MichaelP07: Hi Jim,

I really hate being so cynical but after Saturday's game it looks like the same old Rams: Poor fundimentals, poor execution, the offense sucks and the defense sucks more. Is there any reason to believe that this team will be any better than last years disaster? I'm really tired of all the hype and no production.

Jim Thomas: Based on what we saw Saturday, I would say no.

Rams Fan In China (Really!): Ni Hao (Hello) from China! JT, your chat is the only way I can make sense of what's going on with my Rams from halfway around the world. I read it every week. My question is on a story I read regarding the NFL cutting the preseason games from 4 to 3 and adding another regular season game. I don't know if I'm for it or against it. On one hand, since the Rams obviously don't know how to use preseason games effectively to prepare for the regular season, dropping one would probably be a plus. On the other hand, adding another regular season game for this bunch is like punching yourself in the groin as hard as you can 18 times instead of 17. What's your take?

Jim Thomas: Because of the threat of increased injury, I'm not sure the NFL Players Association would ever sign off on more regular-season games. (Unless it would also bring with it a significant increase in the salary cap.) But it's clear 4 preseason games aren't needed. I think most teams could get by with 2 preseason games and a scrimmage.

Bash-On: Adam Goldberg seems to have played fairly well in the Titans game. But the `O'-line as a whole can't grade out as better than a C-, especially when our #1's went against their #1's. Are we just out of sync or are they still trying to learn the blocking schemes that are required by Al Saunders attack?

Jim Thomas: Don't know what to tell you here. If you would have seen the blocking in the fully-padded practice against the Titans on Wednesday (the morning session), you would have gone away impressed with the o-line. I don't know what happened in the game. It looked as if the Titans turned up the intensity a notch (as compared to the practices Wednesday and Thursday) and the Rams did not.

djjr11854: Jim,

Thanks again for these chat sessions. It's a great way to keep abreast of the Rams for those of us who are fans from afar.

My question this time is when is management going to get off their duff and sign Jackson to a long term extension? He has proven he is one of the best backs in the league and we definitely need him out there practicing to get ready for the season.

Jim Thomas: They are offering him more than $7 million a season, which would put him No. 4 or No. 5 among all NFL backs in terms of pay. They have told him they will continue negotiating if he comes into camp. They do not want to give into a true holdout situation. They do not want holding out to be viewed as an acceptable way to get a new contract.

steve conti: Will Coach Lenihan last the full season if the rams struggle to win more than 3-4 games??

Jim Thomas: Just knowing how Shaw operates, I doubt very much that he'll make a change in the middle of a season no matter how bad things get.