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Rams chat with Jim Thomas

Bring your questions and comments about the Rams and the NFL, and talk to Post-Dispatch football writer Jim Thomas.

Hi Jim, What do you expect out of Kendricks this year? I hated the pick, then got excited in preseason last year, only to be dissappointed with his lame play during the year.

by massimo 6/12/2012 6:25:49 PM
@massimo Kendricks has a chance to be a factor on offense. He clearly lost some confidence after some costly early drops, but a fresh start with a new staff would help. He obviously has some talent _ hopefully we'll see more of it this season

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:27:53 PM
Jim, were you surprised by the Pead selection? I was. I thought L Miller would go well before him. Maybe Fisher sees a little CJ in him? I think Rams got too cute moving down and then missing out on linebackers they were considering.

by massimo 6/12/2012 6:28:13 PM
Who knows? Had the right linebacker been there, maybe the Rams don't take Pead. But it's clear Fisher wanted a change-of-pace back to complement Jackson's speed and power. Pead definitely has some still although he's not as fast as Chris Johsnon.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:29:47 PM
Speaking of linebackers, it seems that the Hawaii kid has less buzz than the other rookie free agents (Brown and Hoffman Ellis). Who do you see playing alongside JL?

by massimo 6/12/2012 6:30:10 PM
Right now I'd say Jo-Lonn Dunbar at weakside and Mario Haggan at strongside. With some of the younger guys starting out as backups and special teams players. But a lot can happen between now and Sept. 9.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:31:35 PM
Am I the only one that does not want to break the bank on Long and JL. They are good players...not sure they are great. go rams. Seems its just you and me today Jim, sorry.

by massimo 6/12/2012 6:32:01 PM
Yeah, but how many "great" players do the Rams have? They are durable cornerstone players on this defense. Besides, the Rams should have plenty of cap room in 2013 _ not that that means they should just throw money at players.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:33:21 PM
Which of our draft choices have not yet signed?

by Jack 6/12/2012 6:33:36 PM
Seven of the 10 have signed. Still unsigned are CB Janoris Jenkins, CB Trumaine Johnson and WR Brian Quick.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:34:17 PM
Jim, Do the Rams have a number one WR this year.

by mingo 6/12/2012 6:34:20 PM
It's probably Danny Amendola.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:34:40 PM
Jim: I am still fretting about the Rams letting Brown go. I guess that this year is as good a time as any to look at a rookie PK.

by CuriousGeorge 6/12/2012 6:34:49 PM
I know what you mean. Sometimes you don't really know what you have in a place-kicker or punter, until you don't have one that can consistently do they job. And I know Brown missed more kicks that usual last year, but he was still pretty reliable.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:36:32 PM
Hey Jim I was wondering how much of j jenkins youve seen? I read an article that made him sound very intelligent in regards to football and wondered if that seemed to be translating to what youve seen?

by willywawa 6/12/2012 6:36:46 PM
I haven't seen too much of him, because of some off time I've had lately. But his skill is pretty obvious _ you can tell even by watching how smooth his back pedal is.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:38:04 PM
Danny Amendola a No.1 WR. WOW! I see where you are coming from when you ask how many "great" players do the Rams have...

by Half empty 6/12/2012 6:38:06 PM
Well, eventually it figures to be either Quick or Givens. But it's very unusual for rookie wideouts to step right in and excel. Who knows. Maybe a healthy Steve Smith will surprise us.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:39:13 PM
Hi Jim sorry I'm late but please, Give us the three most intriguing players to watch in camp ?

by Bluefish 6/12/2012 6:39:47 PM
With so much turnover this offseason, I think there will be more than 3. You could start just about anywhere. Jason Smith on the offensive line. Quick and Givens at wide receiver. Kendricks at wide receiver. Langford at DT. Quinn as a full-time end. Several of the undrafted rookies. It will be an interesting training camp.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:41:44 PM
Brand out a bit? I mean we need all the help we can get from a home crowd at the Ed, I fear the game in London may end up being more a home game for the Pats,
knowing uk fans as I do.

by Tom 6/12/2012 6:42:19 PM
There may be more Patriots fans than Rams fans. But it's not like it would be if the team was playing in Foxorough. I don't see a problem with giving up one home game for the experience of playing in London. Three home games? that's a different matter.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:43:45 PM
Any word on why Wells hasn't been at OTA? Is he injured? Or just a season vet who doesn't need practice with his new team?

by 4Rams4Life 6/12/2012 6:44:28 PM
I believe Wells had his knee 'scoped. Nothing major.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:45:01 PM
Hi Jim. Haven't heard much about the late round RB drafted kid Richardson. Do you have any observations to make?

by Rewddawg 6/12/2012 6:45:06 PM
The litte I've seen of him, he looks pretty quick and shifty. I think he has the potential to be a good pass cather as well.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:45:57 PM
Do you think Quinn is ready to be the fulltime starter? He made some plays last year, but don't remember him standing out too much.

by Paul 6/12/2012 6:46:04 PM
The big question is run defense. Can he hold up _ and hold the edge _ play in, play out at 260-265? He played about half the snaps on defense last season, and to me showed promise as a pass rusher.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:47:19 PM
How are Scott Smith and Matt Conrath doing? They seem to fit the tall profile the new regime likes.

by Bucky 6/12/2012 6:47:32 PM
Again, I haven't seen the last two weeks of OTAs but I think the coaches like what they'vev seen from Conrath so far. But it's hard to draw firm conclusions anyway based on practices in shorts and shirts without pads and with very limited contract.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:49:56 PM
Jim: Can you really tell much about a player during OTA's and minicamps? The real measure of a mans heart is when he straps on the pads and takes an opponent on for real. I guess what I'm saying is that there are training camp athletes and then there are gamers.

by CuriousGeorge 6/12/2012 6:50:11 PM
There certainly are. For example, some wide receivers look all-world cathing the ball in the spring, but aren't as bold going over the middle after they get whacked a couple times in pads going over the middle.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:51:18 PM
Not to much has been said about Trumaine Johnson, were is the best fit for him in the Rams secondary, do you see him being moved to safety ?

by Bluefish 6/12/2012 6:51:21 PM
I don't think there are any plans to move Johnson to safety.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:51:35 PM
Who are your choices

by Danielb3223 6/12/2012 6:51:56 PM
Can you check back with me in October?

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:52:17 PM
What is Billy D doing these days. Spags was at the forefront, taking his lumps, but it seemed like Billy disappeared the second half of the season.

by Paul 6/12/2012 6:52:27 PM
I don't know about Billy disappearing. Maybe he did less radio, but I talked with him about once a week all season. As for what he's up to these days _ I'm not sure. I tried to reach him a couple times after he was fired, but never hooked up.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:54:30 PM
Jim Do you think the Rams need to bring in another quality offensive tackle before the season starts. I have no faith in our starters...none..

by DeaconCrazyLegs 6/12/2012 6:57:20 PM
There's no doubt the Rams are taking a little bit of a gamble with Jason Smith. We'll have to see how it pans out.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:58:05 PM
Any chance of big news by Friday or is arbitation inevitable?

by Craig 6/12/2012 6:58:17 PM
This thing has been headed to arbitration from the start.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 6:58:37 PM
Do you see the trend of the NFL continuing to be a passing league, or will defenses adjust and catch up the next few years. If passing trend continues, do you think the fisher run first philosophy will become outdated?

by Paul 6/12/2012 6:58:48 PM
Interesting question. There are still some run-first teams. . .NY Jets, Chicago, and I presume _ the Rams _ all come to mind. But I see the trend continuing towards a passing league, spreading the field, etc.

by jthomas 6/12/2012 7:00:09 PM
Is the media allowed at minicamp today?

by Ben Spann 6/12/2012 7:00:27 PM