NFL chat with Jim Thomas, 11/1 … selections

NFL chat with Jim Thomas — selections

http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_34?Page=2

Do LA fans and writers really believe that Georgia leaving LA = Stan leaving St. Louis, therefore two wrongs made a right? Do they realize that Stan helped her move the Rams from LA, and would move to London or anywhere else for more money?
by ihtnep 12:05 PM

In an ideal world, the Rams would’ve stayed in LA and St. Louis gets an expansion team. The fans are just pawns in all this, no matter how many “football is family” ads the NFL runs. It’s all about the dollars, sadly, moreso than ever in the NFL. I get it that the LA Rams fans have ill will towards Georgia, but there was one big difference in the Rams move to St Louis and the Rams move back to LA. Namely, LA/southern California had nothing resembling a viable stadium plan back in the ’90s. St. Louis did.
by jthomas edited by Mike Smith 12:08 PM

Jim, really miss your day-to-day Rams coverage. Unfortunately your LA counterparts are still in the honeymoon phase and cover the team like a kid with a new toy – very limited insight. Anyway, help us try to understand Fisher’s handling of Goff. Depending on one’s perspective, he could be saying “drafting him wasn’t my idea”, or “I have to win, so I’m okay with Keenum because he’s better now”, or “Stan’s going to extend me, so am immune from having to win, and Goff sitting is best for everyone”, or “Goff isn’t the kid we saw pre-draft”, or (fill in the blanks)…. Help us understand with your take on Fisher’s thinking.
by Dan 12:42 PM

I’m sure the LA/southern California writers felt the same way about the St. Louis media in 1995, Of course, the Rams did start 5-1 that year. You can’t manufacture perspective _ it takes a little time. Just a couple of thoughts on Fisher-Goff. Fisher really likes Keenum _ his energy, his intangibles, his leadership. Also, trading up to the No. 1 overall spot for Goff didn’t seem like a Fisher move to me. (Nor did having his team on Hard Knocks.) The trade-up seemed like a hey we’re in LA now we need to make a splash move. If you were going to trade up for a QB, I think the year to do it was 2015 with Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. Maybe time will show otherwise, but I never saw Goff or Wentz as franchise QBs. One last thing: the longer Goff sits on the bench, the more you have to wonder if the Rams aren’t sold on him, no matter what they say publicly.
by jthomas 12:50 PM

Why is Mike Martz doing nothing more than radio analysis of the Chargers? Is he blackballed from the NFL for some reason? Why wouldn’t a team that’s struggling offensively reach out to him and see if he would come to the rescue?
by Shoot ‘N’ Fix 12:09 PM

Good question. Mike has had a reputation for being hard to work with. I think it would take a strong personality, and a secure personality, in a head coach and GM to work with Mike. But my goodness, I agree with you. It’s hard for me to think of a better QB guru than hom. Granted, it’s tough love, but the guy gets the most out of QBs. I mean, he squeezed two 4,000-yard passing seasons out of Jon Kitna in Detroit, went 5-3 with Shaun Hill has his starter in San Francisco. I think Mike would like one more crack at it.
by jthomas 12:15 PM

Jim – I asked Roger this yesterday during his chat, but would like your opinion: Not counting the braintrust that runs the Rams, which NFL team has the most mundane offensive philosophy? Conversely, not counting the braintrust that runs the Patriots, which team displays the most progressive offensive philosophy – one that really pushes the evolution of the game?
by Andy 12:15 PM

Well, Tennessee has a very old-school approach in terms of running the ball. I think coach Mike Mularkey calls it “exotic smash-mouth” _ which is kind of an odd name. You know, the Dallas Cowboys are very balanced. Entering their Sunday game with Philadelphia they were the only team with more run plays called than pass plays. Although I’ve broadened my scope in terms of what I pay attention to in the NFL, it’s tough for me to come up with a “progressive ” offensive philosophy team. I like that Dirk Koetter at Tampa Bay tries to push the ball down the field more in the passing game. So many teams are dink and dunk. I haven’t really seen much of Atlanta or Oakland this season, so don’t have a great feel for what they’re doing.
by jthomas 12:20 PM

How does Fisher justify sitting Goff on the bench? I believe that it has to hurt Goff’s mental state actually sitting on the bench! We sent 6 draft picks for the 1st pick in the draft and he isn’t ready? I understand the upside potential but it hasn’t worked so far with Robinson, Quick and even to some degree Austin. One more thing his free agency and trades have been pretty bad. Look at how much money the team has spent on Sensabaugh, Cook and Foles. To make matters worse we extended Foles and cut him in one year and Sensabaugh lasted 4 games!
by jr 1:39 PM

I don’t know how you justify sitting Goff. Obviously, Fisher feels like Keenum gives the Rams their best chance to win this year. And as he finishes out the last year of his original 5-year contract there may be some survival instinct at work here.
by jthomas 1:42 PM

Do you think the Vikings’ offensive struggles have more to do with the performance of their offensive line and the loss of AP, or has Norv Turner failed to utilize his talent and adjust appropriately?
by Andy 12:23 PM

I have a lot of respect for Norv Turner, but yeah, I would’ve liked to have seen more screens and quick throws to the WRs last night. Saying that, it was pretty clear even with what the TV shots showed last night that there were times when the Vikings’ O-line was getting beaten and beaten quickly. For example, I’m sure Jake Long will get better as he gets more playing time, but it’s sad to watch him play these days. I mean, this guy was once a Pro Bowler. I could be wrong on this, but I think the running game will improve with more work for Ronnie Hillman. Right now, Bradford looks a little shell-shocked. I know that look. I’ve seen it in St. Louis. But with their defense and that coaching staff, I don’t think it’s a time for panic in Minnesota. Football is a game of momentum, and the bye week couldn’t have come at a worst time for the Vikings. The same thing happened to Philly after they came out of their bye.
by jthomas 12:29 PM

JT – one of the brainy LA “fans” on NFL Talk made the prediction he thinks the Rams will win their next 4 games and be 7-4 when they play the Patriots. Do these left coast clowns realize how long it’s been since they have won 4 straight? The next 4 teams may not have good W/L records but they all have better QBs than the Rams, and a good QB will torch the Rams secondary by throwing deep. Brees will be in the Hall of Fame, Newton might be and Fitzpatrick & Tannehill have beat better teams than the Rams. Do these LA idiots actually watch this team?
by DrMizzou 12:31 PM

As you know, the optimism would be based on the fact that the Rams’ next 4 opponents _ Carolina, New Orleans, Miami, and the New York Jets _ are a combined 11-18, and none of the 4 currently has a winning record. But New Orleans and Miami are improving, Carolina came out of its bye week with a strong win against Arizona, and even the Jets have won their last two. The Rams’ defense, which has looked very quick this season, should be almost fully healthy. We’ll see. You know as well as I it’s hard to imagine the Fisher Rams playing with the kind of week-to-week consistency to win 4 in a row.
by jthomas 12:36 PM

Grob seems to be stuck in neutral. Rams moving on, maybe a new OL coach to get him going?
Thanks
by Paul 1:42 PM

I don’t think the issue has anything to do with Boudreau. Alex Barron was Alex Barron. Jason Smith was Jason Smith. There’s only so much you can do.
by jthomas 1:44 PM

Good Day Jim, It looks like Fishers next 4 games will make or break a contract extension. Do you think the Rams will win enough game to prevent Fisher getting fired ?
by OzyRamsFan 2:05 PM

This may surprise you, but overall this team has played a little better than I expected with the exception of the opener against San Francisco. As I referenced in an earlier answer, the defense looks very quick and aggressive. Britt is having a career year. But all things considered, I see more 7-9. . .you know what.
by jthomas 2:08 PM

Mike Martz is BY FAR the best QB talent evaluator in football since Sid Gillman. He picks QBs that other people scoff at and has them playing at a Pro Bowl level.
by DrMizzou 2:17 PM

Mike didn’t think arm strength was the end-all, be-all. He always told me the 3 biggest assets he looked for in a QB _ in no particular order _ were accuracy, toughness, intelligence.
by jthomas 2:18 PM

Jim,
Can you think which was the Stl Rams worst move. I think it was firing the only winning coach in the teams time in Stl Mike Martz
by OzyRamsFan 2:26 PM

Letting London Fletcher go in free agency belongs on the medal stand. So does not talking Dick Vermeil out of retirement. Martz was a lightning-rod for the fans, and as you may recall many were glad to see him go at the time.
by jthomas 2:27 PM