JT chat, 10/27

Rams chat with Jim Thomas

http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/Rams_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_bfeba49c47e2?Page=1

Where are the Rams on free agency? They have cap space, but I see no effort to get something done with T. Johnson, or Jenkins. There are many key free agents coming up.
by Lee 2:12 PM

They’re working on these guys. Just nothing yet.
by jthomas 2:13PM

Looking at Rams schedule How many of the next 5 games do you think are winnable. Your projections please
by Darrell in tennessee 2:13 PM

Well as we all now by now, these Fisher Rams are unpredictable. But they should certainly be favored at home against San Fran this Sunday and Chicago on Nov. 15. I think at Minnesota on Nov. 8 and at Baltimore on Nov. 22 are winnable as well. Neither will be easy. Yeah, I know the Ravens are 1-6, but they’re a tough out. Vikings at 4-2 are very good defensively. At Cincinnati on Nov. 29, probably not.
by jthomas 2:16PM

This offense is really had to watch, save for Gurley (in the 2nd half). I really think this team has talent at the WR position but not the coaching to exploit said talent. With the emergence of #30, this team should be able to move the ball through the air…Given that, SF won’t be a pushover…
by JeffM 2:16 PM

Not sure why you’re pointing at the coaching with respect to the wide receivers. Anyway, San Fran can be stubborn on defense. Even this year’s San Fran.
by jthomas 2:17PM

Jim
Since Stan became the owner. What has his involvement in Civic Progress consisted of?
by Terry 2:17 PM

I don’t think he’s ever been to a Civic Progress meeting. At least that’s why I’ve been told.
by jthomas 2:18PM

What is the deal with Quick? Is he hurt, rusty, or lost?
by Tommy K 2:18 PM

He was on the field for 26 plays vs. Cleveland, or basically half of the Rams’ offensive plays. However, he was thrown to only once. When you’re throwing only 23 passes _ like the Rams did Sunday _ it’s hard for anyone to get the ball consistently in the passing game.
by jthomas 2:19PM

What are the main areas you think the Rams should address in next year’s draft?
by David 2:19 PM

Again, a lot of that depends on what happens with the Rams re-signing their free agents. For example, 3 of the 4 starters in the secondary are scheduled for unrestricted free agency next year: Jenkins, Johnson, and McLeod. If the Rams re-sign all 3, the secondary isn’t an issue. If they re-sign none of the 3, the secondary is a huge issues. Same at defensive end, where talented backups William Hayes and Eugene Sims are up after this season. Barron, Zuerlein, and Harkey also are pending free agents.
by jthomas 2:23PM

Will you be at the NFL Peabody show tonight? Since nobody has applied to move yet, why are they doing this now?
by ZGare 2:23 PM

I’ll be there. It is interesting that they’re holding these hearings now, because as I read the relocation guidelines, it makes it sound like the hearings are supposed to be held after the teams file for relocation. But let’s face it, we all know the Rams, Chargers, and Raiders all are filing. So I guess it’s just a technicality.
by jthomas 2:25PM

Any idea how each of the Offensive linemen have graded out so far this season? Does the team share that info?
by Donnie Drinkard 2:25 PM

Not shared with media.
by jthomas 2:25PM

Who do you think will be our Pro Bowlers when it’s all said and done this season?
The only ones I can really foresee are Donald and Quinn.
by P.Lewis 2:25 PM

Maybe Gurley, if he keeps this up.
by jthomas 2:25PM

Should we get a laser pointer to shine down the line of scrimmage so that the DL can figure out where NOT to line up?
by Sgt Cobb 2:25 PM

Hey, they were very anxious to get after McCown. 🙂
by jthomas 2:26PM

if i was to attend one home game from here on out (9 hour drive), and wanted to see a victory, which game do you guarantee a win?
by steve 2:26 PM

There are few guarantees in life or football. But I’d head down this week.
by jthomas 2:27PM

I live in Cleveland so it was nice to have a televised game to finally watch. TG made some nice hurdles on Sunday. Not surprised to find out he was world class hurdler in High School. Local media saying how bad Rams beat up the Browns (physically)
by Prickly Pete 2:29 PM

Yeah, it was one of the more physical games I’d say for the Rams defense.
by jthomas 2:30PM

Hi Jim:
Greetings of aloha from the state of Hawaii. What can be done to improve the Rams’ third down efficiency? What is your prediction for the score of the Rams vs. 49ers game this coming Sunday? Mahalo (thank you)!
by ramsfanmike105 2:30 PM

For one, the Rams need more third-and-manageable situations. You know, third-and-2, third-and-4, etc., rather than third-and-8, third-and-12. But it’s been a tough nut to crack that’s for sure. And I don’t think I can offer you anything that the coaching staff hasn’t already thought of. My score for Sunday: Rams 23, 49ers 16.
by jthomas 2:32PM

Jim, any news on possibly trading Cook? After that fumble, not sure who would want this guy.
by ekern55 2:32 PM

Haven’t heard anything since last week. Trading deadline one week from today.
by jthomas 2:33PM

When the game was 10 to 6 I said to myself, this is where Fisher likes to be. Low scoring defensive battle. Do you believe he has any real concern about his offense?
by Stickman 2:33 PM

I’m sure he’s concerned. More often than not, you’ve got to score in the 20s to win in the NFL. And half the time this season, the Rams haven’t been anywhere near the 20s. They’ve scored, 10, 6, and 10 points in their three losses.
by jthomas 2:34PM

How does Mannion look in practice-does he have a future as a starter?
by ScottyD 2:34 PM

I guess OK. During the regular season, it’s hard for the third QB to get much work. But I do believe he has starter’s potential.
by jthomas 2:35PM

Hi Jim, Any concern about Zuerlein at this point?
by Tom 2:35 PM

Fisher says no. Remember, it’s a contract year for Zuerlein.
by jthomas 2:35PM

Hi Jim-I’m shocked that SB has not been injured yet. Are you satisfied with Foles and who got the better end of the trade so far?
by ScottyD 2:35 PM

Way too early to pass judgment on the trade. Foles has been OK. He’s played 2 very good games, 1 bad game, and 3 others that are somewhere in between. As for Bradford, yeah, he’s taking some shots that’sfor sure _ and throwing the ball a lot.
by jthomas 2:37PM

In regards to Zuerlein and NFL kickers in general, do you foresee a trend of tired kicking legs due to longer extra points?
by Stickman 2:38 PM

Don’t know about tired kicking legs. But Fisher made a very point Monday. There are no more gimmes now that the extra point has been moved back to 33 yards. That means extra pressure on kickers, and sometimes that pressure adds up.
by jthomas 2:39PM

what kind of money is jenkins looking for?
by shaun 2:42 PM

Lots of it. But seriously, I don’t know.
by jthomas 2:42PM

Thinking of buying tickets this weekend. Is attendance getting better as of late?
by STLRamMan 2:42 PM

Plenty of seats are available. Thousands of seats are available. Attendance was down slightly vs. Cleveland.
by jthomas 2:43PM

The Dome was loud Sunday with that 40k + crowd of hard core fans.
I would be happy with that every game. The fickle fans stayed away.
by Rams41 2:46 PM

We’re definitely down to the hard core in the dome.
by jthomas 2:46

You would think that if the fans wanted to keep the team in St Louis they would support them by going to the games. Otherwise don’t be upset if they move.
by Slenderman 2:47 PM

Don’t you think having an owner that has turned his back on the city, and having a team that hasn’t had a winning season since 2003 has a little something to do with it?
by jthomas 2:48

What is the role of the media at tonight’s meeting…to report, ask questions or both? Is it just local media or national?
by Stickman 2:48 PM

Media not allowed to ask questions, although NFL officials will be available afterwards I’m told to speak with media. Don’t think there will be much of a national media presence in town, although Sam Farmer of the LA Times is here. He’s attending all three relocation hearings.
by jthomas 2:48 PM

Jim, I sure am glad Foles is a tough guy, I don’t think SB would have lasted 2 games. Ihope the O line can start to jell
by ncramfan 2:49 PM

Tough he is.
by jthomas 2:50PM

will the meeting tonight be televised or on radio?
by shaun 2:50 PM

No, but you can live stream it at nfl.com/publichearings.
by jthomas 2:51PM

Do you know where Foles stands in the QB rankings?
by Tom 2:51 PM

He’s 27th among the 32 QBs that have played enough to qualify for the rankings, with a passer rating of 78.9
by jthomas 2:53PM

do you think fisher would bring in a new offensive coordinator next season?
by ron63033 2:53 PM

So we’re giving up on Cignetti already?
by jthomas 2:54PM

What is the biggest problem so far with our pass offense?
by Tom 2:54 PM

More than one issue. It’s pass-blocking. It’s receivers getting open. It’s Foles spotting the open receivers and throwing accurately. It’s being in manageable down-and-distance situations to maintain possession and get into a rhythm.
by jthomas 2:55PM

If the Rams end up staying in St. Louis, does Stan Kroenke have any chance of reconciling with the fans?
by TonyinVa 2:55 PM

I think if the team stays and starts winning, fans won’t be thinking about Kroenke very much.
by jthomas 2:56PM

As talented as Cook is, is his average productivity attributed to laziness and lack of focus?
by David 2:56 PM

So you know for a fact that Cook is lazy? Based on what? That’s quite an accusation.
by jthomas 2:57PM

The last time I saw a RB makin moves like Gurley was back when we had the hall of famer Marshall Faulk. Do these two ever talk together? Maybe watch some film together like Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed were doing in ROCKY IV?
by shaun 2:57 PM

Faulk in fact was at Rams Park today to interview Gurley for the NFL Network.
by jthomas 2:57PM

Is the O-Line a really strong run blocking group, or does Gurley just make them look that way?
The pass blocking looks less than par, does this group have the potential to improve much in that aspect?
by DJM34 2:57 PM

I think the group has improved as run blockers, obviously having someone like Gurley makes them look better. I think the pass blocking can improve, but it won’t happen overnight.
by jthomas 2:59PM

I don’t but it’s a possibility.
by David 2:59 PM

Staying after practice every day to catch practices on the JUGs machine isn’t the sign of a lazy person.
by jthomas 3:00PM

As of right now, would we be better off if Fisher had drafted Jake Matthews instead of Robinson?
by Tom 3:00 PM

I don’t know. How is Matthews playing for Atlanta. Anyone seen him play much?
by jthomas 3:01PM

the beauty of Foles QB ranking is the 3 guys below him are Bradford, Newton and Luck – all #1 draft picks
by Gregn Raleigh 3:01 PM

I don’t know if there’s anything beautiful about it.
by jthomas 3:02PM

Jim, Barron was all over the field Sunday. Can you see a lineup with him, Tree, and JL all starting at linebacker when Tree is healthy? I know they all 3 play on the field a lot during passing downs, but would they be stout enough on running downs too? Thanks
by Bull 3:02 PM

That’s an interesting possibility. And actually, it probably took place on some downs before Ogletree’s injury.
by jthomas 3:04PM

What is the plan for Brian Quick and when do you think they’ll try to get him involved? We need a spark on the outside!
by Tommy K 3:04 PM

Once again, he has played more each week since he’s returned to the lineup. The Rams would like to get him the ball more often. They’d like to get everyone the ball more often. It’s hard to do when you’re averaging only 53 plays per game and not throwing the ball that much.
by jthomas 3:05PM

Too bad we got rid of Amendola. Don’t you think he’d be able to help?
by florence k. 3:07 PM

I’m sure having Amendola would help. But as you may recall, the problem with Amendola always has been staying healthy.
by jthomas 3:08PM

the passing game is so weak, can anyone get open?
by lagoo 3:08 PM

There were some open receivers against Cleveland.
by jthomas 3:08PM

Jim, Please gaze into your crystal ball and name the 3 best offensive/defensive players on the Rams in 3 years (assuming if they are FA’s they resign). Thanks
by Bull 3:08 PM

Three years from now? That’s a lifetime in the NFL. Certainly you’d say Gurley at RB. I’d throw Austin in there, and either Robinson or Brown on the offensive line. On defense, Ogletree, Quinn, and Donald.
by jthomas 3:10PM

you must have overlooked my question last week. dave checketts recently resigned his position at legends hospitality and said his intent was to pursue investments in sports teams again. he had been an mls owner; he led a failed bid in 2010 to acquire the rams; and was the managing, but not majority, owner of the blues. have you communicated with him at all regarding any plans he has involving the rams or to pursue an mls team here?
by branford76 3:12 PM

No I have not.
by jthomas 3:12PM

Jim, could Ogletree be returning sooner than later or is he pretty much done for the year? Also, Chris Long injury an MCL?
by ekern55 3:12 PM

Ogletree out till December, and no guarantees he will return this year. As for Long, according to Fisher there was no ligament damage.
by jthomas 3:13PM

I have been critical of Kenny Britt in the past. The big catch against the Browns was appreciated but we need more regular third down receptions from him. Also , like it or not, we need Jared Cook to play to his salary to win the division. Do you agree.
by ramsfan 3:14 PM

Sure.
by jthomas 3:14PM