JT chat, 9/20 … selections

NFL chat with Jim Thomas

http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_28?Page=0

Help me understand, Jim. Are Fisher/Snead really that bad at leading a team to success? I can’t even imagine how they can have so many draft picks, reasonably friendly cap space to sign free agents and come away with such stunning mediocrity? And I’d like to point out that I’ve been consistent over the last 4+ years in these chats saying that the Rams real problem lies in their utterly incompetent OLine. Heck, Tom Brady could line up behind the Rams front 5 and, at best, look like a pedestrian QB.
by ScottB 2:04 PM

Well, the O-line wasn’t terrible Sunday. They held up pretty well against the Seattle pass rush, although Greg Robinson did his best to keep the Seahawks going in the end allowing a sack and getting called for holding on the Rams’ last real possession. (The one before the kneel-down sequence.) But this certainly doesn’t look like a team capable of ending the franchise’s string of seasons without a winning record.
by jthomas 2:06 PM

Given the problems with the OLine, having a very good C like Wiz would be making a difference, which is why I still wonder about it.
by Tom 2:12 PM

I know he had a couple of rough moments against Seattle _ just about every center does _ but I think Tim Barnes is turning into a pretty good player.
by jthomas 2:13 PM

Hi Jim — is Bradford gonna keep it up?
by poiuyt 2:22 PM

Very interesting game this Sunday. He returns to Carolina, the scene of the crime so to speak. That’s where he suffered the first of his two ACL knee injuries in the middle of the 2013 season. Carolina’s defense is very good. No Adrian Peterson. Could be a tough afternoon. Over the long term, or at least until Peterson gets back in the lineup, if the Vikings can have at least the threat of a running game I think Bradford will do fine.
by jthomas 2:25 PM

Also — How much do you think working w Norv Turner will impact Bradford’s performance? & Diggs too.
by poiuyt 3:13 PM

I think Turner remains a good play-caller and will be good for Bradford. And based on what I’ve seen from Diggs, he at least has the potential to be a true No. 1 receiver, something Bradford never had in St. Louis. But a lot of what Turner calls is based off play-action and a good running game. And minus Peterson that may not be the case.
by jthomas 3:15 PM

If you could relive one of these 2 games at the Dome, which would it be? 1999 vs Vikings or 1999 vs. Bucs?
by Guy L 2:28 PM

Tough, tough call. The minutes leading up to kickoff and right after the game started vs. Minnesota was the loudest I’ve ever heard a stadium in all my years of covering the game. It was the first home playoff game in St.. Louis NFL history. And the Greatest Show on Turf at its finest. But I think I’d have to give the nod to the Tampa Bay game. Such an intense, physical contest. The catch by Ricky Proehl. And that fact that it meant the Rams were headed to the Super Bowl.
by jthomas 2:31 PM

what did you think of the coliseum?
by jim in socal 2:40 PM

I really like older stadiums with a sense of history. And the Coliseum has loads of that. I really enjoyed it.
by jthomas 2:41 PM

Hi, Jim-
Really nice that Pace and Faulk got introduced as “Los Angeles Rams” during Orlando’s HOF ring ceremony. Seems like St. Louis takes more cheap shots at every opportunity by the Rams and the league.
Don’t they know karma’s a b……???
Three wins, tops, this year……and 10 more consecutive losing seasons 🙂
by Dexter McCleon 3:01 PM

I feel bad for Pace. Even though it still would’ve been awkward, he deserved his own ring ceremony, not one watered down with past Hall of Famers. That’s how it’s gone for any other Hall of Famer that I can remember. And don’t do it on opening day when it would get lost in the shuffle anyway. Wait until the middle of the season and give Orlando his due, even if it was 1,800 miles from where he played.
by jthomas 3:04 PM

Yep…..Ol’ Case is trending up and on the cusp of greatness.
by Knux 3:10 PM

Yeah, I saw that. Keenum has a lot of intangibles, good leader. But I don’t see him as having much of a ceiling.
by jthomas 3:11 PM

Over/under as to what week Goff will start?
by Dan 4:04 PM

I think it’s going to take a while. I’ll say Week 9, barring injury.
by jthomas 4:04 PM

How well were you received at the Coliseum?
by Dr D 4:10 PM

Good reception. It was great to see the Rams PR crew. Got a warm welcome from Fisher, Waufle, some of the equipment staff, several players and even Demoff down in the locker room. A few LA Rams fans even shouted out hello as I was walking on the field to the locker room area after the game. The LA media was cordial. I’ve known some of them for many years.
by jthomas 4:13 PM

After the first 2 weeks, what teams have surprised you the most? My answer would be the Eagles and the rookie QB.
by Patrick Fitzmichael 4:13 PM

The Eagles would have to be near the top of that list. Not just because of Wentz, but just the efficient, poised way they are playing overall. Aggressive on defense, very good tackling. The addition of ex-Rams Rodney McLeod, I’d have to say has helped solidify the back end. Not many mistakes. I’d say the Giants to a degree as well. I’m not saying their defense is fantastic, but so far it looks much improved over the 2015 version. They put a lot of money into retooling that side of the ball, and Spags is off to a good start with all the new faces. In the other direction I’m surprised to see New Orleans and Indy at 0-2, although I do realize the Colts have a lot of issues injury-wise in the secondary.
by jthomas 4:17 PM

Does Gurley get 1000 yards rushing this year with no offensive line, 8 in the box, and no passing game? Seems like a waste of talent playing for the Rams.
by Tom R 4:29 PM

Look at is this way. He didn’t even have a single yard last year after two games and ended up in the PRo Bowl playing behind basically the same line.
by jthomas 4:31 PM

Remember when Marc Bulger was a much-maligned quarterback around here? He’d be their best QB right now if he came back to the game.
by JJ 4:40 PM

No doubt. He did make two Pro Bowls with the Rams.
by jthomas 4:41 PM

Any insight into why Goff won’t start until later in the season? What are his specific issues as a quarterback that are keeping him holding a clipboard when other rookies are starting?
by Andy 4:50 PM

He looked a little lost to me in the preseason games. I could be wrong, but I think Wentz ran more of a pro-style in college Goff has never operated under center, never called plays in the huddle. And with some it takes longer to get all that down than others. I was surprised even when I was in Irvine for the first weekend of camp to see him struggle with the center exchange. I thought that would’ve been taken care of during OTAs. His turnovers were an issue as well in the preseason. I’ve even heard some “insiders” wonder about his leadership skills. We’ll see. It’s way too early to bury him.
by jthomas 4:47 PM