Tom: Jim ~

Thanks for your time. I was hoping you could talk a little about the health of this franchise for a change of pace. How are they doing, and is there any talk about what could happen down the road. And I'll clarify this in three areas:

A new stadium
Stan Kronke buying out Georgia
Overall opinion of life of the franchise in St. Louis

With the talk on some message boards stating that the Rams might be looking for a new stadium in the next 5 - 10 years, people in St. Louis are pushing the button and saying "Let 'em go" which would be a HUGE mistake and would secure that this city would only see pro football on television. Your thoughts?

Thanks again for your time.

Jim Thomas: With all the new stadiums being built, the Rams have gone from one of the top two or three most profitable teams to a ranking I believe somewhere in the 20s in profitability.
There has been a lot of quiet negotiating about upgrading the stadium. Remember, one of the clauses in the lease said the league had to be in the top 25 percent of stadiums. There are some improvements in the works, but the more dramatic improvements won't be made until the 20th anniversary of the stadium. (We're already in Year 13 believe it or not.)
I don't think Georgia's going anywhere any time soon. I do get a sense that management and ownership are frustrated at the amount of attention the baseball team gets in comparison to the football team by the St. Louis media. There was a time, I believe, when one of Stan Kroenke's goals was full ownership of the team. I'm not sure that's the case now, particuarly since Kroenke owns so many pro franchises these days. (Nuggets, Avalanche, English soccer).
I think the franchise is fine here in St. Louis. After the latest round of relocation, the league seems intent on having franchise's stay put. Would they do as much to keep the Rams in St. Louis, if stadium issues and decreasing fan support became a real problem? I'm not sure. But again, short term, I think we're fine.

Dave, Pittsburgh: Jim, you should be fired instantly. Every sports town counts on there sports writers to keep the owners honest. How can you call yourself a professional when you dish out this garbage that 4-12 wouldnt get him fired, 3-13 wouldnt, 2-14 may not and now you even say 1-15 may not get it down.

You are not a representation of the fans and I for one am really taken back out your spineless approach to this disapointing product the rams have provided us. Scott Linehan has taken a good football team and made a disaster out of them and you accept it.

Shame on you as you are selling the fans out, as well as yourself. I sincerely doubt Bernie or Randy would sit by quietly and let the Rams ownership stick their hands up there rumps and control everything they say.

Jim Thomas: Every town also calls on sports writers to keep their readers honest, even if that means telling it like it is as opposed to how you'd like it to be two games into the season.
Throughout my career in journalism, I've always been a beat writer. Not a columnist. It is my job to report what's going on objectively, and honestly. Over the years, I have won local, state, and national sports writing awards. I have had my family threatened, and myself threatened because of things I have written. Because sometimes objectivity and honesty hurt.
Sorry to disappoint you.

P.S. _ Linehan inherited a 6-10 team. Last time I checked, 6-10 was not a good record.

Steven: I'm a long time Ram fan and have been through many ups and downs with this team. I'm more than disappointed by the rash of negative fan postings in the forums and what-I-believe-to-be some unfair articles by local reporters.

How would you characterize the coaching staff and player's attitude right now? Are they feeling the outside pressure? Does there appear to be any panic? Or would you say they are confident?

Jim Thomas: I do think the players _ particularly the offensive players _ are feeling the pressure. And the coaches as well. They all expected better two games into the season. And their not immune to criticism. But I don't sense panic. Usually, Wednesday and Thursday are a better barometer of a team's mindset. We'll see how they react during the rest of this week.

big ben: whats up big man, yonkers here!!!!!!!!! well, what a horror show watching the rams ...... frisco is pathetic how can we lose to them?????? should i go to the game sunday being that i live in tampa????? i'm scared to where my ram jersey do we have a chance sunday?????? is coach scott in trouble?

regards big ben

Jim Thomas: Yonkers!!!! What's up. Sorry I haven't answered your e-mails lately. It has been a little crazy around here lately. Go to the game. Where your Rams jersey. Avoid trash talking. Sure the Rams have a chance. Way too early to say Linehan's in trouble. Regards. . . .


With that I've got to go. Appreciate all the interest. See you next week.