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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 27, 2012 at 6:26 PM

hey jim do we get a extra pick for brandon lloyd this year.

by ramboy21 1/2/2013 4:25:03 PM
Those compensatory picks do not get assigned until the NFL owners meetings in March, so we'll know then. But the complicated formula takes into account free agents signed vs free agents lost. The Rams were pretty active in terms of pricey free agents (Wells, Langford, FInnegan), so they may not get much if anything for Lloyd.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 4:33:08 PM
hoes does Watkins look? trim? do the rams see him as their starter next year? also any udfa's the rams are high on?

by dave 1/2/2013 4:33:12 PM
Trim would be a little bit of an overstatement. But over about the last half of the season _ or once the ankle healed _ we could see Watkins working on the side during part of practice and he did look like he had firmed up and lost some weight. So I think he will report stronger and fitter. And will have a chance at a starting job in 2013. As for unrestricted free agents, not sure yet and I don't think the Rams are either.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 4:35:37 PM
Please evaluate Pead (cost, skills, future)?

by mike 1/2/2013 4:35:56 PM
As a second-round draft pick, the cost isn't much. He was a space player in college, elusive in the open field. During the preseason, he did too much dancing around in space. That may work in college but in the NFL you've got to be more decisive with your cuts and your run reads. The Rams aren't down on him and think an entire offseason and spring program will help him a lot. Remember, he missed almost all of the OTAs and minicamps as a rookie because the U. of Cincinnati is on the quarter system.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 4:41:03 PM
How quick do you think we will get something done with SJ39? The beast needs to stay a Ram.

by Ramit 1/2/2013 4:41:04 PM
I believe the option clause kicks in five days after the Super Bowl, so we're talking a month. But even if Jackson hits the market then, the Rams could still negotiate with him afterwards.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 4:42:14 PM
hey jim do you think coach fisher will want to coach the senior bowl.

by ramboy21 1/2/2013 4:42:34 PM
Normally, you have to be near the bottom of the standings to work the Senior Bowl. For a change, the Rams weren't in that neighborhood this year.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 4:43:28 PM
hey jim do you think the will resign danny and draft a wrs with one of the ones,and what do you think about tavon austin.

by ramboy21 1/2/2013 4:43:36 PM
I think the Rams want to re-sign Danny, but there are no guarantees. Even if they sign Amendola, the Rams will be looking to upgrade the position _ be it via free agency or the draft. I know Austin is an excellent prospect but I'm still a week or two away from jumping into the draft stuff.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 4:46:00 PM
I can't understand how Sheldon Richardson, or any d-Linemen's name can be brought up as a potential 1st round pick for the Rams? This team has spent 3 of their last 5 first round picks on DL, not to mention Langford. It is time to focus the attention on upgrading this offense.

by Tackleberry 1/2/2013 4:46:27 PM
Only because 1.) Fisher is a defensive oriented coach. 2.) a combination of Brockers, Langford, and Richardson coupled with what's there at defensive end, could give the Rams one of the best defensive fronts in football. They do have two first-round picks as well. But I just threw Richardson's name ut there last week. I'm saying it will happen, or should happen.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 4:49:15 PM
Hey Jim, do you agree, No More WR Draft Choices? We have enough projects with Quick, Givens and Pettis. Injury questions with DA and Gibson is as good as he is gonna get. I would be more in favor of bringing in a veteran WR, (better than SSMith!). Your thoughts?

by STL45Fan 1/2/2013 4:49:32 PM
No, I don't agree with "no more WR draft choices." Fisher and Snead are building this thing for the long haul and you do that largely with draft picks. I realize it takes a while to develop draft picks, and because of that, it might make more sense to add a veteran WR if possible if you think the Rams are close to being a true playoff contender.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 4:51:38 PM
Any chance OC Schottenheimer interviews for a HC position?

by DaveinMx 1/2/2013 4:51:47 PM
Sure there's a chance with all of the coaching openings. Remember, he entered last year in Jacksonville.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 4:52:24 PM
I heard Victor Cruz could be a RFA this season. Do you think he would: a) fit the system b) be affordable considering salary cap

by willEYEam 1/2/2013 4:52:30 PM
Forget about that one. For one, the Giants aren't going to let him go. For another, if he doesn't sign a multi-year deal, he'd almost certainly be tendered at at least the 1st and 3rd round levels. So you'd be giving up a load of money, plus high draft picks.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 4:54:13 PM
Could you see the Rams trading up if a difference making, need player like Jarvis Jones were to fall?

by JimboJones 1/2/2013 4:54:20 PM
Based on what happened last year, I wouldn't rule anything out with these guys.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 4:54:43 PM
Hi, Jim: My wish list for next year (assuming Rams resign Jackson and Amendola) is Offensive Tackle, Guard, Wide Receiver, Outside Linebacker, Safety. If the Rams address one of these positions in free agency, I would like to see them draft the other four with their two first-round, one second and one third. If they hit on two of those 4 draft picks and fill a hole in free agency, I think they can make the playoffs. Overly optomistic or reasonable expectation?

by George M. 1/2/2013 4:56:04 PM
I don't think you're being overly optimistic. Keep in mind, there could be some other holes to fill if say RT Barry Richardson, C/G Rob Turner, and DE William Hayes leaves. But I think you've identified the main areas of need,, although I'm not sure I would rank guard as high as the others because of the presence of Rok Watkins.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 4:58:45 PM
jim any inclination on who the rams are targeting in the draft. why does the nfl put the playoff games back to back. I am the biggest sports fan but it is tough to sit and watch 6 hours straight of football, and it does not sit well with the wife. they should have a morning and evening game and you could plan your day around it

by idi amin 1/2/2013 4:58:55 PM
No, way too early for draft targets. And if your wife doesn't like you sitting there for six hours straight, tape that second game and watch it later.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 5:00:14 PM
Will the Rams negotiate with Jackson, Amendola, and Hayes to get them signed before free agency starts?

by Midnighter67 1/2/2013 5:00:38 PM
That's the plan, especially with Jackson and Amendola.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 5:01:16 PM
Hey Jim, Is there any word or feeling that any of our current coachs are leaving? Also any indication who will be our DC next year?

by St lunatic 1/2/2013 5:01:35 PM
No early indications that anyone is leaving, although even in stable situations _ and I would now consider the Rams a stable situation _ there's usually a coach or two who leaves.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 5:02:42 PM
Jim- Is 55 fast enough to play OLB and would they ever consider moving him and drafting a bigger backer for the middle?

by souget 1/2/2013 5:02:44 PM
I really don't think the Rams plan on playing him anywhere but in the middle, where he registered a career-high 174 tackles this season, plus 2 interceptions, one-half sack, one fumble recoverey and 12 QB hits or pressures.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 5:04:31 PM
Have the Rams considered moving Trumaine Johnson to FS?

by David 1/2/2013 5:04:39 PM
No. Nor do they plan to. Fisher reiterated this point on Monday.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 5:05:07 PM
Has Blake Williams gained enough credit with the players/coaching staff to be the Defensive Coordinator next year and beyond? Or is there any chance Fisher will bring in Greg Williams if he is reinstated by Goodell?

by RAMFANDAN 1/2/2013 5:05:10 PM
No sure if Blake Williams has enough seasoning yet to be a coordinator. Fisher is still mulling over what to do with Gregg Williams (assuming he's reinstated).

by jthomas 1/2/2013 5:05:55 PM
Hi JIm, I was impressed swith the progess the Rams made this season, not just the record, but the change in attitude and aggressive style of play. Kudos to coach fisher and his staff. Sundays are fun again for this Rams fan. One of the few negatives to take away from this season was the unforced penalties and obvious mental errors. I know we can blame some of this on aggressive play and the youth of this team, but a lot of these things occured through games 1 through 16. This must be corrected for our Rams to be a playoff team?

by lefton 1/2/2013 5:06:18 PM
Certainly, the Rams have to cut down on the penalties, and work to reduce some of the busted coverages on defense.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 5:06:49 PM
Hi Jim, thanks for this. I always watch the rookie corners 10-12 yards off the receivers on, say, 3rd and 4. Then the opposing QB targets that receiver, and usually complete it for a 1st dow2n. Am I crazy, or should not the coaches correct that ? ? ? ?

by DoctorB 1/2/2013 5:07:01 PM
Yeah, it drove all of us crazy at times. But I think you will see this defense evolve as the corners get more experience. With so much youth at corner, I think this defense played more to prevent the big play this season.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 5:08:06 PM
Hey Jim do we have any cap room to sign any FA other than just ours?

by ramfan 1/2/2013 5:09:49 PM
Yes, but don't expect the Rams to be as active in free agency as they were last offseason (Finnegan, Langford, Wells, Dunbar, Turner, Richardson, Hayes, etc.)

by jthomas 1/2/2013 5:10:52 PM
JT. Excited about next season already!! Regarding Brian Quick: You had the chance to watch him through mini camps, training camp, pre-season and such. Based on what you observed, will BQ become a good receiver in this league? I know it takes awhile for most receivers to adjust to life in the NFL-does he have what it takes-head AND heart to succeed? We heard how Givens put in the extra time with SB8-did BQ also do this? I'm pulling for the guy!! Go Rams! Thanks for your valuable time!! Happy New Year!

by Jim S 1/2/2013 5:11:24 PM
The Rams expect Quick to make a big jump next season. He needs to make the most of the offseason, the spring practice period, and the preseason. As good as he looked on the practice field, that didn't always translate on game day. Quick needs to get comfortable enough with the offense that he's not thinking on game day, he's just reacting. I can't say for sure if Quick put in the extra time with Bradford, but I don't think his work ethic is an issue.

by jthomas 1/2/2013 5:14:06 PM
I realize that having SF and Seattle (both playoff teams) in our division is part of the problem, but how do the Rams once again have one of the 5 toughest schedules in 2013? I think this will be the 3rd year in a row with one of the 5 toughest schedules.

by Rich 1/2/2013 5:14:21 PM