JT, NFL chat 7/12

NFL chat with Jim Thomas

http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_18?Page=2

Hey JT would you say our projected OL is Grob Saffold Barnes Brown Havenstein? And who goes in first if Softfold goes down? Reynolds or Wichman?
by Dwayne 2:05 PM

I think that’s how you have to read it at this point. I think Reynolds is the first o-lineman off the bench and Wichman the second.
by jthomas 2:06 PM

Nick Foles really had me fooled after week 1 2015. I’m still convinced it was the Clay Matthews hit in the sternum
by Dwayne 2:06 PM

He certainly wasn’t the same after that game, that’s for sure.
by jthomas 2:06 PM

What percentage do you see Nick Foles on the roster week 1
by Dwayne 2:06 PM

Zero.
by jthomas 2:07 PM

Rams drafted Sean Mannion in the 3rd Round last year- High IQ guy. I see more potential in him than Goff.
by RamsFan36 2:07 PM

Mannion has a strong arm as well. He had the strongest arm among the QBs on last years team. He is very smart, but so is Goff who apparently scored very highly on the Wonderlic, The one thing Mannion doesn’t have that Goff has is mobility, an important factor with a still developing offensive line.
by jthomas 2:10 PM

Best guess for the number of wins for the Titans this year?
by Thad 2:10 PM

I liked Mariota coming out and think the Titans will be improved this year. But to put an exact number on it now, hard to say. Maybe 6.
by jthomas 2:11 PM

PM

I inadvertently deleted the question, but to the person who wondered if Mannion could be the opening-day starter, I’d say it would be shocking if he’s out there against San Fran on Monday night. It’ll either be Goff or Keenum.
by jthomas 2:13 PM

Would you rather the Rams trade the farm for Jameis in 2015 instead of Goff in 2016?
by Dwayne 2:13 PM

At this point, I’d say yes.
by jthomas 2:13 PM

I just really want the Rams to be bad. I want the media exposure to backfire and Goff to get bulgerized. Give LA some 2-14 football and let’s see what fans stick it out
by Willywawa 2:14 PM

I’m sure your not the Lone Ranger here. And you just may get your wish.
by jthomas 2:14 PM

Best NFL Podcast? I like the Ross Tucker Podcast.
by Mark S 2:14 PM

I don’t know, I’ll be joined by Isaac Bruce and the PD’s own BenFred early next week on a podcast. That might get my vote.
by jthomas 2:15 PM

Losing Daren Bates hurts. He was a productive back-up with solid special teams play.
by RamsFan36 2:15 PM

It won’t help. Although he occasionally committed the dumb penalty, he brought energy and an edge to special teams. Plus, he was a good dancer before kickoffs.
by jthomas 2:17 PM

Does Higbee have any shot of beating out Kendricks?
by Dwayne 2:17 PM

No. But minus Jared Cook, Higbee should get some playing time.
by jthomas 2:17 PM

Another 7-9 season in store for the Rams this year. Good enough defense to keep us in games, lack of continuity on offense to sustain winning form.
by RamsFan36 2:17 PM

The Rammies do seem to be stuck in that rut.
by jthomas 2:18 PM

Chances that the lambs and goodell get called out for the deceitful way they handled relocation?
by Demoff’s Lies 2:18 PM

By whom?
by jthomas 2:18 PM

Who is leading the backup QB battle between Murray and Bray in KC?
by Grant 2:19 PM

I’m not really equipped to answer that one. But I should be more well-versed on the Chiefs as we go forward.
by jthomas 2:20 PM

By media
by Demoff’s Lies 2:20 PM

I think plenty of local media have called them out. Nationally, not so much.
by jthomas 2:20 PM

Percentage that Fisher keeps his job winning 6-8 games next year?
by RamsFan36 2:20 PM

If it’s less than 8, I would say less than 50 percent. Then again, I thought that would be the case last season.
by jthomas 2:21 PM

Jimbo-What’s your take on the Raiders? In Oakland or LV?
by LAMBSSUCK 2:21 PM

From talking to Mark Davis at the owners meetings last March, I got the impression he was genuinely intrigued with Las Vegas. I think that’s where it’s headed if LV can get its stadium deal together.
by jthomas 2:23 PM

San Diego has a vote scheduled in November for a new stadium – 1.1 billion. Let’s see, that figure sure does sound familiar, doesn’t it?
by Dr Mizzou 2:23 PM

Are you sure it’s just a $1.1 billion stadium? That sounds awful cheap by California prices.
by jthomas 2:24 PM

Welcome back, Jim. I believe this will be the third or fourth consecutive year where I ask, “How did Jim spend his summer vacation?”
by Dave in Kirkwood 2:26 PM

Dave, thanks for asking. Attended my daughter-in-law’s graduation from Wake Forest Law School; watched my middle son jump out of an airplane as an Army Lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg (yes, he had a parachute); visited my oldest son, the Army captain, at Fort Sill; watched my youngest son, the rock drummer in concert with his band The Few; attended 3 STL FC games at Soccer Park, hit 2 exactas at Fairmount Park; watched a former player of mine coach some select baseball; had dinner and lunch w/a couple of NFL team executives; lots of honey dews around the house; and believe or not went to the gym on a somewhat regular basis.
by jthomas 2:32 PM

Is there any truth to the rumor that in LA the daily surfer reports are more popular than updates on the Rams?
by Dr Mizzou 2:32 PM

Appreciate the humor, but it looks like the LA area papers are giving the Rams a decent amount of coverage at this point.
by jthomas 2:33 PM

Hey Jim if you had to pick a starter at FS right now who would it be out of Davis, Alexander or Bryant?
by Dwayne 2:33 PM

I thought Alexander improved a lot over the course of last season, and in the little bit he got to play last season in place of McDonald, he was surprisingly effective. Has good speed, and the potential to be a big hitter. I’m not exactly sure if he has the range to be a free safety, but I think it’s worth a try.
by jthomas 2:35 PM

Hi Jim. Haven’t seen your work much on Stltoday.com lately. What have you been up to? Hope all is well.
by Private 2:35 PM

My annual late spring/early summer hiatus. I just started it a little earlier because there were no OTAs to cover in St. Louis, and returned a little earlier than usual. But I’m back, and although my job duties are a little different, I will still be covering the NFL.
by jthomas 2:36 PM

What is your take on the 2016 Bears and on Jay Cutler? NFC North power rankings Packers, Vikings, Bears, Lions. Vikings and Bears seem to be the clear #2 teams.
by Mark S 2:36 PM

Cutler was a much more efficient quarterback last year under Adam Gase. He made a lot fewer mistakes. Now with Gase leaving his Bears OC duties to become head coach in Miami, will we still see the same improved Cutler, or will he revert back to his old ways? I have always liked Fox as a coach, but I still don’t think he’s got all of his players _ all of his pieces _ in place yet. And the NFC North is pretty tough.
by jthomas 2:43 PM
Permalink

What’s the odds Trey Watts finally makes the roster?
by Dwayne 2:43 PM

Well, first he’s gotta get off the suspended list.
by jthomas 2:44 PM

Is the LA nfl franchise going to learn the lesson that the Lakers are learning right now? It seems like free agents aren’t going to come just for the address. If a team like the Lakers can’t get stars in the door to even talk to them, what chance do the kroenkes have?
by Thad 2:44 PM

I think the dynamics are a little different in the NFL. Money always talks, but that being equal, most players do want to go to a place where they have a chance to win, get in the playoffs, have a chance at the Super Bowl, etc.
by jthomas 2:46 PM

Which NFL team is going to telecast their games in STL? Do you have any updates on this subject?
by Grant 2:46 PM

You may have seen this already in the PD but both the Chiefs and the Bears are televising their preseason games in St. Louis this summer. I’m not sure what happens once the regular season begins. I believe that’s basically up to the local television stations.
by jthomas 2:48 PM

Hello Jimbo-I will cheer for whoever beats the Lambs…0-16 would make me happy!
by LAMBSSUCK 2:52 PM

You sound like my wife.
by jthomas 2:52 PM

I see Chiefs winning the AFC West and possibly Super Bowl…delusional?
by Omarjames 2:52 PM

I don’t know about the Super Bowl, but I think they’ve got a real shot at the AFC West, what with the QB issues, and Von Miller situation, in Denver.
by jthomas 2:53 PM

Welcome back Jim, I sure missed your chats. Did you know there is a, “Bring Back the NFL to St Louis”, group on facebook?
by AltonKen 2:53 PM

Really. Do you know anything about the group?
by jthomas 2:53 PM

I was born in 1994 and despite destroying my heart these past ten years, I am and will always be a RAMS fan. Regardless of where they play and how they do, this team has and will always provide me an outlet from the daily rigors of my life.
by RamsFan36 2:53 PM

You are part of a generation that grew up with the Rams in St. Louis, so I get where you’re coming from. Really all three of my sons _ages 28, 25, and 20 _ are kind of in the same boat. Were you old enough to remember the Super Bowl victory when it happened?
by jthomas 2:55 PM

Jim, how difficult has it been for you to interact with the Rams organization since they have moved to LA? Are the Rams blocking STL media from covering the team?
by Chiliman 2:55 PM

Not really too bad other than my inability to interview Stan Kroenke. Although I haven’t tried recently, Kevin Demoff almost always gets back to me quickly. I was able to get special teams coordinator John Fassel on the phone for a draft story I did on the influx of Australian-born kickers and punters in the NFL. But the relationship certainly isn’t the same now that the team is physically removed from St. Louis. Nor do I expect it to be.
by jthomas 2:58 PM

So the Chiefs are going to try and make a push into the STL market?
I hope that everybody in the area remembers that Clark Hunt was the lone no vote in recommending the Chargers and Raiders to LA, and that the two biggest political opponents of the rams staying in the area (aside from the NFL itself) were Rob Schaaf and Meg Green, both huge Chiefs fans (by their own admission). If you have to support a team, don’t make it the one that worked so hard helping our former nfl franchise scurry off to LA.
Jim, what’s your opinion about the Chiefs making a push to be the Lou’s team?
by Thad 2:59 PM

It’s only natural that the Chiefs, as the only remaining NFL franchise in the state, would want to cultivate St. Louis. But it’s not as if the Chiefs need St. Louis in order to fill Arrowhead. As far as I’ve been told, Hunt voted against Carson only because he didn’t feel LA was a two-team market, not because he had anti-St. Louis sentiments. And I don’t think you can blame the Chiefs because a couple of politicians who didn’t help the cause in StL happened to be Chiefs fans.
by jthomas 3:03 PM

Do you have any insight on what teams TV will showcase
by X 3:03 PM

I sure don’t. If I were KTVI (the local Fox affiliate), I would start off showing the Rams games here, see what the ratings are, and base any future actions from there.
by jthomas 3:04 PM

So it looks like the city of San Diego isn’t too interested in helping the Chargers with a downtown stadium since the leagues relocation to LA.
It seems like Dean Spanos’ only two realistic options are to stay in his antiquated stadium and bide his time, or become an indentured servant in LA. Do you see any other options for the Chargers? If you were Dean Spanos what would you do?
by Thad 3:04 PM

Maybe he should pick up the phone and call St. Louis.
by jthomas 3:04 PM

P.S. I really miss talking to you. What happened? Are you mad at me? Give me a call.
by stan 3:05 PM

Stan, I will be out at Cal-Irvine for the first weekend of Rams training camp at the end of July. Let’s hook up then. Would love to talk to you.
by jthomas 3:06 PM

You know all those game-influencing calls that went against the Rams the last 5-10 years will start being called in their favor the next few seasons.
by RamsFan36 3:06 PM

We’ll see. For the most part, I’m not really into Oliver Stone theories.
by jthomas 3:07 PM

Not really an NFL question, but do you ever read the comments on the articles you write? And if so, do you take those comments into consideration when you write in the future?
by Trevor 3:07 PM

I almost never read them.
by jthomas 3:07 PM

Do you think the Raiders to Las Vegas is going to happen, or will the league continue to keep the franchise down until someone not named Davis owns it?
by Thad 3:07 PM

I’m sure the league would rather have somebody owning the franchise that’s not part of the Davis family, but I don’t think the league will stand in the way of a good plan in Las Vegas. Now more than ever, the league is all about money, money, money.
by jthomas 3:09 PM

Liar Kevin Demoff really handled the situation awful. Guy flat out lied to fans. Also, how does the COO of the Rams call out St. Louis about bad food. Goes a long way in showing what a “Mickey Mouse” organization the Rams really are.
by Keith 3:09 PM

I’ve heard about the food comments, but don’t know the context. Did he say he flat out didn’t like the food here in StL, or was it a joke about maybe being poisoned by fans here?
by jthomas 3:11 PM

That’s true…the last publicly financed stadium built in California was in 1923, the Coliseum.
by Dr Mizzou 3:11 PM

I don’t know if it goes that far back, but I know it’s been a while.
by jthomas 3:11 PM

By rigging the relocation vote, did jerry jones show the world who really runs the nfl?
by Remove SK from MHOF! 3:11 PM

Did you see the USA Today story earlier this summer rating the most powerful men in the NFL. I believe Roger Goodell was No. 2 on the list, with Jerry Jones No. 1.
by jthomas 3:12 PM

Mr. Thomas…welcome back. You were missed. Hope you had a nice vacation. Three questions for you. What are you hearing about Tru being signed to a long term deal by this Friday’s tag deadline? Is TJ McDonald going to attend camp? When are you coming to So Cal for training camp? Would like to finally meet you. Thanks.
by RamTough 3:12 PM

I’ve heard no chance in hell on Trumaine Johnson being signed by Friday. Not sure on T.J. I will be in Rams camp for the first weekend of full-squad practices _ July 30 and 31st. If you see me please say hi.
by jthomas 3:14 PM

Comment on NFL Talk from LA ‘Fan” says the Rams in STL played in a Home Depot. That Home Depot made a lot of teams jealous in 1995 and resulted in many new stadiums being built, partly resulting in the failure to meet the top 25% clause.
by Dr Mizzou 3:14 PM

During the Greatest Show on Turf days it was the most intimidating venue in the NFL. I’ve been in every NFL stadium, several many times over, covered tons of playoff games and Super Bowls, and I never heard a louder building than the dome at the start of the ’99 divisional playoff game against Minnesota.
by jthomas 3:16 PM

Just curious, how do you think Ezekiel Elliott’s rookie year will compare to Gurley’s?
by Cody 3:16 PM

I am really anxious to see what Elliott can do behind that big Dallas offensive line. Obviously, it’ll help if Romo stays healthy and effective. I think Elliott could easily top 1,000 yards barring injury.
by jthomas 3:17 PM

I, for one, can’t wait to root for the Nones this year. Their honest and upstanding ownership is unparalleled in the league. In my house, the Rams are always second to None (in keeping with their losing tradition).
by Me 3:18 PM

OK, I get it. It took me a second to figure out your wordplay.
by jthomas 3:19 PM

If given the choice, which NFL franchise would you like to cover the most going forward?
by H.H. Holmes 3:19 PM

I’m kind of intrigued by the possibility of moving around a little bit, and getting more of a feel for the rest of the league. Obviously, we will have budget constraints, but looking forward to seeing some Chiefs, Colts, Bears, and Titans as well as their opponents. And as I think I mentioned earlier, we will be covering the Rams home opener. In addition, I think plans call for me to do a Rams rewind – for lack of a better title – where I look at game tape from that week’s Rams games and write an on-line only blog of what I see.
by jthomas 3:22 PM

Who will be the special teams return man this year?
by Dwayne 3:23 PM

It should be Tavon Austin on punt returns. And as has been the case for the past several years, I think the Rams will look at several candidates for kickoff returns, but Benny Cunningham is always Mr. Reliable.
by jthomas 3:24 PM

Jim — I saw in a previous post you went to some STL FC games this summer. Does that mean you will be covering soccer at some point? Are you now a fan? On a serious note, what is your role for the upcoming season? Are you still doing just the NFL and how will the P-D spread you around or are you going to be covering some other sports? I love reading your stuff, but my interest in the NFL is pretty much nil.
by mjpinindy 3:24 PM

I’ve been a soccer fan for many years. I am comfortable enough with the sport that I could cover it. But we have two very qualified soccer writers in Joe Lyons and Timmermann. But for now, I’m still all NFL _ at least this time of the year.
by jthomas 3:42 PM

La daily news hasn’t posted a football-related rams article since mid-June. Seems like pretty apathetic coverage to me … off-season or not, after 21 years of no football. However, the Entertainment section has plenty to write about.
by Remove SK from MHOF! 3:42 PM

Yeah, I get what you’re saying, but in fairness this is normally a slow time of the year throughout the NFL _ basically the only lull in the NFL calendar.
by jthomas 3:45 PM

Vikings are my sleeper Super Bowl Pick. Coaching over there seems to know what they are doing.
by RamsFan36 3:45 PM

Really like Zimmer as a head coach. I think if Bridgewater improves as a passer, this is a team to watch out for.
by jthomas 3:45 PM

Can you talk about anything the NFL Executives you had lunch with said? Any good news for STL?
by AltonKen 3:45 PM

Well, let me clarify there. When I say NFL executives _ I’m talking about team employees. So the topic of conversation really wasn’t about StL’s future or lack of a future in the NFL. The conversation was more general.
by jthomas 3:48 PM

Glad you went to the gym a few times on your break, it’s a long season. Any travel coming up, i.e. opening of Rams camp?
by Dave in Kirkwood 3:49 PM

Well, I need more than a few. But it’s the thought that counts right? As for coverage, here’s the itinerary in the near future. I’ll be at the Legends of the Dome game July 23rd, then Rams camp the following weekend, and will attend the Hall of Fame ceremonies for Orlando Pace the first weekend of August. May hit a training camp or two as well in the Midwest.
by jthomas 3:51 PM

I grew up an LA Rams fan, followed them to St Louis, and will follow them again in LA. I appreciate I am not alone, and do understand some fans resentment, but St Louis lost the Cards, wooed the Rams away from LA, and now feel spurned by another move. Not being a St Louisian (?), what’s wrong with your market to lose two NFL teams? Many teams have bad owners. And I ask that with all due respect. Too small and baseball-centric?
by Dan 3:52 PM

Sorry, but with all due respect this is not a valid argument for someone in LA,. Los Angeles, with all its people and all its resources, has lost 3 NFL teams to other cities.
by jthomas 3:53 PM

Were those lunches with rams executives or possibly teams looking for STL coverage?
by JJ party bus driver 3:53 PM

Just friends I know in the business who happened to be in town.
by jthomas 3:54 PM

So it seems like kevin demoff feels the need to continue taking shots at St. Louis even after his employer got his way and moved to LA. Do you think this is on instructions from the great and powerful esk, or is he just a giant a-hole on his own?
by Thad 3:54 PM

I think Kevin can’t help himself at times.
by jthomas 3:54 PM

Any handicapping tips involved with those new job duties?
by Still p*ssed 3:54 PM

Pure luck on those 2 exactas. I get help from my longtime friend and former handicapper Steve Overbey.
by jthomas 3:55 PM

Charley Armey was never given the credit he deserved for building GSOT. The Rams couldn’t keep from stumbling over their own feet until he was brought in to right the ship
by Dr Mizzou 3:55 PM

I’m a big Armey fan. He wasn’t perfect, but he certainly had a very good batting average as Rams GM.
by jthomas 3:56 PM

Now that the draft is well behind us, what is your won -lost prognostication for the Rams this season? Thanks.
by Tom 3:56 PM

I’ll come up with a version of the old Parade Meter – although there will be no more parades in StL _ but I’ll wait until the end of training camp.
by jthomas 3:57 PM

Is there any way to determine how local charities have been affected by the departure of the NFL? Were there local, NFL-sponsored organizations/school support that have been left high and dry?
by H.H. Holmes 3:57 PM

Pretty sure we addressed this in a city side story after the move. I can’t give you an exact number, but one of the best things about the Rams in StL was their charity and community work. It was substantial, and to a large degree, heartfelt.
by jthomas 3:58 PM

The Lakers had tons of money to spend, It seems as though no big names wanted to take any of it. I guess money can only say so much.
by Thad 3:58 PM

Again, I think the dynamic is a little different in the NFL.
by jthomas 3:58 PM

What happens if G Robinson continues to be a stumble-bum?
by Tom 3:58 PM

If he continues to struggle, you consider moving him inside, and if that fails, you bring in the next guy.
by jthomas 3:59 PM

JT, are there any other owners around the league with more limited access than S(a)tan?
by TommyV 4:00 PM

Do you mean media access? If you do, keep in mind the dynamics have changed with the Rams in LA. He has made himself available on several occasions since the move to the LA area media.
by jthomas 4:01 PM

Now that the Rams are gone can you give us the name of one big name player that came VERY close to being a Ram but in the end did not?
by Tackleberry 4:01 PM

Not sure exactly what you mean here. Are you talking about a free-agent that almost came here or a draft pick that almost was? let’s pick this up next week.
by jthomas 4:02 PM