cardsnumber7: Hi Jim,
IMO we woulda won yesterday's game with Jackson, although Pittman did a pretty decent job. What's your take? We still almost did without him(and probably could've with TD's instead of FG's)

Also, if Jackson is in, do defenses tend to play us different, than when he is not. I remember the Rams saying this last year, when Jackson didn't play or left game early w/ injury? Or did NE do this yesterday?

PS OJ Atogwe is good

Thanks
Todd W.

Jim Thomas: I think the Rams win by 10 with a healthy Jackson in the lineup. The Gillette Stadium press box is in the end zone, and we could see the holes open on running plays very clearly from that vantage point. What did Pittman have _ 83 yards? Jackson doubles it. Pittman missed some run reads, and although he is smaller than Jackson, doesn't have his acceleration through the hole. As the game progressed, the Patriots played both safeties deep, in essence doubling both outside receivers (Holt and Avery), almost daring the Rams to run. The Rams probably should've run more.

jon in kentucky: Although Pittman did a decent job, he didn't do great. I know the rams were high on Kevin Smith but Detroit made a trade with GB to snag him up just before he fell in our laps, were we going to draft him, and why did we pass on Chris Johnson. Hope Jackson back next week, we would have beat the Patriots we need you jackson.

Jim Thomas: The Rams did have Johnson in for one of those pre-draft visits in early April, so they liked him. I think a speedster such as Johnson or Felix Jones would have been a perfect complement to Jackson. But the Rams felt they had greater needs in other areas.

Rita from South County: Hi Jim,

Thanks again for hosting these chats for us.

With the emergence of the young talent on the team (Long, Carriker, Atogowe, Ryan, Bartell, Avery, Pittman, Burton,)the Rams have the core group to be a contender for several years.

What are the vibes from the FO about the state of the team - do they feel they're on the right track, or is it a "wait and see" attitude until the end of the year? Who's making these calls now since Shaw and Ziggy are on the way out and Haz has an uncertain future - is this Billy D's team?

Jim Thomas: Rita, you hit on a very interesting point. For the moment, everything is on hold contract wise. And keep in mind, Bartell, Atogwe, Manning Jr., and Brown to name a few are all scheduled for unrestricted free agency at the end of this season. Incognito is scheduled for restricted free agency. This team still has some holes. A couple of more good drafts are needed. But the team isn't far off from being a playoff contender. Please note, I said, playoff contender, not Super Bowl contender. Chip Rosenbloom is coming to town this weekend and he plans to meet with Haslett to discuss the future of the team. Unless the team stumbles in the final nine games, I believe it's still Haslett's team. And although the situation remains fluid, I think a Devaney-Haslett tandem in '09 in terms of making personnel decisions remains likely. (Or at least, the frontrunner in terms of the future of the organization.)

jon in kentucky: I am by no means a Bulger Hater, but as quickly as he regained his confidence against Dallas he once again lost it with the Pats, he seemed to get rid of the ball to early before there was significant seperation for the receivers, especially in the red zone. i hope he watched Peyton on Monday wait til the last moment to complete his passes. Either relax and make a good pass or throw the ball away, is no one in his ear reinforcing this message?

Jim Thomas: I thought Bulger played pretty well Sunday _ in the face of almost constant pressure _ but was just so-so in the fourth quarter. Some of those high throws in the end zone were a case of simply throwing the ball away.

Dan Lum: Has Torry Holt died and I don't know about it? Why aren't the Rams getting this man the ball? .. even post Linehan? All of a sudden Donnie Avery is "The Man" in St.Louis. How many Pro Bowls has he gone to? How many Super Bowl rings does he have? By the way, Orlando Pace and Pisa must be jetisoned this offseason, they're done in STL.

Jim Thomas: On Holt, I agree. They have to find more ways to get him the ball.
As for Pace and Pisa, I couldn't disagree more. When he's been on the field, Pace easily has been the Rams' best offensive linemen. As for Pisa, yes he was beaten for that TD, but it was an excellent throw and catch. Pisa also had clearly been the Rams' best linebacker this season.