[Nick]

Pulled what I thought were the most interesting ones out for the lazy people...

Francisco Prado: Jim, longtime Rams fan from Vegas, enjoy STLtoday coverage of my beloved Rams. Keep up the good work! Overall what is the franchise record for the Rams in the regular season now that they got their 500 win? Also I believe they must re-sign O.J. Atogwe and Brandon Chillar to long term contracts after the season. Thank You!!

Jim Thomas: In regular-season play, the Rams are 500-449-20.
Including playoffs, the Rams are 519-473-20. (Which means, their playoff record is 19-24.)

Chillar quietly has played pretty well in recent weeks, playing at a strongside LB position that isn't a glamor spot in this scheme. If they moved now, the Rams could get Chillar relatively cheaply. But the signals I've been getting at Rams Park is that any re-signings/extensions are on hold (while management ponders what to do with the coaching staff).
While Chillar is schedule for unrestricted free agency, Atogwe is scheduled for restricted free agents (meaning the Rams could retain matching rights on him simply by making a one-year qualifying offer.)

George: If Shaw ends up letting Linehan go who do you think are likely candidates? The perfect fit for this Rams team is someone who has the experience and will be able to turn this thing around quickly. How about Marty Schottenheimer?

Jim Thomas: I think Shaw wants to bring Linehan back. I don't think he wants to make a change after just two years. And I think another couple victories, with a minimum of embarrassing loses seals the deal for Linehan's return. I don't know what Shaw thinks of Schottenheimer. Obviously, we all know Marty's resume. He has a proven track record of regular-season success, and post-season failure.

JC: Hi Jim,

Bernie wrote last week that the Rams may use a 3-4 defensive alignment next season, provided Haslett returns. What's the thinking behind this move?

Thanks.

Jim Thomas: Haslett has a lot more experience over his coaching career running the 4-3 than the 3-4. With the 3-4 _ if you have the proper personnel, which the Rams really don't at this time _ you can do a lot schematically, and with movement, to keep opponents off-balance.

Brian: Jim,
I don't see Adam Carriker making many tackles, but the Rams have been tough to run on, does he get "credit" for tieing up blockers and allowing others to make tackles? Is the future bright on the defensive line with Carriker and Ryan?

Jim Thomas: For the last half-dozen games, Carriker's play has improved and he's just getting better and better. He was dominant in the early going in San Francisco at DT, getting penetration and eating up space inside. He holds the point of attack, tying up blockers, which is one reason why LBs Witherspoon and Tinoisamoa are playing so well. I think the future is bright with Carriker and Ryan. Although Ryan's overall tackling stats are still better than Carriker's, I think Carriker is playing better than Ryan at the moment.

Mike: Does Steussie's return move Barron back to the right side or does Steussie take over for Leckey? If Romberg returns it would seem best to have Steussie play tackle. With a healthy Jackson and a repaired Oline this Sunday's game against the 'Hawks could turn into a shootout. Wishful thinking?

Jim Thomas: I think Barron stays on the left side. As for Steussie, I think he plays right guard, unless both McCollum and Romberg are healthy. In that case, maybe McCollum goes to guard with Steussie at right tackle. We'll see how they line up at practice Wednesday.
Seattle seems like they're picking up momentum. Obviously, the Rams are going to have to score more than 13 points _ probably double that _ to win this one.

Black Nailed: With Aaron Walker out for the year, the Rams need a new tight end. So my question is,

What about Boo Williams?

Jim Thomas: Actually, Klopfenstein has been doing OK as a blocking tight end these past two games without Walker. As for Boo Williams, I don't think he's in the league any more.

JK: If the Rams stick with Linehan in '08, based on 2nd half improvement and injuries, how far will this organization be set back if he comes out and has a mediocre 2008? If he returns next year doesn’t the expectation level become playoffs or fired? Additionally, how does this alter his philosophy or approach to pre-season & general player handling?

Jim Thomas: Very good questions. Let's say Linehan comes back in '08, things don't go well, and he's fired after '08. It means, Holt, Little, Pace, Bruce (if he comes back in '08 ) are all a year closer to the end of their careers. And it's another year where fans would become further alienated and continue to stay away.

I'm not sure if '08 becomes a playoff-or-bust type of deal, but it will be pretty darn close to that. I think having an '08 season should alter Linehan's approach. On the one hand, you have to be who you are. Linehan can't suddenly try to be somebody he's not. On the other hand, Linehan and his staff _ however it's constituted in '08 _ must have a much greater sense of urgency. They must get out of the box quicker offensively _ much quicker in '08. They can't really worry about the future, or long-range planning.

Bill Fleming: Jim,

Bernies conversation with John Shaw....Do you agree that taking the final choice away from the coach will solve the personnel problem? What are Free Agents, ours and others?

Jim Thomas: Don't think it's as simple as that. And I think Shaw is totally downplaying Zygmunt's influence on free-agent signings.
To the best of my knowledge, here's the Rams' list of unrestricted and restricted free agents for '08:

RFA: Atogwe, Carter
UFA: M. Brown, Chillar, Goldberg, Gorin, Tr. Johnson, Leckey, McCollum, Minor, Romberg, Smith, Steussie, Walker.
From our friends at Pro Football Weekly, here are some of the top prospective free agents (keep in mind, many will be re-signed or given franchise tags before the start of the free agency period in March):

LBs--Terrell Suggs, Lance Briggs.
OG--Alan Faneca.
RB--Michael Tuner
CBs--Nnamdi Asomugha, Asante Samuel
S--Bob Sanders
DT--Albert "The Headsmasher" Haynesworth
WR--Randy Moss
TE--Dallas Clark

Rich: Hi Jim,
We all know what Mark Bulger can do on the field with protection, but what do you think of him off the field and in the locker room? I've been concerned with the eye-rolling and, last year, taking shots at O-linemen in the press and then with calling this a "really bad team" after their first win. Do you think he's the inspiring sort of player like a Favre or Manning that his teammates fight hard for?

Jim Thomas: What do YOU call a 1-8 team? Incredible? Bulger was just stating the obvious.
Last year, he was "taking shots" at more than just the offensive linemen. The Rams, by the way, went 3-1 after those "shots," losing only to the eventual NFC champion Bears during that stretch.
You obviously saw the eye-rolling. But did you see Bulger slam his helmet to the ground in disgust after throwing an interception against Dallas.
To me, having a quarterback playing in pain with two broken ribs would be pretty inspiring. There are a million times Bulger could have laid his linemen out with criticism and hasn't.

I see a player who cares deeply about winning. I also see Manning chewing out his players on the field, during games, just about every time he gets hit.