Live Chats

Rams chat with Jim Thomas

Submit your Rams and NFL questions NOW; talk to Post-Dispatch football writer Jim Thomas in a live chat from the owners meetings in Phoenix. Jim will be here at 1 p.m.

by Mike Smithon Mar 18, 2013 at 7:09 PM

Are the Rams satisfied with Rok Watkins as the starter at LG? And how does the Jake Long signing affect draft strategy?

by Joe O. 3/19/2013 5:56:10 PM
Watkins isn't gettting handed the job. There's Shelley Smith and Rob Turner (if he re-signs). And some mocks have shown Chance Warmack available at 16 (although personally I can't see that happening). As for Jake Long, with him on board the Rams obviously don't have to take an offensive tackle _ at least not in the early rounds. They could go wide receiver, safety, running back _ or some combination in the first and second rounds. Or if Warmack's there at 16 maybe they can take him. It's just one less need, or "want" as Les Snead calls it, to worry about.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:02:01 PM
Hi Jim, I wondered if you have heard when the Rams will hold Jake Long's press conference?

by SBC 34 3/19/2013 6:02:06 PM
It won't be until next week. All of the Rams people (Fisher, Snead, Demoff) are in Phoenix right now at the owners meetings. And Long is in Miami.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:02:44 PM
By the way, I wanted to point out that I'm at the owners meetings as well in Phoenix and may have to leave for an interview in a while. But I will answer as many questions as I can now, and if time permits, come back and answer some more later. Right now I'm kind of in limbo on this interview.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:04:06 PM
Hi Jim, does it look like Quintin Mikell will get resigned?

by Italyfan 3/19/2013 6:04:08 PM
I don't have a read for that at this time. Originally, I think the Rams were holding back some money in order to re-sign him. But with the Cook and Long signing's I don't know if that's the case now.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:04:47 PM
Thanks for your time.. Ok, if Ogletree is there for us, do you see the Rams taking chance on him even with his off field problems. Furthermore, will he start his career with a 4-game suspension because of his dui??

by FinRam 3/19/2013 6:04:54 PM
In terms of the NFL, the DUI doesn't count against his league record because it occurred before he became an NFL player. Even with his issues. I'm sure the Rams would consider it. How strongly I can't say.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:06:23 PM
Hi Jim, Rams should get lots of compensatory picks in next year draft? any thoughts? thanks

by B.R. Khan 3/19/2013 6:06:37 PM
I think they could get a couple. Maybe a sixth and/or seventh. I don't know if Jackson counts as an unrestricted free agent lost because he voided his contract. Still, you have Gibson, Fletcher, Amendola, Dahl _ countered on the other side by Cook and Long.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:08:39 PM
HIJT. I read that by released Quintin Mikell we saved 9 mil against the cap. Is this true? If so, How are we so tight against the cap?

by s conway 3/19/2013 6:08:41 PM
No, Mikell was scheduled to count $9 million against the cap in 2013. But releasing him saved the Rams only $ million against the cap.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:09:24 PM
Hey Jim! Wondering if you've heard any 'rumors' that Fisher may move Finnegan over to FS to be his defensive QB? Fisher doesn't seem to trust rookies in that role, and it would extend Finnegan's career. If you've not heard anything on this, can you check when you get back? Thanks!

by Contrarian 3/19/2013 6:09:29 PM
Don't think Finnegan is big enough to play safety. Haven't heard anything on this. I will try to remember asking this to Fisher tomorrow at the NFC coaches breakfast here.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:10:35 PM
Do you think Michael Huff would be a good fit? Versitile.....

by bangedurmom 3/19/2013 6:10:42 PM
I haven't heard his name mentioned in connection with the Rams. But he's not a bad player.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:11:04 PM
Here’s hoping the Rams trade back; one of their first two picks for a 1st & 3rd this year and a 2nd next year.

This draft is supposed to be somewhat weak at linebacker (in addition to quarterback). Jarvis Jones, OLB, from Georgia is projected to be a top-20 pick. Do you think the Rams might target him with one of their first picks? If they miss out on safety Kenny Vaccaro from Texas, do you think they will target Jonathan Cyprien, the safety from Florida?
Thanks for your time. This Q & A is always a fun read.

by Keith E 3/19/2013 6:11:23 PM
I'd be stunned if Jones made it down to the Rams. I think he's bounced back medically form those initial reports about the narrow spine. I don't think Cyprien will go in the first round. Maybe in the second.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:13:01 PM
Could Michael Mauti from Penn State fit into the Ram's defense?

by bedobrown9 3/19/2013 6:13:04 PM
I can't tell. These last couple of weeks, I've kind of veered away from the draft to focus on free agency and now the owners meetings. But it will be back on the draft next week.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:14:02 PM
Do the Rams have any interest in Brandon Lloyd?

by Steven 3/19/2013 6:14:05 PM
I'd doubt it. They didn't really try to keep him last year. And he's kind of a different kind of personality.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:14:46 PM
Hi Jim, have the Rams shown any interest in Darius Heyward-Bey?

by Hawar2 3/19/2013 6:14:50 PM
Not aware of any at this time. Remember, team is tight against the cap. So they may wait a while to get price down.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:15:20 PM
If the Rams don't sign a safety before the draft, does K. Vaccaro become the top draft target?

by David 3/19/2013 6:15:30 PM
I can't say that. I'm sure there are a lot of safeties the Rams are considering.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:15:47 PM
Jim, thanks again for doing these chats. Do you think Rams go WR in the 1st, 2nd, or later rounds? And do you think RB Marcus Lattimore is a legit option for the Rams?

by Contrarian 3/19/2013 6:15:53 PM
I would be very surprised if the Rams didn't use one of their two first round picks on a wide receiver. As for Lattimore, I'm sure there is some interest. But he almost certainly would begin the season on the PUP list, and it's possible _ maybe likely _ his entire rookie season might be a redshirt year.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:17:14 PM
If Patterson, Austin and Allen are all there when the Rams pick at 16, which one do you think Fisher and Snead would prefer to pick?

by SBC 34 3/19/2013 6:17:30 PM
The best I can give you at this point is that it'd probably be Patterson or Austin because of their speed.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:18:04 PM
Hi Jim, In the event Jarvis Jones is still around at 16 , do the Rams consider taking him?

by Jeff 3/19/2013 6:18:05 PM
Certainly.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:18:12 PM
Hi Jim, if Sheldon Richardson falls to 16 do the rams consider him?

by Mike 3/19/2013 6:21:25 PM
Believe so. They like him a lot.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:21:37 PM
except for Mikell and Turner any other FA rumors to report?

by Robert 3/19/2013 6:21:40 PM
Not really. Of the Rams' own unsigned free agents, none would be much more than a minimum salary contract: QB Kellen Clemens, LB Mario Haggan, DT Trevor Laws, LB Rocky McIntosh, OT Barry Richardson, WR Steve Smith, and OG/OT Chris Williams. Don't think I missed anybody there.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:23:42 PM
dang it got cut off... but if Warmack and Austin are there at 16, who's the favorite?

by Ramsnationunite! 3/19/2013 6:23:57 PM
I don't think even the Rams know the answer to that one just yet.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:24:13 PM
Jim, what do you think ... Rams pick at 22 or drop a few spots if the trade is there to add a second?

by Hawar2 3/19/2013 6:24:23 PM
Sure. Or maybe some team from early in the second round wants to move up to take a QB.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:24:53 PM
Do you see any situation where the Rams do not draft a WR in the first round?

by Tom R 3/19/2013 6:25:18 PM
I guess it's possible if someone unexpectedly drops to the Rams (Warmack, Jarvis Jones, Olgetree). Or maybe if Patterson and Austin are both gone by 16.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:26:16 PM
On setting the draft board, do they consider the school term? Cincinnati players for example, Gilyard and now Pead have started out slow. Part of the blame was based on missing ota's etc because their school's year did not end until much later than most, and they could not attend - under a foolish NFL rule in my opinion. Seems like we have been stung at least twice by this.

by Warner to Bruce! 3/19/2013 6:27:02 PM
Interesting question. But I don't think that factors in. Maybe it should.

by jthomas 3/19/2013 6:27:24 PM