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Rams chat with Jim Thomas

Bring your Rams and NFL questions and comments, and talk to Post-Dispatch football writer Jim Thomas starting at 10 a.m.

by Mike Smithon Dec 21, 2012 at 5:32 PM

First off, hope everyone had a great Christmas, and sorry for the delay.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:32:54 PM
Do you consider LB as a position of need this offseason? It seems to me as if the defense is way ahead of the offense at this point and I would hope they address offense with their first rounders.

by Greg in raleigh 12/26/2012 4:32:57 PM
Obviously, the Rams are in good hands with Laurinaitis and Dunbar. An upgrade at strongside linebacker would be nice. In the run-oriented NFC West, it's a position that's on the field more than elsewhere. The ideal combination for someone at the position would be a good run defender who can also rush the passer. That would keep him on the field in passing situations.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:34:55 PM
who will be rookie of the year on the rams

by jim davis 12/26/2012 4:35:00 PM
Good question. I don't know if the Rams have voted on that position or not. I would have to think it would be a three-horse race between Jenkins, Givens, and Brockers. I guess I'd vote for Jenkins right now.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:35:50 PM
Brian Quick does seem to be making progress. Should the Rams concern themselves with other areas of need in the first couple of rounds or is WR still a pressing need (depending if Amendola is re-signed as well)?

by sentientsix 12/26/2012 4:35:52 PM
Remember, you have two of your top 3 wide receivers who are scheduled for unrestricted free agency in Amendola and Gibson. So yes, I would think wide receiver should still be considered a pressing need at this point.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:36:53 PM
The Rams have upgraded at all 3 defensive levels this past offseason (DL, secondary, LBer). Do you expect similar upgrades to the offensive levels (RB, WR, Oline) this coming offseason?

by bob martin23 12/26/2012 4:36:59 PM
Obviously, I don't get a vote, but those three positions that you mentioned sure make sense. I would throw in safety as well.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:37:32 PM
Hi Jim! Janoris Jenkins is beginning to remind me of a better tackling Asante Samuel. The guy is going to be a top 3 CB before he's done--- if he stays out of trouble.

by Cierra Rounds 12/26/2012 4:37:35 PM
Jenkins isn't the best tackler around, but he's not bed. Obviously his ball instincts are good, and his return ability is off the charts. Which makes me think he might be more under consideration as a punt returner next year.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:38:44 PM
I guess it is the nature of the beast that is the NFL, but I would hate to let Jackson and Mickell go because of their salaries and have 2 more glaring needs to address in the draft. Any chance both are back next year?

by Greg in raleigh 12/26/2012 4:38:46 PM
Listen, I know Mikell has had issues in coverage. But as a box safety he has been very, very good this season. His missed tackles are way down, and he has been very effective as a blitzer as well. I'm ust wondering if the Rams could renegotiate something with Mikell to get his cap number down this year.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:40:25 PM
I

by bob martin23 12/26/2012 4:40:38 PM
Bob, don't hit the paragraph or enter key, it will cut off your response.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:41:07 PM
Given the Ram's need at safety, is it likely that the Rams will use one of their two first round draft choices on a safety (FS or SS)?

by 28-Blast 12/26/2012 4:41:15 PM
It depends on who's there when they pick. Entering this last week I believe the Rams have the No. 17 and No. 22 picks in the first round. If there's a safety they feel like is a good value there, then yes. But there are other needs they could fill there as well. As an example, if they have a higher grade on say, a wide receiver, or offensive tackle there, they probably go that route instead.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:43:24 PM
I know the past is the past but in the usual Rams christmas discussion with family it seems that Sam is much happier with this regime. Under McDaniels he seemed upset and uncomfotable. Any insight you can offer about the differences in the 2 regimes from a moral standpoint? Thanks.

by tylerf 12/26/2012 4:43:28 PM
Well, part of the reason Sam Bradford seemed upset and uncomfortable last season was the fact that he was injjured with that high ankle sprain and for the life of him couldn't get healthy. But it does seem like Sam clicked pretty early with Schottenheimer.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:44:39 PM
First all big eagle fan, but love the rams coach. I don't see Jeff staying with Sam much longer, do see him drafting a quarterback in first 3 rounds.

by Spike 12/26/2012 4:44:42 PM
I don't sense any dissatisfaction in Bradford from Fisher. Next year will be very interesting, however, assuming Schottenheimer is back. It will be Sam's fourth year and he will be in the same system two years in a row.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:46:57 PM
Jim, as we stand now the Rams are set to play the Chicago Bears in St. Louis. Do you know why the Rams played at Chicago this season? We played in Chicago in 2009 and we should have had that game in the dome with Green Bay on the road? Correct?

by tylerf 12/26/2012 4:47:44 PM
Those formulas for playing out of division are set up by the NFL.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:48:52 PM
Jim, do you see any ticket price increase for the 2013 season?

by megan 12/26/2012 4:49:04 PM
Given the improvement by the team, I would guess yes. I haven't heard anything either way.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:49:33 PM
Hello Jim-My son and I went to the Dome for our first time for the Vikings game (5th row seats behinds the Vikings bench). 2 points to make-The Dome is a dump? Looked pretty nice to me-I guess it's all relative maybe comparing it to the Cowboys stadium. #2. New respect for Sam-he literally only had 2-3 seconds to get off a throw-they were in his face the whole game and yes he did take very hard shots. There is not enough money in the world for me to ever take his job-and he would not even really throw to a receiver-he would throw to a spot hoping the receiver would be there-it's amazing he makes as many passes as he does and not have way more int's. Good observations?

by ScottyD 12/26/2012 4:50:38 PM
Thanks for your input. Sam didn't have much time in much of that game. By my count, Bradford was sacked 4 times, hit on eight other occasions, and pressured six other times where he either had to hurry a throw or scramble in the pocket.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:52:07 PM
Do you see Jim Shwartz heading up the Rams defense next seaon in the unlikely event he's let go in Detroit? He is really under fire up there.

by tylerf 12/26/2012 4:52:09 PM
Interesting. He's certainly from the Fisher coaching tree. I just wonder though, if the Lions would give Schwartz the heave-ho because he's just one year removed from a playoff appearance.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:53:36 PM
Do you believe William Hayes will resign with the Rams?

by bart 12/26/2012 4:53:42 PM
Man, what a season he has had as a role player. He certainly likes playing for Fisher, but he's probably earned himself somem money as well.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:54:27 PM
Is trash talk a part of the Fisher mantra? Lots of talking especially from Dunbar, but it seems to work. Spags teams seemed likie they'd rather hug the other team.

by angie 12/26/2012 4:54:34 PM
The Rams certainly have some, uh, chirpy players on defense. Including, of course, Mr. Finnegan. I don't think Fisher minds.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:55:42 PM
weve seen what alot of the players can do... wouldn't you say it would be time just to see the dogs let out and and really see what the offense can do?

by ramfanz 12/26/2012 4:56:13 PM
If you mean running a more up-tempo offense, I'd be all for it.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:56:51 PM
Jim, Did you notice Coach Fisher right behind the official throwing his hands up when Jackson scored the TD. That was hilarious.

by Sophie 12/26/2012 4:56:58 PM
I did not see it. I did notice that Fisher was very hoarse after the game _ something I haven't noticed after previous game. He must have done a lot of yelling.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 4:57:41 PM
Matt Conrath was an animal in camp. Anny thoughts on him? I know he's been hurt but do you see a future there?

by bart 12/26/2012 4:57:45 PM
You know he was bothered by that knee injury for much of the first half of the season. He's been healthy for a while now, but once you fall behind as a rookie it's hard to catch up, particularly when you have to reduce the game-day roster to 46. But he's a guy the Rams find intriguing, and this will be an important offseason andn then training camp for him.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 5:00:27 PM
Chris Williams play at guard, albeit short, impressed you at all? Is he someone to watch for in 2013?

by tylerf 12/26/2012 5:00:28 PM
I haven't looked at any tape of this game yet, TV copy or game film, but at face value I guess I can say he looked OK. Keep in mind, when he signed with the Rams it was only for the rest of this season. He is not under contract for 2013.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 5:01:53 PM
Might Snead/FIsher move 'up' just a few slots if they could obtain OT Matthews of Texas A & M. After all, Fisher coached his dad, Bruce and loved him ?

by ramfandan 12/26/2012 5:01:58 PM
Very interesting. Given all the moves Snead and Fisher made last offseason, I wouldn't put anything past them.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 5:02:36 PM
Jim, thoughts on the Amendola contract situation? Didn't play his best game Sunday.

by bobmartin23 12/26/2012 5:02:51 PM
Yeah, he and Bradford didn't seem quite in sync Sunday, which could be a byproduct of Amendola missing so much time. Also, he was getting plenty of attention from the Bucs' back seven. Obviously it's a tough call because of the injury situation. And I don't think you'd want to franchise him for $10 million for one year.

by jthomas 12/26/2012 5:04:34 PM