virginiatom: Jim, the draft still bothers me in that Devany seems to be one of the few who thought Smith was the 2nd best player on the draft board at number 2. Many people didn't even have him as the best tackle. This seems like a need pick instead of best player on the board pick, and need picks tend to be a reach. The fact that Smith is slated for right tackle seems to bear that out. Don't you think Raji stuffing the middle next to Long, or a Curry and Laruanitis linebacker corps, or Crabtree joining Avery across the middle were what this team needed? Smith is going to be a capable player, but I don't hear pro-bowl ever mentioned with his name. What I hear is capable. For a number 2 pick it seems like this is another missed opportunity.

Jim Thomas: Well, the draft has been over for about two months. Time to move on?
I thought Curry would've been the best choice, but I don't see how you can argue much with Smith. The Rams addressed their most pressing need, the o-line, and got a guy who should be a mainstay there for a long time.

rdh2210a: Hi Bill,
Are the rams still looking to sign Jason Craft? There were rumours before the draft they were interested in doing so but it has all gone quiet since.
Many thanks,
Rich

Jim Thomas: Actually, I thought Craft would've been signed by now. He was a positive contributor last season. I know there was some interest earlier, but I'm not sure where this stands now.

BIGRAMSFAN1958: WHATS GOING ON WITH SIGNING OUR DRAFT PICKS?I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN SO CLOSE TO THE OPENING OF TRAINING CAMP.ARE THE OWNERS HOPING TO SELL THE TEAM BEFORE THEY SIGN ANY DRAFT PICKS?THIS WILL ONLY HURT THE TEAM MORE TO HAVE THE TOP DRAFT PICKS OUT OF TRAINING CAMP.THANKS FOR YOU TIME.GO RAMS.

Jim Thomas: I had a piece in today's P-D and on stltoday.com that addressed the signing of the draft picks. Bottom line is, it isn't unusual to go into mid-July before signing them, and Kevin Demoff said he be shocked if all weren't signed and on hand when training camp opens July 31.

Luke: Bill,
I saw a release that we are having new “state of the art” FieldTurf installed this year at the dome (http://www.fieldturf.com/feature.cfm?featureID=2&lang=en). It doesn’t elaborate on what is state of the art about it. Is this the type of field turf that can be taken up for conventions and easily re-installed? I had heard JT mention on the radio several weeks ago that there was a belief that some of the injury problems could’ve been a result of having new turf installed each year and not being able to break it in. I guess it won’t help this year though.
Thanks,

Luke

Jim Thomas: Because an acceptable system hasn't been developed for re-installing FieldTurf (at least, in the Rams' opinion), the field has to be completely replaced every year. That's the case again this year. Basically, the Rams "rent" the turf field for the season. It is a bit of a problem, because FieldTurf takes a year or two to tamp down and be in its best condition. But it's a problem the Rams have to live with for now.

studebaker: Seems like all the "experts" are saying the Rams will be terrible again. Do you agree? Do you believe that they will win over 5 games?
Thanks,
Studebaker

Jim Thomas: I did the Rams' preview for Athlon magazine and predicted a 7-9 finish. I think they could do a little better, or a little worse, than that.