Pat Gallagher (Oregon): Hey Bill,

I am a diehard Rams fan and hearing all of the news they might leave St Louis. Is this really a bad thing? The Rams really are the LA Rams. Wouldnt this be better for the Rams to go back to where they belong?

Jim Thomas: Well, maybe they ought to go back to Cleveland then, where the franchise originated.

paceram: Jim,

Am I being way too optmistic thinking the Rams can win 8-10 games this year? With a new and improved coaching staff and some good/key free agent signings and a pretty good draft I honestly think the Rams will look much better (and, be much better prepared!) than they were last season. It also sounds like the new coaching staff has the Rams on a much better weight/conditioning program that will hopefully not only get the players stronger but hopefully help prevent so many injuries. Thanks for your time!

Jim Thomas: I think 7 or 8 wins is doable, if they stay relatively healthy and things go their way. But a bobble here and there could mean double-figure losses again, I fear.

Brian: Will the Rams consider signing Michael Vick? If the Rams sell will they keep the Rams name in St. Louis?

Jim Thomas: 1. Highly, highly unlikely. He falls well short on the "four pillars" test.
2. Not sure about that. My guess would be no.

Ruben: I am curious to your thoughts on the Rams being for sale. When Chip took over the team, he stated that the Rams weren't for sale, but would listen to only buyers interested in keeping the team in St. Louis. Now, it appears the team is for sale and bidder with the highest price can do what he/she wishes, in regards to location. Was Chip just trying to keep fans buying tickets last year and now can't afford to please them? I remember getting a call from a Rams cheerleader (telemarketer), back in 1994 asking me to renew my seats, because there was word the Rams were staying. It was one last attempt to get my money before they left. I follow the Rams because of the players and tradition, not ownership. As a fan, it hurt when they left, but as a businessman, it made too much sense for them to leave. I now get the same feeling that, unless St. Louis can find a local buyer willing to pay top dollar, the Rams will be sold and moved to a location with monetary potential that St. Louis will not be able to match.

Jim Thomas: Rosenbloom still would like to keep the team in STL. He definitely doesn't want to see it in LA again, where he felt his mother was treated poorly.
We're not privy to Chip's financial stresses, but there's no doubt that the tax on Georgia's estate will be huge. That might have prompted a moveup in sale timetable.

mrchip: Hi Jim,

I was just wondering, could we the people buy the 60% of the Rams like Green Bay? Is this even a remote possibility?

Also, are the Rams in St. Louis until 2014 no matter what due to a deal with the Ed that's already signed?

Thanks,
Guy who flys to St. Louis for a game or 2 each year.

Jim Thomas: 1. No, that's not possible anymore under NFL rules. The Packers are grandfathered in.
2. As I understand it, they could conceivably leave as early as 2012 if a plan isn't in place to meet the 2015 stadium requirements by then.