NYC Rams Fan: Hi Jim,

After the Rams beat the Cowboys two weeks ago, and everyone was celebrating, I couldn't help but hearken back to last year when the Rams came out of the bye and won 2 in a row... and then proceeded to lose all but one the rest of the way. Here, it seems, we go again. First, are the players hanging their heads like they did in the first quarter of the season, or do they still have some confidence, and believe they can come out alright?

Second, while the number of sacks on Bulger seems a bit more manageable, reports seem to say he still isn't getting lots of time in the pocket. Are there still big problems with the pass blocking? Is this a talent issue? Because the run blocking has seemingly been decent (at least before this week, anyway). Why is the line struggling so much? When I think back on players who quarterbacked us in good times (Everett, Warner, etc.), I can't help but notice a pattern of shell-shock from too many hits. What gives?

Jim Thomas: 1.) The Rams have faced the toughest schedule in the NFC so far this season, and the second-toughest schedule in the entire NFL. As for "here it goes again," we're about to find out if that's the case in these final eight games.
I can't tell you for sure if the players are hanging their heads, but the Arizona game looked a lot like the Linehan Rams.
2.) The pass blocking by the line, at face value, wasn't all that bad against Arizona. But the Rams are throwing less this season _ noticeably less, about 8-9 passes a game less _ yet the sack total is as high as ever. The team currently ranks 29th of 32 teams in sacks allowed per pass play. That's not very good, is it? But it's just not the line. The backs must do better, and so must the tight ends.

Brad: Jim, looks like the Rams won't be making the playoffs this year, no surprise. I know you don't like to talk about the offseason plans much until almost the end of season, but I am curious about the cap status of some key players for 2009. Will the Rams take any cap hits if Bennett, Dante Hall, Pace, and Holt are no longer with team come next season? I see the Rams parting ways with at least 2 of 4, if not all 4 next season due to their high salaries and limited production. Holt they may try to trade though if they can get something for him.

thanks,

Brad

Jim Thomas: Hall's contract expires after this season, so there is no cap hit.
Holt is entering the final year of his contract in '09. If he's released or traded, $2.2 million of unamortized signing bonus money would count against the '09 cap, but $8 million would be subtracted from the '09 cap (representing his base salary of $6.75 million plus a roster bonus of $1.25 million).
Pace has three years left on his contract entering '09, but the way his contract was structured there is no signing bonus proration for the '10 and '11 seasons. What that means is that if he were released or traded (before June 1), there would be only a $3 million cap charge for '09 (from his signing bonus), but his $6 million base salary would be subtracted from the '09 cap.
Bennett, with four years remaining on his contract after this season, is a little more problematical, but not a bankbuster, either. Bennett's cap hit if cut or trade before June 1 would be $5 million in unamortized signing bonus, but the team wouldn't have to pay his $3.3 million base salary in '09, or a $500,000 signing bonus.

In summary, all of this may be more information you need. But here's an easy way to figure it. If Pace, Holt, and Bennett were all on the Rams roster in 2009, they would count roughly $24 million against the '09 cap. If all three were cut or traded before June 1, they would count rougly $10.2 against the '09 cap.

midnighter67: Why doesn't Romberg get a chance? Is he still hurt? It seems Leckey is overmatched every week.

Jim Thomas: Romberg is healthy. Obviously, the coaching staff feels that Romberg wouldn't be much of an upgrade, or any kind of an upgrade over Romberg. I'm not sure I agree with this, then again, no one's asked for my opinion at Rams Park.

Gabriel 2 Snow: Hello Jim, any news on how Cadet Thomas is doing? There are many of us patriots ( American, NOT NewEngland! ) that are pulling for him.
On the Rams, I think many will have issues about Bulger. The one that concerns me most is his denials that his mechanics have deteriorated. He can't even BEGIN to correct a problem he refuses to acknowledge. His attitude is terrible, the constant negative assessments seemingly rattling him as much as a safety blitz. Rather than focusing on a possible solution, he comes off as pouting & defensive. Not a good example for his team. This is the kind of leader 60 million dollars gets us? I thought Haz did the right thing naming him the starter for the rest of the year, but if Marc keeps his head in the sand, he'll find it's quicksand, and few will second guess Haslett eating his words by benching him. I believe Haz would stick with Marc all the way if his attitude was conducive to improvement & leadership. You have usually stayed firmly in Marcs corner, has his recent demeanor troubled you? Or are we Just seeing negative moments overhyped by the media?

Jim Thomas: G to S,
Cadet Thomas is doing well, thank you. He's in the middle of his junior year, coaching his regimental tackle football team, and majoring in Middle Eastern Studies.
As for Bulger. He didn't play well Sunday. Yes, he could be handling things better, in my opinion. But he needs blocking and a running game, simple as that. Although my job in part is to report what the players say, at the end of the day it's what they do on the field.

wttrash2: Jim,

Thanks for doing the chat.

Just an observation from the game Sunday. Why can't Leckey get the ball to Bulger faster on a shot gun snap? Watching the Cardinals center get the ball to Warner was like night and day. Bulger has to sit and wait for the ball to get to him, while Warner is already looking downfield. There is a good second difference in the time each QB would get the ball. Is Romberg healthy enough yet to get back in there?

Bill

Jim Thomas: You know, we haven't asked anybody about this, but Leckey's shotgun snaps have been a little shaky the past few games. Romberg is indeed healthy.