highlights/selections from NFL chat with Jim Thomas

from NFL chat with Jim Thomas

http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_51?Page=1

Blessed to be here in Indy for my 27th NFL Scouting Combine _ a glorious collision of two of our nation’s most popular sports, pro football and college football. It’s come a long way from 1991 _ my first year here _ when only about two dozen reporters attended and we used to track down players to interview right in the lobby of the players hotel. I remember Jerome Bettis, wearing a Cincinnati Reds baseball cap, helped us track down draft prospects in ’93, the year he was a draft prospect. Can also remember interviewing a promising young WR from North Carolina State _ named Torry Holt _ in that same lobby in 1999. Little did I know at the time.

The main value of the combine is the medical information gathered and the team interview process. I think the more you get swayed by what happens in the timing and testing portion of this event _ which is only one day’s worth of the Combine experience for each prospect _ the more you get in trouble. I’ve always felt that at least 90 percent of a player’s grade should come from what you see on tape. The production in games. But for certain players, running fast or showing strength in the bench press can help answer questions and make them money.

for a while in the aftermath of the Super Bowl, I wondered if Chris might just retire. Doesn’t look like that will be the case does it? As his playing time diminished over the second half of the season, it seemed like he was used almost exclusively as a pass-rusher. It could have been nothing more than the development of Trey Flowers who moved into the starting lineup _ I believe replacing Chris _ around midseason. Obviously, it looks like he wants to go somewhere where he’ll get starter’s time, or close to it. And even though he now has a Super Bowl ring, I’m sure he’d still prefer to play for a contender.

Trumaine remains a pretty good corner. Yes, his INT dropped from 7 to 1, but I don’t think teams threw his way nearly as much last year as they did in previous seasons.

it could just be that because their practice time is limited so much these days, specifically practice in full pads, that tackling is becoming a lost art.

Most years, they usually try to add a couple of starters in free agency. (Although that wasn’t the case last year.) I’m thinking about maybe WR Pierre Garcon from Washington hooking up with McVay. and after committing $14 million in cap money to franchise Trumaine Johnson, I think the Rams are down to about $20 million in cap space That’s a decent cushion, but certainly a lot less than several other teams which could affect the Rams’ efforts to outbid teams for players. Also, what happens with T.J. McDonald, Greg Zuerlein, and Benny Cunningham? I believe they’re all pending free agents, among others.

It looks like the plan is to have Ogletree and Barron play the inside ‘backer spots. I wonder, but don’t know, if the Rams plan to try Robert Quinn as an outside rush linebacker. It’s obvious they need more numbers at linebacker, and perhaps another big body or two up front for the 3-4..

It’s a deep year for cornerbacks, safeties, running backs, tight ends. It’s a down year for offensive tackles, and a so-so year for wide receiver. The early read is maybe four or five starting-caliber QBs, but probably none that are ideally ready to go on Day 1. Not sure, about off-the-ball linebackers. There is plenty of talent on the defensive line at the top of the draft and edge rushers (which would include 3-4 rush ‘backers), but I’m not sure how deep that talent goes. But the draftniks say you have a pretty good chance of finding a starting corner, running back, or tight end in the first three to four rounds.

Every pick wasn’t necessarily Fisher’s alone. Maybe the Rams lean more on Wade Phillips when it comes to defensive players.. But it seems a certainty that Snead will have more influence.