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These are excerpts from this chat. To read about the draft, relocation, and stadium issues click the link below. Most of the Q&A is about those issues.
http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/Rams_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_84?Page=0
***************************************
Rams chat with Jim Thomas: 3/31/15
*********************************
Any rumblings about a late FA signing?
Last week at the owners meetings, Jeff Fisher said they could bring in a free agent or two this week. I'm unaware of anyone visiting this week.
The Rams still have enough salary cap space to add an offensive lineman in free agency.
---------
Any chance of getting an interview with Chip? He seemed to be fooled as well as us with Stan's "intentions" of keeping the Rams in STL.
I mentioned this on a chat a couple three weeks ago, but I spoke with Chip Rosenbloom on this a little more than a month ago, but Chip didn't want to go on the record and I will respect his wishes.
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I don't understand the crazy draft trade-up talks. Are the Rams really only a player away from the Super Bowl? It seems like the Rams need players at offensive line, qb, linebacker, and receiver.
As you state, they're more than a player away. But you realize a true franchise QB can make up for weaknesses in other areas. I just can't see the Rams even thinking about trading up unless Mariota falls to that sixth or seventh spot.
---------
First time in forever that I didn't care about free agency, don't care about the draft and this team owned by a mercenary who already has $5 billion but is thirsty for more
Actually he's worth more than $5 billion. But I wonder how many feel the same as you do?
--------
Will EJ Gaines start this year or be used as rotational depth?
I covered that to a degree in a story regarding simplifying the defense. Looks like he will compete for a job on the outside _ probably against Trumaine Johnson. www.stltoday.com
--------
Any chance of a major offensive philosophy change?
Nope.
--------
Did the NFL penalty to the Falcons surprise you? 2 years of fake crowd noise and only $350K and a 2016 5th rounder? Given that Kroeneke might have an empty barn of a stadium at home games this year, for $350K, pump up the volume.
Yeah, I thought both the Falcons and the Browns (text-gate) got off kind of light.
---------
Is Joe Barksdale back from his honeymoon? Any news on him re-signing?
All quiet. Don't know if he's back from honeymoon.
---------
What dollar amount do you see Barksdale getting in his next contract? What about Wisniewski and Blalock? Hard to beleive any of them would top out at over $4 million a year.
I think Blalock would be under $4 million a year for sure. I can see Barksdale and Wisniewski in that range.
--------
Any developments with wisniewski or blalock for OL
Have been told Blalock is in no hurry to sign. Not sure on Wisniewski.
---------
if eagles try to trade Bradford to Cleveland, can he just retire?
Sure.
----------
Why isn't Fisher worried about the O-Line as we have 3 openings?
He thinks they'll be filled when all is said and done.
---------
Why is Pead still on the Roster? trade bait?
What possibly do you think you could get for Pead?
---------
Jim, I, as a fan trust you. That said I don't trust anything from Rams park. It seems they spew misinformation to their fan base like we aren't to be trusted. Is this normal NFL protocol or a Ram-thing?
I guess there's a certain amount of misinformation put out elsewhere by many NFL clubs. But I know this: The Rams didn't use to be this way.
---------
In hindsight do you think the OL didn't care for the leadership of Bradford? Over the years I witnessed a few occasions where he would get knocked down and no one would help the guy up. Not even after missing blocks and allowing early pressure! He never seemed to have great chemistry with this group.
I think you're reading way too much into this. I think Bradford was pretty popular in the locker room.
----------
Does Pete C help or hurt the great NCAA coach to great NFL coach argument? I suspect he helps it, but that last offensive call in the Super Bowl still makes me shake my head.
Yeah, that last call was a blunder. But overall I think Pete Carroll helps the argument.
----------
Do you see any way Case Keenum might have a chance to earn the starting job in the pre-season, even if Foles and Davis and a drafted QB are healthy? I think he's a decent QB, and am wondering if he'd even get the chance to compete for the STARTING position.
Foles is the starter and will be the opening day starter.
---------
Why was the start of free agency so extremely active, yet now even though there are some good players left, there seems to be no action?
It happens that way every year. Early spending frenzy, then teams back off and start to zero in on the draft.
----------
What do you think about Fisher playing rookies to fill maybe the 2 out of 3 o-line holes?
I think we'll see at least one rookie filling out one of those holes as a starter.
---------
Is Fisher waiting for some O-Line FA prices to go down before signing them?
That's part of it.
---------
Does the Barnes signing affect any FA plans on the OL?
Maybe at center, but otherwise not.
----------
We are so close. This will be our year (cause it has to) all we have to upgrade is our coaching, QB, RB, WR, O-line, TE, CBs, and LBs. We probably only need 20-30 huge free agent signings. So close.
Sarcasm, right?
-----------
The mantra around NFL observers seems to be that Robinson “struggled” this year. To my eye (and I re-watched many games focusing only on Robinson) he did very well in almost every one-on-one pass blocking situation, even against elite rushers. The only problems I saw were rookie mistakes related to communication (e.g., double teaming when he should have been picking up a blitzer). What was your assessment of Robinson’s performance?
Don't know about any mantra, but I kinda saw what you saw. He got confused at times on who to pick up or who to pass off on stunts, loops, etc. Just the kind of things that he might be susceptible to as a rookie from a school that rarely passed the ball.
-----------
Jim, on the various Rams chatrooms a lot of fans are saying they've lost confidence in Fisher. How do you feel as of now?
Not really my job to have confidence or a lack of confidence in the head coach. But this obviously is a big year for him. Wonder if the owner feels like his coach is on the hot seat?
----------
What we hear now about simplifying the defense, are we to read into this that Fisher believes it is the reason why the defense got off to a slow start last year?
I think he feels that may be part of the reason.
---------
If we fill the Offensive line openings with sufficient starters and kept a healthy Foles, what would you expect our record to be this year?
I think the team should finish above .500 if that's the case.
-----------
Where do you see Barnes best fit ont he OL?
Center.
----------
To your knowledge, do any of the folks at One Rams Way read the chats here?
Yes. Kevin Demoff, for one, is a frequent reader.
-----------
What are the chances of STL hosting a prime time game this year?
We'll know soon enough. The schedule should come out in a couple of weeks.
---------
Who returns punts next year?
Tavon Austin.
http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/Rams_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_84?Page=0
***************************************
Rams chat with Jim Thomas: 3/31/15
*********************************
Any rumblings about a late FA signing?
Last week at the owners meetings, Jeff Fisher said they could bring in a free agent or two this week. I'm unaware of anyone visiting this week.
The Rams still have enough salary cap space to add an offensive lineman in free agency.
---------
Any chance of getting an interview with Chip? He seemed to be fooled as well as us with Stan's "intentions" of keeping the Rams in STL.
I mentioned this on a chat a couple three weeks ago, but I spoke with Chip Rosenbloom on this a little more than a month ago, but Chip didn't want to go on the record and I will respect his wishes.
--------
I don't understand the crazy draft trade-up talks. Are the Rams really only a player away from the Super Bowl? It seems like the Rams need players at offensive line, qb, linebacker, and receiver.
As you state, they're more than a player away. But you realize a true franchise QB can make up for weaknesses in other areas. I just can't see the Rams even thinking about trading up unless Mariota falls to that sixth or seventh spot.
---------
First time in forever that I didn't care about free agency, don't care about the draft and this team owned by a mercenary who already has $5 billion but is thirsty for more
Actually he's worth more than $5 billion. But I wonder how many feel the same as you do?
--------
Will EJ Gaines start this year or be used as rotational depth?
I covered that to a degree in a story regarding simplifying the defense. Looks like he will compete for a job on the outside _ probably against Trumaine Johnson. www.stltoday.com
--------
Any chance of a major offensive philosophy change?
Nope.
--------
Did the NFL penalty to the Falcons surprise you? 2 years of fake crowd noise and only $350K and a 2016 5th rounder? Given that Kroeneke might have an empty barn of a stadium at home games this year, for $350K, pump up the volume.
Yeah, I thought both the Falcons and the Browns (text-gate) got off kind of light.
---------
Is Joe Barksdale back from his honeymoon? Any news on him re-signing?
All quiet. Don't know if he's back from honeymoon.
---------
What dollar amount do you see Barksdale getting in his next contract? What about Wisniewski and Blalock? Hard to beleive any of them would top out at over $4 million a year.
I think Blalock would be under $4 million a year for sure. I can see Barksdale and Wisniewski in that range.
--------
Any developments with wisniewski or blalock for OL
Have been told Blalock is in no hurry to sign. Not sure on Wisniewski.
---------
if eagles try to trade Bradford to Cleveland, can he just retire?
Sure.
----------
Why isn't Fisher worried about the O-Line as we have 3 openings?
He thinks they'll be filled when all is said and done.
---------
Why is Pead still on the Roster? trade bait?
What possibly do you think you could get for Pead?
---------
Jim, I, as a fan trust you. That said I don't trust anything from Rams park. It seems they spew misinformation to their fan base like we aren't to be trusted. Is this normal NFL protocol or a Ram-thing?
I guess there's a certain amount of misinformation put out elsewhere by many NFL clubs. But I know this: The Rams didn't use to be this way.
---------
In hindsight do you think the OL didn't care for the leadership of Bradford? Over the years I witnessed a few occasions where he would get knocked down and no one would help the guy up. Not even after missing blocks and allowing early pressure! He never seemed to have great chemistry with this group.
I think you're reading way too much into this. I think Bradford was pretty popular in the locker room.
----------
Does Pete C help or hurt the great NCAA coach to great NFL coach argument? I suspect he helps it, but that last offensive call in the Super Bowl still makes me shake my head.
Yeah, that last call was a blunder. But overall I think Pete Carroll helps the argument.
----------
Do you see any way Case Keenum might have a chance to earn the starting job in the pre-season, even if Foles and Davis and a drafted QB are healthy? I think he's a decent QB, and am wondering if he'd even get the chance to compete for the STARTING position.
Foles is the starter and will be the opening day starter.
---------
Why was the start of free agency so extremely active, yet now even though there are some good players left, there seems to be no action?
It happens that way every year. Early spending frenzy, then teams back off and start to zero in on the draft.
----------
What do you think about Fisher playing rookies to fill maybe the 2 out of 3 o-line holes?
I think we'll see at least one rookie filling out one of those holes as a starter.
---------
Is Fisher waiting for some O-Line FA prices to go down before signing them?
That's part of it.
---------
Does the Barnes signing affect any FA plans on the OL?
Maybe at center, but otherwise not.
----------
We are so close. This will be our year (cause it has to) all we have to upgrade is our coaching, QB, RB, WR, O-line, TE, CBs, and LBs. We probably only need 20-30 huge free agent signings. So close.
Sarcasm, right?
-----------
The mantra around NFL observers seems to be that Robinson “struggled” this year. To my eye (and I re-watched many games focusing only on Robinson) he did very well in almost every one-on-one pass blocking situation, even against elite rushers. The only problems I saw were rookie mistakes related to communication (e.g., double teaming when he should have been picking up a blitzer). What was your assessment of Robinson’s performance?
Don't know about any mantra, but I kinda saw what you saw. He got confused at times on who to pick up or who to pass off on stunts, loops, etc. Just the kind of things that he might be susceptible to as a rookie from a school that rarely passed the ball.
-----------
Jim, on the various Rams chatrooms a lot of fans are saying they've lost confidence in Fisher. How do you feel as of now?
Not really my job to have confidence or a lack of confidence in the head coach. But this obviously is a big year for him. Wonder if the owner feels like his coach is on the hot seat?
----------
What we hear now about simplifying the defense, are we to read into this that Fisher believes it is the reason why the defense got off to a slow start last year?
I think he feels that may be part of the reason.
---------
If we fill the Offensive line openings with sufficient starters and kept a healthy Foles, what would you expect our record to be this year?
I think the team should finish above .500 if that's the case.
-----------
Where do you see Barnes best fit ont he OL?
Center.
----------
To your knowledge, do any of the folks at One Rams Way read the chats here?
Yes. Kevin Demoff, for one, is a frequent reader.
-----------
What are the chances of STL hosting a prime time game this year?
We'll know soon enough. The schedule should come out in a couple of weeks.
---------
Who returns punts next year?
Tavon Austin.
