JT chat 8/30 (selections)

NFL chat with Jim Thomas

note: to see the whole chat here’s the link:
http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_25?Page=2

Is Tony Romo’s injury the least surprising development of the NFL preseason? The only person who didn’t see this coming was Jerry Jones.
by JJ 3:08 PM

JT: Just the third play of the game for Romo, and it wasn’t really a hard hit. Avril was trying to knock the ball out, not hammer Romo. If Prescotts continue to play like he has so far this preseason, maybe Romo’s absence won’t matter much. But Jerry Jones and the Cowboys front office did seem late to the party when it came to finding a possible successor or at least a competent backup

Will Collin K make the 49ers?
by Jimmy 2:22 PM

JT: It was interesting that Chip Kelly said Kaepernick currently is among the team’s top two quarterbacks, which would indicate that yes, he makes the 49ers’ final 53. But Kelly also said he doesn’t have say over who makes the final roster. So make of that what you will.

Think the rams go with 5 or 6 receivers? Thanks
by Paul 2:42 PM

JT: Fisher usually goes with five. But because of the injury situation with Spruce and Cooper, I could see them going with six _ at least early in the season.

After game 3 what is your honest opinion on the Rams upcoming season? Without a good look at #30 and #11, it’s been hard for me to judge the progress or lack of.
by blocking fullback 2:45 PM

JT: Case Keenum has played pretty well in the preseason, better than I thought he would. Jared Goff still looks a little lost to me _ not as far along as I thought he would be at this time. I thought the defense played very well in Denver, although the first-teamers were out there for only a couple, three series. Cornerback looks like a concern, especially with E.J. Gaines being constantly nicked up during camp/preseason. I don’t think this team has as much depth as some recent editions, so they can’t afford too many injuries. .

What are the chances that WR Brian Quick makes 53 man roster?
by Stillafan 2:51 PM

JT: Could be wrong, but I don’t think the Rams have many other options at this point.

realize that, right?
by Tackleberry 2:52 PM

JT: I know what you’re saying. I’ll be curious to see how the money breaks down when the contract is filed with the NFL Players Association. Sometimes the reality of these contracts is different than what’s announced. I also realize that the price of signing players only goes up. The Rams want to sign some of their core players and have decided that Austin is part of that core. What seems like an outlandish contract now, may not seem that way in four or five years. But even saying all that, Austin is being paid like a No. 1 receiver and despite his moments of electric plays isn’t anywhere close to a No. 1 receiver. Very interesting to see how Boras/Groh use him this season.

Jim, in your opinion would Keenum be able to start for one other team in the NFL?
by WIU Leatherneck 2:57 PM

JT: Well, let’s see. Maybe Cleveland, maybe Houston. San Francisco.

Back to back games against sf and sea to open should either expose this team or prove they are finally ready to turn the corner. Doesn’t 0-2 or 2-0 kinda set the tone in your opinion?
by blocking fullback 2:58 PM

JT: Keep in mind, Fisher’s Rams have generally done their best work in the division, and struggled outside the division. With that track record, the worst you want to be after Week 2 is 1-1.

Rams on the path to another 6 or fewer wins season! Defense will be worse with the defection on some key pieces. Offense will still be bad, with no real QB and a poor receiving core. Finally, they have hamstrung the cap with the TA signing. Let’s go Chiefs
by Andy 2:59 PM

JT: We’ll see. I came away from my weekend in Irvine at the start of camp thinking they looked like a five or six win team. But they’ve actually played a little better in the preseason than I thought they would, particularly on offense. And keep in mind, even with the Tavon Austin extension, they should have plenty of money this offseason. I’m wondering if LB Alec Ogletree is the next player due an extension.

Also, what was Snead’s comment about ‘pairing Austin with #30 and our tight ends’ all about? What marvelous receiving tight ends do they have?
by Tackleberry 3:05 PM

JT: I have always thought Kendricks was underutilized. And the Rams seem to be very high on draft pick Tyler Higbee, but he has had durability issues in the past.

How do you see the rams DL shaking out? Longacre sure looks like a keeper. Thanks
by Paul 3:14 PM

JT: Fisher always seems to keep an extra defensive linemen or two on the final roster. So I’d be surprised if Longacre doesn’t make the team. That could make five DEs _ Quinn, Hayes, Sims, Westbrooks, and Longacre. Unless I’m missing something, I see only three DTs right now on the final 53 in Donald, Brockers, and Easley. But keep in mind, Hayes usually slides inside on passing downs and Westbrooks can play inside as well.

What is your favorite NFL venue in which to cover a game and why, please.
by Texas Tiger 3:30 PM

JT: Without a doubt it remains Lambeau Field, because of the history, the tradition, the success of the Green Bay franchise. Although I will say it’s lost a little of its charm due to recent renovations. But the atmosphere around the stadium on game day is fantastic, from the Cheeseheads to the hunter’s orange later in the season. If I was a burglar, I think I’d operate in Green Bay on a Packers game day. I’d give the silver medal to CenturyLink Field in Seattle. Game in and game out, it’s the noisiest venue in the league with all those over-caffeinated 12s. (There’s literally a Starbucks or Tully’s on every corner.) The bronze medal goes to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City _ home of tailgate heaven and the Sea of Red. Honorable mention to University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona. It took the Bidwills 20 years to get their stadium, but when they finally got it, they did it right. Logistically, the setup is very convenient to the media. And throughout the stadium, they pay homage to their gridiron past in St. Louis, and local football history at all levels. Very well done.

Seems like Goff has a durability issue in addition to having bad pocket awareness. The pressure will be on the Rams to show off their new QB…do you think they may cave in before Goff is ready?
by Bill 4:02 PM

JT: Goff has a slender frame, and if you put the truth serum in Jeff Fisher, I think you’d find a coach who’s concerned about keeping his quarterback healthy. Already this preseason, Goff was pulled out of the opener when his shoulder got dinged. He had X-rays after the Denver game for a tailbone/back issue. Hard to say on when Goff makes his debut. To a degree, it depends on how Keenum is playing _ and he’s played pretty well this preseason. But also the won-list record will influence the decision.

Goff does not look like a #1 Draft pick to me! Does he to you?
by Studebaker 4:13 PM

Not at this point. But that can change.

Jim, does team Fisher have the pottiest mouth, so to speak, compared to other Rams coaches? Watching hard knocks, every other word is the F word. Nothing new for hard knocks but Fisher and Co seem to use it 10 times more than others.
by Dr D 3:51 PM

JT: Oh, I think he’s pretty much mainstream on that. Mike Martz, for example, could cuss up a storm when riled up.

What’s your take on Kaepernick’s protest? Tempest in a teapot? I think we can mostly agree that he’s a bit misguided, but what does he hope to accomplish? It doesn’t have the same impact when the message is delivered by a 2nd tier player IMHO.
by Knux 4:15 PM

JT: I haven’t given it a ton of thought. But I am glad we live in a country where you have the freedom to offer an opinion, even if it’s one you may not necessarily agree with. And this is coming from someone who has two Army officers went to West Point knowing they might die for their country in the line of service. NFL players have a lot of free time in the offseason. And Kaepernick has a lot of money. I’m just wondering if he will actually try to do something about the issue? For example, Aeneas Williams is a preacher in Ferguson, he engages the community and at least in involved in dialogue on the issue and trying to make things better..

Who was the former Rams you thought had the most potential but their career was cut short by injury?
by Jiffy Jeff 4:21 PM

JT: Tight end Ernie Conwell was strong and fast, and had a horrific knee injury, I believe, in ’98. Now, he did play for several seasons with the Rams and New Orleans, but it would’ve been interesting to see what would have happened were it not for the injury. The same holds for Sam Bradford, whom I wrote about Monday after catching up with him in Indy. He was playing some of his best football before both of his knee injuries. I know there were other issues involved, but he did lose 1 1/2 seasons of his career. And let’s not forget about Trent Green and what he might have been able to accomplish in 1999 where it not for that fateful preseason game with San Diego and Rodney Harrison crashing into the back of his leg with a hit that didn’t have to be made.

Who were you least favorite Rams players you ever had to deal with? Favorites?
by Jiffy Jeff 4:25 PM

JT: Lawrence Phillips was a headache on multiple levels. As for favorites, too many to mention from Isaac Bruce to Leonard Little, D’Marco Farr, Toby Wright, Warner, Holt, Laurinaitis, William Hayes and on and on. . . .