Tackleberry: Jim,

How does Chris Draft go from a back-up on an awful defense to a potential starter on a revamped & improving defense?

Jim Thomas: Draft is a good, solid performer. He's not the fastest guy on the field. But he's smart, savvy and not afraid of contact. And he has started 16 of the 28 games that he's been healthy during his two seasons in St. Louis. (He missed 4 games last year with a foot injury.) Saying that, I think we're all still expecting Laurinaitis to be the starting middle linebacker on opening day, which would put Draft in position to compete for the strongside job. (Although Larry Grant is off to a strong start there in camp.)

28-blast: Ok, it's way too early. However, what player is the biggest surprise so far and why? What player is the biggest disappointment and why?

Jim Thomas: Not the easiest question to answer five days into camp and with 80 guys to watch. But Larry Grant has been eye-opening so far at LB. On the flip side, I haven't seen much for DT Clifton Ryan so far.

mizzouman38: Do you believe that Jason Smith will start the season at RT and how has he been doing so far?What happened with Wroten will he be playing with the Rams this season

Jim Thomas: I'd be surprised if Jason Smith wasn't the opening-day starter at RT. At last check, which was about a week ago, Claude Wroten had not applied for reinstatement to the NFL. Jim Haslett told me Wroten will be playing for Haslett's Orlando team in the new UFL this fall. OG Claude Terrell _ remember him? _ is also on the Orlando roster. When Haslett spoket to Terrell recently, Terrell was picking up trash on the side of a road, part of his community service, apparently, after his legal woes of a few years back. I believe LB Tim McGarigle, the former Rams 7th-round pick, is also in Orlando, as is d-line coach Carl "Big Daddy" Hairston and special teams coach Al Roberts.

Rammer: Hey JT, hope you're not sweating to much out in camp. I'm just wondering how the trio of Bell, Brown, and Cogs are doing out there? I'm hoping that with a real center that both Bell and Cogs play up to speed.

Thanks!

Jim Thomas: Hasn't been much to sweat about with this weather. I feel like I'm in Mequon at Concodia-Wisconsin. I'd say in general that Bell, Brown and Incognito are performing pretty well. I don't think that's the question as far as the line is concerned this season. I think the big question is what happens at tackle with Barron and Smith.

david tomlin: Jim, On Bill Coats blog he mentioned that Adam Carriker has not stood out in camp yet. Do you see the same thing and should we be a little worried or is it just too early? Thanks alot

Jim Thomas: Until today, I saw the same thing as Bill when it came to Carriker. But as I mentioned in the Rams Report blog that was just posted about an hour ago, Carriker had a very good morning practice. We'll see.