selections from JT, NFL chat

From NFL Chat with Jim Thomas (8/16)

http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_23?Page=1

Sloppy play, stupid penalties, horrible special teams…..the Rams are in mid-season form!!! And Coty Sensabaugh…boy does he look like a sleeper when he is playing. To top it all off, Fisher just may have manufactured the start of a QB controversy by showing off his first pick and then having Mannion win the game.

JT: Actually the Rams had only 2 penalties, and as Fisher pointed out _ I’m sure with some pride _ that was a league low in Week 1 of the preseason. Yeah Sensabaugh struggled. So did Joyner. Cornerback could be an issue. We’ll see what happens with E.J. Gaines apparently playing this week vs. KC.

Do you think the nfl has become corrupt as a cartel?

JT: Don’t know about that, but they certainly are all about the m-o-n-e-y

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST WEAKNESS ON THE TEAM AND CAN IT BE FIXED?

JT: Wide receiver; doubtful it can be fixed with this group. Overall quarterback play; may not happen this year. Cornerback; maybe a healthy Gaines can shore up.

Wow, I did watch s installment of HardKnocks. 2nd Ep. airs tonight. 1st episode scoffed at STL as an NFL city and emphasized the triumph of the NFL returning to LA. My take anyway. When it came to analysis of the Rams football, not so gratifying. Show truly zoned on team’s inadequacies. Is it really true that Goff hasn’t taken a snap under center in all of his High School and collegiate career. Show deftly pointed out how much difficulty he was having with that, and calling plays. Well as discouraging as it was, I was glad to watch 1st episode. Even if i suppressed a lot of laughs along the way. Take care JT

JT: Goff isn’t the Lone Ranger when it comes to not having snaps under center prior to the pros.. Lots of high school teams and most college teams operate out of the shotgun. It is a big change playing in a pro-style offense. Again, I haven’t watched the Hard Knocks yet. I guess I’ll have two episodes to catch up on when I get back to StL. I did think the “open” to the Rams-Cowboys game on ESPN was interesting. This syrupy homage to the history and tradition of the Rams franchise, and not one mention of the Greatest Show on Turf in St. Louis. I guess the plan _ and this certainly seems to be the case with the Rams organization itself _ is to pretend like St. Louis never happened.

Will the Chiefs first string D see Goff this weekend?

JT: Depends on when Goff is in the game. Conversely, I wonder if the Rams’ first-string defense will see Nick Foles.

I feel like the Rams have once again hurt themselves with their roster by going all in on Goff – wouldn’t a top WR at pick #15 then a trade up for Paxton Lynch made more sense? I guess I don’t really have a question….I’m just glad to be looking for a new team to root for…..

JT: I liked Lynch a lot coming out. Fisher doesn’t like to take receivers high in the draft.

I will be interested to see how Jenkins does in NY this year. He was good but not worth what they paid.

JT: Well, teams had a lot of cap room this offseason, that’s why there was so much money being thrown around. In that regard, I think the Rams miscalculated the market and should’ve tried to get Jenkins signed last year at this time if they really wanted him. Jenkins had a pretty thin skin when it came to criticism. Be interesting to see how he handles that on the big media stage of NYC.

The guy who made the accusations about NFL players and PEDs for the Al Jazeera report eventually recanted his claims. So why is the league demanding that Matthews, Peppers, Harrison and others “talk” about PED use and threatening them with suspension if they don’t? Seriously, what’s going on here?

JT: Because the league can. I think this will be a major point of emphasis when the next round of negotiations come around in the collective bargaining agreement. Just how much leeway the NFL office is given in such matters and obviously the status of Goodell as both jury and executioner. But the CBA doesn’t expire for another 5 years.

Did you get to see the Dallas preseason game? How do you think LT Robinson looked? Has he finally arrived?

JT: I’ve only been able to watch the first half so far. Yeah, Robinson looked good in his couple of series. That’s better than the alternative, but it’s hard to say he’s arrived after just a handful of plays.

How do you feel about Dallas 1st and 2nd stringers putting a beating on the 3-13 Lambs?

JT: Case Keeunum looked pretty good, doing what he does. Short efficient passes. Mobility in the pocket. Benny Cunningham looked good _ I’ve always liked him and thought he should get the ball more. But the play of the secondary, particularly at cornerback, wasn’t very good. Three drops by receivers in the first half. Some troubles with blitz pickup. The way I’ve always approached preseason is to pay attention to the score when the regulars are in _ but watch particular players and don’t pay attention to the score once you’re using the third_ and fourth_ stringers. So with that in mind

Went to the game on Saturday. Why didn’t the refs call the blatant holding and blocks in the back by Dallas on the opening kick? Have to say, it was a great experience. There were a lot of Cowboys, but I’d say at least 90% were Ram’s fans.

JT: Hey, the refs are in preseason mode as well. As for 90% being Rams fans, I’m kind of doubting you there. In fact, when the Cowboys were moving in for the field goal to make it 24-7 before the half, I could hear chants of “Let’s go, Cow-boys!” on the TV copy I was watching.