RESPECT: Jim,

i am really concerned about Wilkens- is he feeling too much pressure to produce ALL of the offensive points? missing FG's is becoming a constant theme. it looks bad on a week when some guy "Borinas" makes 8 in a game... dont'cha think?

Also... the play calling, or "Bulger Execution". i saw at least 6 or 7 "max protect" packages where EVERYONE runs a route, huh??? THATS the reason why Bulger was always on his butt (plus Milford Brown) DUMB PLAY CALLING!!!

The issue that i brought up last week... our great signal callers have the greatest desire to run slow developing draw plays on 3rd and 12, 3rd or 4th and long and pass on 3rd or 4th and short, huh??? i counted at least 7 plays on third down where the route didnt go beyond the line of scrimmage! this is something you learn on the high school level- call plays that stretch beyond the 1st down marker, PLEASE! help me understand JT.

oh, did anyone see Tapp "Bullrush" that guy that was twice his size (Alex B.) for 4 sacks? WOW!

Jim Thomas: Sorry for the delay. In between all this I've been working the Terrell story.
Anyway. . . .
I think everyone's concerned about Wilkins, this is his worst slump since 2002 _ the one shoe off, one shoe on year.

Given the state of the offensive line, I too was puzzled why there weren't more quick passes, you know, 3_ and 56-step drops. The Rams simply have to get out of those third and long situations. Given the state of the o-line, those are murder.
Tapp also got a couple sacks, I believe on Mr. Brown.

Bill Cowher: I'm uncomfortable in a tie and Boomer is really getting on my nerves. Throw me a barrel of money and I'm your guy in '08. I'll find a coordinator that can get this offense going. Don't worry Rams' fans, help is on the way!

Jim Thomas: Bill, they might throw you a parade in St. Louis if that were the case.

Mike: What is it going to take to get the Rams' future back on track? A coach that commands respect and doesn't put up with attitudes like Terrell and Byrd? A guy that knows talent and finds guys that fit the scheme? Maybe a guy that actually has a recognizable scheme? Do the Rams need a personnel guy in the front office or does the coach handle that? Do we need both a front office personnel man and a coach with the aforementioned qualities? They don't need a worst-to-first scenario to make me happy but consistent improvement would be great. The defense has shown some ability and only seems a MLB, safety, and pass rusher away from being really good. If only the offense could improve to average. Isn't that ironic.

Jim Thomas: Right now, there are no easy answers and myriad problems. I do agree, however, that a good start might be as Dick Vermeil used to call it, "pulling the weeds." That is, getting rid of malcontents and problems players.

Don: MY 2008 RAMS VISION. Here is my hope and dream for next year's Rams. A new head coach with winning experience--too bad Lineham can't be OC, he had a good track record at that. Bruce, McCullom, Ferrotte & maybe Glover retire. Chavious is gone. Witherspoon goes to OLB. We get a new MLB, a young, tall & physical WR, some depth at OL, a QB of the future and a run stuffing SS through the draft or FA. Bennett & McMIchael doen't play hurt and are used better. Hagans is allowed to shine. Wroten & Bryd get their heads out of their butts and use their atheltic skills. A guy can dream, can't he?

Jim Thomas: It's a nice dream, but that's a lot to fix in one offseason. Keep in mind, Wroten's next positive drug test brings a one-year suspension. And Byrd is almost certainly headed for some kind of league suspension after his December trial. Hagans, to me, has been a mild disappointment so far. As the players say, he's left a few plays on the field against Baltimore and Seattle.

Mike: Can we finally start talking about replacements? Realistically, who would Shaw want and who would be willing to come here, assuming all salaries could be met? There is NO WAY Linehan could possibly return. This offense isn't going to ever respond to him. Bulger, WRs and O-line made that abundantly clear yesterday.

Jim Thomas: It certainly seems that's the way it's headed. But let's have some more of the season play out. Let's see what happens with Jackson in the lineup for a couple of games.