coleyrock: Hey Jim, thanks for answering our questions

The Rams have responded really well to Haslett leadership.. Marc Bulger didn't particularly look good against the Pats and frankly does not merit the contract he signed.. Where should the Rams start in grooming their successor a young free agent QB or the draft? Thanks

Jim Thomas: There's so little available in free agency these days at QB, I would think almost certainly the Rams would look in the draft. As for Bulger, I realize the fourth quarter wasn't great _ far from it. But did I miss something? Didn't the guy throw for 300 yards?

Buzz: Jim,
Tye Hill lacks confidence and plays like it this year under coach Ron Milus. Under Willy Robinson, he was at least a serviceable young corner. Did the change in lead coach have anything to do with his regression in your opinion? Can good coaching get him out of his funk? Thanks.

Jim Thomas: Good question, and I'm not sure about the answer. But Willy Robinson, despite his gruff ways, was (is) a good coach. And I certainly do feel that Hill can be coached out of his funk, but it's got to start from within.

ramundo: Jim, its great to see the Rams play with more spark and enthusiam! Makes you wonder if they (some of them) really did intentionally quit on Lineham. Big question for our upcoming game against Arizona is how can we put big time pressure on accurate old Kurt Warner. Given time, as he proved last week against a solid Carolina D, he'll pick us part. Think we'll put in more blitz packages...or how do you think the Rams coaches will approach it?

Jim Thomas: Venturi hasn't blitzed a ton since taking over. And he lost his best blitzing corner (Manning) for the year with injury, and lost his best pass rusher (Little) for most of the New England game. If Little is healthy, that will be a great help against Warner. And keep in mind, Warner remains adept at picking apart blitzes. When the Rams do blitz, they better get there.

eddie c: Overall, feeling after the game sunday: patriots got special treatment by refs. No late hit call late in game when bolger was knocked to ground well after ball released by d line patriot and held there. Saw holding(arm over shoulder and around back of rams d lineman) on patriots first drive. How could there be no calls against them? If calls were neutralized, rams would've won. Why wasn't this addressed to the league office by haslett? Did he forget? Couldn't see punt call from TV angle, was that off as much as haslett thought. Have seen special treatment for patriots, home teams in general. Can't review these calls w instant replay?

Jim Thomas: Haslett said the Rams did send several plays into the league office for review. After looking at the tape, he still thought the Rams were robbed of at least 10 yards of field position on the Donnie Jones punt out of bouncs. The 29-yard punt resulted in the game-tying field goal. I don't think any of those plays are reviewable.

ihtnep: No excuses, no satisfaction with almost beating the AFC champions, this one made me sick! I would buy the "moral" victory thing had NE played mistake free football, and the Rams played mostly consistently but just come up a little short. I never hated the Kansas City Royals (and Denkinger) like I hate the New England Patriots, and I haven't wanted a victory this badly in any regular season game in a long time. AND IT WAS RIGHT THERE FOR THE TAKING! Yeah, we didn't have Jackson, but they didn't have Maroney, Harrison or Brady. Seemed even to me.
The officiating was a joke, even the Boston press admitted as much.
Here's my question:
Is anyone in the press going to seriously ask Bellicheat if he really thought the officiating was fair and the Patriots played penalty-free football? Is he REALLY that intimidating that nobody asks him tough questions? Who cares if he takes offense? The guy is a MAJOR jerk!

My two cents

Jim Thomas: I can't speak for the Boston-area press.
As is always the case, home or away, I cover the Rams locker room and Rams coach's press conference.