Billy C: Are you going to print the last 2 discussions ? Thanks Billy C

Jim Thomas: I don't know what you mean about the last "two" discussion. But there was no chat last week for reasons I talked about in my first post today.

Mike H.: If the decision to hire Linehan as head coach was because of his strong offensive background and Shaw's desire to keep the "high-powered" Ram offense in tact, why didn't Shaw require Linehan to hire Ken Zampese, John Ramsdell (former Ram assistant coaches) or even make Henry Ellard the O/C?

If a head coaching job doesn't open up for Haslett, does he come back next year? Who do you see as O/C options next year and once Olsen gets a pink slip?

Jim Thomas: I'm guessing the answer is because Shaw _ like most team owners or executives _ basically gives head coaches the opportunity to hire their own staffs. Also, Linehan wanted to call his own plays.
Haslett will come back next season, if he doesn't get a head-coaching job. I'd love to see the Rams hire an OC to call plays. I think Zampese and Ramsdell would be interesting possibilities, but Linehan seems to have an aversion to keeping Martz assistants around.

michael gordon: hey jim,

can you give me a report about the progress of the rookies, which ones will be useful next year and which ones will not make it out of training camp...

Thanks

Jim Thomas: Obviously, DTs Carriker and Ryan are keepers. With continued development and improvement, I think they could have good runs in St. Louis. Overall, Leonard is what the Rams thought he would be in terms of versatility, toughness, and football instincts. However, I'm a little bit disappointed in him as a blocker on blitz pickup (too much diving at the legs of DEs and LBs) and a little bit disappointed at him as a pass catcher (not much run after the catch). I've also been a little surprised that he has barely gotten a handoff since Antonio Pittman has emerged as the No. 2 back. I think Pittman has shown some progress, and will be back next year.
CB Jonathan Wade needs a lot of work on coverage and tackling. To me, he was also a big disappointment on special teams. But he has speed and good size for a corner. C-G Dustin Fry needs to get stronger and remains a fringe player until he shows otherwise. (Look at all the o-line injuries the Rams have had, and Fry still hasn't played from scrimmage. Obviously, the coaches don't think he's ready.) Seventh-rounder Derek Stanly opened some eyes as a kickoff returner against Pittsburgh. But he's small and needs to really polish up his receiving skills to make the team next year. But it's clear that he has moved ahead of Marques Hagans. That leaves LB Quinton Culberson, who has done some nice things on special teams but has a ways to go before he can be a contributor on defense. (He missed a tackle on Najeh Davenport on the 5 against Pittsburgh after Brandon Chillar suffered the calf injury.)

Pete: hi jim. I was looking at the rams roster and thinking that about the only positions where we dont have impending free agents or need help are DT and HB. Does that take Darren McFadden and Glenn Dorsey off the board or do the rams have a trend to take BPA (even with our NUMEROUS needs)

Jim Thomas: Boy, how do you pass on McFadden (although a trade-down, I guess, is possible) if you're staring at him on draft day? Keep in mind, Jackson is scheduled for unrestricted free agency following the '08 season.
As for DT, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I think that is a position of need because Wroten has done nothing and Glover will be 34 in July and is entering the final year of his contract in '08.

Rogurs: Jim,
I firmly believe the Rams are squandering a golden opportunity for a good, possibly very good, 2008 season by bringing back Linehan. The players play hard because of proffesional pride, but when you don't believe in your coach (and these players clearly don't) it just doesn't work out in the end. By cleaning house management would send a positive message to players and fans. With the Rams playing in the weakest division in the NFL and having a last place schedule a huge turn around is possible, but not with the current coach. Remember the 2006 Saints? A team that had talent, brought in a bright new coach, played in a weak division with a last place schedule. The 2008 Rams could have been similar, but won't. I know this season isn't over, but what's your gut feeling about next year Jim?

Jim Thomas: First of all, the "last-place" schedule is a myth. It's not like it used to be. Only two of the 16 games on a team's schedule have anything to do with where a team finished the previous season. In other words, 14 of the 16 games on the '08 schedule will be the same for Seattle and the Rams; or in the AFC East, for New England and Miami.
But you do make a point about Linehan. Unless there's some communication and fence-mending on offense between Linehan and some of the key players, I think it's fair to have doubts about whether this thing can work next season.