JT chat, 2/10

Rams chat with Jim Thomas

http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/Rams_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_77?Page=0

Do you think we are likely to see much change in our offensive schemes and play calling under the new OC? Any chance he gets Tavon more involved? Thanks.
by Tom 2:37 PM

I think the overall philosophy will be pretty the same. Obviously that includes doing what the do better. Much better. And I think part of that plan would be more effective use of Tavon Austin.
by jthomas 2:40 PM

Suppose Sam declines to restructure, what would YOU do if you were Snisher?
by willEYEam 2:40 PM

Tough question. If you don’t really have an option you’ve just got to pay him the $13 million base salary.
by jthomas 2:41 PM

Jim – How much better is Austin than Az Hakim? Have you compared their stats?
by McGarrett 2:41 PM

I don’t know if you can say Austin is better than Hakim at this time. Hakim scored a lot of touchdowns in ’99
by jthomas 2:41 PM

The Gov mentioned $10mil per year in lost tax revenue, but why doesn’t someone come out and give us an estimate (or even wild guess) as to how much this will cost Mo taxpayers after netting out tax revenue from team operations, players, stadium workers, tourism tax subsidy, etc. I still say it isn’t much for the value to city/region.
by RamsFan62 2:42 PM

If the basic financing plan is the same _ $24 million a year _ then it’s $14 million a year. That breaks down to $5 million a year from the state and $ 2 1/2 million a year apiece from St. Louis City and St. Louis County.
by jthomas 2:44 PM

One of the best things about being a Rams fan over the last 7 years has been becoming a fan of the NFL draft. That’s sad, but it’s true. It also happens to segue nicely into fanship of the woebegone Jacksonville Jaguars. What do you think are the chances that, if the Rams leave, STL can build the stadium anyway and lure the Jags by 2020? I know you’ve said Khan is trying to make it work there, but perhaps there’s a chance anyway. FWIW, I hope the Jags move down to pick Scherff…
by c_good 2:44 PM

I don’t think there’s any chance the Jaguars will be here in 2020.
by jthomas 2:45 PM

I wouldn’t be surprised if Sam does decline to restructure, because the Rams have painted themselves into a real corner with almost no options. Your thoughts?
by Tom 2:45 PM

Bradford and his agent have leverage. They can say play me under my current contract or trade me or cut me. But the Rams can also play hardball by hanging onto Bradford until as late as early September (before his base salary becomes guaranteed) but after most teams have spent most of their money and most of the league already has filled its QB options.
by jthomas 2:49 PM

If I remember right, you have previously said 45-55 rams leave. Change yet?
by Brad 2:49 PM

No, still at 45-55. I have this internal tug telling me to lower the odds but I haven’t yet.
by jthomas 2:50 PM

Jim if Britt leaves, do we draft wr in first round instead of OL
by phillip 2:50 PM

Well, I don’t know if that makes it a slam dunk that you take a WR in the first round. You could replace Britt in free agency. But if you don’t replace Britt with another free agent, it certainly makes it more likely that you take a wideout early in the draft.
by jthomas 2:51 PM

With Wells most likely to be cut, do you see them rams going into FA to find a starting Center or the draft? Thanks
by Paul 2:51 PM

I’m not ready to go that far at this point _ in other words to say Wells most likely will be cut. But I’m sure you explore both options. I don’t think it’s a great draft for centers, and in general Fisher likes veterans on the line. That would seem to be especially true at center where you’re responsible for line calls. So that may tip the scales towards signing a free agent there. Or maybe the Rams think Barrett Jones or Tim Barnes are ready to move in and start.
by jthomas 2:54 PM

I find it unfathomable that the original blue and yellow RAMS ALIVE in ’95 ball cap I excitedly bought 20 years ago may possibly outlast the Rams in town. Now that I think of it, the TWA Dome must be feeling the same too…
by MJ 2:54 PM

Never should’ve agreed to that first-tier language.
by jthomas 2:54 PM

Hey Jim, saw your article on the cap space and some options Rams have. What order would you put them in most likely to be cut: J Long, Langford, Wells?
by ALE 2:54 PM

Hard to predict. They could all three end up being just restructured deals (at lesser salaries).
by jthomas 2:55 PM

Jim, do you think that Kroenke and Peacock’s convo at the SB will lead to a more meaningful discussion?
by stlrams4ever 2:55 PM

It wasn’t like a sit-down meeting. It was more casual talk at a party to my knowledge. But it can’t hurt.
by jthomas 2:56 PM

In the continuum that is the NFL policy to approve a team move, what comes next for Kronke? At what point does it become “official” that he’s moving? It seems to me that there is a lot of posturing going on.
by Justin 2:56 PM

If he goes by league rules _ and all indications are that he will _ he cannot file for relocation until next year at this time. (And that’s assuming the league OKs relocation requests for 2016).
by jthomas 2:57 PM

Hi Jim, I enjoy this forum. Thanks. I have been skeptical of a Bradford comeback from the re-torn ACL. However, I recently read that the skier Lindsey Vonn made her comeback this year after re-tearing her ACL. This gives me some hope for No. 8.
by Robert Randolph 2:57 PM

Yeah, and there’s always the case of Thomas Davis, the linebacker from Carolina (and winner of the NFL’s Walter Payton man of the year award). I think he tore the same ACL 3 times.
by jthomas 2:58 PM

Curious about Saffold. Began at RG, moved to LG after Longs injury. Do you see the rams leaving him at LG, move back to RG, or even back to RT? Thanks
by Paul 2:58 PM

I think he stays at guard, although I can’t tell you for sure if the Rams like him better at LG or RG. I do remember, that when he first started playing guard in 2013, he was at RG. I do know that the Rams once felt he was most effective at guard, followed by LT at No. 2, and RT at No. 3.
by jthomas 3:00 PM

What are the odds the Rams go back to the classic blue and yellows for home and away next year? (further instigating fear into the hearts of rams fans everywhere)
by Eric 3:00 PM

They can’t change the uniform colors overnight like that. The league needs lead time. So it won’t be next year.
by jthomas 3:01 PM

How much does the St. Louis commission, Peacock, and various other people and studies and etc cost the tax payers.
by MARK S 3:01 PM

The commission gets paid no matter what. Peacock is working for free. Don’t know about the others.
by jthomas 3:02 PM

Jim, what % chance would you give of Bradford as the starting QB in Sept ?
by OzyRamsFan 3:02 PM

Right now, I’m going to say 60-40.
by jthomas 3:03 PM

will the vote on a new stadium be up to the public? if it is do you think it would pass?
by boon 3:03 PM

Whether the public has to vote on the financing of a new stadium is to be determined. I kind of think that if it reaches the point where it’s up for a vote that it would pass.
by jthomas 3:04 PM

I was surprised at the success of New England’s dink and dunk passing game versus the Seahawks. Do you think any of the Seahawks competitors were paying attention, particularly in the Lou?
by Justin 3:04 PM

New England does dink-and-dunk with regularity. But even with the Seattle secondary so banged up _ moreso than any of us knew before the game _ I’m sure there are things to be learned from that game.
by jthomas 3:06 PM

Jim, did I read that right? You have an internal tug telling you to lower the odds that the Rams move to LA?
by c_good 3:06 PM

Sorry. I think I worded that wrong The internal tug is telling me to lower the odds that the Rams stay.
by jthomas 3:06 PM

Jim, any whispers that Peacock’s true end game is fronting a local ownership group for the Rams or another NFL team in STL?
by JP425 3:06 PM[/color][/b]

Haven’t heard that one. But at this point, I rule out nothing.
by jthomas 3:07 PM[/color][/b]

Seeing a lot of pundits putting ex mizzou wideout DGB as our 2nd round pick. Is he worth such a high draft pick?
by kory 3:07 PM

I’ve seen some that put him in the first! To me it’s hard to project him as even a second-rounder because of the off-field issues, plus the fact that he’s raw and didn’t play last year. But someone could fall in love with the talent and take him that high.
by jthomas 3:08 PM

Do you think the Rams will have Fanfest again before the start of the regular season? I would love to be there to hear Demoff speak like last year. Last year he was asking aloud where fans would like the stadium to be located (County vs. Downtown) and when the stadium is built what new jersey colors fans would like for the innagural year of the stadium. This year’s fanfest would be very awkward..
by B 3:09 PM

Yeah, would be awkward. But I’d guess that they probably have a fanfest.
by jthomas 3:09 PM

Do the other owners like the idea of no public money for the L.A. stadium. Won’t that set a precedent for future stadiums in other cities?
by doubleC 3:10 PM

Won’t set a precedent. The public-private partnership is the way of the world these days in almost all new stadium construction.
by jthomas 3:11 PM

How much truth or accuracy do you think there is to the Foles discussion? I think Bradford, Foles and a draftee would be a pretty good QB roster.
by AzRAmsFan 3:11 PM

I’ve addressed this before, but Rams official told me speculation about Foles is bull excrement.
by jthomas 3:11 PM

Jim I think I read that the LA stadium Kroenke is proposing is a dome. Is that true, the pictures look like a dome. I thought the weather in SoCa was always great, why not open air, smog, LAX noise?!!
by TJ 3:12 PM

I think it’s retractable. Not positive.
by jthomas 3:12 PM

In the 2nd of the 2015 draft the Rams take QB ?
by OzyRamsFan 3:12 PM

To be determined.
by jthomas 3:12 PM

Hello from Jacksonville where the owner of the local NFL team is engaged in the community and has made commitments to not only keeping Jags in town but also made Jacksonville become a better place a top priority. I wish he could have completed the purchase of the Rams.
by Murat from Jax 3:13 PM

Which is what I’ve been saying for a while.
by jthomas 3:13 PM

when will you publish your first mock draft?
by boon 3:13 PM

I think we’ll print our first after the combine in late February.
by jthomas 3:13 PM

Are they considering any other FA QB? I just think they need to get a back-up that’s better than Davis or Hill and they HAVE to draft one this year!!
by AzRAmsFan 3:14 PM

I’m sure they’re studying the list of FA quarterbacks. Who on there do you like better than Hill or Davis?
by jthomas 3:14 PM

Now that the league has formed a committee to oversee the LA situation do you think this a positive or negative development when it comes to the Rams relocating?
by Ron 3:17 PM

I don’t view it that way. It’s just another move by the league to try to control the LA market as much as possible, and keep the process as orderly as possible.
by jthomas 3:19 PM

Hey Jim, any thoughts on this LA committee that the NFL put together? Do any of the owners on it help or hurt our cause (committee is comprised of NFL team owners Clark Hunt (Kansas City), Robert Kraft (New England), John Mara (New York Giants), Bob McNair (Houston), Jerry Richardson (Carolina) and Art Rooney (Pittsburgh).)?
by RV 3:22 PM

Here’s what I wrote about today: “There are no real mavericks in the group. Hunt, Mara and Rooney are sons of old-school owners. One would think that McNair wouldn’t necessarily be in favor of relocation in general because he would be protective of the San Antonio market. Kraft is considered one of commissioner Roger Goodell’s closest friends, although who knows if that’s still the case after the “Deflategate” controversy and the fact that Kraft wants an apology from the league if the Patriots are cleared of wrong-doing in the matter.” Also Hunt, Mara, Rooney are sons of old-school owners. With that upbringing, you would think they’d try to be more in line with Goodell’s thinking or what’s best for the league (and not Stan). But there’s no way of knowing for sure.
by jthomas 3:24 PM

If Mariota or Winston somehow drops to 10, and the Rams take either, is Bradford gone for sure?
by ihtnep 3:24 PM

Not necessarily. But if Bradford’s still on the roster at that time it certainly lessens his leverage.
by jthomas 3:25 PM

Jim…I know that it’s ‘water under the bridge’ now but…if local government would have crossed the T’s and dotted the i’s back when they awarded the two new NFL franchises in the 90’s…we would have ‘TRUE’ local ownership and a team ‘born’ in St. Louis (Stallions). We’ve had ‘two’ nomad teams from other cities. Never have we had a team that was ours from birth. They are ‘rentals’…at a steep price I might add.
Don’t you think that there would be a different attitude around here by everyone involved? I’m all for a new Stadium…just extremely frustrated with the way we, the taxpayers, are not even relevant in the process.
by Steve Bergheger 3:25 PM

Would’ve made it easier had St. Louis gotten an expansion team in ’95, that’s for sure. It wouldn’t been easier as well if the Rams were average 11 and 12 victories a year over the past decade instead of 4 or 6.
by jthomas 3:27 PM

Jim, when will the Raiders announce that they’re moving to St. Louis, and are there any plans for a change in team nickname and colors? Then again, the “Sons of Anarchy” look would fit in our town, don’t you think?
by Bernie Miklasz 3:27 PM

I don’t think you can ever change the Raiders’ look. Too iconic.
by jthomas 3:28 PM

Jim, I find it hard to believe that the governor of a state and the former president of the largest beer producer and distributor in the world are putting this much work into this if they didn’t receive some type of assurance from the NFL that they would make sure there is a team (Rams or otherwise) to fill this stadium. Am I missing something? I know nothing is built yet, but why go through the work they’ve gone through if they aren’t 100% positive that St. Louis will have a team?
by Eric 3:28 PM

Because St. Louis is a town that fights for what it wants. And right now they’re fighting to keep the NFL in St. Louis. Trust me, there are no promises in this matter. But it would be hard for the NFL to turn its back on a team that offered to build a new stadium twice in little more than 20 years.
by jthomas 3:30 PM

Is the Rams Defense in 2015 a top 10 in the 2nd year of G Williams ?
by OzyRamsFan 3:30 PM

I certainly think it can be. The key, once again, is overall consistency and the play of the secondary.
by jthomas 3:31 PM

What is preventing Stan Kroenke from publicly announcing his intentions for the Rams? It would certainly save a lot of people from agonizing over the future of the team for another year and allow them to begin the grieving/healing process depending on the outcome of said announcement.
by Turf Toe Jones 3:31 PM

Had the league allowed relocation requests this year, I think you’d know exactly where he stands.
by jthomas 3:32 PM

Jim, hello old pal. Just curious, do you have any of the old St. Louis Stallions garb? If not, I can get you some … at greatly reduced prices.
by Fran Murray 3:32 PM

I have an old St. Louis Stallions sweatshirt stashed in a closet somewhere. I used to wear it in the press box whenever St. Louis played Jacksonville in the early days.
by jthomas 3:33 PM

could Jake Long play guard?
by James 3:34 PM

The believe he can.
by jthomas 3:34 PM

Jim I know nothing has to be done yet but why don’t the Rams ever seem to be in a hurry when resigning FA’s or more importantly restructuring SB?
by Cutman 3:34 PM

They re-signed Robert Quinn in Sept. and Johnny Hekker in December. Is that fast enough for you?
by jthomas 3:35 PM

Jim do you anticipate us fans missing Schotty or rejoicing over the new guy during the season?
by Cutman 3:35 PM

With a healthy Bradford I think it will be the latter.
by jthomas 3:36 PM

Welcome Jim. Thanks for chatting. What is the salary cap situation with Jared Cook? Seems like a lot of money – $8.3 mil – for a TE who does not block well and drops too many passes. I would like to see them resign Kendricks, cut Cook and have Alex Bayer be the replacement. Bayer may not block any better, but he has shown he can catch passes. If they waited until end of July to cut Cook, what would be the impact to the Cap? How do you see the TE situation? Harkey is a keeper.
by Larry M 3:37 PM

Cook’s salary is the price of delving into the free agent market. You almost always overpay, particularly if you sign someone in the first few days of free agency. Cutting him this year isn’t going to happen because $5 million of his $7 million contract is guaranteed.
by jthomas 3:43 PM

Gov Nixon seemed fired up today, eh? That’s got to be good news for St. Louis, right?
by stlforever 3:43 PM

He was on his game.
by jthomas 3:44 PM

Zac Stacy is not getting any love, but in reality isn’t he just an injury to Mason from being the No. 1 running back. Cunningham is a good 3rd down back. Who would you see as the primary back if Mason goes down?
by Larry M 3:44 PM

No, it’s still possible Cunningham would be the feature back in that situation.
by jthomas 3:45 PM

A particular piece of these stadium dynamics has been nagging at me: the $400M of Kroenke’s money that Peacock’s team is including in its plan. If the NFL upholds its bylaws, it will be telling Kroenke he has to spend $400M of Rams or his own money on a new stadium in STL. His counterargument might be that he’s already spent money to build a stadium in LA, so does the NFL want him to build _two_stadiums, solving the league’s LA problem _and_ building a new stadium for STL?
by c_good 3:45 PM

Stan can afford to build about 5. But he hasn’t spent any money yet in LA.
by jthomas 3:46 PM

Hi Jim! Wondering if Goodell’s recently named committee to review the LA options wil also review and have a say about the efforts being done in S. Louis on the new stadium project? Seem that a balance approach on LA and existing markets would be great. Thanks!
by Larry 3:46 PM

No, that committee is all about L.A.
by jthomas 3:47 PM

Just curious. If the new stadium does indeed get built do the PSL’s transfer with it or are new ones sold?
by Cutman 3:47 PM

Obviously it’s a legit question. But I believe you’ll have to buy another PSL. Although the fact that you own one may get you preferred parking and first preference on where your seat in the new stadium will be.
by jthomas 3:48 PM

If Kronke is indeed moving dirt in Inglewood, it seems to me that he either has the necessary votes needed for approval, is one heck of a gambler, or will assume whatever costs the NFL and lawsuits result in. Am I missing something here?
by Justin 3:49 PM

I’m pretty sure the dirt that is being moved is in other areas of the redevelopment project, not the stadium part.
by jthomas 3:49 PM

Sorry–cut myself off. My question is: How much money has Kroenke put into the LA stadium project, is that money revocable (e.g. could he sell his interest to someone else without having put down any $ of his own), and do you see the NFL committee as having the fortitude to tell him no, even if he’s building a big stadium in LA, effectively forcing him to rent that grand new complex to one of his relocation rivals?
by c_good 3:50 PM

I don’t think he’s put much into the LA project as of yet other than the land purchase and perhaps some design and consultant work. It’ll be very interesting if construction on the Inglewood stadium actually starts without league approval. Obviously, it becomes easier for the league to tell Stan no if there’s a completed stadium plan in St. Louis, i.e., land purchased, financing approved. Until that happens, the league doesn’t have to tell Stan anything.
by jthomas 3:54 PM

At what point will we know if 15 is going to be a lame duck season or not?
by willEYEam 3:54 PM

Almost certainly won’t be until after the season is completed. And that’s when Kroenke would file for relocation if the league says it’s OK.
by jthomas 3:55 PM

What positions would you like to see the Rams fill with their first three picks?
by Justin 3:55 PM

This could change dramatically after we see what happens in free agency and the draft. But right now I’d say OL, QB, maybe OL again.
by jthomas 3:58 PM

Jim, have I missed something? We hear that Peacock is talking to the Rams to keep them informed on stadium proposal progress. Yet, Demhoff seems to act like he is not in the loop. If Peacock is not talking to Kroenke, who is he talking to in the Rams org. ?Thanks
by Larry M 3:58 PM

What makes you think Peacock is not talking to Demoff?
by jthomas 3:59 PM

Jim, what will need to happen for you to change your 45-55 stance on the rams staying/leaving
by stlrams4ever 3:59 PM

Most of all progress or lack of progress on the St. Louis stadium front.
by jthomas 4:00 PM

Jim, as a native of LA and lifetime Rams fan, you know I am hoping the Rams move back west. What do you think of this committee stuff with the NFL, when most of the owners on it voted no, when Georgia moved the Rams to St. Louis. I think this is a done deal Jim, with the NFL covering their butt, hoping St. Louis builds that HOK Stadium, which I love by the way, for an expansion team, sometime in the future, after all St. Louis should have gotten one in 1994.
by Tim Wood Ches. Va. 4:01 PM

I can’t see expansion any time in the near future. I think having another team (San Diego or Oakland) relocate to St. Louis would be a more likely scenario here than expansion.
by jthomas 4:02 PM

Jim: Thanks for your time. Have you decided on which QB the Rams should draft?
by Justin 4:03 PM

Can’t say that I have. But I’ll have a little better idea after the Combine, which starts next week by the way.
by jthomas 4:04 PM

Good Day Jim, Any news on the Bradford contract. I found interesting that there are teams out there that would prefer Bradford over all the QBs in the draft, but there is a group of fans that give him no respect
by OzyRamsFan 4:04 PM

I’ve heard nothing new on Bradford contract talks. If healthy, and that’s a big if at the moment, I think Bradford can play at a Pro Bowl level.
by jthomas 4:05 PM

Jim,,asked earlier about the Goodell Committee…any thoughts on how you think Clark Hunt would lean regarding the Rams? Thinking he would support St. Louis being a NFL city.
by Larry 4:05 PM

I do not. I’d think he’d support St. Louis being an NFL city. Because there will be a time in the future that he might want some state money to help refurbish Arrowhead and build a new stadium. I realize that given the recent renovations there that might be a couple of decades down the road. But I wouldn’t think you’d turn your back now on the eastern side of the state.
by jthomas 4:09 PM

Would Kroenke make more money moving the Rams to LA or make more money from keeping the Rams in STL and collecting rent from one or more football teams in his new LA stadium?
by Tom R 4:11 PM

Obviously he thinks he can make more money with his team in LA.
by jthomas 4:11 PM

Say Bradford comes back healthy and plays a full 16 games. What type of season would you realistically expect from him?
by stlrams4ever 4:11 PM

Well before his injury midway through the 2013 season, he had a passer rating of above 90, and I believe 14 TDs and 4 INTs.
by jthomas 4:12 PM

If Kronke decided to go rogue, couldn’t the NFL use the fact that he had never complied with the cross ownership rules to force him not tmove or even sell the team
by phillip 4:12 PM

Well, they could certainly use that against him.
by jthomas 4:12 PM

If financing gets finalized for the new stadium, before this time next year do think Kroenke will “settle” for STL’s offer? Or still try to file for relocation? Or try to sell the team?
by Brad 4:15 PM

Now that’s the question isn’t it? (Or questions) I do know this, that would make it very difficult for the league to simply turn it’s back on St. Louis. Let’s see if it gets that far.
by jthomas 4:16 PM

With the NFL forming a committee to oversee the LA situation, doesn’t it benefit the City of St Louis? It tells me that they are going to try to make everyone play by the rules, and that San Diego and Oakland are in the mix also.
by James 4:16 PM

Well when you phrase it that way, I guess you could say it’s an attempt to have an even playing field. And not just for the franchises in play, but also for the competing stadium sites in LA.
by jthomas 4:18 PM

Since neither Kronke nor the Rams has said publically that a move in 2016 is official, why is the league leaking the memo that the rules will have to be followed? Aren’t Kronke’s plans pretty obvious?
by Justin 4:18 PM

Yeah, I would say Kroenke’s plans are no secret.
by jthomas 4:18 PM

Jim, can you give me two Rams-related reasons to renew my NFL Sunday Ticket in 2015?
by Murat from Jax 4:18 PM

You live in Jax, right? The Rams defense is fun to watch. (Most days, anyway) Let’s see if the youth really starts to play dividends now that it has some seasoning.
by jthomas 4:20 PM

Barring another season ending injury, my odds are 98 to 2 that Bradford is the starting QB opening day.
by Larry M 4:20 PM

OK then. There you have it. Agree? Disagree?
by jthomas 4:21 PM

Jim- Using $5mil per year from the state, that amounts to about $2 per average taxpayer and less than $1 per resident. Gives the $450m public contribution a little perspective.
by RamsFan62 4:21 PM

That’s a great point.
by jthomas 4:23 PM

It seems to me that the Rams could use Tavon the same way NE used Vereen. They ran that over and over, and it worked. Tavon has more break away potential. I hope the Rams use that next year vs. the SeaSlugs!
by Tom 4:23 PM

Rams need to block those plays better as well. To me that was a much a problem on those quick sideline plays as anything Austin did or didn’t do _ if not more.
by jthomas 4:24 PM

Any thoughts on the QB class in this years draft? Thanks
by Paul 4:25 PM

Well, on paper a pretty lackluster class. I’d certainly be tempted to trade up for Mariota and/or Winston if one of them falls to 6 or lower. Obviously you’d need to do a lot of investigative work or due diligence on Winston.
by jthomas 4:26 PM

if the rams leave and no other team decides they want to play here will that be it for nfl football in stl in our lifetime?
by boon 4:26 PM

Not necessarily, if the StL stadium plan reaches the finish line in terms of land acquisition and financing.
by jthomas 4:26 PM

Hi Jim thanks for the chats. The latest Mock Draft on the Bleacher Report site has the Rams taking WR Davante Parker at #10, Mariota going to the Browns at #12 and the Rams taking Brent Hundley in the second round. My question for you is, if by some miracle Mariota is really available at #10 do you take him, or do you go for the best lineman, then take a QB later? PS: The Orange County Register newspaper sure could use a reporter of your stature if the Rams move to LA!
by ifilrxz 4:28 PM

I think I’m going Mariota in that case.
by jthomas 4:29 PM

JT – I am sticking with my Bryce Petty QB Baylor for the Rams pick in the 2nd round – like / dislike / discuss…
by Pville Steve 4:30 PM

I’ve said before that I kind of like Petty. But that’s not necessarily my final answer.
by jthomas 4:31 PM

When is the official announcement of Cignetti and Boras new coaching positions? Any word on new QB and TE coaches?
by whenw 4:34 PM

I’m told it could be Wednesday or Thursday. Not sure if there will necessarily be new QB and TE coaches. (Possible that Boras or Cignetti could still retain their old jobs.)
by jthomas 4:36 PM

It seems to me you don’t really build a stadium thinking you’ll only use it 8 times a year. You expect and plan to schedule many, many other events. But STL already has 2 large facilities for other events. Wouldn’t a new stadium negatively impact the revenue streams of Busch and the Dome?
by Andy 4:36 PM

No. It’s just the opposite.. The idea of this new stadium is to free up the Dome (which is part of the convention center) for the five-six months it’s in use by the football team. With the freedom to use the Dome 12 months a year, estimates are that it would lead to $20 million in additional revenue there annually. And remember, the plans are to pursue an MLS soccer team to play in the new stadium as well.
by jthomas 4:39 PM

What’s the next step that needs to be done that you see for a stadium here?
by rwatts 4:40 PM

The next step is acquiring all the parcels of land on the stadium site.
by jthomas 4:40 PM

Hi Jim, Call me cynical, but if the Rams go to LA, I don’t see the NFL forming a committee to deal with “the St. Louis Situation”, even though we are a proven market for mediocre football.
by ihtnep 4:40 PM

You’re being generous there in your description of “mediocre defense.”
by jthomas 4:41 PM

Certainly Kronke putting up his money to build a new stadium in Inglewood moves him to the front of the line (over the Chargers and Raiders) does it not? How can it not? The only thing the NFL has to do is juggle a few of their rules. Done deal in in my mind.
by Justin 4:41 PM

Obviously it gives him the edge. But what if next month the Chargers agree to sell 35% of their team to the Anschutz group at Farmer’s Field? Many in LA, and at least some in the league prefer the downtown site. And again, moving the Rams to LA does not solve the California problem, i.e., getting badly needed stadiums _ that are in much worse shape than the Dome _ built in San Diego and Oakland.
by jthomas 4:44 PM

how does stan move the team if the owners vote down relocation?
by boon 4:44 PM

He goes rogue and forces their hand. Some I’ve talked to have referred to it as the Jerry Jones theory. Do what you want until the league stops you.
by jthomas 4:44 PM

Thanks for the chats Jim. It’s off season, our high point! If it came down to it and Mariota dropped to the Rams #10 slot, even though he isn’t a scheme fit, would you draft him? Would you rather draft him for the Rams or trade the #10 pick for additional draft picks and move down? At the moment Mariota is being pegged as a QB that needs the right system.
by Greg, Rams Fan in Maryland 4:45 PM

I think I’d take him at No. 10. He’s called a system QB only because _ like so many other QBs coming out of college _ he has played in a spread offense.
by jthomas 4:45 PM

Hi Jim, Do you see Bradford restructuring his contract? Or is it time for the Rams to move on from Bradford and use his money elsewhere?
by Larry 4:46 PM

I think every attempt will be made to get Bradford to restructure.
by jthomas 4:46 PM

If you were the GM, what would you do about the Rams Free Agents for cap space?
by Larry 4:46 PM

I think I’d try to lower the base salaries of Jake Long, Kendall Langford, Sam Bradford. Not sure what I’d do with Wells at this point. I’d cut Pead. Hang on to Givens for a while, just to see what happens to Britt and in the draft. Keep in mind, Robert Quinn is due a huge roster bonus. If you were in a cap pinch you could always convert the roster bonus to signing bonus to save cap space. (The entire roster bonus counts on that year’s cap; a signing bonus can be spread out _ or amortized _ over the remaining years of a contract for cap purposes.)
by jthomas 4:51 PM

I assume the Rams would reach a little for QB. Assuming there’s no QB available that qualifies for even a big reach, is there any other position that you think they should consider reach-worthy?
by bfulton 4:51 PM

I don’t think so. If you don’t get the upper-tier offensive linemen, I hear there is pretty good depth on the o-line in the second and third rounds so you could still get a pretty good prospect there.
by jthomas 4:52 PM

I know we are in the early stages of the new stadium project, but when do you think we will know for sure that it’s a done deal and we break ground?
by Ron 4:53 PM

This may be stating the obvious to you. But it’s pretty much all got to happen in this calendar year.
by jthomas 4:53 PM

Are Fisher/Snead heads on the block this year?
by Justin 4:53 PM

Obviously, that’s Stan’s call, and a part of me can’t see Stan paying off even a year of Fisher’s contract. Still, I think they certainly have to be under some pressure with another 6-10 or 7-9.
by jthomas 4:54 PM

I know it’s way early in the offseason – but do you think it’s possible (and wise) for the R Rams to sign both a C (either the guy from KC or the one from Oakland) AND a G – like the one from SF?
by ScottyG 4:55 PM

Keep in mind, players such as Barron, Brockers, Dunbar, Hayes, Jenkins, Johnson, Quick, Sims, Zuerlein all have contracts that expire at the end of 2015. So the Rams have to keep some money aside to sign some of those players. As opposed to signing outside free agents. So that makes me wonder if they could to C AND G as you suggest.
by jthomas 5:00 PM

How much emphasis do you think the NFL will put on the inevitable decline in attendance this season when deciding our Rams’ fate?
by al 5:00 PM

I can’t tell you how much, but I’m sure they’ll look at it.
by jthomas 5:00 PM

what did the stl fan base do to deserve this?
by boon 5:00 PM

Not the best in terms of club ownership, and not the best in terms of proactive local political and business leadership. It would’ve been a lot easier and cheaper if a new stadium was built for Bill Bidwill in the 80s; it would have been a lot easier and cheaper had there not been the stadium lease dispute during the expansion process in the early ’90s; it would’ve been a lot easier and cheaper if the local officials negotiating the Dome lease with the Rams would’ve said: “We’ll agree to top-16 language in the lease, but not top-8” a few years later.
by jthomas 5:05 PM

JT, from a beatwriter’s standpoint … who was/is your favorite Ram to cover in terms of media cooperation and insightful quotes? And on the other end, who was the most “difficult” Ram? Other than Alberto White, of course.
by Nick Wishart 5:05 PM

Lots on the easy and insightful to cover list, and I’m sure I’m going to leave many names out: Toby Wright, Tony Banks, Leonard Little, D’Marco Farr, Todd Lyght, Keith Lyle, Kurt Warner, James Laurinaitis, William Hayes, Chris Long, Rodger Saffold, Steven Jackson. On the flip side: Lawrence Phillips was easily the worst. Marshall Faulk was no picnic, although when he was in the mood he could be outstanding.
by jthomas 5:08 PM

If the coaches love Jenkins so much, can they coach him then? I know that sounds flip but the guy get’s burned constantly. Just doesn’t seem to have the discipline and do the film study, relies too much on his athleticism. Given how heavy we went in the 2014 draft for defensive backfield last year, is he really this important in the Rams plans?
by Greg, Rams Fan in Maryland 5:11 PM

I would think Jenkins would’ve outgrown some of his bad habits by now. I don’t know if that’s attributable to coaching issues or Jenkins simply not maturing. I tend to think it’s the latter. This is a contract year for Jenkins, so if he doesn’t improve this year in terms of those habits, it’s probably never going to happen.
by jthomas 5:13 PM

Jim, I need your advice. Should I trust Kevin Demoff or is he a double agent?
by David Peacock 5:13 PM

Dave, in the NFL it’s probably best not to trust anyone. Just keep your head down and keep working. You are doing great work so far.
by jthomas 5:14 PM

Will the NFL ever make ESK comply with the cross-ownership rules? it seems like he’s had plenty of time to figure something out, but the league is no hurry to make him.
by Brian 5:14 PM

They gave him a six-month extension. He has a few months left on that extension.
by jthomas 5:15 PM

Assuming any of the big name WRs (Bryant, Thomas, Cobb) hit the market will the Rams be players? Could you see them kicking the tires on Welker?
by Tackleberry 5:15 PM

Can’t see Welker. I think we’ve seen the best of him.
by jthomas 5:15 PM