NYC Rams Fan: Hi Jim,

So the obvious question: With all the talk of sale of the team, how do the front-office and coaching staff prevent this from serving as a distraction to the players?

Jim Thomas: Asked Spags about that today. He said you tell them to keep the blinders on and focus on the task at hand.
Honestly, I don't think this sale stuff, at this point anyway, should distract the players. It's way too early in the process.

real ram fan from cali: Thanks for you time : You guys do a great job covering the Rams but I would for them to come back to the west coast,,,,The fans out there are so negative ,,,,I live in the Bay area and even though the raiders and niners arent that good the fans out here really support there teams....During these chats 70% of the fans are negative,,,,Maybe you can get a job in LA with the rams,,,,These fans need to stick to baseball

Jim Thomas: Let me just say this: I'll be shocked if the Rams wind up in LA after all this is said and done. Shocked.

Rams26: Hello Bill -

Thank you for filling in for Jim. If you had to make an assessment of our linebackers, who in your opinion will be the starting strong side linebacker? I like all of the moves we have made thus far.

Thank you!

GO RAMS!!!!!!!!

Jim Thomas: We're a long way from knowing the answer to that. The Rams would prefer to have Draft in the role of backup for all three LB positions. Grant and Vobora both have some upside. We'll have to wait till training camp to see who comes to the fore.

jmfrank1: Outside of Checketts, who are other potential St. Louisans who (a) have that amount of money, and (b) might be interested in purchasing the Rams?

Jim Thomas: I defer on this to Bernie, who blogged:

Stan Kroenke is still the best hope for Rams fans who want the team to stay here. There are lots of reasons: (A) He already owns 40 percent of the team. (B) He has the inside track established. (C) He has a working relationship with the Rosenbloom and his sister, Lucia Rodriguez. They like him. They appreciate the way Kroenke worked as a minority partner with their mother, the late Rams owner Georgia Frontiere. (D) He is in the best position to make a direct offer that first 60 percent (E) He has the right of first refusal and can match any offer made to Rosenbloom for that 60 percent. (F) He has local ties and knows the political landscape here. (G) As a successful real-estate developer, Kroenke had done a considerable amount of business here, and so he knows the best way to go about getting things done on the stadium front. And these stadium issues are complex and difficult. (H) He has been to many NFL owners’ meetings and has cultivated relationship inside the league. (I) And Stan Kroenke is worth more than $3 billion, as is his wife, Ann Kroenke. That helps.

The problem, of course, is the NFL rules that prohibit cross-ownership. I don’t know if Kroenke is willing to sell the NBA Denver Nuggets and NHL Colorado Avalanche in order to purchase controlling interest of the Rams. I can, however, state with confidence that I believe Kroenke will lobby the NFL to get the rule change, so he can buy the Rams. He has some support among fellow owners. But if Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen wants to block a change of rules to play defense against Kroenke, he can probably line up enough votes to put up that obstacle.

4. I believe Dave Checketts will take a look at this. Last year the Blues chairman told me that he would be interested in buying the Rams should they come available. He’s had a conversation or two with Rosenbloom. The question with Checketts is capital. Can he raise enough money to pull this off? Can he find investors and credit? I think highly of Checketts. He’s been a terrific owner for the Blues, and an honorable man. But would this be too difficult a task for him?

5. What about Andy Taylor of Enterprise Rent-a-Car? The Taylor family, a longtime presence in the St. Louis community, has an estimated net worth of $9.5 billion according to Forbes magazine. Forbes listed the Taylors at No. 40 on the list of the wealthiest people in the world. That said, the auto industry is in terrible shape right now, and the economy is in recession, and the Taylors probably are more concerned about their family business. The Taylors have shown a strong devotion to charitable and community affairs. But are they sports fans? Do the Taylors want to own an NFL team? Or even if they didn’t want to own an NFL team, would they do it and step in and prevent the Rams from moving to another city?

6. What about Rush Limbaugh? In interviews last year, the prominent and influential talk-radio host has expressed a desire to purchase the Rams and a desire to keep them here. The Cape Girardeau, Mo. native has described St. Louis as a great sports town. There was even a rumor going around that he had met with August Busch IV to discuss a partnership in this quest. In summer 2008 Limbaugh signed an new eight-year, $400 million deal with Clear Channel. He has a lot of money, and, as he has said, no debt. But the NFL has become a billionaire’s club. (Some have estimated that Limbaugh is worth around $1 billion). Does Rush want to spend the money required to get it done? But remember, we’re only talking about buying 60 percent of the ownership shares, not 100 percent.

7. What about Kroenke’s partner, Michael Staenberg? Alert readers have touted Staenberg, so I’m following their lead by mentioning his possible role here. Staenberg works closely with Kroenke in his role of president in THF Realty. Staenberg is highly regarded in the St. Louis community for his extensive efforts in enhancing arts-culture projects, and he’s been very generous with his involvement with charities. But again: I have no idea what the man is worth, and whether he could take this on. But Staenberg and Kroenke have been excellent partners in the real-estate development world, so the fit is there.

Ineeda Hammer: Where is Jim Thomas ? Just how many weeks of vacation does he get each yr?

I've been a Ram Fan for 40yrs, live in Florida... I was so pleased with the move to STL when it happened because of the horrible fans in LA. I've been to games in both cities and based on the fans in LA, they don't deserve a team. The Rams were not the only team to leave LA... That makes LA a 2-time loser of the NFL.

Please tell me that STL will not lose another NFL team. You guys are supposed to be the Greastest Sports Town in America... I'll be a Ram Fan no matter where they play, I just hope it's STL.

Jim Thomas: No cause for panic. The Rams aren't going anywhere now or in the near future.

That's it for this week. Thanks to all who participated.