Ron Romer Sr.: The Rams released two Offensive tackles at the last cut, you cannot tell me that ONE of them wouldn't have been a better choice than the replacement they sent out for Orlando Pace yesterday...

Jim Thomas: If that's the case, then why are neither of them on an active roster. In fact, neither player is even on a practice squad to my knowledge. Goldberg did OK, but remember, he's the No. 4 tackle on the team. Steussie's No. 3. I don't know if you read the "Ask the Scout" story in our special football section Aug. 26. But this veteran NFC scout said (and I paraphrase) "you better keep those two starting tackles healthy." Despite the overall better depth on the o-line, depth at tackle was the biggest concern, and now it's being tested.

Rich Miriani: Is coach Linehan any good or was he just the cheapest guy we could have gotten for the job. It seems to me that this team has not improved much since he has been here. The play calling on both offense and defense is terrible. Same goes for Haslett.

Jim Thomas: Shaw wanted to go with a younger, "up-and-coming" type coach this time around. All of the three job finalists (Linehan, Rivera, and Cameron) were of the same ilk. Shaw also was very interested in Ken Whisenhunt _ now with Arizona _ at the time, but Pittsburgh was on its March to the Super Bowl and Shaw didn't want to wait.
As for progress, or lack thereof, it looked like Linehan was starting to settle in over the last six games of '06 _ going 4-2. But Carolina sure didn't look like progress _ so I agree there.

Tater: Jim,
I'm concerned about future TV black-outs for home games.

I attended the game on Sunday. Reading earlier that the Rams and Edward Jones organizations purchased the "remaining 1,000 or so tickets" was a smoke screen. I would guess that there were well over 5,000 or more empty seats in the stadium before the start of the 2nd half. And, with the inept coaching adjustments, offensive stalls and continued defensive woes I would state that not many will be rushing to purchase the remaining tickets for upcoming home contest.

What are your thoughts on this and are the Execs at Rams Park concerned about this?

Jim Thomas: If management isn't concerned about the softening fan base, they should be. And once you lose fans it's hard to get them back unless you start winning and winning big. Just ask the Blues.
The Rams did nothing in the preseason to sell tickets _ by their lackluster performance on the field. And they did nothing against Carolina that would lead to a stampede to the ticket office.
As for a possible blackout against SF, there is something in the works to guarantee those tickets, but at this time I can't tell you more.

steve: He's too small...he's too old...he can't defend the pass. I've listened to this crap way too often when so called "football experts" describe London Fletcher.

All 'Fletch' does is make everyone around him play inspired football. He's listed at 5' 10...he's more like 5'8 maybe 5'9...but he plays BIG.

London Fletcher was the answer to stopping the run...he was in '99 and he was this year. He was and is an achiever.

GO REDSKINS!!!

Jim Thomas: Rams management will tell you, the worst free agency mistake they've made during their time in St. Louis was letting London Fletcher go. But don't blame that on Martz; don't blame it on Zygmunt. Lovie Smith didn't click with Fletcher. And he told Martz that Jamie Duncan would be a better overall player than Fletcher, particularly in coverage. So the Rams signed Duncan, and let Fletcher go to Buffalo.

Adam Coleman: So there goes Pace for the season along any hopes you guys had for a division title. Can't wait for my Hawks to come into the "ED" and knock Bulger silly just like they did to Garcia and Cadillac. Oh, and wasn't Jackson supposed to be everyone's MVP pick? 58 yds, 2 fumbles, 0 TD's sounds like a MVP performance to me.

Adam in Seattle.

Jim Thomas: Don't write the Rams off just yet. But I've said all along that if Hasselbeck and Alexander returned to form, the Seahawks would be the team to beat in the West and an NFC title contender. We'll see.