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?

Bill Coats: 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...

Bill Coats: 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!

Bill Coats: 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.

Bill Coats: 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?

Bill Coats: 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.

cardsnumber7: Hi Jim,

Can we run anyone else out there on the Offensive Line? They can't do any worse?!? Pace, he cost us a TD for the Jets yesterday. Can't even count on him anymore. Bell is a bust. No more free agents from Tennessee.

Thanks
Todd

Bill Coats: Orlando Pace was doing exactly what he was supposed to do, blocking exactly who he was supposed to block, on that blindside blitz. Bulger was supposed to get the ball out quicker and throw the ball to the other side. Not only did he not get the ball out, I was astounded that he didn't see or couldn't see the blitzer coming.

elderamfan: After that debacle, it's safe to concentrate on next year. How are the injured Rams coming along - Setterstrom, Justin King, Drew Bennet? Will they be ready for the workouts around June, 2009? I'm not completely counting out Bennet, as maybe he could be a receiver behind Avery, Burton, Stanley, and Holt, and one or two of them could always get hurt. Any truth to the thought of moving Incognito to center when Setterstrom gets healthy?

Bill Coats: I believe King is ahead of schedule. I think Setterstrom's latest injury may be career-threatening. I'm not sure if Bennett will be back.

atommo: I'm a little out of the loop up here in Pennsylvania. Can you give me an update as to whether or not Shaw and Zygmunt will likely be with the Rams next season?

Bill Coats: I don't think either will be back.

midnighter67: Why is this offensive line so bad? Is it lack of talent, lack of coaching, lack of concentration, bad scheme,... I don't know why so many posters are down on Pace, though. He's still the best the Rams have. He made a glaring mistake on Sunday but he can still play. I don't want to see him end his Rams career the way Ike did. He's done plenty for this organization, just as Bruce did, and he deserves better. Let's not make the same mistake twice.

Bill Coats: Repeating--PACE DID NOT MAKE A GLARING MISTAKE. According the protection that was called, Bulger is supposed to account for the blitzer by either sliding to the right, throwing the ball to his right, or both. He did neither.

midnighter67: If Kurt Warner wins the MVP this season is it enough to get him to the Hall?

Bill Coats: It puts him in the discussion, but what he lacks is longevity _ at least longevity as a starter. Pending what happens the rest of this season, he has had only four seasons where he's started more than 10 games. If he starts all 16 regular-season games, he will end '08 with 100 career starts _ that's the equivalent of about seven seasons as a full-time starter.

JERSEYRAM: Is it possible to dump Bulgers contract after the season or will the cap hit be to much? Without dumping his contract can we afford to draft a QB in the first round of the draft? Thanx for the time.
JerseyRam

Bill Coats: There's an $8 million cap hit, plus $3 million of Bulger's 2009 base salary is guaranteed. With so many needs, I sure wouldn't take a QB in the first round unless you were sure he was the second coming of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning or Brett Favre.

J.C.: hey jim, 2 weeks ago i asked you if bulger needs to be traded since he has not proven himself under pressure. i don't care about how poor the offensive line is...we have a pro bowler in pace and a decent tackle in bell. Barron is still young and has a ton of potential. cogs is fiery and fights for every play. the only obvious weak spot is center, but thats 1 out of 5 solid tackles. Now, you ridiculed me 2 weeks ago about how i ate into and believed too much in the media...well, i want to know your thoughts on the jets game. How did we get ourselves into a 40-0 hole in the FIRST HALF?!?!?!? you tell me. poor coaching? i dont think so. why? because this team fought hard and beat washington and dallas not too long ago...and they are two solid teams, and we beat them...that says something about hasletts leadership. How can a 2-0 team suddenly be in this position now? The team still believes in haslett...so who is second in command? the QB! that's right...bulger needs to take his head out of his ass and start playing like a $60 million dollar quarterback and not whine about how fans are turning against him and how he doesn't care about what the fans say...no fans buying tickets = bulger on welfare. he needs to grow up and man up to his problems and mistakes. Bulger is single handedly ruining the rams this year. poor teams will rally and fight hard with a confident qb...and that's not BULGER...he cries and whines about people criticizing him...he is earning $60million...gosh...and he still has the guts to whine?!?!?....economic turmoil asshole! wakeup! dats all i have to say...so whats your take jim? am i crazy or naive?

Bill Coats: No one's disputing that Bulger was bad against the Jets.

sean: how do you inspire quiters? it seems that the team doesnt want to play hard or smart, what can haz do to change that mind set?

Bill Coats: As Bernie said the other day on the radio, it's hard to call them quitters when they never even got started. Judging from what we saw in the first half Sunday, it didn't look the Rams even wanted to be there.

MarcGF: Jim

Thanks for the opportunity......I know that the current starting center got big kudos for handling Jenkins this past week, so my timing is bad, but it seems to me that "A gap" has been a problem all year and I don't understand why Brett R hasn't been able to push himself out front and get in a game?

Bill Coats: Obviously, if the coaches thought Romberg could play better he would be in there. Romberg has been his own worst enemy with injuries. I think the center position will be a priority in the offseason.

scott: Hi Jim.
Why do you think the Rams let Travis Minor play special teams 2 weeks ago, when they knew they were already very thin at running back? Also, I would hate for the Rams to give up on Holt too quickly with the numbers he has put up every season he has been here. To me, he seems like he still runs well.
thanks.

Bill Coats: Do you really think a healthy Travis Minor would have made a big difference in the backfield?
I'm with you on Holt. I think he could still be a valuable part of the receiving corps, but in a modified role.

S. Monkey: Hi JT,

Thanks for offering this forum for all of us, it helps keep our sanity in these desperate times. In light of a season that's virtually lost, how many starters (on both sides of the ball) do you see being replaced for next season? How do you feel Clifton Ryan has progressed this year? It seems like the defensive line of Adey/Ryan/Carriker/Long is our most efficient, but when Glover & J. Hall come in, and even Little on non passing downs, we just get bowled over. Do you think the youth on the DLine will maintain their roster spots?

Bill Coats: 1.) I have no idea on the number of starters. I'd say the Rams need two starting offensive linemen, a middle linebacker, and a strongside linebacker, another big body at DT, a really good No. 2 running back, and a safety.
Ryan has zero tackles Sunday. Zero.
As for the young d-linemen, yes, I think they'll be back in '09 if that's your question.

joram: Jim What's up with Carricker and Whitherspoon these guys were getting knocked back into the Rams defensive backfield all game?

Bill Coats: So you noticed.

Derrick: I'm sure you get this question alot, but what do you believe the chances are that the Rams are sold this off season? I've thought all year that the best thing would be a sale and a COMPLETE overhaul and cleaning out of the organization.

Bill Coats: I don't think it happens this offseason, particularly in this econonmy.

oBam: Hey JT,

With all the talk about the HC in 2009. What's up with the front office restructure? Is Shaw and JZ REALLY outta here? WHo's the likely new team Prez? How exactly do they want to structure it? Is Billy D gonny be the New GM? Even if they don't win 4 more games is Haz still in the running? and would he gut the coaching staff? What the heck are their plans?

Bill Coats: Patience oBAM, patience. The offseason is growing near.

Rob: JT: I really think it's time to see if any of these draft picks the past few years are players or not. I'm talking about Wade, Culbertson, Hill, Klophenstein, Schnuening, Greco, Stanley,Chanmberlain, Vdorba etc. Especially on the O-line I really think we should move Incognito to Center, put Schuening at Guard, and put Greco where Barron is. There is no way we should pay Barron big money to stay in STL. Also, is Pisa T. overrated? Would we be better off with Witherspoon in that spot and draft a MLB next year? Next year draft priorities, OT, MLB, CB, QB.
Your thoughts?

Bill Coats: Your draft priorities make a lot of sense. I would put running back in there somewhere. The Rams need a better option at No. 2 RB.

4thandJuan: Hello again, Jim.
I've read that Haslett realizes he needs a bigger guy at middle linebacker. I've also read he's comfortable with Witherspoon at MLB. What's the coach's thinking on this position?
Thnx.

Bill Coats: My sense is that Haslett has come to the realization that Witherspoon is better suited for weakside backer and that a true MLB is needed.

Young Ram: Hi Jim,

Has there been any thoughts by the staff to give Berlin a start or some kind of relief role and compared to the other two QBs who looks the best at practice?Also have they considered drafting or finding a QB in free agency.

Bill Coats: There have been no thoughts to playing Berlin that I'm aware of.
Bulger looks the best in practice.
I'm sure the Rams will consider drafting a QB of the future this April.

cardsnumber7: Hello Jim,
Peek into your crystal ball and give me a % chance of Steven starting this week? If you have already answered this before my post. I will just check the other answers and you can ignore this post. We are definitely a different team with him.

Thanks for doing this every week.
Todd W.

Bill Coats: I would say 70-30 that Jackson doesn't play.

danleo01: Are there problems in the Rams locker room? How did they get this bad?

Dan

Bill Coats: These players seem to get along pretty well. As for how you get from 34-14 over Dallas to 3-47 to the New York Jets in three weeks, I have no idea.

Yorkshire Rams Fan: Hey Jim,

How much of the Rams recent problems relate to size? We look tiny in comparison to some of our opponents. Our Center and Guards are getting knocked backwards consistently, giving Bulger nothing to work with & no running game. Added to this his lack of mobility, there's no wonder we cannot get anything going on offense.

With protection, i'm sure Bulger can still perform to a decent level. Look at what Kerry Collins is doing in Tennessee for goodness sakes!!!

Also, is it now time to admit defeat and move Will Witherspoon back outside. The guy appears to be getting worn down in the middle and his losing his consistency. We cannot afford to destroy our best linebacker!

How do we address the draft? Do we go Tackle and Center in the early rounds and get a a big DT and MLB in free agency?

Thanks for your time.

Bill Coats: Here's my read: Pace is giving it everything he's got, but isn't the player he was a few years ago. Bell has been a disappointment and looks undersized. Leckey is very tenacious, but is undersized. Incognito is playing decently. Barron doesn't seem to have the passion for the game.

ballhawk32: Jim:
A couple of fans, including myself, have alluded to the OJ Otogwe dancing episode. Not sure if you witnesssed it or even heard about it. Not to continually beat a dead horse.. but in short, we're getting blown out and embarrassed and OJ is on the field dancing alongside Jets cheerleaders.

Do you think this is being made too much of a big deal? Because Gordo chalked it up as "the game was long over". To me, it showed a lack of pride and leadership. I know OJ is a pretty solid safety, but his actions from a fan's perspective looked like he could care less about the score or the team's performance at that point. A guy like Ray Lewis is in his teammate's faces at that point trying to fire them up, not doing what OJ did.

Bill Coats: Didn't see it. Don't generally read too much into players smiling on the sidelines, etc. Oshiomogho is different, I'll say that. But if my team was getting it's rear-end kicked like that, I wouldn't be dancing.

Ed C: I'm confused, Haslett was ready to cut the rookies, Darby and Stanley, for fumbling but won't bench Bulger for fumbling and throwing terrible INTs. He's a veteran and shouldn't be making rookie mistakes. On the INT returned for a TD by Arizona Bulger said he "assumed the safety would bite on his pump-fake". Give me a break, what gives here?

Bill Coats: Darby fumbled twice in five touches. Stanley has fumbled once in two NFL catches. They are NOT proven NFL players. Regardless of what you may or may not think about Bulger, he is a proven NFL player. He has a track record. Now if he was throwing interceptions on two of every five passes, or fumbling once every two times he was hit, I don't think he'd be playing, either.

George M.: Hi, Jim. Thanks for sitting in today, I know it isn't any fun under these circumstances.

When the Rams signed Jacob Bell last offseason, it was reported in this paper that our personnel "guru", Billy Devaney, had him rated higher than Alan Faneca.

Devaney's other major move to improve the offensive line was to draft John Greco high in the third round to play tackle. When he got here, we discovered that - OOPS! - he can't play tackle, he's a guard. Not only that, but he isn't better than the guards we saw yesterday, the aforementioned Jacob Bell and Richie Incognito. And, we wouldn't be better off with moving Incognito to center and playing Greco at right guard.

I know it's too early to judge Devaney overall, but is it too early to have concerns about his ability to size up offensive linemen? 'Cause I got real concerns there. I would appreciate your thoughts.

Bill Coats: There's no doubt that Bell came on Devaney's watch.
But the Rams made it known on draft day, minutes after drafting Greco, that they thought he was probably better suited to play guard in the NFL. So your memory is selective on that one.

Dave from ohio: Whats up Jim,

I see the jets just cut Justin Miller and the Skins cut Haslets buddy Leigh Torrence. Is there any chance the Rams will make a move for these guys to see if they can help for the future? They have to be better than Jason Craft. If not what kind of
roster moves do you see going on this week?

Thanks as always,
Dave

Bill Coats: This much I can tell you. The only roster move this week was a practice squad change. RB Darius Walker, who was signed just last week, was cut and replaced by S David Roach. The Rams like Roach, and with Minor and Pittman apparently healthy this week, they felt they could part with Walker on the practice squad.
They had RB Najeh Davenport and RB Dwayne Wright in for workouts and physicals, but signed neither.

Ruben: Jim,
I have a few questions for you.

1. Do you think Torry Holt's "attitude" early in spring did carry over to the regular season? He has backed off earlier statements, but actions speak louder than words.

2. What will happen with the offensive line the rest of the year? Will Incognito or Bell move to Center or back up role? Will any of the rookies play? Will Barron be moved to LT and Pace moved to LG or RT?

3. Do you see Haslett making any changes, other than wideout, to get guys some experience for next year?

Bill Coats: 1.) No.
2.) No.
3.) No.

Ramsfan: Will the Rams gane be on TV in the St. Louis area this weekend? It is still great to have an NFL team and we need to support them through thick and thin. Go Rams!!!

Bill Coats: Yes, the game will be televised. It's a road game.

ramsfan80: Jim, Frank Cusumano reported yesterday via radio that someone "high up" at Rams Park thought the team would move Bell outside to tackle next season. Any truth to that and do you think he could cut it at tackle? He's certainly not performing well inside.

Thanks for the chat as always.

Bill Coats: Moving Bell to tackle has been thought of, but not at any level that I would currently call serious.

brady: Jim,

Do you think Bulgers actions are creating a negative mood on the team? It seems like he acts like he does not want to be playing at times and he never seems to enjoy playing anymore, it might just be me but what do you think?

Bill Coats: What actions?

allen: Hey Jim, love these chats.
Curious as to what may happen to Kenneth Darby from here. Can we keep him and work on him holding the ball ALL WEEK LONG? Because save for those mistakes, though they were huge, his running skill and speed were great. Just trying to find a silver lining...

Bill Coats: Here's my thought on Darby. He better not fumble the ball in practice this week. Not once.

nicky: Hey Jim

I have to admit, until Sunday I was in the jury of playing Romberg over Lecky. BUT, I was at the Meadowlands amongst the drunken fool Jet fans and I mean they are drunks. Been all over the NFL, by far, the Jets fans are thw worst.

Anyway, decided to concentrate on Romberg on the kick coverage. Know what ? the guy did nothing, nothing. He had several opportunities to hit someone and I watched him closely, he hit no one. On a few plays he made sure he danced out of the way. I have to be honest, was very surprised and if he plays like this at practice I now see all too well why they are not starting him. On Lecky, to be honest did better then expected but again, if it wasn't for Incognito being there on a lot of plays, Lecky would have been literally bull rushed by Jenkins.

I expect the staff has watched the film and no reason to beat the Dead horse named Bell. My question on that subject is will we see Schuening or Greco at LG if Bell does not wake up soon. Thank You for taking the time for us.

Bill Coats: There's been some discussion on Greco. But Incognito is playing decently at rg, they're not ready to pull the plug on Bell at lg, so where do you play him?

buuki: Do you think Darby can get his fumbling under control and compete for the #2 spot? With the exception of the fumbles I was impressed with his ability to hit the hole hard and the way he fought for extra yardage.

Bill Coats: He's got some juice, no doubt. But it was a pretty small sample size. Four carries and one catch.

kumuhunter: Hi Jim,

What's with Bulger, really? How come he stinks?

Thanks,
Damien Domingo

Bill Coats: He has no consistent blocking, no running game without Jackson, no reliable receiving threats week in, week out, no receiving threat at tight tight end, his accuracy is down (particularly on the short stuff), and he looks gun shy at times. Other than that, everything is peachy.

Hinch: Hello, Jim. Thanks for taking questions . . .

Yes, this team is bad. Really bad. So, if you're Jim Haslett, has it gotten to the point where there is absolutely no impact move you can make? It sure seems that way. (Not saying there are no bright spots, such as Avery, but really getting them into the game depends on the areas which seem to be weakest right now.) If it's not at that point, give Coach some advice: What single move could he make right now that might, just maybe, have some immediate and noticeable impact.

Bill Coats: He is about out of moves. He's added Ryan to the starting lineup. Increased the playing time for Adeyanju. He's starting Avery. Trying to speed the development of Burton and Stanley. Stanley is now returning punts and kickoffs. Other than starting Greco, or benching Bulger, or starting Todd Johnson in place of Corey Chavous, I don't know what can be done. He's already pushed most of those buttons.

Da Rams28: "Jim Thomas: Your draft priorities make a lot of sense. I would put running back in there somewhere. The Rams need a better option at No. 2 RB."


Didn't we just spend a #2 pick on this with Lenard????? Incompetence at its finest...

Bill Coats: You noticed that too, eh?

Random_Access_Me: How does it feel covering a team like the Rams? Are you happy every morning you wake up and head to work?

Bill Coats: It's not as glamorous a job as some might think. And it's obviously more fun when the team is winning. But rarely does it feel like work.

Mike: Hi Jim;

Might the Rams have any interest in Justin Miller? Speedy corner, with very good return abilities. Was slated to start before a foot injury derailed him. Saw that the Jets just released him. Don't see that either Craft or Hall have futures with the team, so why not bring this kid in.

Bill Coats: Don't know on Miller. I'll try to check.

Got to go for now. See you all next week.