rams26: Hello Jim -

For three weeks in a row I want to make my case that Haslett does not deserve another chance. The team has not responded. They need someone new next season. If Chip holds true to his word, there is no way Haslett is back next year. He would have to go 4 - 2 in the final six games to win six total. That isn't going to happen. There is talent on this team. With this division, we can be back in division title contention next year if the proper moves are made.

As always..............GO RAMS!!!!!!!!!

Jim Thomas: And just who do you think the Rams are going to "attract" as a head coaching candidate, given the current state of the roster and the uncertainty over a franchise sale?

Encino: Given that the Rams' run defense has been awful, and that two first-round draftees are part of the defensive line, have Carriker and Long been a disappointment at this stage of their NFL careers?

Jim Thomas: This is a week to week business. Two weeks ago, I would've said that Chris Long has played better than expected. He's been pretty quiet the past two weeks on the field. As for Carriker, a few weeks ago before his ankle injury, I would've said that he was starting to come into his own after a slow start coming off shoulder surgery. It seems obvious that Carriker's ankle is bothering him. (He didn't play much at all in the early going against San Francisco.)
The Rams have only three defensive tackles on their roster. Besides Carriker, it's Glover (who's hurting and obviously near the end of a fine career), and Clifton Ryan (who has been pretty invisible the past couple of weeks.)
The linebacker play has dropped off without Chris Draft at strongside linebacker, and Will Witherspoon (who's playing with a rotator cuff problem in his shoulder) is having a bad year.
And we should mention that the front seven is undersized and the overall run support is poor at cornerback. Other than that, the run defense is peachy.

bfulton: You've repeatedly stated that a sale this season seems unlikely. That being the case, will the limbo hamper the team in the offseason. Will the team be able to fully fund competing scouting operationgs and free agent acquisitions? As always, thanks for all of your reporting and insight.

Jim Thomas: I was told a while back that the Rams had what looked like a couple of serious potential buyers, but apparently they have backed off. In the current econcomic climate, putting together the kind of credit line to finance such a mega-purchase is next to impossible.
Despite all their problems, the Rams have always spent at or near the cap since moving to St. Louis. I don't expect that to change. If Chip Rosenbloom was trying to clear the decks for a quick sale, the team would have traded out of the expensive No. 2 spot in the draft last April. They wouldn't have spent $36 million on Jacob Bell (maybe now you could argue that they shouldn't have done that anyway), they wouldn't have made Josh Brown the most expensive kicker in NFL history, and they wouldn't have extended Steven Jackson's contract (again, insert your own punch line if you'd like). I've seen no indication that the Rams won't keep spending money to try to improve the team.

dominic zappia: Hey Jim:
Im at a loss of what is going on,but one thing I do know is that once negativity sets in,its all over.I know in the past it is said that to cut someone and his huge salary,the team will take a huge cap hit.My take,just do it! If the player cant play any longer,the team must move on....period!
I have no clue what direction the owner will take,but its obvious sweeping changes need to be done from the top down.I hope no job is safe based on what the player salary is. Players like Bulger,Chavous,Pisa,Bennett and several others who have proven to be done as players here will be shown the door and Management will prove to the fans that they are serious about changing the atmosphere and that winning in the number one priority.
This will be a very interesting and exciting offseason if done correctly. Thank you Jim......

Jim Thomas: Dominic--It's fine to say cut him, him and him. The problem is, you must find somebody at least that good as a replacement. And the cap is what it is. If you just cut everybody and end up with $20-30 million of dead money, that's $20-30 million less money that you have to sign new players.

dick stephens: Hi Jim. With this season basically over, I wonder if you could speculate on the offseason coming up. With Shaw and Z leaving after the season. Could you see the Rams offering the GM and coaching jobs to Pete Carrol after this season? Pete has said he would only consider an NFL job if he had total control and the Ram owners live in LA. Bill D. could still handle the scouting. What do you think?

Jim Thomas: Pete Carroll has a nice thing going at USC. No doubt. But given his past record in the NFL, which isn't very good, why do you think he would be an elixir at Rams Park? There's a long list of stud college coaches who have been flops in the NFL.