@Phil The key obviously is both tackle spots, where Saffold must revert to his rookie form and Smith must stay heathly. Dahl at RG and Wells at C should be fine, although Wells probably will be brought about slowly following his spring knee surgery. There are a zillion candidates at left guard, and the Rams seem confident they'll find a starter among those guys.

Unless there's a surprise, the only possibility might be C Scott Wells, who's coming off strping knee surgery and missed most of the OTAs/minicamp. TE Michael Hoomanawanui (knee) has been cleared to play and actually will start out early with the rookies to get acclimated.

As far as I know, Danario is fine. He needs to stay healthy and stay on the practice field in camp.

Talked to Jeff Fisher earlier today and he said of Jenkins and Johnson: "I'm confident that we'll get (the) deals done before tomorrow."

Difficult to say, and I'm not saying the guy is Vince Lombardi. But Jeff Fisher is a proven commodity. He enters the 2012 season tied for third (w/Tom Coughlin in career victories among active coaches with 142. And even without Gregg Williams, he's got what looks to be a good experienced staff.

I don't know if you consider QB Alex Smith a successful quarterback, but he did have the 49ers within an eyelash of the Super Bowl, and he went through a similar turnover earlier in his career.

He may not get suspended. He may just enter the league's substance abuse program and be find.

30 is a pretty ambitious number. In the 17 prior seasons that the Rams have been in St. Louis, their lowest sacks allowed total was 33 in '99 Super Bowl championship season and 34 in 2010 with lots of short passes under offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. Even if the Rams end up with a run-oriented more conservative attack, I don't know if the Rams can keep it to 30 sacks allowed. They allowed 55 last season.

If Givens and Quick can contribute right away, it should not only open things up for the tight end, but also Amendola in the slot and the running game as well.

I'd hold off for a while, unless you think Steven Jackson's TD production will rise.

I thhk Bradford made those comments way back during the OTAs/minicamp. More than a month and a half later, I don't think it will be an issue.

Steve Smith started to come around the final couple weeks of the spring practice period. I agree with your point that Gibson doesn't show a consistent ability to separate. Quick and Givens may not be ready to start on opening day. But don't sleep on Greg Salas. He looked good in the spring, and was getting work on the outside.

I'm sorry. I'm not a food reviewer.

My parade meter as we open camp is at five victories. In other words, if the Rams win 5 games, a parade should be held in there honor downtown.

There were 9 third-rounders still unsigned (at the start of this chat). Even though contracts are more or less totally slotted under the new CBA, the agent could be waiting for some of the players around him to sign. But I'm not aware of any big stickingg points.

Well, I haven't voted. But I kind of agree with the results so far. It's pretty close between Brockers, Jenkins, and Quick.

Not really. The Rams recommended someone to help Jenkins with some of his child support issues, that's it. I think they were just trying to help him out. That's it.

It'd be nice if you were right. Covering a 15-65 team over the last five seasons isn't much fun.

Both parties (Rams and CVC) are in the process of picking an arbitrator, a process that may not be completed until October or November. I'm told there have been some discussions _ on the lease issue itself _ but nothing substantive.

Good question. Can't predict. I don't really know the guy. He does seem serious about football, however.

I'm not aware of any. I asked Rams about offensive guard Eric Steinbach, who's currently making the rounds, and was told they were not interested. But like most teams, the Rams are always looking.

Not sure if the name of the arbitrator will be made public.