Steve B.: Jim:

Is Incognito an unrestricted or restricted free agent next year? I read that he was a RFA, but since he was a third round draft choice four years ago shouldn't he be unrestricted?
thanks.

Jim Thomas: Incognito will be an RFA. Even though he was drafted four years ago, his first year did not count towards free agency because he began the year on the PUP list (physically unable to perform) and never played in a game.

lynyrd: Jim, First of all I'd like to wish you and yours a very happy holiday season, especially Cadet Thomas who I trust is doing well.

My question concerns Adam Carriker. What's happened to this guy? I was checking his stats for the year and his production has been abysmal. In 10 games he has 12 tackles (11 solo) and no sacks and in the past three games he has exactly ONE tackle.

I remember reading an article last year during training camp (don't recall if it was written by you or not) about how after a scrimmage with Minn. then Coach Linehan approached Matt Birk, the Vikings Pro Bowl center, and asked him his opinion of Carriker. Birk's reply was that the kid was a handful and Carriker went on to have a solid rookie season especially considering that we were moving him all over the place on the D-line. He was definitly considered to be an up and comer and expected to continue to improve especially if he could settle in at just one position.

Than he hurt his shoulder (torn rotator cuff I believe) but that he was expected to be at full strength by training camp. Having had rotator cuff surgery myself on both my shoulders I found that hard to believe at the time and continue to believe that his shoulder isn't 100%.

What's your take on this Jim? From all accounts the kid's a humper and wants to be the best he can be (unlike a lot of his teammates) so what's the problem? Am I on to something here or is it that Adam's just another very limited player who we grossly overestimated?

Thanks again for holding these chats Jim, I never miss a one.

Jim Thomas: See my earlier post on Carriker. Also, since the ankle injury, he has been playing only about 30 snaps per game.

lynyrd: Jim, Did you ever ask Jacob Bell why he's lost 15-20 lbs.? Thanks again!

Jim Thomas: Have not. But plan to at some point.

OCRich: 1. How much of a cap hit will the Rams absorb when (I said "when" and not "if") they cut Trent Green?
2. Let's say the Lions play the Rams this weekend. Who wins? (Besides the fans who don't watch.)
3. Do you ever sit back and just laugh at the ineptitude you witness week in and week out with this team?

Jim Thomas: 1.) $1.4 million if cut by June 1.
2.) Please. Got to go with the Lions.
3.) It's sad, actually, to see it come to this.

smackuprams: with all the writing about the rams players how bad they are and such.....do any of them come to you and say things,like you got me all wrong,you don;t see the big pic.,your not fair and things like that.....ty

Jim Thomas: Sometimes I do.