JT's "NFL Chat"… 1/19

NFL chat with Jim Thomas

http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas?Page=3

Hello again everybody. Sorry, I had a call right as the chat started that I had to take. David Hunn and I are working on a story for Sunday’s paper on what went wrong with the St. Louis bid and this was someone on the phone we needed for the story. So what’s on your minds today?
by jthomas 2:26 PM

Jim, Are any of the players working out at Rams Park currently, or are they all gone to their off season homes?
by Jay 2:26 PM

Normally, this is a time of the year when the player get away from Rams Park. So I doubt there are many if any around the building.
by jthomas 2:28 PM

Jim, I have enjoyed your posts and videos about the Rams over the years. You did a great job – thanks!
by Tim M 2:28 PM

You’re welcome. We’re not quite done yet.
by jthomas 2:28 PM

Did Enos pay the $550M relocation fee?
by KCrimson 2:28 PM

He will. But it is paid over time.
by jthomas 2:29 PM

Vince Piscitelli
by Vince P 2:29 PM

Thanks for the comments. Fan support has never been an issue here in StL, even with a historically bad product.
by jthomas 2:30 PM

Jim, Could you give your insight on why you think the NFL mislead St. Louis into planning for a stadium that no NFL team or even the NFL wanted?
by Dan 2:30 PM

1.) I don’t think the league ever thought St. Louis would get as far along with the project as it did. 2.) The league had to at least give the appearance that it was trying to find a solution in St. Louis, or risk being subject to legal action or taking a PR hit.
by jthomas 2:32 PM

Hi Jim, Thanks for all your great coverage over the years. After being told three times (expansion bid included) that my city is not good enough for the NFL, I’m done with them. So sadly, I guess this is goodbye. Again, thanks for everything!
by ihtnep 2:32 PM

Thanks for the kind words. And I can understand while you feel this way.
by jthomas 2:36 PM

Jim, thanks for the chats and your reporting through the years. Two questions: 1. I understand that the Ed Dome doesn’t fall into the “top tier” category, but why does everybody call it obsolete? I was at the Detroit game and it looked well taken care of. I loved the old Arena but understood why it had to go. The Ed looks like it’s still in good shape. Question 2: Why does the sports copy desk, in certain contexts, use parenthesis for “St. Louis” Rams. I saw a couple of L.A. references treated the same way.
by STL fan in mourning 2:36 PM

It certainly isn’t obsolete in terms of physical structure. It’s in pretty good shape. As for the parenthesis it’s something I’ve used over the years simply for emphasis _ meaning for the Rams while they were in St. Louis.
by jthomas 2:38 PM

When do you think the Dispatch will cease coverage of the Rams?
by John 2:38 PM

That’s something that’s still being mulled over at the Post-Dispatch. I can assure you, however, that at least for the near future we will have these weekly chats. Usually on Tuesdays unless there’s a conflict. I have a story posted now on Stltoday.com on Todd Gurley being named rookie of the year by the Pro Football Writers. It almost certainly won’t be the same volume of Rams coverage, but there will be ongoing Rams coverage for the near future.
by jthomas 2:41 PM

So how have the Rams been towards you since the announcement? 21 years of covering them hopefully has earned you some kind of respect with them. Will they give you one on ones if you ask? (I’m sure you have)
by Tom 2:41 PM

I had a long talk with Kevin Demoff in the hotel lobby in Houston late on the night the vote came down. The PR staff remains helpful. But St. Louis no longer is the primary market for the Rams. The majority of their PR efforts will go towards the needs of the LA market. I get that.
by jthomas 2:42 PM

Now that it’s all over…at what point did you start figuring they’d leave? Do you think it was Kroenke’s plan, from the time he bought his minority share? Do you think Kevin Demoff lied to people? Is there anything that was previously off the record you can tell us? Did the players and coaches know more than we did all along?
by c_good 2:43 PM

Yes,, I think Kroenke had this in mind when he took over controlling interest in the Rams in 2010. Now, he didn’t know for sure that he could make it happen at that time, but I’m sure he viewed it as a long-range goal. There were some inconsistencies in things Kevin Demoff said over the final two, three years of all this. He was put in some bad positions by Kroenke, and didn’t always handle things well. And certainly he said some things that were misleading. As for the players and coaches, with the possible exception of Jeff Fisher, I don’t think they knew anything more than we did. As for me, the absolute tipping point came on the Saturday before the meeting when Goodell’s report stated that the Rams had met the relocation guidelines. I knew it was over at that point. My wife drove me to the airport for the Houston meetings that Monday, and she has developed into quite the Rams fan over the years. Any way, when I got out of the car at Lambert I told her, “You know when I return from this trip, St. Louis won’t have an NFL team.”
by jthomas 2:49 PM

Do you see STL getting another NFL team? Like the Jaguars, I know Khan said he isn’t looking into STL, but hard to trust anything coming from the NFL or owners.
by mark 2:49 PM

I don’t see anything happening in the near future in terms of St. Louis getting another NFL team.
by jthomas 2:50 PM

Jim – I thought during the process that Richardson and McNair would be strong advocates for St. Louis. Were you surprised at how little they mattered?
by McGarrett 2:50 PM

Not just McNair and Richardson but the entire LA Opps committee. It is very rare that the league ends up ignoring the recommendation by one of its committees, so yes, I guess you can say I was surprised how little the 5-1 vote mattered. The league wanted very much for the Rams to be in LA, and I think this is a telling indication of how much power resides in commissioner Roger Goodell.
by jthomas 2:53 PM

I hope you continue your live chat, just change it to NFL football, not Rams oriented. What do Cardinals need to5do to beat Carolina?
by Grossrr 2:53 PM

The chats are continuing, at least in the near future. The Cardinals, quite simply, need to control the Carolina running game _ and that includes Cam Newton running _ as much as possible. That could mean using a linebacker to spy Newton. Make the Panthers beat you with their passing game. Now, Newton is capable of doing just that _ beating you with his arm _ but you’d rather take your chances there than letting Stewart, Tolbert, and Newton run all over you all day.
by jthomas 2:56 PM

Do you think that the Rams #1 on field priority would be to find the Todd Gurley of wide receivers in this years draft?
by bjf 2:56 PM

Quarterback, quarterback, quarterback.
by jthomas 2:56 PM

Hey JT, First off, thank you for coverage over the years, I enjoyed it. Second, I tried asking this last week but volume must have been high. I understand why STL if anti-NFL right now, it hurts to see the team go and the way in which they were escorted out of town by the NFL. What I don’t understand is the feeling of resentment towards attracting another NFL team. Are we not playing into the hands of the NFL by not putting up a fight to attract another team? Are we not backing up their point by being hurt? I think we should shout from the rafters that the NFL won’t get the better of us and we can succeed with a team here.
by Matt 2:58 PM

I hear what you’re saying. if it were me, I’d never say never. Sure, you can criticize the league, criticize Kroenke, criticize the process. But don’t shut the door. Just like you wouldn’t shut the door on, for example, Chrysler coming back to St. Louis, etc.
by jthomas 3:00 PM

Anyway the FAA throws a major wrench in the stadium plan, I was reading that the AZ Cardinals had to move to their current site because the original was tied up with FAA regs.
by Kroenkesucks 3:00 PM

Yeah, this particular issue hasn’t been covered very much w/regards to Inglewood. I flew over the site in August when the Rams were practicing in Oxnard _ and yes _ those planes fly in right over the site. But I guess it’s obviously not considered a deal killer.
by jthomas 3:01 PM

Has the decision for offensive coordinator been announced yet?
by bjf 3:02 PM

No.
by jthomas 3:02 PM

Is the future bleak for the nfl in saint Louis?
by Ruth 3:02 PM

Yes.
by jthomas 3:02 PM

Do you see Rams going veteran competition at QB or another rookie with more upside than Mannion early? Is both Foles & Keenum on team next year?
by Touareg 3:02 PM

I don’t know which way the team is leaning. But if it were me I’d add a veteran QB _ the best one I could acquire via free agency or trade and pair him with Keenum and Mannion.
by jthomas 3:03 PM

First and foremost Jim. Thank you very much for all of your work & efforts through the years. Always enjoyed your perspective, knowledge & professionalism. My question is, will you be covering the Rams through the off-season with your knowledge of all things Rams? So awkward in that I value your opinions, but don’t want to assume that you will continue within your role that we all appreciate so much!
by Touareg 3:03 PM

All of this remains under discussion w/editors, but at this point it looks like we will continue covering the team _ to a degree _ over the offseason. Now it will be a different kind of mix. For example, you’re probably not going to see an 800-word story when the running backs coach gets hired. But there will still be Rams coverage. This part of January normally is a slow time for team news anyway, unless you’re in the playoffs or searching for a new head coach. As I mentioned right now I’m putting a lot of effort into this Sunday piece with David Hunn.
by jthomas 3:07 PM

Now that the Rams are gone. Is there a possibility that the post would pick up another team? Such as the Chiefs or Colts
by KR ENKE 3:07 PM

We have talked briefly about doing some regional-style coverage of the league, but again nothing has been officially decided.
by jthomas 3:08 PM

Hi Jim really going to miss these chats! you do a tremendous job. Do you think the Rams need to look a kicker since that Greg Z seems to struggle out side of the dome?
by Up North 3:08 PM

Well, you don’t have to miss them in the near future. We’ll be here every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Central barring a scheduling conflict for the foreseeable future. I’m sure the Rams will be exploring their options at kicker. Remember also that Zuerlein’s contract is up; he’s scheduled for unrestricted free agency in March.
by jthomas 3:10 PM

I have to say, thanks to Kroenke, I no longer hate the patriots, since they took a super bowl away from a team that’s no longer mine. Also I don’t have to waste time and money on a consistently losing product. Furthermore, maybe this will help stl come together and address its shortcomings, especially as a market that isn’t growing and is letting other cities pass it by. What do you think Jim? Any other silver linings?
by David 3:10 PM

You’ve about covered it, David. Are you a fan of Major League Soccer.
by jthomas 3:11 PM

Best of luck for your future assignment with the Post. I’d love to read you as a general NFL beat writer or columnist, taking over the role from Mr. Strauss (RIP).
by JR 3:11 PM

Thank you. 1.) We’re thinking about that. 2.) No, safe to say that rumor is officially dead. 3.) Funny you should mention that. My brother Stephan, a long-time P-D employee now retired, says he has this vision of a strong, but extremely isolated earthquake hitting the Inglewood stadium site about 8 hours before kickoff on opening day in 2019. Nobody gets hurt, because no one is at the stadium. But the stadium is completely destroyed.
by jthomas 3:14 PM

Any information indicating if the team expects Stedman Bailey to make it back on field one day?
by Touareg 3:14 PM

Nothing new on that to my knowledge. But I don’t think the team is ruling it out.
by jthomas 3:15 PM

So with stl without a team, theoretically if Bernie doesn’t resign his spot, does he become an at large voter, or does the hof kick him out?
by Dacid 3:15 PM

This is a very important point, because it could impact several St. Louis Rams not currently in the Hall of Fame, such as Pace, Warner, Holt, Bruce _ and I’ll throw London Fletcher in there as well. I’m trying to get some clarification on this. But I believe Bernie Miklasz remains as an at-large voter.
by jthomas 3:16 PM

Is it bad that I want the rams to go 0-16 for the rest of eternity?
by ExRamFan 3:17 PM

Understandable.
by jthomas 3:17 PM

I don’t believe that I ever heard of a team leaving their city when the city accomplished so much, so quickly to try and get a stadium deal together. Do you feel it falls on the feet of Stan and the NFL or to that city leadership that waited so long to act, especially after the arbitration hearing went in favor of the team?
by Touareg 3:17 PM

The league likes money, and the league likes itself. This Inglewood stadium will be a monument to money and a monument to the league. I’d give Kroenke and the NFL most of the blame, but the city/region isn’t without some blame. In the grand scheme of things, St. Louis came up with a pretty viable stadium plan very quickly, especially compared to other cities. But Kroenke did take advantage of the gap between the arbitration results and the formation of the StL stadium task force.
by jthomas 3:20 PM

I was surprised by the comments Khan made re: STL when you asked him if he would move here. Were you surprised that he seemed to go along with the narrative that STL can no longer support three professional teams?
by Brian 3:20 PM

To a degree. But Khan did it without the name-calling or vitriol Kroenke and the Rams displayed in the relocation application. Whether fair or not, that’s the image the city has w/NFL owners. Kroenke and Demoff _ and Grubman _ apparently did a very good job of helping to paint that picture.
by jthomas 3:22 PM

Do you think fisher will be the coach next year?
by Harry edited by Mike Smith 3:23 PM

In 2016? Certainly. In 2017 _ I think that depends on how ;16 goe, regardless of whether there’s an extension or not for Fisher this offseason.
by jthomas 3:24 PM

Hey Jim, Do you think Gurleys touchdown run against Seattle was the O-lines best drive of the Season?
by Dwayne 3:25 PM

It certainly ranks among the top drives.
by jthomas 3:25 PM

I understand that many devoted fans will turn their backs on Rams & maybe NFL, rightfully so. But for those who can’t kick the football habit, we root for the players in the uniforms, not the owners. Many fans are not found of their ownership yet still stay true to the players that they root for every Sunday. Question is, does St Louis show Rams games for the local fans that remain fans or do they leave it a open market and broadcast many different teams or focus on Colts & Chiefs?
by Touareg 3:25 PM

My guess is the local stations (primarily FOX2) begin the year showing Rams games, and if the ratings are there, will continue to do so.
by jthomas 3:26 PM

Is STL really done with the NFL? Can you envision a time over the next decade, where STL is in play for another team? Is expansion off the table with the NFL?
by Rocky Stone 3:27 PM

Expansion is off the table at this time in the NFL, if for no other reason than the league does not want to split the ultra-lucrative TV pie into 2 more slices. The only teams on the horizon that might at some time consider St. Louis are Oakland and Jacksonville, and both owners have made it pretty clear they’re not interested in moving to StL. However, that could be subject to change over time. I think when and if London is off the table as a potential home for an NFL team that Jacksonville might start looking at StL. Also, maybe Oakland comes around once Jerry Jones (Dallas) and Bob McNair (Houston) make it clear they don’t want a third team in their state (San Antonio), and if Spanos and the Chargers decide to join Kroenke in Los Angeles. Under that scenario it’s hard to imagine Davis coming up w/the money to build a stadium in San Diego. But both of those scenarios are remote, and could take years to unfold..
by jthomas 3:33 PM

Pictures on this Chat are interesting individually. Shows a very young Jim Thomas that shows how long the Rams have been in St Louis. Robert Quinn who, in my opinion, appeared the most disappointed about leaving St Louis & Mike Glennon (I believe) that I think is a possibility for the Rams in 2016. Are you trying to be cryptic?
by Touareg 3:33 PM

No attempt at cryptic here. 1.) I have no control over the chat pictures. 2.) Do you really think Glennon would be an upgrade at QB? 3.) I don’t know if I’ve gotten gray because of the bad Rams football over the years, or my wife.
by jthomas 3:35 PM

St. Louis, you need to stop whining. Don’t you realize I did you all a favor? I love St. Lou and my home state of Missouri. You’re number 3 on my love list, in order, 1. Money, 2. Family, 3. Missouri. #3 is pretty good. It didn’t keep the Rams there (money is more important), but you know what I did? I sacrificed my own name and reputation in St. Louis out of love for you all. Do you know how much slack I’ll take from caddies at the STL Country Clubs from now on? Here’s what I did, I made sure that St. Louis was not flirted with by every NFL team looking for a new stadium in their home market. I’ve been in those owners meetings, you haven’t. STL isn’t getting a team, but you would be used to get public dollars from other markets. By treating you all poorly over the past few years, I pulled the NFL hurt off like a band aid, rather than let it fester for the next 20 years. You’re Welcome.
by ESK 3:39 PM

I think Stan’s priority list probably reads more like this: 1.) Money. 2.) Money, 3.) Money, 4.) Ego, 5..) Did we say money?
by jthomas 3:40 PM

I hate to say this Jim, but I feel so burnt by NFL leadership (if you can call it that), even more so than Kroenke, that I can barely stomach watching the playoffs. I know I’m clearly on the rebound, but how about this…former STL Rams fans root for *gulp* the Packers. The Packers are the only team owned by the fans and represent what ‘could’ be good about football. God, I still can’t believe I just typed that. Thank you for your great coverage of a bad team over the years.
by LovetheGamehatetheLeague 3:41 PM

Yeah, I’m sure for some it will be hard to embrace the NFL for a while, or maybe forever. And thanks for your kinds words.
by jthomas 3:41 PM

Things I would rather see show up in St. Louis other than the NFL again (in order): MLS, the NBA, an ISIS recruiting station, the plague, enos kroenke
by Thad 3:41 PM

I think I’d stop after NBA.
by jthomas 3:42 PM

Any word on if the city/stadium task force might take legal action against the league for monies spent by the task force?
by Jeff 3:42 PM

Nothing certain. I believe they’re considering their options.
by jthomas 3:42 PM

So, we all knew Goodell has been on shaky ground lately or so it seems. $40 million a year for all the controversy. Does this LA move hurt him even more or help him based on the vote? Public opinion? Does it even matter at all.
by Touareg 3:42 PM

Please. It helps him in the eyes of the owners. It shows that he has never been more powerful and influential.
by jthomas 3:43 PM

What’s the logic behind potentially allowing a team like the Raiders to relocate without a fee?
by Douglas 3:43 PM

You can’t believe everything you read. I will believe that when I see it.
by jthomas 3:44 PM

Understandable that you and the people in St. Louis are angry and upset, but hoping for an earthquake, even an isolated one is pretty f’d up. Understand that it was a joke, but you should be more professional.
by pietros1 3:44 PM

1.) It was my brother’s sentiment not mine. 2.) Nobody gets hurt. 3.) Lighten up.
by jthomas 3:44 PM

Jim–so here is my question. Did Dean Spanos piss off some of the owners who were backing him?
by BoPat from SoCal 3:44 PM

Don’t think so. I just think he lost some supporters when the ballot went secret. And maybe he overestimated that support to begin with.
by jthomas 3:46 PM

When will Grubman be announced as a new member of the Rams front office?
by Jay 3:46 PM

I have a hard time believing Grubman and the NFL would be that overt.
by jthomas 3:47 PM

It turns out Obi Wan Kenobi was wrong, there is a more wretched hive of scum and villainy than Mos Eisley spaceport. Way to go NFL!
by Thad 3:47 PM

I’m sure the Star Wars fans will get the meaning of this.
by jthomas 3:48 PM

Any idea on what the voting would have been had it been made public? More even?
by DCDSports 3:48 PM

Spanos thought he had anywhere from 19 to 21 votes.
by jthomas 3:48 PM

Any chance you and PD will devote coverage to other regional teams in particular Chiefs and Colts? Thinking of becoming Colts fan next year. I assume their owner is not thinking of moving the team.
by Former Rams Fan 3:49 PM

That’s possible, and that’s something we’re discussing.
by jthomas 3:49 PM

Did you get a chance to speak with Kroenke when you were in Houston? Thanks for the chats
by Paul 3:49 PM

No, not even at the press conference. Because of the logistics of the hotel setup, we decided that David Hunn would cover the press conference on the hotel’s third floor since he was writing the main story. And by the way, what a great job Hunn did covering this story, earning the coveted designation as Martin Kilcoyne’s St. Louis Media Breakout Star of 2015! (OK, inside joke there.) Anyway, I stayed on the first floor, flagging down owners as they checked out of the hotel and headed out of town after the vote.
by jthomas 3:53 PM

Would it be fair to, at minimum, that St. Louis and the NFL will not be in the same place at the same time while Goodell runs the show?
by Tim 3:53 PM

Don’t know about all that. But I think it’ll be a while _ perhaps a long while _ before St. Louis even has another NFL opportunity. I’m sure the league likes having the city available once again as a leverage stop when existing NFL cities try to get stadiums built in their town and threaten to leave.
by jthomas 3:55 PM

Jim – There was quite a bit of talk about the value of the Rams franchise increasing three fold when the team moved to LA. Does that still hold true if a second team ,moves to Inglewood? It would seem that there is only so much revenue to go around.
by Keith 3:55 PM

Don’t know about 3-fold, but I would think that even with two teams the Rams would at least double in value.
by jthomas 3:56 PM

I plan to remain a Rams fan even though they’ve left STL. I went to every home game last year, driving from Columbia MO. My logic is that I never rooted for the Rams because of the owner, and I didn’t quit rooting when I saw that Kroenke wanted to move them. I cheer for the players, not the owner. With that being said, I hope local TV will still show all the Rams games.
Along those same lines…If Kroenke bought the baseball Cardinals, I wouldn’t quit cheering for them. I root for the team, not the owner. Thanks again Jim for all the great coverage & chats!
by MarkBlackGold 3:56 PM

I think that’s a sane, reasoned approach. But for many, and I think you can understand, this has been very emotional and distressing, and they’re done w/the Rams.
by jthomas 3:57 PM

I’m very curious about why Kroenke would not be honest with St L about his plan to relocate, once it became pretty obvious he was pushing for that, say last year or at least 6 months ago. I’m also curious about his need to be so nasty to St L in his bid to relocate. Was all that just because he wasn’t sure he would “win” and get to move? If so, his name was mud here after all that, even if he had to stay. Any ideas about that?
by bluffberg 3:57 PM

Kroenke is pretty ruthless when it comes to making deals. Just ask some of his former business partners. This was never a slam dunk until the very end. I know that Rams’ upper management was pretty nervous in early December as the StL task force continued to make progress on the stadium front and Houston Texans owner Robert McNair stated that St. Louis was getting pretty close to having an attractive offer. I am surprised that Kroenke went so negative in campaigning _ it struck me as almost juvenile, although his message apparently resonated with the league. As for Kroenke being dishonest, I came across another glaring inconsistency last night in doing some work on the Sunday piece I’m working on w/David Hunn on what went wrong w/the St. Louis bid to keep the Rams. Kroenke told the LA Times last week that he fell in love w/Inglewood as his stadium site in the summer of 2013. Yet at the end of January 2014, on the same day as Goodell’s state of the NFL address at the Super Bowl, the Kroenke Organizations released a statement saying it had not yet decided what to do w/that original 60-acre tract of land at Inglewood. And Goodell during his address cautioned St. Louis against overreacting to the purchase, saying that Kroenke does real estate deals all the time all over the world, and that he was unaware of any stadium plans for Kroenke at Inglewood.
by jthomas 4:08 PM

Do you get the feeling other owners in other mid market NFL cities are more likely to abandon their town and move elsewhere now that the NFL appears to be pursuing the Global market at the expense of those smaller markets?
by SIRamsFan 4:08 PM

It would be a concern of mine, if I owned a team in a mid-market or small-market town. Then again, this was almost the perfect storm for Kroenke and the league. The out clause in the lease (w/respect to the first-tier language), an owner w/Kroenke’s kind of money, and the opportunity to build a showcase stadium in the LA market.
by jthomas 4:10 PM

Jim, I can’t seem to understand the math in all of this. I know the prevailing thought is that the Rams will triple in value, but my question is..based on what? The examples everyone uses are MLB and NBA teams. But, we all know the reason they have such varying value is the TV contracts and merchandising. The NFL shares all of that equally. What would it take in PSLs, Boxes, and Naming rights to recoup $2.6 million private investment in a stadium + relocation fees. It just doesn’t seem to add up to triple the value with so much liability and so little to gain.
by LovetheGamehatetheLeague 4:10 PM

See: LA Clippers. (And how much they sold for.)
by jthomas 4:11 PM

Did you catch Stan Kroenke saying he is going to bring Superbowls to LA? HE didn’t mean the team he meant his BUILDING is going to get Superbowls right?
by SIRamsFan 4:11 PM

Yes.
by jthomas 4:11 PM

Jim, don’t know if you read the recent Washington Post article on Kroenke, but here is my favorite section: “The late Bryan Burwell, of the Post-Dispatch, evoked terms such as ‘diabolical’ and ‘Machiavellian’ in 2010 when describing Kroenke’s machinations. ‘His actions reek of cold-blooded duplicity,’ Burwell wrote. ‘How nervous should that make us if he actually ends up assuming full control of St. Louis’ NFL franchise?’” Bryan was spot-on, wasn’t he?
On a side note, Jim, I’m looking forward to the no-holds-barred book you will write on the Rams relocation, and how Kroenke and Demoff lied to you and the city of St. Louis for years.
by Andy 4:11 PM

I’ve wondered on more than one occasion what my dear friend Bryan Burwell would have written about this last year of the Rams in St. Louis, and the nature of their departure from St. Louis.
by jthomas 4:12 PM

Jim, who “owns” Rams Park and all the facilities at Earth City? Do the Rams own it or whom? And now that they are no longer St. Louis Rams, if they do not own it, is there a lease or something that allows them to still use the facilities? If I walked across the street to a competitor, the office would change locks so fast it would make your head spin!
That being said, when do you expect moving vans to congregate?
by John C. 4:13 PM

It’s owned by the stadium authority. Not owned by the Rams. I think Rams have to be out of the building by April 1.
by jthomas 4:13 PM

What’s next for Jim Thomas?
by BoPat from SoCal 4:14 PM

I finish this chat in about 15 minutes,, and then I continue working on that Sunday project with David Hunn.
by jthomas 4:14 PM

Is this the last chat? I hope not
by Grant 4:14 PM

No it’s not. At least for the foreseeable future, please tune in every Tuesday. Same Bat time, same Bat channel.
by jthomas 4:15 PM

How many Missouri and Southern Illinois TIF votes go The Kroenke Group’s way over the next decade plus?
by LovetheGamehatetheLeague 4:15 PM

Yeah, that is interesting, isn’t it?
by jthomas 4:16 PM

How much did the Ferguson riots and perceived increase in crime enter into the NFL’s decision? In the end, I think the money would’ve always won, but these events could not have helped the city’s image.
by Skip 4:16 PM

No, and the Rams did very little to prevent that image from festering. I know of one Rams executive who showed up at the league meetings in Chicago in August (at the time of disturbances over the 1-year anniversary of Ferguson) and greeted a national writer w/the following: “Another day, another riot in St. Louis.” I believe Gov. Nixon made the case with Goodell that after the events in Ferguson that also losing an NFL team would be a huge blow to the St. Louis region. But no sympathy vote here _ as was the case w/New Orleans and Katrina (and the planned move by the Saints, I believe, to San Antonio).
by jthomas 4:21 PM

What is the over/under on the number of stabbing victims in the Inglewood parking lot at the first LA Rams/49ers game?
by -C-harles -T-hompson -E-dwards 4:22 PM

Now, now.
by jthomas 4:22 PM

Man put a Cardinal header up next to the picture of you from 15 years ago and your reset! Plenty of sports work to go around at the PD right?
by SIRamsFan 4:22 PM

Well, you can never have too much Cardinals coverage, that’s for sure.
by jthomas 4:22 PM

Any inkling if people will be willing to give up on Wal-Mart and start voting with their dollars and not help to contribute to the Walton/Kroenke coffers? Vote with your money people.
by Sofa Kingdom 4:23 PM

For what it’s worth, my wife was at Costco over the weekend at like the customer service desk and said many people were turning in their Sam’s Club cards for Costco cards.
by jthomas 4:24 PM

Can you tell us a bit about what Demoff said to you that night in Houston?
by Sofa Kingdom 4:24 PM

Sorry, private conversation.
by jthomas 4:25 PM

How long is the honeymoon in Los Angeles? LA loves stars. I bet they’l be excited when they hear this at the home opener: “Starting at Quarterback, Case Keeeeeenummmm.”
by Andy 4:25 PM

Obviously, the Rams get a double-bump here. For the first couple of years, there will just be the joy of getting football back. Assuming the team continues to have losing seasons, I would think just about the time the newness wears off, the Rams move into their fabulous new stadium. So I’m thinking they’re in pretty good shape for 5-plus years.
by jthomas 4:27 PM

JT, How ’bout those Chiefs? send the extra money to them.
by renostl 4:27 PM

Do you mean the P-D should cover the Chiefs more. Or St. Louis fans should start following KC?
by jthomas 4:28 PM

Very one sided opinions posted. Why not listen to both sides?
by ?? 4:28 PM

I just answer the questions as posted.
by jthomas 4:28 PM

I hope your wife was not at the Costco at Manchester Highlands? I believe The Kroenke Group owns that building.
by Former Rams Fan 4:28 PM

Wow. #can’twin
by jthomas 4:29 PM

Lets hope Claire McCaskel gains support and introduces legislation to require Pro Teams to pay back amounts in govermental subsidies when they wrench teams from loyal markets like this horrible event!.
by MJ 4:29 PM

Yeah it’ll be interesting to see how that shakes out.
by jthomas 4:29 PM

Bottom line is the NFL, not just Stan K, wanted to milk every dime they could out of this franchise and that is best done in LA. Stan couldn’t have done this alone. If you support another team you are still supporting the league that encouraged this happen. I don’t get all the people that hate on Stan K but then want to go root for another team. That team’s owner voted for your team to move. Might as well just root for the Rams.
by Rob L 4:30 PM

Well, I think a subplot to all this is by entertaining San Diego Oakland, and St. Louis as possible teams moving, the league was able to jack up the relocation price as well. I guess it’s an individual choice on whether to continue following a team or not. I would think that merely watching a team’s game on television or reading about them in a newspaper or online doesn’t really put money into an owner’s or the leagues pockets.
by jthomas 4:34 PM

Very one sided opinions? Might want to tell that guy he’s on a St. Louis website. How can we be anything other than upset?
by Patrick 4:34 PM

Agreed. And there just doesn’t seem to be many questions by LA Rams fans this week.
by jthomas 4:34 PM

My wish list for the Rams off-season: The following free agents sign with a different team for 2016: Jenkins, Johnson, Sims, Zuerlein, McLeod, Barron, and Barnes……. Lets see the Rams try to be a 500 or better team…..
by Old Dude 4:35 PM

So if I understand you correctly, you want these players to leave in order for the Rams to be less successful? Well, they won’t all be back, but they’re certainly not all going to leave either.
by jthomas 4:36 PM

Will having the team in LA be a benefit when it comes to free agency?
by Len 4:36 PM

I would think it will for the most part. Young players, single players, I think would to a large degree be excited about the possibility of playing there. But I don’t think it would universal. For example, former Rams center Andy McCollum said he couldn’t see living in LA, said it’s just not his type of town.
by jthomas 4:38 PM

If the Rams don’t improve the product on the field. do you think there will be empty seats before the new stadium is built? Maybe the NFL would have been smarter to use the Inglewood stadium as a special events center. Have each team play a game there every year, host SuperBowls, the offices ect. With revenue sharing I’m not sure attendance income would be that much different and Stan would still get the income from the perimeter stuff.
by dinknee 4:39 PM

Yeah, I think there will be empty seats in the Coliseum at some point before the new stadium opens unless the team is wildly successful.
by jthomas 4:40 PM

I just want to thank you for all your work. I will greatly miss your Ram’s chats. These have been a lifeline for me for several years. God speed, Jim.
by Tom 4:40 PM

Thanks for the kinds words. Again, the lifeline will be there in the coming weeks.
by jthomas 4:41 PM

Jim, I love your chats!! Always entertaining and informative. I am curious about WHY the Rams moved to STL in the first place? Was support there good or bad?
by Nario 4:41 PM

I covered the final Rams game in LA in 1995. Attendance was like 23,000. Late owner Georgia Frontiere needed money. At the time, Kroenke was given the option of buying into the Rams (up to 40 percent) and keeping the team in Anaheim. Or buying into the team and moving it to St. Louis. He chose St. Louis, because he thought the short-term profits (over the first 5 to 10 years) would be much greater in St. Louis. And in fact the Rams had one of the league’s most profitable teams during its early years in StL. And lastly, there was nothing close to a stadium plan at the time to keep the team in southern California, unlike the stadium plan put forth by the StL task force.
by jthomas 4:47 PM

Good news I just looked it up Costco actually owns the building at Manchester Highlands. The Kroenke Group owns the rest of the shopping center
by Former Rams Fan 4:47 PM

OK,, we all feel better now.
by jthomas 4:47 PM

Rams fan in LA here. I completely understand the of many in StL as I felt the same way from 1995 until about 7 days ago. Having said that, don’t you think there seems to be a double standard with opinions on Stan vs. Georgia when they both abandoned fans for riches elsewhere?
by Andrew Chess 4:48 PM

Well, as I just pointed out in an earlier answer, there is one significant difference. St. Louis had a stadium plan; LA/Orange County didn’t in 1995. And one other thing, considering the Lakers (Minneapolis), Clippers (San Diego), Dodgers (Brooklyn) Giants (New York) and even the Rams (Cleveland) came from other towns, I don’t think too many people felt too badly about things going the other way for once with LA.
by jthomas 4:51 PM

If STL makes life difficult for the NFL on how this was all handled, lawsuits and such, will it sour relationships even further for the future of NFL in STL?
by Jake 4:51 PM

Probably.
by jthomas 4:51 PM

Did you hear the story about Eric Grubman actually getting a job with the Rams?
by Joel Spenner 4:51 PM

Sure. I don’t think much of it. As I said earlier, would Grubman and the league really be so overt about all this.
by jthomas 4:51 PM

Jim…. since the RAMS have left to go back to L.A. do the players get a cost of living adjustment in there contracts to defer the cost of the difference from st. louis and l.a. economy
by bigredbopper 4:52 PM

No. A contract is a contract.
by jthomas 4:52 PM

Jim I shall miss you. You have been a fine man and friend to this die hard ram fan in the middle of Steelers country. God bless.
by Marty 4:53 PM

Well thanks. But don’t go away just yet.
by jthomas 4:53 PM

Jim, the Coliseum has a listed seating capacity of 93,607 so I’m sure there will be plenty of seats empty. What would be a good average attendance record for the year to say the LA crowd showed up.
by cappy22 4:53 PM

That’s not really up for me to decide. But don’t you think 70,000 to 75,000 would be a good showing in the nation’s second-largest market after 21 years without football, and with only 7 home games (one home game is in London in 2016)?
by jthomas 4:55 PM

Does LA even want an NFL team?
by c_good 4:55 PM

We’re about to find out.
by jthomas 4:56 PM

Please tell me JL #55 & #89 will not be with the Rams next season!!!!
by RamFanInPA 4:56 PM

I can’t tell you that at this point.
by jthomas 4:56 PM

Do the Chargers spend another season in San Diego and hope their situation improves?
by Andy 4:56 PM

Don’t know. If I were the Chargers, I’d hang in the pocket there and see how that public vote turns out _ is it in June?
by jthomas 4:57 PM

So how does the city of STL undo the damage that Kroenke apparently inflicted with his negative campaign on the market, in the eyes of the other owners?
by Michael 4:57 PM

Well, however hurtful, there was truth to some of the things Kroenke pointed out. The first step is to look in the mirror, try to unify the region, and establish common goals. The first real trouble sign for the StL stadium project was when St. Louis County opted out.
by jthomas 4:59 PM

looking into jim thomas magic 8 ball does it say in 10-15 years do the nfl play games in st louis mo.
by bigredbopper 4:59 PM

Magic 8-ball says. . .not likely.
by jthomas 5:00 PM

Have you heard how the pre-sale ($100 deposit) season tickets are selling in LA? I heard at one point that 8,000 were sold which doesn’t sound very good.
by STLNFL 5:00 PM

Haven’t heard much in the way of specifics, but the initial reports sounded like there was a lot of interest. I think that 8,000 figure was for the first hour.
by jthomas 5:01 PM

Sorry, but again I am curious — did the owners outside of the relocation committee ever see any of the literature or a presentatiion about the St L plan for a stadium? Thanks for your chats. They help.
by bluffberg 5:01 PM

That’s a good question. And I’m not sure. But I know that roughly half the owners, representing the stadium, finance, and LA Opps committees saw the StL presentation.
by jthomas 5:02 PM