cappy22: Jim,
With the Linehan firing do YOU really expect things to improve at Rams Park? Or is this team beat down, torn up, demoralized beyond what this coaching staff has to offer?
Thanks

Jim Thomas: The mood was pretty upbeat today on the practice field, I'll say that. Then again, I don't have a good reference point, because save for the first 20-30 minutes, this is the first (non-training camp) practice I've been allowed to watch (legally, anyway) in 2-plus years.

Hen: Hi Jim,

My take is that I'm not convinced that Haslett is our long term answer at Head Coach. However, I am very pleased as a long time fan that the two attorneys will no longer have a say in the running of the team or more importantly the draft and personnel decisions. It's about time and the air feels a little lighter now.
My question is did anyone in the press conf. room ask Haslett the difficult question "How do you think you can turn around the whole team if you haven't been successful in putting a very good product on the defensive side of the ball". "your defense seems to lose heart and seems to look as though they give up during games"

I would be very interested to hear his answer to that. Was it his fault or scheme or was it the personnel that he didn't get to choose? Give us Rams fans a reason to believe that he is the right choice.

Thanks.

Jim Thomas: He was asked several questions at the press conference about why the defense has been so bad. I think you have good reason to wonder if Haslett is the long-term answer. We're about to find out.

MonkeyLooker: Don't you think the pressure is now on Marc Bulger to perform? Our two supposed leaders Holt & Bulger are the softest players on the team so it will be interesting to see if they decide to finally show up or not. When does the contract of our overpaid, under-performing LB Tinoisamoa expire? Don't you think we need LBs really bad? Go Rams!

Jim Thomas: Sure there's pressure on Bulger to perform. He's been named the starter for the year, not just next week, by Haslett.
Yes, I think the Rams need help at linebacker. But I don't think Pisa is the problem.
I also take offense to your suggestion that Bulger and Holt are soft. I don't think you can catch as many passes as Holt has this decade _ more catches for more yards than anyone in the league _ and be soft. I don't think you can play through a painful knee injury for two years in '06 and '07 and be soft. As for Bulger, have you seen how much of a pounding he has taken in recent years. Is that your definition of soft?

Rampage88: Hey Jim! I feel better about the Rams today than I have for a long time now. Jim is a leader, but I doubt he can turn this team around. The work on defense is obviously not up to par. A lot of those players probably weren't chosen by him though. I feel even if he gets the most out of this team we will still have a top 3 pick in the draft. We still have to play quite a few tough teams. Anyways, will Shaw and Zygmunt finally be given a respectful exit after this season? A new president and general manager is long overdue. Also any news on the roster moves Haslett is making? Will we bring back Brown? Is Chavous going to the bench? Will Avery and Ryan continue to see action? Thanks!

Jim Thomas: Regardless of what leaderhip skills Haslett brings to the table, the roster is still the roster. And the schedule is tough. I don't see many wins.
I think it's obvious that Shaw and Zygmunt are on the way out.
I've addressed some of the personnel and roster moves already. Avery will continue to start. Based on what I saw in practice Tuesday, Chavous is still the starting strong safety.

Francisco Prado: Jim, bottom line is this: Linehan was not a good head coach.He may be a nice person, good family man and a good coordinator but he cannot lead a whole team.

Jim Thomas: Looks like Chip Rosenbloom, in the end, had a very similar opinion.