JT Chat … 10/18

NFL chat with Jim Thomas …. selections

http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_32?Page=0

Do you think the Raiders moving to Las Vegas will be approved by a large majority of the NFL owners?
by Okie 2:03 PM

I think it will. The league’s stance on gambling with respect to Las Vegas seems to have softened in the past couple of years. And the NHL has already paved the way by agreeing to have a team there. Besides, the NFL owners have been known to like money.
by jthomas 2:05 PM

A lot of angst in Packerland over the play of Aaron Rodgers. Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal wrote a great article about it: “Rodgers Falls from Ranks of Greats.” Do you see Rodgers’ issues as a temporary slide or the beginning of his decline?
by Andy 2:07 PM

He just looks tentative on a lot of his throws, as if his confidence is no longer there. The throws aren’t as accurate. I still think he can regroup and return to what he has done in the past. He has shown flashes of it this season, such as the first half of the Detroit game earlier this season. By the way, McGinn is the best.
by jthomas 2:09 PM

if Kroenke was such a genius when he “discovered” Kurt Warner, why did he allow him to be exposed in the expansion draft when Cleveland came into the league?
by DrMizzou 2:16 PM

He hadn’t “discovered” him yet. No, I kid. . .I joke. Amazingly, starting left guard Tom Nutten also was available in that expansion draft. Nutten was a staple of those Greatest Show offensive lines, a very good pass blocker. Jim Hanifan raves about the job he did on Warren Sapp in the 1999 season NFC title game against Tampa Bay.
by jthomas 2:18 PM

So, Dak Prescott can lead the Cowboys to a 5-1 record, but the #1 overall pick can’t see the field … where’s the disconnect?
by JJ 2:19 PM

Interesting isn’t it. I’ve heard some gossip from afar that the Rams may not be quite as thrilled with Goff as they’re letting on.
by jthomas 2:20 PM

Seems like every week a coach is calling for expanding replay to review even more aspects of the game (to correct bad calls by the officials). This week, it is pass interference. Do you see replay becoming an even bigger part of football than it is now?
by Andy 2:34 PM

The league is more obsessed with keeping games at close to 3 hours in length than it is on getting every call right. I’m sure it will be discussed. Isn’t PI reviewable in the Canadian league? The thing that bothers me most of all is how subjective the pass interference calls are from week to week, game to game, crew to crew. You see how closely PI was called Monday night in the Jets-Cardinals game, and then somehow the Sherman play _ which seemed pretty obvious in Seattle-Atlanta _ goes uncalled. I know it’s a fast-moving game, but how can there be such a fluctuation in interpretation?
by jthomas 2:38 PM

Hey Jim, I really enjoyed your article on why the Rams couldn’t muscle up against the Lions. Reading it would enlighten the LA fans tremendously on Fisher and his failures. Looks like the promise of a bright 3-1 start is slipping away. Again.
by Alton Ken 2:41 PM

I appreciate the kind words. Every week, I write a “Rams Rewind” story that appears the day after the game with my observations and perspective. Normally, it appears only online at stltoday.com. Yeah, it does look like the Rams are falling backing into some of that “7-9 bull. . . .” but it’s only six games. Still plenty of time for the season to go either way.
by jthomas 2:45 PM

Much has been talked about how great the Rams defense is, but after the front line, is there really much talent or depth there?
by Jim 3:09 PM

To me, the defense has never quite fulfilled its promise despite all those past and present top draft picks in the front 7. It has shown flashes of it, including the Seattle and Arizona games this year, but has never developed into a top 10 unit.
by jthomas 3:10 PM

Keenum’s a free agent at year end. Do the Rams try and keep him and since he will want to play will he want to accept their offer?
by Wondering 3:11 PM

Fisher likes Keenum a lot, so if Fisher’s back I’m sure he’ll try to bring Keenum back. And Keenum’s play so far this year _ especially this past week in Detroit _ has earned himself a little money.
by jthomas 3:12 PM

Miami and San Fran at home look like the only two games left on the schedule where the Rams will be favored. This is starting to smell like a 6-10 campaign.
by Tackleberry 3:15 PM

You never know. It’s a week-to-week business, and more than half the games these days come down to the fourth quarter. I think it’s a sure thing there will be one or two victories over the final 10 games that we don’t expect, and one or two losses we don’t expect.
by jthomas 3:16 PM

Is Josh McDaniels a viable head coach or is he just another in a long line of excellent coordinators who would be in-over-their heads as the man in charge? I know he was the HC in Denver, but it appeared the job was too big for him.
by Andy 3:18 PM

Interesting point on McDaniels. He didn’t exactly sparkle in St. Louis in 2011 as Sam Bradford’s offensive coordinator. A lot of those Belichick disciples haven’t done well once they’ve strayed from the Mothership. McDaniels may get another chance as a head coach after this season, but wherever he goes, he won’t have Tom Brady.
by jthomas 3:20 PM

How do you rate the Rams’ offensive line so far?
by Tom 3:43 PM

So-so. Keenum hasn’t been sacked all that often. I thought the run-blocking would be better at this point.
by jthomas 3:45 PM

When was the last time a #1 overall pick didn’t play right away? Is it an indictment of Fisher and his coaches to not see that Goff wasn’t NFL ready and Wentz is?
by Dan 3:56 PM

That would be QB JaMarcus Russell in 2007. He played in only 4 games as a rookie with 1 start. Threw only 66 passes that year. Was out of the league after ’09. The 8 No. 1 overall picks drafted between Goff and Russell all started on opening day. That list includes 5 QBs: Jameis Winston, Andrew Luck, Cam Newton, Sam Bradford, and Matthew Stafford. Two offensive linemen: Eric Fisher and Jake Long. And 1 defensive lineman/outside linebacker: Jadeveon Clowney.
by jthomas 3:59 PM

Hi Jim, Gurley looks ordinary so far. Is the Knee bothering him, conditioning issues or unable to process the playbook? If he continues to be pale, Rams are toast for years to come. Thanks
by Outsider 4:17 PM
Permalink

He looked pretty good in the early going Sunday, but got only 14 carries _ a season low. Yes, the passing game was going well, but the Rams didn’t stick with the running game.
by jthomas 4:20 PM

OK – let me re-phrase my comment. I think the product is bad in the NFL this year. Very view talented and well-disciplined teams. The game last night was painful to watch with so many flags (which were all well-deserved). Reminds me of a John McKay quote during the first season with the Bucs.
by scubado 4:34 PM

OK, I get that. Between all the flags and more reviews, a lot of the games lack a flow. I think there’s still plenty of talent. But there do seem to be more sloppy games. Maybe that’s a byproduct of less practice time and less time allowed in pads.
by jthomas 4:36 PM

Are injuries the only problem with the Rams D?
by Tom 4:52 PM

I think that’s a big factor. Quinn started slowly this year, but had been coming on before the shoulder problem.
by jthomas 4:53 PM

Chances Goff starts a game for the Rams, assuming Keenum doesn’t get hurt?
by Biguns 4:54 PM

Sometime this season? I’d say 70-30 that Goff starts at least 1 game some time this season.
by jthomas 4:54 PM