JT NFL chat, selections

NFL chat with Jim Thomas

http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_53?Page=2

How much does Andrew Whitworth have left in the tank? Can’t be a good sign when you feel the need to rush out to sign a mid-30s left tackle.

It’s certainly not a good sign for Greg Robinson, that’s for sure. Whitworth played at a high level last year, and is a very good player. But you’re right. He’s 35. And there’s not many LTs that last that long. And when you reach that age you’re more prone to lose it in a hurry, more prone to injury, and it takes longer to recover from the normal wear and tear of a season.

Any thoughts on the new coaching staff’s decisions to cut what seemed to be solid veterans? Simms,Hayes?

This kind of stuff happens all the time in free agency. New coaching staffs often have different evaluations of players. And new coaching staffs always bring in their own guys. The old regime had C Tim Barnes rated as the team’s best offensive linemen in both 2015 and 2016. The new regime comes in and out goes Barnes, and they make an offer sheet to the center from Buffalo _ Groy _ who’s a bigger center. Well, new offensive line coach Aaron Kromer once coached at Buffalo. The Rams also added WR Robert Woods, who’s from Buffalo. CB Kayvon Webster is from Denver, where Wade Phillips was. As for Simms and Hayes, it doesn’t seem like they fit the 3-4 scheme. They’re both in the 270-pound range, which really is too small to play 3-4 end. And their skill set, in my mind, doesn’t lend itself to playing 3-4 outside LB.

So far, I think the Rams are merely treading water. Whitworth definitely is an upgrade at LT, but we’re talking short-term here, very short-term at age 35. Woods vs. Britt looks like a push.

Have any former Rams besides Kendricks signed elsewhere so far? And how do you view the release of Barnes?

Other than Kenny Britt, not at this point. Cunningham has visited the Jets. Surprised it’s so quiet with T.J. McDonald. It’s pretty quiet so far on Barnes. Since this chat started, the Rams did announce they have re-upped with K Greg Zuerlein on a 3-year extension. As for Barnes, it sounds like the new line coach (Kromer) has a new center in mind (Groy, with the RFA offer sheet). Barnes is smart, tenacious, good leader. Yeah, he got pushed around from time to time by the mammoth DTs, but that happens to just about every center. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he was regarded as the team’s top performing O-lineman in both 2015 and 2016 by the coaching staff.

What can we expect from Woods? Is he a big upgrade from Britt?

Average size. Considered a good route runner. He’s only 24 (turns 25 next month), so you’d think he still has some upside. But he’s never even had 700 yards receiving in four NFL seasons. So I can’t sit here and tell you he’s a upgrade over Britt. He may be. But the numbers don’t foreshadow that.

What is your take on the way the Redskins handled the Scot McCloughan issue? From my view Bruce Allen seems power hungry and Jealous. Allen is taking a beating from the Media in the D.C. area.

They handled it terribly. And you’re right, it does seem like nothing more than a power struggle that got personal.

What will the Rams do at running back to back up 30? No more benny please.

I myself liked Cunningham. I always wanted to see him get the ball more often, Very good on blitz pickup. Almost always seemed to make the first guy miss as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. But it’s considered a very deep year in the draft. And there are still some veteran running backs on the market in free agency. Either way, they should be able to find a veteran backup.

I assume that Brockers will be a NT and Donald beside him, Do we have a 3rd lineman or do we need a 3rd lineman? Assuming Westbrooks is not long for the team.

The Rams did place a restricted free agent tender on Westbrooks, so he could be back. The Rams liked what they saw from Dominique Easley, and he could have a bigger role this season. But yeah, they need another big body or two up front.

Who, in the NFL West, has improved their team the most through free agency,,,at this point in time?

I want to say San Francisco, just by sheer volume of their pickups. But their roster was so bad a year ago, they have so far to go to become a viable team, you wonder how much difference these pickups will make with a new coaching staff. Arizona has taken some hits on defense, losing Campbell, Jefferson, and now Cooper. Seattle, with limited cap room, is basically treading water. Let’s see if Luke Joeckel can revive his career there. An in shape Eddie Lacy _ and I realize that’s a big if _ certainly helps the running game.

Goff could get somewhat better, new coach could be great, both of those seem like long shots. I’m expecting a worse record than last year. Am I that far off base?

Right now, I’d say no, you’re not off. But maybe Gurley regains his form. Quinn stays healthy. And Goff responds to the new coaches. And I do think the team got tired down the stretch last year due to the move, and the moves within the move. (Oxnard to Irvine to Thousand Oaks.)

I was excited to see the Titans sign a guy I loved watching in STL, Darren Bates.

I’m a Bates fan myself. As Dave McGinnis once told me, Bates is like the neighborhood dog who snarls at you when you walk past his house. And you’re never quite sure if this is the day he runs off the porch and comes after you. Got some attitude and toughness to him. He will help the Titans’ special teams. And he can’t help himself, he has to dance when they play the music before kickoffs No matter what the score or situations, he has to dance.