Rob: Jim -
No talk about OJ Atogwe's contract? I thought it was a team priority to get him signed to a long-term before game 1. Is his deal waiting on SJ's?

Jim Thomas: I'm sure the Rams aren't going to do anything on Atogwe until Jackson is done. And depending what happens with Jackson, they may not have enough money to get to Atogwe before the end of this season.

Rob: Jim -
I read something about Justin King looking so good at CB that he was ahead of Jonathan Wade ('07 pick). Is Wade starting to look like a bust? What's your opinion?

Jim Thomas: Yeah, I mentioned last week on this chat that King was a little ahead of Wade. Since then, King has been slowed by a hamstring injury, so I'm not sure if that's the case any more. As for Wade, it's not that he's playing terrible. Remember he was a converted WR who also ran track at Tennessee, so he needed a lot of polish entering the NFL.

Rob: Jim -
The new 'no push-out' rule looks like a major change in the game. Won't it mean the end to almost all the sideline/endzone acrobatic catches because the defender will only have to push the receiver to void the pass?

Jim Thomas: It will certainly eliminate a couple of those back of the end zone TDs a year. It definitely is a rule that benefits the defense.

Buzz: Jim,
So what's the story behind Richie Incognito being in second place at both the C and RG positions? Has he fallen so far in the estimation of the coaches? Has he come back physically from dislocating the same kneecap twice? Have the coaches grown weary of seeing him fail to control his emotions? At one time he was considered the Rams best offensive lineman after Orlando Pace. Thanks.

Jim Thomas: Interesting questions, and I'm not sure about the answers. With Setterstrom missing most of the past week with a leg injury, Incognito has been working almost exlusively at right guard. I think that job remains up for grabs.

john ruhle-nj: DO YOU THINK THE RAMS CAN PLAY BETTER SPECIAL TEAMS THIS YEAR(CANT GET ANY WORSE) AND HOW DOES THE OFF AND DEE LINES LOOK-ALSO SAY HELLO TO BRIAN LEONARD-TELL HIM GOOD FRIENDS WITH ANTHONY CAMPINELLI FROM NEW JERSEY

Jim Thomas: I'll try to say high to Brian Leonards, who is having a pretty good camp so far, by the way. With all due respect to Jeff Wilkins, his kickoffs became pretty average the past couple years. I think the addition of Josh Brown will mean higher and deeper kickoffs, and in theory, better kickoff coverage. We'll see.

MARK MONTOYA: Any word on SJ talks?

Jim Thomas: Mark--Don't know if you read our latest story today. There have been absolutely no communications between the Rams and Jackson's agent (Eugene Parker) since July 25 (the first day of camp).
Parker (the agent) is sticking with his stance that Jackson will not report to camp without a new contract.
The Rams are sticking with their stance that there will be no negotiations on a new contract until Jackson reports.
So far, neither side is blinking.
Also, I had a typo in today's story about the fine amount. The per day fine for Jackson is $15,116 (I think I had $15,166).

LongIslandRam: Jim,

Always look forward to your comments.

Does Stanley have a shot to make the team?

What is Carriker's best position?

Will Klopfenstein or Becht be the #2 TE?

The best news I have seen reported is the health of last year's injured veterans. I'm not big on expecting much from rookies. Even Long should just contribute, can't expect stardom in year one.

Jim Thomas: From what I've seen so far it will come down to Stanley or Looker for the No. 6 spot.
Not sure yet on Carriker's best spot, whether it's the nose or "3-technique." He's looked pretty good in camp so far.
Becht (he's still out with a hamstring), will be the "on-line" blocking tight end in two TE sets. He'll do a lot of the grunt work on the line.
Klopfenstein (who has returned after missing several days with a back injury, and has got the ball well Monday and Tuesday), will be more of the "move" TE, shifting, going in motion, occasionally lining up in the backfield or split.
So they really have different roles, and how much they play may largely depend on game situations.

Luke: Jim,
It was very nice meeting you on Friday. We had a great trip to camp and really enjoyed our weekend. I had a few observations from the practices and scrimmage I saw that I would like you to follow up on:
>Pace - I was excited with what I saw Friday, but on Saturday he got beat inside by Long on his final play of the scrimmage. I thought he could have pushed Long into the pile, but maybe hesitated because of that right shoulder. I know it is only 1 play, but is it anything to worry about?
>Bell - Seemed a little weak in his upper body and was pushed deep into the pocket from a bull rush by Ryan, but did move well and got to the second level with blocks on the LBs.
>Holt - Looks like he feels better than he has in 2 years.
>The defensive line is the most impressive unit on the football field.
>We are still unable to stretch the field with Dante Hall playing the slot and desperately need Avery to get some reps or go ahead and give Stanley the backup job at the slot receiver.
>Vernon Bryant is better than Wroten and could be the 8th DL kept.
Thanks and have a nice trip to Nashville,
Luke

Jim Thomas: Luke--Good talking to you as well. As for your observations.

--Pace: I can't say that I've watched every rep by Pace, or even close to it, but there have been a couple of occassions where his footwork hasn't look as quick as we've become accumsoted to.
--Bell: Too early to tell, but I did see him rock James Hall's head back with a hand punch during one-on-one drills last week.
--Agreed on Holt. He looks good. But there's a lot of days between now and the regular season opener.
--Agreed on the d-line. I still wonder, though, if they're big enough to hang in with power running teams.
--On WRs. Avery still hasn't practiced since the pelvic bone injury. Both he and Burton need to contribute in some way this season.
--I've actually been more impressed with rookie DT Willie Williams. Either way, I think Bryant and Williams are shooting for a practice squad berth at best.

jlaue: who decides what color combo uniform the rams wear? any plans on the beige tops being brought out? thanks jim!

Jim Thomas: Beige? I think the uniform combinations ultimately are up to the head coach with input on players. Obviously, ownership can veto any combinations it does like. Georgia, for example, was said not to be a fan of the white-on-white unis the Rams wore in a preseason game in San Diego about five, six years ago.

Herzog2: I am so angry about the Steven Jackson situation, but I'm just not sure who I should be angry at. If a player says he will not come to training camp wihtout a contract, and you have every intention of re-negotiating, isn't it weird for management to say "I won't discuss it until you come to training camp" ?? Both sides want to negotiate, yet they aren't even talking? That is infuriating, especially since he is missing valuable time in a new offense. I don't care what Linehan says, but it IS a big deal to lose that time. This just seems like the stupidest impasse to me.

Jim Thomas: From management's standpoint, I'm sure they're trying to make the point that holding out is not an acceptable way to force management to meet your contract demands. But I agree, why doesn't one party call the other and say, 'Hey, bring Steven Jackson into camp, and let's meet on this thing until we get an agreement.' My sense is that there is not a wide chasm on economics between the two sides.

Loren: This time last year I was so excited for the season. We had a great finish to 06 and really thought Linehan and the team has some serious momentum going into 07. Then the injury bug. Linehan was taken to the wood shed over his offensive game plan but I am not sure any system would have worked given the protection problems. My question is given are schedule do you think if we start out slow this team will have the leadership and experience to rebound and still make the playoffs if we have a bad start.

Jim Thomas: If that's the scenario, Linehan must show he is better able to deal with the early losses than he was last year. He must show leadership. Even at the NFL level, it all flows down from the head coach.

zn2003: Hello. Glad you do this. If you don't mind, I have three questions.

1. Could you take a shot at projecting the the back-up LB situation? We've all heard good reports about Chamberlain, Magro, and Vobora. They will keep Draft plus the 3 projected starters (including Culberson), but how many LBs will they keep, and what are the chances 2 or even all 3 of the rookies will stick? Which of them has stood out on special teams? How would you rate their chances, one at a time?

2. In 2006 Bulger had issues with Incognito at center. That doesn't appear to be the case now (regardless whether he ends up starting). What's the difference between now and then? Is it safe to assume R.I. became more reliable at the position this time around?

3. Back to the rookies. With good reports coming in on all the 2nd day picks, and with Long and Avery so loaded with promise, in the end this could be one of the best Rams drafts in years. There is even a possibility all 6 of the second day picks make the squad, and that's rare. What does Devaney do differently that made this such a deep draft?

Jim Thomas: 1.) If the Rams keep six, it's Chamberlain and Vobora, backing up Pisa, Witherspoon, Culberson, Draft. (I think at the end of the day, Culberson might beat out Draft.) Chamberlain looks good in coverage. Vobora has had a couple of moments, and looks like he moves pretty well.
Based on what the team does on the practice field, it's hard to get a read on special teams until the preseason games.
2.) Most of the problems _ if you want to call them that _ with Incognito and Bulger were on shotgun snaps. To be honest with you, 1.) There haven't been a ton of shotgun snaps so far in camp; and 2.) Incognito has done most of his snapping to Green at center.
3.) I'm not even going to go there until we see much more of this draft class. Let's see who makes the final 53, and watch them play in some regular season games.

Curtis T.: Let's hope S. Jackson and his agent DON'T sign today - he needs to be punished more than just monetarily for holding out (losing a year towards free agency). I mean have you ever in your many years of covering the NFL seen more of a hypocrital piece of garbage than Jackson? Sure we sell our home tickets for a financial gain because he and the Rams stink last year, but he can hold out for more money when it suits him. Can we trade this piece of trash?

Jim Thomas: Well, the problem is, the "piece of trash" just may be the best player on the team.
As I've pointed out in print, it's still unlikely that A.) The owners opt out of the final year of the current CBA and B.) That Jackson does not get a new contract some time in the near future.
But clearly, the stakes have risen a bit for Jackson with his continued absence today. (He has already missed Tuesday's only practice _ an hour session in Mequon. The team flies to Nashville later today.)

Brian: Jim,

Who is going to be the blitz linebacker this year.....i think they used to call it the RAM position? Chillar blitzed a lot last year, who is going to do the majority of it this year? One of the rookies possibly?

Jim Thomas: Actually, I think what you're referring to is the "BUCK" end. Quinton Culberson has been working there some in camp. As has youngster Marc Magro. And Witherspoon has been blitzed from all over (as was the case last year.)

John: Hi Jim:

Multiple sources confirm that there have been no negotiations between the Rams and Jackson's agent since July 25. Jackson will not attend camp without a contract extension. The Rams will hold no further contract negotiations until Jackson reported to camp. The stalemate continues with neither side flinching but I keep reading from sports writers and coaches, etc. that they expect this issue resolved and Jackson reporting to camp "soon".

How can this be? Why the optimism? What scenario do you see that would end the holdout? It seems to me that one side will have to flat out cave-in, which is unlikely.

Jim Thomas: I don't think there really has be any "caving" by anybody. As I mentioned in an earlier post, it's my sense that the two sides aren't that tremendously far apart. If they ever sat down, I think they could get something done with a little give and take on each side.

Carl: Dear J.T.,
Who are the starting defensive tackles on the defensive line for the St. Louis Rams this year? Some reports say that Glover will start at 3-technique defensive tackle, and Carriker will start at nose tackle. However, other reports say Carriker will start at 3-technique defensive tackle, and Clifton Ryan will start at nose tackle. Which report is the truth?

Jim Thomas: Glover will start at the "3-technique" with Carriker at the nose. But Carriker will rotate over to the "3" when Ryan is in at nose. They will all play a lot.

ncdc: Hey Jim,

Well, it looks like it will come down to this: Dane Looker or Derek Stanley.
Holt, Bennett, Avery, Burton, and Hall seem to be in.

Here's what scares me: FOSL. If Linehan goes with Looker, it will be for two reasons; 1) Looker is a FOSL, and 2) because Linehan is on the hot seat this year, he will take a player that might give him the best chance to win now and save his job. That's called selfishness.

What the Rams need to do is build for the future. You don't do that with a 30-year old WR; you do that with a 24-year old receiver who has made great strides as a receiver AND can return kicks as well. Hall, like Looker, won't be around much longer. That's just the reality of the NFL. Stanley actually replaces both Looker and Hall IF you look at this objectively.

So why put the organization's future at risk?

Jim Thomas: But if you're Linehan, you're trying to win NOW. Even the best and most highly touted young wide receivers have an adjustment process in the NFL. Even the great Torry Holt did not have a 1,000-yard season as a rookie, and No. 6 overall pick.
So if you're Linehan (and Al Saunders) do you really want three of your six wide receivers to be rookies or near rookies (Avery, Burton, Stanley)? You could probably get by with Stanley on the practice squad again this year.

Fearsome: Hi Jim,

Can you give us an update on Becht's hamstring injury? He hasn't practiced in awhile.

Also, do you know if Haslett plans to blitz Witherspoon as much as last year, or was that out of necessity because of the DL injuries last year? Maybe Magro is closing in on that "buck end" spot?

Thanks

Jim Thomas: Becht Not much to say except he's still not practicing.
Witherspoon: I've seen him used a lot as a blitzer in camp. But if Long and Little or right, Haslett may not be forced to use Witherspoon as much in a blitzing role. Magro remains a longshot for the final 53.

franklin: jim, how is eric bassey looking in his transition to safety? Also, which UDFAs do you see as having the best shot at making the team or even the PS? Too early to tell?

Jim Thomas: Bassey looks pretty good. Remember, he's playing safety now. Had a nice pass breakup in Tuesday morning's practice during "team." I think Bassey has a better than even chance to beat out Jerome Carter for the fourth safety spot at this point.
As for undrafted rookies to keep an eye on, I'd say FB Russ Weil (especially if Dan Kreider stays injured) RB Lance Ball (as a practice squad guy); and LB-DE Marc Magro (if the Rams keep 7 LBs, or practice squad); and DT Willie Williams (practice squad).
Again, it IS early, and none of these guys have even played a preseason game yet.

thirteen28: Jim,

There seems to be a conflict between your reporting on Steven Jackson's free agency eligibility and that of Mike Florio of profootballtalk.com. Florio is reporting (in this post: http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/08/05/no-progress-on-jackson/#comments) that Jackson merely needs to show up by week 10 in order to get credit for this year and become an unrestricted free agent in 2009. Please clarify, as we would all like to know where both parties have leverage in the ongoing stalemate.

Thanks.

Jim Thomas: There is no conflict. What I'm talking about is credit for an "accrued" season (which disappears today). What Florio is talking about is credit for a "credited" season, which doesn't disappear until Week 10.
If Jackson merely shows up by Week 10, he will get credit for playing in 2008 in terms of playing out the last year of his contract. If that happens, his current contract indeed will be expired, and he will in fact be a free agent. But I guarantee you, the Rams will franchise him after this season under that scenario.
But since Jackson has not reported today _ he's already missed the day's only practice _ this season will not count towards his seniority in terms of free agency. In other words, even if he shows up Wednesday _ much less by Week 10 _ he will still have only four years of seniority according the NFL. Not five. And after he gets franchised for '09, he will still have only five years of seniority after the '09 season. And if the owners opt out of the final year of the current CBA, that would make him a restricted free agent entering the 2010 offseason. (Because under that scenario, players would not be eligible for free agency until they have 6 "accrued" seasons in the league.)
This would be a disaster scenario for Jackson. This is a guy who wants guaranteed money, and a long-term deal. Under the scenario spelled out above, the Rams could string him out for three years without the money and long-term security he wants _ all because he hasn't reported by today.
Will all this happen this way? Probably not. But Jackson has at least opened the door to that possibility by his continued absence.

MM: Has any ball carrier made a positive impression so far in camp? If today were the first day of the season, would J. Hall or C. Long start at right end? Has A. Barron progressed to the point where it could be said that he will not commit as many false starts as in the past year? Which wide receivers have made positive impressions? Thanks.

Jim Thomas: Let me put it this way: It's still a big drop off from Jackson to everybody else at running back.
Chris Long would start at right end. He's starting to come on a bit.
Seeing will be believing on Barron and the false starts.
Holt, Hall, Bennett, Looker and Stanly have all had their moments.

Newkirk: How long could this Steven Jackson holdout continue - is he so high on himself that he will miss out on part (or all) of the regular season? If he continues to miss practice in a new offensive system, I can't see him being very effective, especially in his pass-protecting duties. Do you think he will be ready to go in a month?

Jim Thomas: Emmitt Smith missed the first two regular season games of 1993 in a holdout.
Eric Dickerson did the same thing, I believe, in 1985. So Jackson could be out for a while. There's no magic number for how much time a player needs to get ready for a season, but I think most NFL people will tell you, that two to three weeks _ in general _ is a minimum requirement. Jackson has youth on his side and takes care of his body, so he might not need that much.

Tyler: Do you think Linehan is finally fitting in to his head coach role?

Jim Thomas: So far, he looks much more relaxed, much more confident, and more head-coach like than he did at just about any point last season. But he still has to show he can lead a team under fire, under pressure, under adversity, and we're not going to know for sure on that until the regular season.

Hey, I've got to go now. Bill Coats and I are getting in the car to drive to Chicago for our flight out tonight to Nashville. See you next week. Be sure to catch Bill Coats' incredibly popular "Around the Horns" blog on Stltoday.com.