Coachvh: Jim, have enjoyed your work for years. I remember your great work for the Sporting News - that was you, wasn't it? What the heck happened to that once great rag?

Anyway, are you a proponent of taking the best player available, or drafting for need? And, what do you see as the Ram's most pressing need - OL, DE, or some other position?

Jim Thomas: I'm still a correspondent for TSN. The magazine is still around. The Rams have so many needs, I don't think they should be hamstrung in the early rounds. In other words, I don't think they'll have to reach for need, because there should be somebody available that grades out highly at a position where they need help.
At the moment, here's how I'd handicap the Rams top needs (keeping in mind it's a moving target that will be affected by free agency).
1.) DE--preferably a speed-rushing DE. (But Chris Long would do.)
2.) OT--Pace is a question mark, and even if he's not, the Rams need a third tackle.
3.) WR--Bruce and Holt getting no younger. A speed receiver who can get yards after the catch would be great.
4.) G-C--There are plenty of question marks on the interior, due to age and injury.

Kenny Hickerson: Jim,

I just wanted to throw in a plug for Brandon Chillar. He's been shredded over the years on these various forums, mostly because the defense was bad and he didn't dance like Ray Lewis. Now that the d-line is actually able to protect the LBs (as they should!), we see that Chillar is playing quite well against both the run and pass. Not to mention that he has good size and has been very durable, unlike a certain overpaid colleague of his. Thanks for doing the chats!

Jim Thomas: I've become a believer in Chillar. After a slow start this year, he seems to have gradually gotten more confident in his play. He does a lot of different things _ cover TEs, and backs, play the run, blitz _ and seems to be getting better. He rarely misses a tackle. He's got good size. I'm not saying he's a superstar, but he's developed into a solid player whom the Rams probably could re-sign for a modest price.

Ruben: Jim,
Thanks for taking my question. With Donahoe consulting with Shaw, do you see Kroenke giving advice? My guess is Shaw will keep Linehan, if he hires Shaw's/Donahoe's OC of choice. Why not have Kroenke involved versus Donahoe? If I was Shaw, I would hire GM, Pioli, Donahoe, ect. Then, I would fire Linehan, promote Haslett and go with coordinator of choice, Zampese, Ellard, Saunders...What would you do?

Jim Thomas: Kroenke is consulted on the bigger decisions, no doubt, but as a minority owner it's not like he's got the final say. Plus, he's got plenty of other interests outside of the Rams, in other professional sports and outside of sports.

RESPECT: Hey Jim,

its seems as if the Rams will have a bigger dilemma on their hands than expected if the "D" keeps getting better. Hasslett's been without a head coaching job for a while and despite our record, his group's been solid all year long. There should be enough head coaching vacancies to practically "give away" by the years end and i wouldnt doubt that teams already have their eye on him. is it worth losing Hasslett in favor of trying to prove to everyone that Linehan is the right guy for the job?

And though i've developed a working man's respect for Linehan for his passion and his positive stance, i really cant help but look at these last few wins as "too little too late", some wanna talk about the players and their salaries, isnt our coach supposed to be hired to- produce favorable results?

Jim Thomas: You make good points, but at this point in time _ I emphasize, at this point in time _ I get the sense Linehan will be back in '08. The last four games could change that.

Charlie Connors: Jim,

Linehan got really lucky yesterday. I just don't think he is ready to be a successful nfl coach yet. Perhaps, he needs a couple years under a proven winner. To me, he resembles his stated mentor Dennis Erickson, or Saban or Tice.

-his gameday sidelines are chaotic...Jax screams at him...Bulger rolls his eyes, Haslett acts like the Head Coach with the refs. This is not consistent with other winning coaches.

-his schemes are only effective in the first half of games. Once the Rams get through the new stuff put in for the week; the other teams know exactly what he is about to do. You ever notice that is when most of the interceptions occur?

-he doesn't have enough talent to run this system. His receivers might shock themseleves to death with Yac. and we know about the line...

-Rams Mgt is too sloppy for this coach. as a young coach, he needs guidance from them. Wrong place for that! That is why Tomlin is off to a good start, he doesn't have bs going on all around him in the front office. Furthermore, they are a consistent organization...unlike the Rams who are run from La, Ca.

-He plays decent teams here on in...

Linehan might be a successful coach someday, but it won't be here.

PS
Rams Fans should appreciate their QB's after watching the Falcon's. (2 First Round Picks and a 3rd rounder. yikes Rams Fans should appreciate their QB's after watching the Falcon's. (2 First Round Picks and a 3rd rounder)

CC

Jim Thomas: You make some good points, but I really don't sense any chaos at Rams Park, from management or otherwise. This is nothing like the soap operas of '04 and '05.