John: I realize that the defensive line bears a lot of the blame for the breakdowns against other team's rushing attacks last year, but where does the linbacking corps come in? Chillar seems a bit of a reach as an NFL starter and with Witherspoon arguably playing out of position (why?) and the absence of a true run-stuffing MLB the linebackers seem to be a big question mark again. If this year proves to be rough again will they consider moving Witherspoon back outside?

Jim Thomas: I thought Chillar improved to the point last year where he showed he belonged in the league. (Not that I'm saying he's LT or anything). But he's scheduled for unrestricted free agency at the end of this year, and unless he has a breakout year, I doubt the Rams re-sign him. As for Witherspoon, the Rams seem committed to having him in the middle. But keep this in mind: if something happens to Pisa, I can see them moving Witherspoon inside and putting Draft in the middle.

Jon: Jim
As happy as I am to see the Rams grab some great (cheap) talent as Pittman, I am wondering why there has been no movement on bolstering our defense or getting some OL backup at tackle. Perhaps some special team work?

Is there simply something I am missing here? Or do the coaches know something that most Rams fans seem to be missing? Can you let me in on anything? Or could our current leaders be just as offense happy as our not too recent leaders were?

Jim Thomas: I asked Linehan over the weekend if there was anybody out there at OT who could block and chew gum over the weekend. He shook his head, no. I think any tackle worth his salt will not be exposed on the market. On Tuesday in practice, Goldberg worked at left tackle and Milford Brown worked at RT. The Rams made a run at Simeon Rice. But at 33, with a bum shoulder, do you think the guy is worth $3M guaranteed, plus another $1M in incentives? Also the Rams couldn't and didn't promise he would be a starter. How could they with $3M plus invested in James Hall each of the next two years. Saying that, I do wonder if the Rams have done enough to help the defense. I guess we'll find out starting Sunday.

Dave Pietrowski: This is really simple, if the Rams have substantialy improved at DT they will make the playoffs, if not they will not. Go Rams Go Adam C. and Go Claude W.

Jim Thomas: I agree, but would added special teams to the mix as well. I think if the Rams are even decent on defense and special teams _ by that, I mean middle of the pack _ they should make the playoffs. If not, more mediocrity, despite lots of talent on offense.

Mark "the Ram" Byrd: Jim, with Fahkir Brown suspended, and an inexperienced secondary featuring Tye Hill, and Ron Bartell, will the Rams use more zone coverage against Steve Smith and the Panthers?

Jim Thomas: Don't think so. And that's partly based on what I saw in practice. Both Tye Hill and Ron Bartell are much bestter suited for man than zone. Bartell in particular. When he struggled in the preseason _ like those two play against Minnesota _ he was in "off" coverage, playing off the wide receivers. I really do think, however, they have to shade someone on Smith's said. I'll be curious to see, also, if the Rams have Hill shadow Smith (since he's smaller and quicker than Bartell), or keep Hill at left corner and Bartell on the right.

george smith: Is there a particular reason why Linehan kept a guy like Byrd for his potential yet gives up on Alston? And also with the addition of Pittman is there a greater chance of playing Leonard at fullback and releasing Hedgecock?

Jim Thomas: Good question. I think the Rams feel that Byrd is closer to reaching his potential than Alston. Despite all the conspiracy theories about Alston getting in a sideline disagreement with a coach _ I didn't see it _ multipled sources at Rams Park have told me that Alston was cut because he kept making mistakes in terms of gap discipline and run fits. Haslett is under a lot of pressure this year to have an improved defense. And those long runs, like the 55-yarder by Kolby Smith in the Governor's Cup game, are precisely the ones that Haslett wants to get rid of. (It was Alston who missed a gap assignment on that one.)
As for Pittman, first off, it will take him a while to get a working knoweldge of the offense. Leonard has shown himself to be pretty solid at blitz pickup, so you could see him at fullback on passing downs. But as a lead blocker, plowing the road for Jackson, at 226 pounds, I don't think so. I think Hedgecock is in more trouble, if Conwell's knee is healthy enough to play in two or three weeks.