Jim: Jim,

How would you rate the football expertise of John Shaw and Jay Zygmunt after their long tenures with the team? Everyone talks about their legal backgrounds, but after such a long time around the game, they would have to have developed a pretty in depth understanding of what is going on with coaching and players, would they not? I would like to have confidence that they can observe the same coaching inadequacies that fans and media can plainly see.

Thanks for your time.

Jim Thomas: Very good question. When it comes to evaluating a coach's performance, I think they are very well equipped. They're both very bright men, and in many cases, see the same things many of us do.
As for what's happening with the players, I think they depend more on what the coaches might be telling them as anything. At times, I feel they've been impatient with young players. They've contributed to some bad decisions in free agency. And should've stepped in at times when Mike Martz made some of his goofier draft picks. I think they rely too much on the Giddings scouting service when it comes to evaluating players rather than their own scouts and personnel people.

David: If Linehan stays and Haslett is offered a job elsewhere, who do you think the defensive coordinator's job would go to?

Jim Thomas: If Haslett goes, he probably takes Venturi and DB coach Willy Robinson with him. So I doubt it would be anybody on this staff. John L. Smith, Linehan's coaching mentor who most recently was at Michigan State and now is an advance scout for the Rams, would be one possibility although Smith has told me in the past that he'd prefer to return to the college ranks and as a head coach.

Team-Sport: Jim,
Thanks again for doing this.

Perhaps I did read too much into your report on Todd Bouman. But it seems like the "Knows the System" cliche is mis-leading, especially after 5 years away from that 'system'. That's a long time, don't you think?

Jim Thomas: No biggie. It's moot now because Bouman wasn't signed. But the terminology, the way coaches call plays in their play books usually doesn't change _ or change much _ over many years. The simple fact of knowing the language of the offensive system would've helped Bouman get ready very quickly. And with only four games left in the season, time was of the essence if the Rams had signed Bouman.

Todd W.: Jim,
I think every home game should've or could've been won. Critical Fumbles pretty much sum up most of them. I know it doesn't matter now, and I know it's part of the game, but what do you think?

Jim Thomas: No doubt, the two lost fumbles by Jackson against Carolina were critical.
So were the fumbles by Torry Holt and Dante Hall (on the muffed punt) against San Francisco. And the botched center exchange by Frerotte vs. Seattle.

David: Hi Jim,
In a 3-4 alignment, you need an immovable force at Nose Tackle. Can Ryan or Carriker fit that bill if we go to 3-4 most of the time? Also, I have heard that it is easier to find 250 pound rush linebackers than it is to find 350 pound lineman. Would the use of the 3-4 make it easier to find quality defensive players on a consistent basis? I love seeing the linebackers jump around on defense before a blitz. It reminds me of the confusion Mike Martz's offense use to cause on the other side of the ball.

Jim Thomas: I think Ryan could be that guy. I think in a 3-4, Carriker moves to to DE, although he probably could also slide inside on some plays.
I don't know about rush LBs being easier to find than nose tackles.
I too like the moving around that Haslett has been doing on defense lately when he goes to the 3-man front.