virginiatom: With Alex Barron likely gone after this year, why not move him back to right tackle and start Smith at left? This way you can determine if he is the answer at left tackle or if the Rams have to again address the position in the off season via free agency or the draft? Since this is clearly a rebuilding year, let Smith get his reps at the position he was drafted to play.

Jeff Gordon: First, let's see if Smith can master right tackle. By the end of the year, yes, it would be nice to see that done.

virginiatom: You have stated many times you are not in favor of drafting a quarterback as the franchise, but prefer a free agency acquistion with experience. Who is out there that is capable of becoming a franchise quarterback and leading this team to a Super Bowl that the Rams can acquire? It seems to me someone elses back up just becomes our starter who plays like a back up.

Jeff Gordon: Which collegiate quarterback will lead the Rams back to the Super Bowl? And how many years will it take to groom him? How many losses will the team suffer in the meantime?

There are no guarantees among the Brady Quinn types out there, but the Niners could go the playoffs this year with Shaun Hill at the helm.

virginiatom: The Rams drafting has been so bad the last several years, especially considering the high positions they had to select. What is the reason for this? What needs to change from last year to bring confidence to the fans that things actually will be better next year?

Jeff Gordon: Mistakes were made. As a result, Chip Rosenbloom pretty much cleaned house. Now we have to see if the new braintrust can do better.

virginiatom: I can't help but watch the Lions and what Schwartz and others have done there, and the Rams, and what has been done here. The Lions, with a first year coach, appear to have it together and better days are coming. The Rams, in a similar situation, appear as if next year can be just as bad as this one, because I don't see any long term upside. No emerging superstars, building blocks on either the offense or defense, no hope that a dominant defense or offense is on the way. People can throw out names as players the Rams have to build around, but they are just names and are mentioned only because of their high draft status. Aside from Jackson, who has proven to be a very good player but one who can't carry a team on his shoulders, who do the Rams have that other teams covet or fear?

Jeff Gordon: Who the Lions scare people with, aside from a high pick like Calvin Johnson?

Laurinaitis is a strong football player. Clifton Ryan has emerged as a strong defensive tackle. Atogwe is a high-end safety. Fans crush Avery, but his strong day today (five catches, 87 yards, one TD) demonstrates what could happen if the team threw downfield to him.

virginiatom: Can you attribute any of the offensive line problems to Looney? He was here last year as well, and the Rams line was a joke. The first four games this year, its the same thing, despite all the money and high draft picks invested in it. Is it all the players or does the line coach need to be held accountable, and maybe replaced?

Jeff Gordon: When you have linemen getting physically manhandled again and again and again, that probably isn't all on the O-line coach. Remember, most of the Rams coaches were turned over last season and the team is 0-5.

It's on the players.