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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 1 p.m.

by Mike Smithon Feb 22, 2013 at 9:08 PM

I still think at right tackle, and left guard, the Rams would like maulers. I see the Rams giving Bradford more responsibility at the line of scrimmage which perhaps could lead to more up-tempo. But at the same time I don't think they'll stray too far from the running game.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:16:01 PM
Do you think Tavon Austin is worth a first round pick for the Rams?

by pictrmpt 2/26/2013 8:16:04 PM
Absolutely. He'll be worth a first-round pick for somebody.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:16:30 PM
Jim--so the Rams are NOT interested in Manti Teo...or are they?

by Bopat from SoCal 2/26/2013 8:16:33 PM
I wouldn't think so, especially since he's an inside 'backer.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:17:03 PM
Do you see us double up again at a position? We draft 2 RBs, 2 CBs, and 2 WRs last year. Effectively, we triple doubled. Perhaps 2 S? 2 OL?

by PAtl 2/26/2013 8:17:06 PM
Maybe on the o-line. And maybe at wide receiver (if both Amendola and Gibson leave).

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:17:50 PM
Hi Jim. Do you see the Rams going free agent or draft to fill S, OL, and RB? I know the discussion about the free agent WR's is that the elite will be too expensive.

by Ramitall 2/26/2013 8:17:57 PM
Depending on who's still standing once we get to free agency, I would rate them this way, with one being the most likely to go for in free agency and three being least likely: 1.) Safety; 2.) OL; 3.) running back.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:19:23 PM
Jim, I heard Austin Pettis has been promoted to # 2 QB, he must have really impressed Coach and Staff (not bad for an undrafted Rookie). Have you noticed his progress on the feild ?

by Zach 2/26/2013 8:19:27 PM
Obviously you need Austin Davis. Yes, he was very impressive in the preseason.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:19:58 PM
Hey Jim: What do you think of Barrett Jones??

by johnb 2/26/2013 8:20:17 PM
I think he's an NFL center. He didn't work out at the Combine because of that injury that bothered him in the BCS title game. I see him maybe as a third-rounder.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:21:40 PM
Is Dunbar under contract for next year? What other LBs are not under contract?

by arnezzi 2/26/2013 8:24:22 PM
Yes, Dunbar is under contract for 2013. Those NOT under contract and scheduled for unrestricted free agency: Rocky McIntosh, Mario Haggan. Justin Cole is a restricted free agency, and although nothing is official on him yet, I don't think he will receive a tender offer.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:29:15 PM
I know you cannot predict a surprise in the draft or FA (hence it is a surprise), but how would you complete this sentence: Don't be surprised if the Rams...

by The Amazing Kreskin 2/26/2013 8:29:27 PM
. . .take a cornerback in the top four rounds.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:29:53 PM
With the stadium issue having moved on to the next phase, do you sense any feelings by the Rams that they need to be better in a hurry to acccelerate the process for a new facility? Another lackluster season to me would increase the public skepticism.

by Mike 2/26/2013 8:30:10 PM
Oh, I'm sure at some level the Rams realize that making the playoffs will help them get the stadium situation taken care of, but I think their main focus is just making the playoffs after so many bad seasons.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:31:17 PM
Any chance the Rams fill one of their needs (OT, OG, WR, S) through Free Agency - and if so, do you have any clue what players / positions they're looking at?

by tc 2/26/2013 8:31:31 PM
Sure. Again, depending on who's there, I'd say safety.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:32:21 PM
Do you think sam is ready to be THE GUY in the locker room

by Ben 2/26/2013 8:32:23 PM
At least offensively, he will have to if Jackson leaves.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:32:46 PM
did you catch the parade for the rams on espn 8, the ocho?

by logano 2/26/2013 8:32:49 PM
I forgot to tape it!

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:33:07 PM
Jim--are there any Rams that make St. Louis "home" during the off-season?

by Bopat from SoCal 2/26/2013 8:34:25 PM
Yes. Especially those who are married with children.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:34:48 PM
Given last year's production from Pead & Richardson, and their relative experience, do you think Coach Fisher and GM feel comfortable for an entire season. Seems similar to wide receiver position as well now. And, thank you!

by MJ 2/26/2013 8:35:31 PM
And don't forget about Ganaway. I still think they'll add another RB, but I could see a running back by committee approach if Jackson leaves.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:36:59 PM
How do you see the Missouri tigers draft class doing this year? Any chance the Rams will ever draft a Tiger?

by mad cowboy 2/26/2013 8:37:05 PM
Sheldon Richardson probably is a top 15 pick. Gooden maybe mid rounds. He sure ran and worked out well at Combine. T.J. Moe, late-round or undrafted free agent. Sure, the Rams will take a Mizzou Tiger. Maybe it's Richardson if he's there at 16.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:38:54 PM
What was the relationship like between Steven and the young running backs on the team.

by Ben 2/26/2013 8:39:02 PM
Very good. Jackson, as he's grown up and matured, is pure class.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:39:37 PM
Do you think whatever team drafts the tackle from Cahokia, Armstead, would consider using him as a swing tackle/tight end? You mentioned some clocked his 40 time at 3.65 which is the same as Jason Witten's.

by STLSkeptic 2/26/2013 8:39:41 PM
I wonder how he catches the football? I thought about maybe a tackle-eligible play with him _ not just with his 4.65 time but with his 34 1/2 vertical.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:41:46 PM
Do you know if they are bringing back chris williams? of all the Oline guys we picked up during last season I thought he had the strongest showing, both in the run game I do believe we broke the allowing a sack in every game streak when he was rotating in at RG

by Robert 2/26/2013 8:41:48 PM
He is scheduled for unrestricted free agency, and I've heard no talk of bringing him back. If they do it probably would be for the vets minimum.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:42:49 PM
Do you see a safety in this draft that will be available in the 2nd round that would have the ball hawking skills?

by Mike 2/26/2013 8:42:55 PM
Fresno State's Phillip Thomas

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:46:07 PM
Jim--with Austin Davis being a "fan-favorite", does Slingin' Sam have anything to worry about?

by Bopat from SoCal 2/26/2013 8:46:20 PM
No

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:46:32 PM
Jim,
do the rams see pettis as Amendola's replacement? if not, what do they think of tj Moe?

by stannramsfan 2/26/2013 8:46:44 PM
Pettis would be a logical choice. So could Tavon Austin. Don't know if Moe is even on Rams radar.

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:47:19 PM
Only time I have talked to him was on a conference call with a few other reporters. Very energetic. Here's the link: www.stltoday.com

by jthomas 2/26/2013 8:51:47 PM
Jim - assuming C. Patterson and T. Austin are availble at 16, do you have a sense which way the Rams would lean? I like the idea of both of them, personally.

by Dylan 2/26/2013 8:51:59 PM