Jim Thomas chat & audio, 8/26

Rams chat with Jim Thomas

http://live.stltoday.com/Event/Rams_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_52?Page=0

Hey Jim. will the rams Waiver IR Bradford like they did with I. Pead? why not if the answer is no?
by NM Rams Fan 11:04 AM

Don’t think so. Technically, the Rams did what they did with Pead to save a roster spot for the preseason (Until the cut to 53.) Well the cuts have already started, and teams must be down to 53 no later than Saturday. Also, by doing so with Pead, the Rams did expose him to being claimed, although the chances of that happening were minimal. I don’t think they want to take that risk with Bradford, however, minimal.
by jthomas 11:06 AM

Is Trumaine Johnson a candidate for the designated for return IR, or will he be ready much sooner than that?
by Joe 11:06 AM

Yes he is. But since the injury is of the 4-to-6 week variety, with one of those weeks being the last week of preseason and another being a bye week, I don’t think the Rams will use it on Johnson..
by jthomas 11:07 AM

G’morning Jim. Not much to discuss today, eh? Do you believe that Fisher is comfortable with Davis or Gilbert as the backup behind Hill? Seems like they should have someone experienced as the #2.
by Knux 11:07 AM

I’ll just say this: It’s hard for me to imagine the Rams going through an entire season without someone with NFL regular-season experience behind Hill.
by jthomas 11:08 AM

I know many questions today will be about Bradford and going forward. My question is that from the times Bradford has been healthy, and key word there being WHEN, he looks like more than just a capable starter. Right now everything is speculation, but if we cut Bradford next year (which I hope somehow we work something out), do you see him as a starter on another team with his injury history or as a No. 2 which seems like he is better than? Thanks and great seeing you at camp!
by Danny 11:09 AM

Even with his injury history, I think Bradford _ if cut _ would go to a place with at least a chance to start. The guy has a lot of ability.
by jthomas 11:09 AM

Any chance Justin Veltung makes the practice squad?
by Dick Reed 11:10 AM

Sure. I thought for a while he might have a chance to make the 53 man because of his return ability. But now it looks like he’s got a hamstring injury, so maybe not.
by jthomas 11:10 AM

If the Patriots cut Ryan Mallett do you think the Rams would bring him in?
by Joe 11:10 AM

Maybe for a tryout. I don’t see how Mallett would bring much to the table.
by jthomas 11:11 AM

i think givens is looking good, if we gave him the amount of packages and attention that Tavon got i think we would have a pro bowler. your thoughts?
by idi amin 11:11 AM

Givens did have kind of a statement game against Cleveland. You don’t just toss aside a guy with that kind of speed. But Givens has had plenty of chances for playing time over the past two years _ I don’t think he’s suffered from neglect.
by jthomas 11:12 AM

SB = poor guy. Just wasn’t in the cards for him. At least in STL. What if the Rams cut him and say that Raiders picked him up. Who would be responsible for his salary? And what are the cap implications?
by PC in NC 11:12 AM

Well, if you’re talking about this year, the Rams can’t cut him. You can’t cut an injured player. (Yes, you can make an injury settlement if it’s a lesser injury, but that obviously doesn’t apply in this case.) But say the Rams cut him after this season and as you say the Raiders picked him up. The Raiders would be responsible for his $13 million scheduled base salary in 2015. The Rams would be responsible for $3.58 of past bonus money he received, that although already paid, would count against the 2015 salary cap.
by jthomas 11:15 AM

Bradford, while I do feel sorry for him, was a story of perception vs reality. The perception was that last year was a breakout year cut short, but a lot of his production came against bad teams or in comeback mode. Perception was that he has bigger and stronger and on the cusp of breaking through with new weapons in ’14, but none of this had translated into a reality. So I for one don’t feel that the falloff between Bradford and Hill will be nearly as bad as people think. If Hill goes down, well that is another story and one that has bread crumbs leading back to the ’14 draft. Let’s hope Mo Alexander is a stud since he probably should have been Savage/Mettenberger/McCarron.
by Tackleberry 11:15 AM

The reality was that those comeback yards ended up in a comeback victory over Arizona and nearly a comeback victory over Atlanta had the defense had anything resembling a clue that day. And in the Carolina game, he was killing the Panthers’ secondary before the injury. Had Zac Stacy been able to pick up the blitz by Quintin Mikell on the first play of the game it would have been a touchdown. Quick was wide open. Instead it was a pick 6, a 14-point game. Bradford was bigger and stronger this year. And is showed in some of his deep throws this preseason. The falloff may not be that big between Hill and Bradford, but it’s because the Rams appear to have a better supporting cast on offense.
by jthomas 11:20 AM

Do you really think that a team would gamble 13 million to pick up Bradford in his current state?
by RamFan 11:20 AM

No.
by jthomas 11:21 AM

So next year’s draft, is it virtually a lock that the rams go QB in the first round?
by NM Rams Fan 11:21 AM

Kind of looks that way doesn’t it.
by jthomas 11:21 AM

I agree it would seem unrealistic to go the entire season without an experienced QB on the roster, but how many times have teams won with would essentially be the 3rd stringer? Nothing out there jumps out at me except Cousins and Washington would want a huge dividend. I say let’s run with what we got and hopefully get some breaks to what will probably amount to a difficult season anyway.
by Bear 11:21 AM

That seems to be the way the Rams are leaning at this point.
by jthomas 11:22 AM

On which side are you on concerning the Wasington Rxxxxxxs controversy. Are you with Phil Simms/Tony Dungy or do you side with Mike Ditka? Does the PD have an official policy? This controversy dates back to the early 1970s when the Stanford Indians changed their nickname to the Cardinal and I am shocked that it is still going on.
by JoeS 11:22 AM

There was a time several years ago when I tried not to use Redskins when mentioning the team. The PD does no have an official policy.
by jthomas 11:24 AM

Parade meter adjustment?
by PC in NC 11:24 AM

We are now at 7-9.
by jthomas 11:24 AM

So why not have a quick sit down with him… Cut him with the understanding of picking him back up on a “prove me contract” and move on.
by RamFan 11:24 AM

You don’t have to cut a player to redo a contract.
by jthomas 11:25 AM

Seeing how seamlessly Matthews is transition in Atlanta (thanks to Hard Knocks) does the Robinson “head spinning” remark concern you? Is this Jason Smith 2.0?
by Tackleberry 11:25 AM

No, I don’t think this is Jason Smith 2.0. For the longest time, I really thought the Rams should and would take Matthews, and I think my writing before the draft reflected that. We all knew pass-blocking would be Robinson’s biggest adjustment entering the pros because Auburn simply didn’t throw the ball. The Rams rolled the dice a little _ I emphasize “a little” _ on Robinson because of his potential. I think he’ll be fine. But Matthews certainly is a plug and play for the next 10-plus seasons.
by jthomas 11:28 AM

How concerned are you about a thin Rams secondary? I suspect they will be scouring the waiver wire. Your thoughts?
by PigskinPete 11:28 AM

This has been a concern all along even before Johnson’s injury And not just that they are thin back there but very inexperienced. There is some potential back there. But there also is only 71 career starts in the entire secondary and that’s counting Johnson’s 15. So yeah, I’m sure the Rams will be checking the waiver wires.
by jthomas 11:30 AM

who are the top college qb’s we should be watching this year
by idi amin 11:31 AM

Let’s let the college season play out a little. Some guys will emerge that aren’t even on the radar right now.
by jthomas 11:31 AM

A collective huge effort from this team still can make this a good year. Dont you agree.
by Rammer 11:32 AM

Sure. But that means, the defensive front much live up to the hype. The offensive line must stay healthy. The wide receivers have to take the next step. And the running backs must continue to progress.
by jthomas 11:33 AM

are fisher and snead in trouble if Rams end up with say a record like 3-13?
by skarnam 11:33 AM

Possible.
by jthomas 11:33 AM

Where does SB’s injury leave this team beyond 2014? Let’s say Hill is OK, but not stellar, if the Rams get a top overall pick it is still going to take time to develop. But if they had drafted a mid-round QB this year they could be developing him right now. They just had too many eggs in the Bradford basket and now they have a face covered in yolk… again.
by Tackleberry 11:34 AM

Any time you’re starting a rookie QB, you’re in essence starting over. It’s very rare that a rookie QB steps in and just leads you to the playoffs. I did think the Rams would and should draft a QB in the third or fourth rounds that had starter’s ability. (I thought maybe they could even go second round, if they had been able to trade down from No. 2 overall and pick up an extra second-rounder.)
by jthomas 11:36 AM

Preseason Game #4. How long will starters be exposed? Seeing five starters go down was frightening.
by PigskinPete 11:36 AM

Don’t have the answer for that yet. We’ll check with Fisher after practice today.
by jthomas 11:37 AM

Hi Jim Do teams bring in extra punters/PK’s to really challenge the incumbent? Is it to light a fire under them or just get exposure for a young kicker?
by Big Wave Dave 11:38 AM

With the Rams, who have established young kickers in Johnny Hekker and Greg Zuerlein, it’s just to give their legs a rest. But it’s a case-by-case base depending on how the team feels about it’s punter and kicker. Obviously, in some cases, it’s to challenge the incumbent. And in others it’s to light a fire.
by jthomas 11:40 AM

Percentage Bradford is on the roster opening day 2015?
by JB 11:40 AM

That is THE question, isn’t it? I’m gonna say 60-40 right now that Bradford’s back.
by jthomas 11:41 AM

In your opinion do both Michael Sam and Ethan Westbrooks make the 53 man roster?
by Joe 11:41 AM

I think they both have shown they can play in the NFL. But I just can’t see the Rams keeping 10 defensive linemen. The injury situation at several spots on the roster, the strong play of Tre Watts are complicating factors.
by jthomas 11:43 AM

Please assess the Rams depth at linebacker.
by PigskinPete 11:43 AM

I think the Rams were hoping the sixth LB would be Steward, but I think that position is still up for grabs. I think Lawrence Wilson is still in the picture. The No. 4 and 5 guys are the Bash Bros. Daren Bates and Ray Ray Armstrong. Despite his slow start in the preseason games, the Boom King has a lot of potential. So the depth could be better, but it’s OK. Laurinaitis rarely misses a snap. and Ogletree looks to be a durable sort.
by jthomas 11:46 AM

GM Jim. Will the Rams give Davis an extended look in the finale to see what he’s made of. In my opinion he’s played exceptionally well this preseason. What’s your take on him?
by AJ Sr. 11:46 AM

Austin Davis is making a liar out of me. I thought he had absolutely no chance to make the roster. In fact, he was the 4th-teamer all of camp and the preseason before moving ahead of Gilbert in the Cleveland game. He played very well against New Orleans and Cleveland. I don’t count Green Bay because he had absolutely no chance given the pass-blocking issues when he came in. He looks more mature to me. Is making better decisions, and doesn’t scramble out of the pocket anymore at the first sign of trouble. Players seem to respond to him.
by jthomas 11:49 AM

don’t draft a QB just to say you drafted one…
by laramsran 11:49 AM

Nobody’s saying that.
by jthomas 11:49 AM

I know it’s preseason but is there still legit concern for our “not so” special teams units? That’s the only reason the Browns got into any position of scoring by returns game going 40, 50+ yards on multiple occasions. Us experimenting with young guys to see if they can earn spots or time to panic a little?
by TD51 11:49 AM

Yeah, the return game did spring some major leaks against Cleveland. But I think special teams will be fine.
by jthomas 11:49 AM

Let’s assume an upgrade at QB becomes available at cut time, say Sanchez for example, from the Jets. Who gets first choice at him?
by PigskinPete 11:50 AM

Actually, Sanchez is with Philly now. But anyway, waiver wire priority at this point of the season is based on last season’s won-lost record. In other words, the 2014 draft order. So it would be Houston picking first.
by jthomas 11:51 AM

Has Tre Mason improved enough at blocking to secure a spot on the 53? Watts has looked almost starter grade to me. Would the Rams consider trading Mason and would he have any trade value?
by PigskinPete 11:51 AM

The Rams won’t be cutting Mason.
by jthomas 11:51 AM

Any chance of signing Bradford to a very modest contract instead of a giant one like those of Dalton/ Kaepernick after this injury . Ride out this season with Hill and the back-ups . Gather some picks and trade up for a hot shot QB next season and have him compete with Bradford . Sound’s ok to you ?
by dylan 11:52 AM

I could be wrong, but I’d have a hard time believing that Bradford’s agent Tom Condon would agree to a pay cut in the final year of the Sam’s contract. It’d be nice to draft a hot-shot quarterback, but those guys are few and far between. You’re basically starting over with a new QB. Guys like Andrew Luck that come in as a rookie and lead your team to the playoffs in Year 1, are few and far between.
by jthomas 11:58 AM

I keep hearing about a drop-off with Hill, but will we even know if there is a drop-off this season since we are comparing him to Bradford in the pre-season? Also, with a minor hit causing such a major injury it seems to me that this was bound to happen and I would rather it happen now than during the Regular Season. Thoughts?
by Edde 11:58 AM

Well, Bradford was the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year in 2010, and had the Rams in playoff contention until mid-December in 2012. So I do think he’s got a little bit more of a track record than Hill. As for the minor hit causing such a major injury, that’s impossible to predict. Maybe if Bradford doesn’t go down in Cleveland he’s fine for the rest of the season. But I do agree that if it was going to happen better now than in midstream.
by jthomas 12:01 PM

You referenced Tre Watts’ strong play in a reply earlier. Does he overtake Chase Reynolds for a spot on the roster?
by Holtville Ram Fan 12:01 PM

That’s possible. Although Reynolds is a very good special teamer and Fisher’s type of player. (Tough, hard-nosed, high effort.)
by jthomas 12:01 PM

After seeing Benny run some with the 1’s on Thur (JF saying he knows what he has in Stacy as to why he sat), do you see the time split differently than previously aniticipated? Benny looked good, could be a great 1-2 punch with these 2 sprinkled in with Mason from time to time. % prediction of time share?
by TD51 12:01 PM

I think Benny is working his way into the picture. I’ve always liked Cunningham.
by jthomas 12:04 PM

Would Rams have any interest in Incognito given the MASH unit we have on the o-line?
by Hangtime 12:04 PM

Really doubt it.
by jthomas 12:04 PM

Jim Im 47 years old and been watching football since I was 8 and I don’t ever recall an occasion where a player coming off major knee surgery re-injured the same exact knee basically the next game(I believe it was his third offensive series coming back, including first game), was Bradford truly healed? did the surgeon screw up? what the heck happened??? he was barely touched
by A.J 12:05 PM

Fascinating question. Dr. James Andrews, with a reputation as one of the best in the business, did the operation. Maybe he came back too quick. It’s impossible to day.
by jthomas 12:06 PM

Did you notice in Monday’s practice (or are you able to tell) who will be taking Johnson’s spot as the starting corner?
by Holtville Ram Fan 12:06 PM

I think they’re still looking at several guys: Roberson, Gaines, Woodard.
by jthomas 12:06 PM

Your prediction for Hill’s touchdown/interception numbers this year?
by skarnam 12:06 PM

23 TD, 11 INTS
by jthomas 12:07 PM

Did Schotty undergo hypnotherapy treatments to improve his game calling? All kidding aside, even though it was a pre-season game Schotty called a much more aggressive and much less predictable game last week. I liked his approach? Think we’ll see more of that style, throwing on first down, attacking mid and long, etc… I was impressed…
by Hangtime 12:07 PM

Do you think it might have something to do also with the fact that the Rams now have Kenny Britt and have what looks to be a much-improved Brian Quick. It’s a little easier to throw the ball down the field, when you actually have guys who can get down field and catch the ball.
by jthomas 12:08 PM

With 23/11 td/not we’re in the playoffs
by AJ Sr. 12:08 PM

I don’t know. Bradford was on pace for 30TDs, 9 INTs last year.
by jthomas 12:09 PM

Disregard the first 2 preseason games . Austin D. did pretty well when giving a chance to play with the 1st unit last game . Any chance he will make the roster above Gilbert if there is no other worthy QB got cut in roster trimming week ahead Jim ?
by dylan 12:09 PM

Austin played with the second unit last game. I think without Bradford, and without picking up another QB, that all three make the 53 man: Hill, Austin, and Gilbert.
by jthomas 12:10 PM

Thanks for the chats Jim, what about Brandon McGee as the filler for the injured Johnson?
by zebers 12:10 PM

Geez, my bad. Forget about McGee. Of course he should be in the picture as well. He didn’t practiced yesterday because of the ankle.
by jthomas 12:11 PM