fliswtr: Hi Jim,
This is my 1st time writing, however I've been reading your "live chat" discussions on the internet here in Jersey for a while now. I remember the days of Roman Gabriel and I'm starvved for info on my favorite team here in the Tri- State, and just want to say thanks for giving me some insight. My question: I just came from watching the Rams get punished at the Meadowlands by the Jets. I noticed that Torry Holt basically ran 2 routes. An inside slant and a ten yard down & out, and other than that he blocks to seal off for the outside runs and passes to the flats. Real costly penalty in the third quarter on a run by Pittman too. Is Holt's ineffectiveness caused by the game planning (the routes he is asked to run) or age and injury (not being able to do the things he once did) or how much does he miss Issac Bruce?

Jim Thomas: Although better than Holt's, Bruce's numbers aren't great in San Francisco, either. So I don't know if it's Bruce specifically, or just the lack of a proven No. 2 receiver. Avery provided a spark for a few games, but his production has slowed lately as well. Teams are keeping their safeties deep and almost daring the Rams to run the football. But the running game has been inept lately without Steven Jackson in the lineup. I'd still like to see Holt used more often, but he just doesn't seem to be an integral part of the game plan on a week in, week out basis.

smackuprams: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE??? THIS IS REAL HARD TO KEEP THE FAITH...

Jim Thomas: We got to San Francisco, 3:05 p.m. kickoff, St. Louis time, this Sunday.

Kenny H.: Jim, after reading Bernie's Extra Points, one would get the impression that the majority of the roster lacks the competitiveness to play in the NFL. Isn't the real problem with the leadership among players?

Bulger is the easy and obvious example. I've tried to be understanding, but Marc's personality has proven to be his weakness over the past 2-3 seasons. When things get tough on the field, Bulger just rolls his eyes, covers up, and waits for the end (rather than fight). This rubs off on the team, and I hate it! The rest of the offense breathes a little easier during brow-beatings like today, because they know that the QB is going to stay calm and NOT fight for it

Other team "leaders" have been Chavous (who is a below-average NFL player), Glover (well past his prime), Jackson (oft-injured and a fake leader), Pace (who never has been a leader), and Holt (who, until this year, was exempt from criticism due to gaudy stats). Well, this year Torry looks like if I went out there to try and get open. I've seen nearly every game of Safari's career, and either the guy is injured or he has quit, because nobody loses that much juice over one offseason. My point is, the rest of the team sees leaders who either can't play, won't play, or both.

Wouldn't the young players with potential (Atogwe, Bartell, Long, Carriker, Ryan, Incognito, the WRs, and maybe even Barron) benefit from seeing all of the previously mentioned players sat down for underperformance? These proud veterans can either get mad and fight for the job and their pride, or they can roll over and give up like they do on Sundays! It would surely screw the salary cap to cut some of these guys loose, but they have become a poison on this team!

Also, why not play Berlin a little? I realize nobody thinks the guy is ready, but who thought that Warner and Bulger were NFL players before their opportunities? At least they can find out for sure what they have with him. What, afraid Brock would have the team behind 45-0 at half? I'm not sure the opposition is conditioned well enough to go beyond today's first half damage!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot - how much longer before it is established that Nick Leckey is NOT an NFL center!? I'm sure he is a hard-working, great guy, but so am I, and I have to pay $150+ to watch my favorite team quit from the upper deck!

Jim Thomas: In the NFL, the leaders are the guys who are making the plays. Who on this team is making plays?

COGzilla: Hello, jim. Hope you had a good weekend. My question is short and to the point. Ownership situation aside, who would you like to see come in and be team prez? One guy that we as fans can rally around and trust to hire a good coach and do a massive cleanup and rebuild of this team's roster. ala parcells.thanks.

Jim Thomas: Why not give Devaney a chance?

Michael Gordon: Jim, I have seen a lot of mock drafts as of late that have the rams picking in the first 5-7 and taking an OT (Oher, Smith, Monroe). They are great players and deserve to go that high, but what value is there in taking one of these when Pace is still servicable. He is not great like he used to be by any means but the upgrade from Pace to Oher would not be nearly the upgrade from Culberson to Curry or Brown to Vontae Davis. The team only gets marginally better. Do you see my point or should OT still be a point of emphasis?

Jim Thomas: I think the offensive line _ starting with the tackle position _ will be team's No. 1 priority in the offseason. Even if you keep Pace, Barron's contract is up after 2009.