

And here I thought the Rams brought in a highly thought-of RB coach in Sylester Croom. It has been reported in the P-D that it was Croom who was vocal about Ogbonnaya from Round 5 on. Sounds like he doesn't know talent when he sees it, and that would explain the lackluster record of Miss State under Croom. They should have grabbed Jennings who was there in round 5, 6 and 7. This is the ONLY pick in the draft that's concerning, and it says a lot about the much-critizized Rams Day 2 decision making process! Your thoughts?

Jim Thomas: Well, you seem to have decided on this already. I would say, let's see how it all plays out. The draft was less than a month ago, for crying out loud. Nobody has even been in pads yet.
By the way, the PD did a pretty comprehensive feature story on Ogbonnaya during minicamp.

RamDodger: Bill, Do you think the Rams will answer the need for a veteran receiver (Carter not the answer)this year? Or, do you think that Devaney and Spags are content to stay with the short game and not use the deep threat? Potentially looking to free agency next year for a premier receiver?

Jim Thomas: Sure, they'd like to add somebody. But, who? I don't believe they think WR is as much of a concern as some fans do.
By the way, Donnie Avery certainly ranks as a deep threat.

Markus: Hello Jim!

I have 3 questions:

1) Who do you think will be our 2nd WR?

2) Who do you think is a better LT and should start at LT? Jason Smith or Alex Barron?

3) How is our offense gonna be different from last year?

Thank you and have a good day
Greetings from Finland

Jim Thomas: 1) Keenan Burton.
2) Barron.
3) West Coast style, more reliance on Jackson and shorter, under-coverage passes.

Odell in L.A.: Any Mike Vick interest from the Rams brass?

Jim Thomas: None.

rambart: Hi Jim, thanks again for your "discussions". I keep reading from various fans that our new recievers are "So small" .Would you please compare Bruce & Holt in their prime to Avery & Burton----size wise of course. Thank you Jerry Bartels

Jim Thomas: Holt and Bruce were nearly twins size-wise, each 6 feet and about 190. Avery is 5-11 and 184; Burton is 6-0, 202.