bfulton: I haven't noticed Rams newest CB Manning on the field. Can't he play? If he can't play, why is he still on the team?
As always, thanks a million for your reporting and insight. It must be particularly tough to sit through this stuff this year, even though they pay you. |
| Jim Thomas: Good question. The Rams are paying Manning about $1.25 million this year, apparently just to sit. |
|
Tony: Jim,
I asked Gordon on Sunday if he thought it had gotten to a point where it was literally unfair to Scott Linehan himself to keep him here. My point was that he's a stand up guy who will not quit, but the weekly humiliations have reached an absurd level where I think his future in football is in serious jeopardy, certainly his chances of being a head coach again are gone, and now I think his chances of ever again coordinating an offense are pretty nearly vanished, at least in the pro ranks. I realize Chip may want to honor his Mother's wishes that Linehan get a third season, but he has to understand that those wishes were based on a desire to be fair to a good man ... and in some cockeyed way this has gotten so bad it is now very close to unfair to NOT make a change. I am a dedicated Rams fan and I want to see things get better as much as anyone, and I do feel let down by this staff, including Linehan, but this is now so abjectly horrifying I just don't want to see a good man's career completely ruined. I would give him the Buffalo game and hope for a miracle. If we don't win or make a strong showing and management stands pat during the bye, I will officially decide that everyone at Rams Park has gone insane. Thoughts? |
| Jim Thomas: It doesn't look like things will get better. You make some very good points. There doesn't seem to be a way out. |
|
Jake - Jefferson City: Jim,
Dante Hall is a mere shell of his former self. He is slower than molasses in January when returning kicks - or am I the only who sees this? Why on earth do they keep putting him back there, instead of giving the rooks a chance to provide a spark on returns? |
| Jim Thomas: Very good qeustion. Maybe we'll see Donnie Avery returning kickoffs this week. |
|
Jim from West Virginia: As an alum of West Virginia University, I love the ability to watch Marc Bulger play in the NFL. Our other recent draft picks (Chris Henry and Adam Jones) have spent more time off the field than they have on it.
Due to the overall weakness and inability of the offensive line, do you think that Bulger's psyche is shot? After getting destroyed every game for the past three seasons, I feel like he likely has little confidence left. Even if they made massive improvements to the offensive line, do you think he could regain his once pro bowl form? |
| Jim Thomas: Sure he could. It took Kurt Warner a few years, but he seems to have gotten his mojo back. Maybe sitting for a while as will now take place with his benching, will help. |
|
Rams Fan In China: JT,
Thanks as always for the chat. They're invaluable for those of us that live abroad. To be honest, I look forward to your weekly Rams chats more than the actual Rams football games! My question this week:
Would you care to revise your W-L prediction for the 2008 Rams after the first three games? I'll totally give you a mulligan, because Nostradamus couldn't have predicted this team being this bad. I've been looking at the schedule, and I just don't see where the win(s) come from, especially after the Miami-New England game this week. With the way this team is playing, can we even equal our win total from last year?
Do you receive hazard pay for covering this team? If not, you should.
Thanks as always,
Rams Fan In China |
| Jim Thomas: RFIC--It's hard to see them winning a single game _ any game _ the way they're playing right now. |
|
marlacae: JT:
I guess by the reaction of Chip so far the fans can assume that he is not going to make any moves until the season is over. I guess that a son following his mother's wishes is very respectful, but not a very good move if you own the worst football team around. I understand that Zygmut has pictures of Georgia and Chip doesn't want them showing up on the cover of National Enquirer (because of her memory and his film career) but this man along with Lineahan will cost more money in the long run with the fans not showing up. I see that the Rams have already dropped their advertising on Stltoday.com, WHAT IS THIS OWNERSHIP REALLY DOING BY TORCHERING THE FANS?
Thanks,
marlacae |
| Jim Thomas: I have been covering the Rams since Day 1 _ actually even before Day 1 _ of their move to St. Louis. And I've never seen them this worked up. I can honestly say I wonder if upper management and ownership realize how fed up the fans are. I'm not sure they do. |
|
Yorkshire Rams Fan: Hey Jim,
How many of the Defensive problems experienced over the last 2 years are down to the relationship between Linehan & Haslett. There are a good number of very high draft picks in this defense and the performance is inexcusable. I believe Haslett's conduct at the Rams has undermined his reputation even more than Linehan's (if that's possible)!
From an offensive standpoint, it would be fair to say that the Rams have played 3 of the best front sevens in the NFL in their first 3 games. There was certainly evidence of a slight improvement on Sunday. Do you see us putting meaningful points on someone soon, or has Bulger totally gone? If so, when do you bench him?
Cheers. |
Jim Thomas: Undoubtedly, Haslett's reputation has been tarnished. But it's still such that he will get another job once this blows up. As for Linehan and Haslett's relationship, let me just say that that's a two-way street. And when I wrote last week that the defense was hand-picked by the coaches, I didn't say it was handpicked by Haslett.
As for Bulger, as you probably have heard by know, he's officially benched. Trent Green is the starter. |
|
Tman61: Jim,
1. With future Ram's ownership somewhat uncertain, will it be difficult for this organization to attract a top football GM and top NFL-caliber head coach?
2. Why don't the Ram's embrace the younger players? I mean, haven't we seen enough of Chaveous, Glover, Dante Hall, Looker etc.? Shouldn't we be closely looking at Avery, Ryan, Todd Johnson, Wade, etc.?
Thanks for your time...
T-MAN |
| Jim Thomas: Couldn't agree more. Although I'm not sure I'd include Looker in that first group. |
|
Steve (Roch. NY): Jim,
Do you know if anyone has addressed SJ about his 'hop-step'? He does it every handoff and I think he would be better off without stopping then starting again. The announcers Sunday we're all over him for it? |
| Jim Thomas: I quoted Al Saunders in today's Post-Dispatch saying Jackson did not press the hole. He needs to be quicker to the hole on most between the tackle plays. |
|
| Rams4ever: The offense seemed to show some improvement on the line in terms of pass protection. Bulger had more time to throw and only took one sack (albeit a big one). Yet he was still throwing off his back foot, underthrowing receivers, and the running game still put up poor numbers. Did the offensive line respond to Torry Holt's call-out earlier this week? And why didn't the rest of the offense take better advantage of such an improvement in their fundamentals? |
| Jim Thomas: Call it coincidence if you want, but Bulger was protected much better against Seattle. (1 sack and that was the responsibility of the fullback, not an o-lineman). |
|
| JD: Hey JT,thanks for the chats and all your info. Chip either needs to act like he is going to own the team for a couple years or sell it. What percent chance would you put on Chip having a new owner lined up to by the team by the Super Bowl? |
Jim Thomas: I don't sense that anything will happen all that quickly on the sale front.
|
|
| old cowboy: Jim, As it is no longer a question of if but just when, as a reporter covering huge, strong, rich men, what approach do you take when coaching and the players have no clue and if they do they aren't talking and why is administration so quiet during this fiasco? Also, during Rams games now, do yo think bourbon or gin? |
| Jim Thomas: No bourbon and gin, but I have been hitting the rum and tonic afterwards. |
|
| Darren: Is your gut feeling that the Rams ownership will make major changes from the top down like replacing Shaw and Zygmunt down through the coaching staff or if they will simply do the minimum and replace a few coaches? It's hard to get any sort of idea of what ownership is looking to do. Will Mr Rosenbloom defer making these decisions to Stan Kroenke? Do you know where Mr Kroenke stands on what needs to happen with this Rams team? What about Mr Rosenbloom selling the team? Some in the media talk like it's a forgone conclusion. If that's true, what is the timetable for sellig the Rams? What is the scuttlebutt around Rams park with the players in regards to what is going to happen? Any insight you can provide regarding these issues would be appreciated. |
| Jim Thomas: Chip Rosenbloom is wrestling with all these issues. There are no easy answers. And I can't tell you for certain what will take place. I definitely do not think Rosenbloom will defer to Stan Kroenke. I do think the club will be sold, but I can't tell you when. Around Rams Park, there's not much talk on any of these issues. There's enough of a crisis going on on the football field to occupy everyone's attention. |
|
Arlin: Jim
You see this team more than I do so you can answer this question. What has happened to Bulger? It seems every article I read it says something about him throwing off his back foot and another interception. Did last years beating take a toll on him where now he has happy feet? I know you can't look back, but don't you wish they had taken Cutler instead of trading that pick to Denver and drafting Ty Hill? |
| Jim Thomas: The Rams also passed on San Diego CB Cromartie that year. |
|
Jeremy (Denver): Jim,
Any chance the Broncos would trade us Jay Cutler for Tye Hill and Claude Wroten?! |
| Jim Thomas: Mayve if the Rams threw in Dominque Byrd and Claude Terrell as well. |
|
buckheaddave: JT-
Hope the Fall finds you well. Since the pro teams in Missouri are horrible, how about a little insight into the only decent team in the state?
Here's the ?: Let's just assume USC runs the table (& benefits from not having a conf. champ. game) Who do they get in the BCS game: The SEC or B12 champ, assuming both run the table?
Candidly, I think neither run the table and you have both with one loss. Thoughts?
Dave in Buckhead |
| Jim Thomas: Play Glover less and pair Clifton Ryan with Adam Carriker on the line. Get Leonard Little healthy. Give Chris Draft a shot at strongside linebacker over Culberson. Try Todd Johnson at strong safety in place of Corey Chavous. Try Ricky Manning at nickel back with Bartell and Fakhir Brown the starters. Blitz Witherspoon more. |
|
buckheaddave: JT-
Off topic -- thoughts/outlook on the Pats? I still say they squeak into the Playoffs but lose the 1st weekend....but they looked really OLD on Sunday....
Dave in Buckhead |
| Jim Thomas: I think they'll still win 10 or 11 games. |
|
| Reggie Finney: I do not understand! It is clear that changes are needed. So why doesn't our head coach use Trent Green over Bulger. It is painfully obvious that he is providing zero leadership from the QB position on top of his poor throwing. Why doesn't he use the rookie wide receivers more? Why aren't we blitzing more? If we make no changes Buffalo is going to beat us by at least 4 touchdowns. So why not take a chance and make changes? |
| Jim Thomas: Your wish has been granted. About 40 minutes after you posted this question, Bulger was benched for Trent Green. |
|
| Petey123: Jim, Oakland or St. Louis which Front Office is worse? |
| Jim Thomas: It's not the front office that's the problem in Oakland, it's Al Davis. |
|
ramz fan: how many more games will Linehan be the head coach for?
how many tickets remain for Sundays game?
will the rams win any games this year? |
Jim Thomas: 1.) Don't know.
2.) Not many.
3.) Doesn't look like it. |
|
| old cowboy: Jim, so Bulger benched, in your opinion, does it matter and if yiu think it does, hoe so? I'll just hang up and listen. Thanks |
| Jim Thomas: Well, it's not going to mean much if Jackson doesn't average more than 3 yards a carry, the receivers can't get open, and the o-line doesn't pass protect better. (Although they did a better job Sunday in Seattle.) |
|
| AlwaysAFan: Is it wise to fire Scott Linehan now or at the end of the season? Even if we get rid of him now, this team will still be a sorry, underachieving mess. A quick look to next year---Who would want to coach this group of slackers? People are throwing big names like Dick Vermeil, Marty Schottenheimer, and even Bill Cowher. Would any of these coaches want to come here for a high dollar figure? |
| Jim Thomas: I think Vermeil finally is happily retired. I think Marty would take the job. I think Cowher wouldn't _ he can basically have his pick of the job openings at the end of the season. |
|
| MikeyStl: Is this the right decision? Change Quarterbacks? How about changing the defensive backs, and some of the offensive line. Is Bulger the problem? |
| Jim Thomas: Bulger obviously isn't playing like we know he can. But I certainly wouldn't put him at the top of the list of problems on the team. He has nothing to do with blocking and tackling. Last time I checked, he didn't make a draft pick or decide on which free agents to sign. Maybe Trent Green provides a spark. Maybe he doesn't. |
|
| BC: Easy question....are they going to make the move to get a new GM and HC this week or wait and lose the whole fan base by the end of the season?? |
| Jim Thomas: Great question. Don't have the answer. And we all know that once you lose a fan base it's hard to get them back unless you start winning and winning consistently. |
|
chuck: jim,
if marty schottenheimer can go 14-2 and get fired why cant the rams pull the trigger now? |
| Jim Thomas: You're asking the wrong person. |
|
Mark from Tulsa: Jim, I have always favored a front office structure were the coach does not have say over personnel and the front office is run by a GM with full authority. There would seem to be a natural conflict between the GM and Head Coach, with the coach wanting to win now and the GM more concerned with long term success. Would we have wasted draft picks on need picks (Klop, Byrd, etc.) if a GM had total control. In my opinion the Rams have always given the coaching staff too much say. Martz might have been a really good head coach if the Rams had not given him authority over picking personnel and assistant coaches. Parcells talks about wanting to have input on “picking the groceries” but he earned that right through years of building successful teams. Your thoughts?
Go Army Beat Navy |
| Jim Thomas: There has got to be a good relationship _ good give and take _ between the head coach and the GM. The GM has to pick players that fit the coach's system. The coach has to have lots of input. But you're right. Coach's aren't always the best talent evaluators. They spend only a few months a year looking at prospects, and too often are blinded by players they have had past associations with. But picking a good GM _ meaning a good personnel evaluator _ is tough to do. |
|
| JOHN DAVID: Bulger benched? No, he should be traded along with Jackson(who could care less about his team). Then we put in a someone who even in his prime wasn't all that great(Trent Green??) come on Rams. And didn't the Rams get rid of Green a long time ago because he was terrible? |
| Jim Thomas: No, the Rams traded Trent Green to Kansas City for a first round draft pick after Kurt Warner emerged as a star. Green went to two Pro Bowls with the Chiefs; last time I checked, you don't go to Hawaii for being terrible. Now, should there be questions about Green because of his age and his recent history of concussions? Sure. But I don't doubt his pedigree. |
|
| ramrage: So, Jim, how do you read this Bulger benching? I'm curious about your own stand. As for myself, I think the season is already lost. What is there to lose in seeing if Trent Green can jump-start this offense? And why not let Bulger try to get his chops back during practice sessions? He certainly needs to regain some fundamentals, it seems. Maybe Linehan is being selfless in this protective measure with Bulger. After all, does anyone really think Linehan can save himself at this point? Let Bulger regain his fundamentals in a practice environment, and let Trent Green, as a veteran, take a crack at the real thing. We signed him to be ready if Bulger goes down. It seems to me that Bulger has gone down. Maybe we'll "get him back" quicker if he's only suffered psychological injuries instead of physical. |
| Jim Thomas: As I mentioned before, you have to try something. Maybe this will help. And it doesn't mean you don't go back to Bulger at some point. I just hope this isn't the only move. |
|
| knuckles: JT....Assuming that the Rams fire Linehan in the near future, and possibly some of his assistants, does that act really accomplish anything other than to assuage the fan base temporarily? Do you believe that such a move would make any difference? I doubt that Rosenbloom will boot the existing regime at this juncture and install a new management group. So, what's the point? |
| Jim Thomas: You sound defeated already. It's Sept. 23 _ the second day of autumn. Let's see how this plays out. |
|
tthrasher: Jim, always appreciate your insight both in the paper and on the radio.
In your opinion, do you feel the Rams are making Bulger out to be the scapegoat, or do you think they saw something seriously wrong on film from Sunday's game? I feel bad for the guy, but it does look as though he has lost confidence. |
| Jim Thomas: I'm sure Bulger's confidence is down. He has been beaten like a pinata for the last few years. My question is: What about the confidence of the other 21 starters? |
|
| flifishun: Was this the coach's decision, or did it come from the top? |
| Jim Thomas: My sense is that it's the coach's decision. |
|
Frank: Is Bulger hurt? What is Linehan doing? What are the owners doing?
Skip / Chip.... owners do something....please...
"As I wear a rams-brown bag over my head....." |
| Jim Thomas: Is Earth City burning? |
|
| nickstl77: What better way to restore Bulger's confidence in himself than taking away his starting job. This is really a bad decision, we owe the guy about $60 million, so we pretty much have him for the long haul. Putting Green in ahead of him will just further erode the confidence that his pathetic offensive line has already pretty much destroyed. Green should be kept as a backup option when Bulger gets injured, because lets face it.. with this line, he will! A better decision would have been to fire the coaches or bench someone who makes DUMB MISTAKES like Barron or Tye Hill. This reeks of scapegoat and I really hope the front office doesnt think we arent smart enough to figure that out. |
| Jim Thomas: You make some very good points. |
|
| BB Rosey: So some are saying Vick is on the way... any comments on this? |
| Jim Thomas: On the way to what? We don't even know who the coach will be in '09. |
|
mars: The message the Rams are sending their fans and their players is: Marc Bulger is the reason we are 0-3.
SMART, and knowledgeable football fans of course realize this is NOT the case. Is he a part of the problem? Sure, because EVERYBODY is a part of the problem. This entire team stinks.
So what are the chances these stiffs (listed below) will also be benched this week? Shouldn't these positions be held to the same standards as the QB position?
Corey Chavous - he is finished, no speed, can't tackle anymore
Tye Hill - Same as Bulger, no confidence, keeps missing tackles - put Ricky Manning Jr in as the nickel back
Pisa Tinoisamoa - How many times can he over pursue lanes before he gets benched?
LaRoi Glover - Let's face it, other than leadership qualities he supposedly has in the locker room, what is this guy good for? He is too light, too old, and is very easy to block
Quinton Culberson - Hasn't made ANY impact whatsoever on defense.
Richie Incognito - what a bust. Mean and nasty? I say he blocks like a teddy bear. Let's see Greco or Scheuning.
Nick Leckey - Horrible. get Romberg in there.
Adam Goldberg - He is a tackle. Stop playing him at guard. Let's see Greco or Scheuning at guard.
Adam Carriker - the experiment at DT is over. Don't bench him, just move him back to his natural position at DE. He was a DE coming out of college - high motor. Move him back there and stop this madness.
Dante Hall - Punt Returns ONLY - on the bench the rest of the game.
Thoughts?
Thanks JT!
Mars |
| Jim Thomas: Well, I'm with you on this: I sure hope Bulger isn't being scapegoated. |
|
| YANKEERAM.COM: How is benching Bulger gonna help the defense stop anyone? |
| Jim Thomas: Maybe he is being switched to cornerback. |
|
mpgno2001: Hi Jim,
I wanted to know if there is any talks of bringing in new CBs in because obviously the ones that are playing arent up to par. They dont have speed or skills in the position. Any inside info. Jim? |
| Jim Thomas: Jason Craft of New Orleans, recently cut, was in for a visit and a physical today. I'm not sure if he will be signed or not. |
|
| Robbie Ram: any chance of Chavous getting benched. Could Todd Johnson be as bad? |
| Jim Thomas: I'm told Chavous is still starting. |
|
Soul_Brother: Jim,
Thanks for forum.
Hey, do you think it was wise for Linehan to try and completely overhaul the offensive philosophy? I follow the Lions and it seems a lot of the Lions offensive players are having a hard time adjusting to a new philosophy. By contrast the 49ers are ready to run through a brick wall for Martz.
I never believed Holt and Bruce fully bought in to the Linehan system (and its why Faulk wanted nothing to do with Linehan).
What's your take? Honestly, what's REAL the scoop? |
| Jim Thomas: Maybe it's the other way around. Maybe Linehan never bought in fully to Bruce and Holt. |
|
| Sharon Kueker-Johnson: Jim, do you wish the Rams had Kurt Warner as their quarterback? |
| Jim Thomas: Only if Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin came along for the ride. |
|
mpgno2001: Hey Jim,
Why dont the rams bring in new CBs, like Tanard Davis who they had in training camp. Why dont they give him a shot. He has the potential and speed, and he has the skills all he needs is a chance? |
| Jim Thomas: Is this Tanard Davis' agent? |
|
| Reggie from St. Louis: Trent Green is starting this week,good or bad and do you think Berlin could do better.Also who has the strongest arm of the three. |
| Jim Thomas: Strongest arm? I think I'd have to say Berlin. But he's not nearly as accurate as Green or Bulger. |
|
| George M.: OK, it's official. Tye Hill can't cover anybody right now. Maybe he once could, maybe he will be able to in the future, but right now, no. The receiver who owned him Sunday couldn't make any one of the 32 practice squads last year, and couldn't get closer to a game than his couch. I doubt if there will be a worse receiver lined up opposite Tye this year. So now that we know that Tye has no chance at all, why not put somebody else in? They can't possibly do worse than allow catches all over the field, and might eventually do better. Tye's confidence is shot, and getting beaten like a drum by some nobody isn't a good way to get it back. |
| Jim Thomas: Maybe I should forward this to Jim Haslett. |
|
Jim Haslet: Hey there JT---
Know where I can get some sharks???? |
| Jim Thomas: Coach Haslett, as you probably know, "sharks" is football slang for defenders who have that killer instinct to go for the ball like it was red meat. I would say your best hope is the draft next April. |
|
| Robbie Ram: Any free agents in for workouts lately? |
| Jim Thomas: As I mentioned before, CB Jason Craft, recently of New Orleans was in today for a physical and workout. Don't know if he is being signed. |
|
Jokerjoe99: Start Trent Green--check
Bench Tye Hill-start Ricky Manning
Bench LaRoi-start Ryan
Bench Dante Hall--Avery returns kicks
Bench Donnie Jones---take 4 downs every possession
I think if our new managing partner had produced Scarface, Saw 1-4 etc, instead of "My Dog Skip", we would have more answers than this now. |
| Jim Thomas: I think you mean "Shiloh" although it is a movie about a boy and his dog as well. |
|
| Asif Malik: Whats the mood inside the front office. IS Scott Linehan job in jeopardy or did they have an idea the team would be bad? |
Jim Thomas: Of course, Scott Linehan's job is in jeopardy.
No, I don't think the front office had any idea it would be this bad? 116 to 29. . . .Did you think it would be this bad? |
|
| GoRams2001: Jim, thanks for putting up with all the angst. Question - much is made of the fact that the Rams have offices in LA and the team is essentially run from there. Who is the highest ranking Rams official based in St. Louis and do they have any real power? Have you ever known a team to be run by a group halfway across the nation? Thanks again. I agree with Bernie when he says you're the best in the business. |
| Jim Thomas: Jay Zygmunt is based in St. Louis, the team's president of football operations-general manager. He has a lot of power. The late Lamar Hunt lived in Texas when he owned the Kansas City Chiefs. There have been other owners who don't live in the city where their franchise is located. Although it's unusual, it's not unprecedented. |
|
| Jeff Wade: Hey Jim, with Bulger being benched do you think he even cares? He is still making his 10's of millions of dollars to hold a clipboard. |
Jim Thomas: Please. Do you really think Bulger is happy about this? He cares. He cares a lot.
That's it for today. I have to go. See you next week. |
