DQRAM: Hi Jim, Thanks for the update on the dome plans. Are they doing anything with the sound system? It is really bad. Do they have any plans to show the PSL holders what the upgrades will look like before the ticket renewals come due? I am surprised they haven't got bids back when they have known about this for 2 years. It goes without saying the team needs to be better, but the dome upgrades can't hurt. Thanks, Joel

Jim Thomas: I agree with you that the sound system is bad, at least it sounds bad at press box levels. To my knowledge there are no plans to upgrade the sound system this time around. As for letting PSL holders see what the upgrades look like, I don't know. I'll try to check on that

Norm: Hi Jim,

Great news to hear Billy Devaney...a true football person...will now be the GM and will be in total charge of acquiring all players and recommending the head coach to Chip. I can see why Chip is retaining John Shaw for league matters and sitting in on league meetings but if like Chip says, JS will no longer be involved in football operations, why will he be sitting in on the interviews for the head coach? The selection should be BD's and JS should not have anything to do with the hiring. It should be the decision of Chip and BD alone.

Thanks

Jim Thomas: Excellent point. If John Shaw is not going to be involved in "football" matters, why is he participating in the final interviews? I don't get it.

lawdog: Now that this, the most miserable exhibition I have ever seen put on by a professional football team and actually called a "season" this side of Detroit os over, it's obvious we need a new coach. If Vermeil is too old or uninterested, maybe we should check out that young fella who coaches USC's Trojans. By the time we clean house we will have a very young team. A top college coach who's considered a player's coach might be just the ticket. Pete Carroll didn't do well last time he coached in the NFL--but that was centuries ago. Besides, he probably knows half the players in the NFL personally since they used to play for the Trojans. ;-)

As I see it, we'll need at least 3 great drafts where we pick no lower than #3, along with some savvy FA signings to rebuild this toilet material known as the Rams back into respectability. This doesn't count the one we've already had last year. I rank our positions of need in the following order:


1.Offense Left Tackle
2.Middle Linebacker
3.safety capable of playing strong safety and still cover.
4.Defensive End
5.Defensive Tackle
6.Wide Receiver
7.Quarterback
8.Cornerback
9.center
10.right offensive tackle
12.Blocking Back

3 top picks on the first day of three consecutive drafts can bring us 9 of thoe players. The other 3 will have to be quality FAs. The other holes we have on the offensive line can probably be plugged by mid round picks or mid value FAs.

Jim Thomas: Pete Carroll is king of southern California. Why would he want to leave that for an NFL job with the Rams?

Paulpadilla28: Hi Jim, is thier a way the rams could trade steven jackson for multible first round picks? say get a crabtree with our pick, smith, and a middle linebacker,all in first round.
thanks.

Jim Thomas: No.

dominic zappia: Hey Jim:
Hope you had an awesome holiday,but its time to talk draft...yes! Since the Rams have secured the 2nd pick in the draft,I say trade it! Their will be teams willing to trade up,just like they tried last year.My opinion,Chris Long was no difference maker and we could of had 2 players instead of just him.This draft is deep intackles and we can get one later in the 1st round.After sundays game,its obvious we need players,especially on defence.Our linebackers are horrible and we need a bigger line,both sides.Your thoughts?
Happy New Year!

Jim Thomas: I think Devaney is always willing to listen to trade offers, and there's no doubt the Rams could use more picks. If the Rams truly are targeting an offensive tackle, I don't think they'd want to move down too far.