Rampage88: Hey Jim! This team has so many holes that I almost don't even know where to begin anymore. I guess I will just ask about a couple of players who I think rank highest on the list of underachievers. First, obviously, would be Alex Barron. I think you have to bench this guy. How many years will we have to watch his false start penalties? I doubt any other coach in the league would put up with that. Goldberg would be just as good, if not better. After that I would have to say Tye Hill. Is he a bust or what? Time after time he gets burned in coverage. I mean, it wasn’t like he was covering T.O. either. So many wasted draft picks.. We really need Carriker to step up his game. Maybe the Rams can turn it around like the Giants did a year ago, but I wouldn’t bet on it. This team looks even WORSE than last year.. didn’t think that was possible.

Jim Thomas: In the case of Hill and Barron, this is his third year. By now, you don't worry about whether a guy is a first round pick or a street free agent. It's whether they can get the job done. While I don't think you give up on Hill, you do have an alternative in Ricky Manning Jr. Why not give him a shot for a week and see how it turns out?
As for Barron, I'll get a better feel for how he played when I look at the game tape. But my early read is that the right side of the line had more trouble than the left against Philly.

rams26: Hello Jim.

Thank you for these chats. I'm just as angry as everyone else on this board for what happened on Sunday. I have a question. You have been around this team since training camp in terms of this season. Bernie hinted in his article yesterday that they players may have quit on Linehan. Do you believe that considering your time around the team? I don't think so. Let me tell you why. Torry as well as others have claimed to be excited about the upcoming season. Why would Torry for example say he is excited about the season if he has quit? That doesn't make any sense. I put Sunday's loss on the defense and giving up those big plays. If that doesn't happen, it changes the game. Saunders is a good coach that will get the offense going in the right direction. Remember 1999? We would jump all over everyone we played. Opposing teams would have to play catch up from the start. That is the reason our defense was so good that year. All is not lost; this is the NFL where stranger things have happened.

What are your thoughts??


As always...............GO RAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Thank you!

Jim Thomas: I too was extremely disappointed in the defense. I don't think anybody has quite. I certainly don't think that's the case with Holt. What I do wonder is if anybody is inspired. There's a difference between effort and intensity. I see effort; I don't necessarily see passion and intensity.

jeff h: JT:
I have to say as a lifeling rams fan, this week does not look good for the rams. With Brandon Jacobs and the G-men coming to town, I think the rams are going to get steamrolled, bad. Do you think that we will see some heads roll if it is another blowout?

Jim Thomas: Listen, I don't think many of us expected the Rams to win in Philly; I don't think many of us expect them to beat the Giants. As I said last week about the Eagles game; possible? yes. probable? no.
But there are ways to lose. Go down fighting like the Chiefs apparently did to New England, 17-10. Or 38-3, and getting dominated on offense, defense, and special teams. As I mentioned, it's not Shaw's M.O. to make changes in the middle of the season. But another listless performance, and I think you have to wonder.

Ben Spann: Jim,
What happened in Philly on Sunday was really ugly. The games during the preseason weren't that great either. The one game that we looked like we had life and wanted to compete and brought energy was the third game against the Ravens. In that game we had the Rookies Burton and Avery in the game and they were the main reason for the excitement. I believe we need to go with Holt, Burton, Avery (slot) & Looker at receivers to bring that excitement. This group eerily resembles another exciting group back in 99 Bruce, Holt, Hakim (slot) & Prohel. Would you agree that they would bring some excitement to the offense?

Jim Thomas: The Rams desperately need fresh legs to put pressure on secondaries. Avery might not be ready to go this week because of his knee, but I say get Burton going. Get Avery going, and work in Looker.

James Arnold: Jim:

It appears that indeed the Rams are done for this season. Can you assess the draft selection choices out there? If the Rams have the number 1, do we draft Tim Tebow?! who else is out there? Secondly, when do you anticipate Linehan being fired this season?

Jim Thomas: I don't even begin to think about the draft until December.