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Rams chat with Jim Thomas

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by Mike Smithon Nov 1, 2012 at 6:44 PM

Hi Jim, Turner and Saffold both coming back healthy who would you play at LT? Thanks

by B.R. Khan 11/6/2012 7:04:56 PM
Saffold, for sure, if he is indeed back.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:05:21 PM
Jim - I have SJ39 in my fantasy lineup this week. Boom or bust?

by Smitty 11/6/2012 7:05:24 PM
Well, you're playing the No. 1 team in the league in total defense, and the No. 5 run defense in San Francisco, so I think I might look elsewhere.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:06:26 PM
Hoping the bye week did the Rams good! Any words on injuries? (i.e. Saffold, Wells, Amendola) It has been a couple weeks, am I missing anyone?

by 4Rams4Life 11/6/2012 7:06:36 PM
The team is back today and will have a shorter practice today, most of which is closed to the media. So I think we'll have a better idea on Weds. and Thurs. But I think Amendola pretty much is a sure thing. Saffold is going to try to go, but hasn't had anything close to full participation yet in practice. Wells is doing some work on the side. But no word yet on when he will return to practice. Remember he has a two-week practice window before he can play in a game.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:09:36 PM
Hi Jim! Any word on whether Barksdale goes to RT when Saffold returns to LT?

by Contrarian 11/6/2012 7:09:40 PM
No official word yet on that. But Fisher kind of hinted last week that Barksdale would go to a backup role. We'll see.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:10:39 PM
Would you still take Bradford over Griffin and Luck.

by josh 11/6/2012 7:10:41 PM
I'd still take him over Luck at this point. Still not sure about RGIII.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:11:16 PM
How much does Bradford need to become an elite quaterback in the NFL.

by Wes 11/6/2012 7:11:17 PM
In no particular order, he needs a big play receiver, more time in this system, a solidified offensive line, and I think he needs to do a better job finishing drives.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:12:32 PM
DX sure looked good last Thursday Night. I can't believe the Rams couldn't find some way to keep him on the roster. When healthy...he's better than any thing else they have.

by Max Q 11/6/2012 7:14:00 PM
Well, you hit upon it: "when healthy." That hasn't happened very often, and it took until midseason for him to do anything for San Diego.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:15:12 PM
How do you think the Rams will do the rest of the way?

by Lou 11/6/2012 7:15:15 PM
I think five or six of their remaining games could be labeled as "winnable" games. The trouble is, five of the eight are on the road. And the Rams haven't won on the road this season.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:16:27 PM
You get to go watch some practices what is your opinion on why Quick can't get more playing time? Is it lack of understanding of the playbook? Lack of desire? Lack of awareness? Lack of confidence? That seems to be the problem in my eyes. He drops that pass over the middle in the Pats game, then just stands there like a statue on the interception down by the goal line....

by Bull 11/6/2012 7:16:45 PM
I didn't think this early in the season, but now I do. He just doesn't look ready to play. Whether it's getting lined up right, running a route without thinking about it. I do think his confidence is down a little bit. And as Torry Holt pointed out way back in training camp, Quick needs to learn to use his size to his advantage on the playing field.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:18:24 PM
Why in the world hasn't Brian Quick or Isaiah Pead contributed anything to this point, and do you see them contributing much in the second half?

by Billy 11/6/2012 7:18:47 PM
See my answer on Quick below. I do think he'll start playing a little more over the second half of the season. As for Pead, I think it's pretty clearcut. He was beaten out by Daryl Richardson in training camp and the preseason _ I think everyone could see that. There's only so many touches to go around in the backfield. So he's odd man out right now. He was hurt, too, because his college _ Cincinnati _ was on the quarter system which meant Pead missed almost all of the spring practice period (OTAs, minicamps).

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:21:33 PM
Who is one former Rams player the team let walk as a free agent you would have liked to see keep?

by The hot sauce stain on... 11/6/2012 7:21:44 PM
Well, if you're going all the way back there's no doubt it would be London Fletcher. A few years later, I'd say Ryan Pickett. As for recently, the past couple of years? I'm not sure if I have one. Maybe Chris Chamblerlain (who's out for the year). Or Larry Grant. But I don't think you'd consider either one of them major losses.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:26:52 PM
Is there anything that can be done to help at the satety position before the offseason?

by Wes 11/6/2012 7:27:40 PM
The trade deadline has past. So there is only the waiver wire or other teams practice squads to look for help. Anyone coming in new to this system might need several weeks to get acclimated to the system. So the options are truly limited, other than the two remaining backups on the roster _ Darian Stewart and rookie Rodney McLeod.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:30:02 PM
Do you think the Rams will resign Bradley Fletcher next year? Is Trumane Johnson ready two be the third corner?

by kevin 11/6/2012 7:31:01 PM
Not sure on Fletcher. Johnson isn't ready now.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:31:20 PM
I know it is way too early to tell but just for fun 'project' the careers of this years draft picks.
Here is mine. Brockers - potentially dominant DT for several years, Quick - Slow to develope, but very solid #1 type WR in a couple of years, Jenkins - Very talented buy maybe just not disciplined enough to be a true shutdown CB, Pead - I think that he will eventually overtake Richardson and have a solid career, Johnson - be switched to safety and be very good, Givens - solid #2 or 3 WR, but a 'one-trick pony' deep threat, Watkins - overweight underachiever who never really reaches potential, The Leg - Pro Bowl K, maybe an all-time great, Richardson - Good change of pace back, but never a 'Bell Cow' RB, would really like to see him in the return game.

by Bull 11/6/2012 7:31:25 PM
Interesting thoughts. You should save this on your laptop, and see how accurate you are in three, four seasons.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:32:04 PM
Haven't seen RB Terrance Ganaway play (Baylor) play yet. Has he been active for any games? Think hell get some snaps soon?

by CAliSteve 11/6/2012 7:33:00 PM
He has been active for two games, but does not have any carries or receptions. Unless there are injuries above him on the depth chart, I don't see him getting any snaps.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:34:13 PM
Please answer - What would the Rams record be if we chose to draft RGIII?? We all know bradford is the highest paid rookie, and that this scenario theoretically would never happen.. BUT, what have our top draft picks done to "help" us become a playoff contender? I dont see it!!! RGIII is obviously paying immediate dividends in DC. There is teams in need of QB's in the NFL right now and bradford would of been disposable (at a loss) Thanks Jim

by STLsportsfanatic 11/6/2012 7:34:43 PM
Don't get me wrong, I like RGIII. But exactly how is he paying immediate dividends in Washington? Last time I checked the Redskins were 3-6. Last year at this time, they were. . .3-6.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:38:34 PM
Hi Jim, are we going to see roll out to the right and take couple of deep shots? thanks

by B.R. Khan 11/6/2012 7:41:03 PM
I've seen frequent roll outs to the right.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:41:22 PM
Jim, Thanks for doing these talks. Just a question-does anyone on the Rams staff look at the football when it is placed on the tee? From section 423 I saw that the ball was placed differently then a normal kickoff when Green Bay did their onsides kick. If I noticed it up in 423, don't you think that someone on the Rams should have noticed also?

by wttrash2 11/6/2012 7:42:11 PM
If that's the case, obviously no one on the Rams saw it because they were taken totally by surprise.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:42:38 PM
Jim, what keeps an offensive scheme like Oregon's from succeeding in the NFL? Is it reluctance to commit to the scheme, personnel, or are NFL defenses just that much better that it isn't worth implementing?

by Ghosty 11/6/2012 7:43:24 PM
To an extent, I think the pass-happy NFL teams have incorporated a lot of the spread concepts, what with the proliferation of 3 and 4 receiver sets, and what seems to be the ever-increasing use of the shotgun. But a lot of the "space" plays that work in college, don't work in the NFL because the overall team speed on defense is much greater.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:46:41 PM
How many "does Bradford stink?" questions do you duck each week?

by Red Bird 11/6/2012 7:46:46 PM
He doesn't stink.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:47:01 PM
Jim, Your article on the status of arbitration hearings between the Rams and the CVC frightens me. It seems clear the Rams are likely to win their case. Assuming that happens Kroenke would have to turn down the possibility of nearly doubling the potential value of the Rams by moving the team to LA while at the same time forking over tens of millions of dollars to help the city of St. Louis pay for renovations. Jim I know you handicapped this 60-40 the Rams stay. I am a corporate lawyer and life-long resident of St. Louis. The odds of the Rams leaving are a lot higher than 60-40. Sadly it will just make sense from a business perspective. In the same way that jettisoning our beloved Jackson after this season makes sense.

by Frank 11/6/2012 7:49:22 PM
No doubt there are reasons for concern. If I had to handicap it, I would think the Rams do win the arbitration, and the ruling is much closer to $700 million than $124 million. But there's no way to know for sure. And there's no way to know if the arbitratrors rule that the Rams must share the cost of renovations with the CVC. At this point, I don't think the LA alternative is as enticing as some think. There are many unknowns on that end, including a hefty relocation fee that some league people think could be half a billion dollars.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:53:51 PM
Any concerns that Daryl Richardson can be an every down back? Will the Rams ask him to add muscle mass in the off-season or can a 196 lb. RB (generous measurement, I think) stand up to the constant beating?

by Ghosty 11/6/2012 7:54:02 PM
Yes. I'm not sure he can be at his size.

by jthomas 11/6/2012 7:54:22 PM
Janoris Jenkins will never approach his potential unless the Rams draft or sign QUALITY safeties. Jenkins is instinctive and aggressive and may need the safety to bail him out sometimes when he guesses wrong. How much of the success of Baltimore's DB's (Chris McAlister a few years ago, Lardarius Webb recently) can be attributed to Reed's presence? DBs can jump routes and take risks when the safety is there to bail them out!

by Ghosty 11/6/2012 7:54:53 PM