Jim Thomas Live
By Jim Thomas
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Part I
Joe Stafford: Jim, what is it going to take to get Linehan fired? He couldn't make a half time adjustment to save his life! How come Haslett didn't get a chance during the bye week? At least we could have seen how the whole team responded to him even with all the injurys.
Jim Thomas: Shaw has been adamant about not changing head coaches in midseason, plain and simple.
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Scott Linehan: should i alter my play calling so it is a little more difficult for the defenses to read since i am an offensive "guru"! Also should i keep my old buddie Gus in a job next year so that he can lose every game he enters...
In all seriousness, the Rams traded Fitzpatrick for a 7th round pick...and next year we are going to have to use a 5th or better to secure a good backup....yep real logical linehan!
If the rams dont get a good pass-rushing DE, a linebacker who can stay healthy, an OT, a safety and a quick (no not you drew bennett) in the draft and FA, I WILL SCREAM...can we stop relying on guys who linehan has coached before...how many superbowls have they got to combined!!!!!
Jim Thomas: Get ready to scream.(Just kidding, I hope.)
Again, I'm not sure Fitzpatrick was the answer, but it was silly to let him go.
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Murat from PA: Dear Jim;
Isn't it fascinating to see the offense flying high and showing us what it is capable of doing, and once we have a lead, Linehan sucking all the energy out of it by calling those over-conservative plays? This is the most frustrating aspect of this season; refusing to win by trying not to lose. When will Linehan learn his lesson? I cannot believe that he was once a highly-regarded offensive coordinator.
Best,
Murat
Jim Thomas: Points well taken.
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Stuck: Are you kidding me...the Rams lose another game and Stephen Jackson wants to talk about having more lively music in the Dome? He's one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL this year and his focus is on music? Seems the music is good enough for Atogwe because he seems to spend more time dancing on the field than covering anyone.
Jim Thomas: First off, it's spelled Steven, not Stephen.
No. 2, Jackson said what he said because he cares about winning and thinks it would help.
No. 3, Atogwe is tied for third in the NFC and tied for sixth in the NFL in interceptions. So he must be covering somebody.
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Mike: In your estimation, what are the reasons for the Rams' second half ineptitude?
Jim Thomas: Conservative play-calling on offense. In several games, the team just hasn't responded well when star players have gone down (Pace, Jackson, Bulger). And I guess you'd have to say adjustments by the opposition. Not so much half-time adjustments, because half-times are so short, but in-game adjustments.
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jjg: Again thanks for your time ...... a follow up on my last question...and not to rant too much but the real tragedy here is we could have groomed a QB(toughest position in all of team sports)for the future with all these meaningless(in regards to the post-season)games ahead....Do you think that that last snap put the proverbial nail in coaching (offensive) staffs coffin?
Jim Thomas: I don't think the last snap was the last straw, but it couldn't have helped.
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Mike: Will the Rams hire a GM and, if so, who are the likely candidates?
Jim Thomas: Floyd Reese and Tom Donahoe are two names to watch.
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Memphis Ram: Any truth to what Glazer reported as to Linehan already being declared safe in 2008?
Jim Thomas: Shaw has consistently told Bernie and myself that he will wait until the end of the season to decide Linehan's fate.
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jjg: I hate to say this(again like many others on this site) but the Linehan should have always had a QB(like Fitz)#3 to groom for the future because... what's the point of having Gus(he probably will not be here based on his performance next season)is not the future....how significant a mistake do you think this is factoring in Bulger's durability (ie he starting to take concussions which is a very bad sign)......rookie coach mistake?.....lack of forward thinking.....Martz kept 3 qbs his last season..for good reason ...right now if we had a young qb at least we could give him some valuable game time? Your thoughts on this on this topic especially with our current record and 5 games to go....
Jim Thomas: Some times coaches outsmart themselves. I'm not saying Fitzpatrick was a future star, but why not keep him for another year? (He was scheduled for restricted free agency after this season, so why not keep him until then at least?)
More an more coaches are going with just 2 QBs, using that extra spot for a special teams player. But QBs get hurt so often in this league, it seems very shortsighted not to keep a pair of backups.
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Tony: Jim, as an original Rams season ticket holder I cannot take much more of the Linehan "prevent offense". The offense went into a shell once the Rams built a 16-7 lead in the first quarter, with few play attempts down field save a long sideline pass to Holt that was 5 yards out of bounds and the long pass to Bruce at the end of the fourth quarter that resulted in a pass interference (imagine that). The Rams were 2-8 going into the game, what do they have to lose? Once again the Rams were out-played and out-coached in the second half.
End of the game failures aside, with some offensive imagination in the 2nd and 3rd quarter, this game should have been put away. Yes, there is fear of turnovers, and a banged up offensive line, but that is the point, Linehan has coached in fear of losing his entire two year tenure in St. Louis. Message to John Shaw, you can't coach in fear, and that is Linehan's style, behold the empty seats, more to come in 2008 if Linehan returns. Cowher or Haslett in 2008!!
Jim Thomas: You've got to coach to win. You can't coach not to lose.
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stuart: Yesterday was a $6,000,000 dollar pay day for the RAMS. (Ticket sales, conessions, parking, Not TV money) That was their cash intake for that game. If it was any other business that didn't deliver on the product that you paid for, you would ask for your money back. I understand that it is rediculous to compare this to a retail store or a resturant, but you know who are the real losers in this fiasco of a football team, we are the paying patron. We deserve better than we are getting, and the first change should be made in the head coach. Jim tell me why the head coach shouldn't be replaced. Anything would be better than what we have now. Thanks
Jim Thomas: Again, I say, let's see how these final five games play out.
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Choocha: Jim,
When will this team realize they have a good but fragile quarterback. I know Bulger played every game last season, but even then it was with broken ribs and who knows what other injuries. The Rams desperately need a reliable back up who can play. Gus is just cashing a paycheck at this point in his career. The whole Linehan situation is just an embarassing....
Jim Thomas: It's becoming increasingly clear that Frerotte is not the answer as a backup. Every year, the majority of teams have to use their backup at one point in the season or another. That's why you need someone who can play.
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Charlie: Enough is enough but when a player is asking for a certain type of music to be played at a game, perhaps he should be more concerned about playing football. Talk is always cheap, but when we PURCHASE tickets to see PROFESSIONAL's play we expect to see a performance that IS professional.
The offensive players show no emotion, which I feel stems from the coach and quarterback. Emotions play a lot in a contact sport and that I feel is another part of the Rams problem.
Jim Thomas: Again, whether you like
Steven Jackson or not. Whether you like hi-hop music or not. I think
Steven Jackson makes a good point. The game-day atmosphere at the dome is terrible. Sports Illustrated recently rated the Edward Jones Dome 27th in game-day atmosphere in a league survey.
Also, I think the Rams players show plenty of emotion. Did you see Jackson climbing into the stands after his touchdown against Seattle? Against Dallas, did you see Bulger slam his helmet in disgust on the sidelines after throwing an interception?
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danny rector: jim is there any fa offensive linemen next season worth going after.
Jim Thomas: There's a few names out there: OTs Flozell Adams, Jordan Gross, Sean Locklear; OGs Alan Faneca, Ryan Lilja; C Jeff Faine.
But keep in mind, it's a moving target. Several FAs will be re-signed or franchised prior to the start of free agency. But there will also be some cap casualties added to the market in late February and early March.
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Fafu: It has seemed that before the Seattle game that the players had not given up on Linehan. Now I read that there is some grumbling in the locker room about his predictability of the sideline routes. Is the team finally starting to turn on him? And if they do, how can he remain the coach? Once you lose your players, is that not the time to move on?
Thanks, I enjoy your insight.
-Fafu
Jim Thomas: There has been low-level grumbling off and on about the offense. I'm getting this only second hand, otherwise I would report it more strongly. And if you ask the players directly, they're not going to criticize the head coach. But as I pointed out earlier in this session, some of these guys are the same players who grumbled about Martz's offense being too complicated. So now it's too simple? Which is it? As frustrating as thing might be, I think it's up to the players to buy into the system. If they have problems with the game plans, they should approach Linehan with suggestions. He seems very approachable.
One thing I'll say about this team _ they haven't given in yet.
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Gus: thanks for answering jim.
Was this past weekends performance the last straw for Linehan as coach of the Rams? Do you think he's fired after the season? When your personally sought out 2nd string QB can't even complete a 6 yard td pass to Ike and fumble a perfect snap from center to lose the game, there has to be some consequences.
Jim Thomas: I've said this before _ This is a week to week league, and what happens on the past Sunday often has no bearing on this Sunday. Linehan still has five more weeks to make his case. But Seattle definitely was not a good Sunday. And Frerotte's performance obviously reflects poorly on the head coach.
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Gabriel to Snow: Been a fan since early 60s, seen it all, never quit on my team. When St Louis got the Rams, I was so happy that the team would finally have REAL fans. LA fans were the worst. Like all fans, I *****ed about performance, coaching, etc., but my group never missed a game, & never failed to scream our brains out to encourage the team. I've seen Ram teams that gave up, didn't hustle, didn't care. THOSE teams were hard to cheer for. THIS team has good character, pride in their craft, & they show no signs of disgracing our loyalty by tanking.
As long as they hustle, I am in their corner. Like many, I'm not happy with many things about our team & coaching staff. Mostly offensive gripes. But wasn't it just a few months ago that we marveled at the offense & maligned the defense? I hope for a better football product, but I also hope for more true fans & POSITIVE fan behavior at the ED. I swear I heard crickets chirping before key plays in the second half Sunday when Buffalo, Denver, Cleveland & many others would have been ROCKING! Seattle has better fans than us only because we allow it. We can't do much for our team, but if you show up, act like you care, wait until the final gun to boo or be silent.
Maybe the vaunted home field advantage we previously enjoyed disappeared as a result of the fans not creating one. If we don't have a great team, we can still be great fans, & if we are, it makes the *****ing we do much more honorable. Rock the dome St Louis, win lose or draw. Or 0-8 at home will be partly on our head.
P.S. Jim, what is your take on Chris long being a good fit here?
Jim Thomas: Well said G to S. Well said.
There was a lot of energy in the building at the start of the game when the Rams were playing well, and there were some exciting plays. But as the Rams' offense struggled, you could almost see the energy leaving the building. Whether you like Hip hop music or not, this is where
Steven Jackson makes a good point. Liven up the place? Show less commercials. Play more music. Have a mascot. A pep band. Shoot T-shirts into the stands. Anything.
See my post above about Chris Long and the switch to the 3-4. (This all assumes that Haslett is back.)
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Mark: Do the Rams practice a credible screen pass that might slow down the bullrush? If they do, is there a reason that they don't use it?
Jim Thomas: I'd like to see more screens. I'd also like to see more "delay" like patterns where the tight end or back begins the play by blocking and then leaks out into a short pattern. That would slow the rush as well.
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Vinny: Hi Jim,
After this last debacle, do you think linehan solidified his fate as the head coach? I understand injuries play a big part but he seems to have a difficult time keeping leads in the second half. Your thoughts..
Also, if it were the end of the season and the rams were looking for a coach would they look to college?? Pete Carroll perhaps.
Thanks
Jim Thomas: No, I don't think Linehan has sealed his fate. I think if he wins a couple more games he will return. But it was a bad loss. Not so much that the Rams lost _ I think a lot of us expected a loss _ but the way they lost.
Pete Carroll snubbed the Rams in '97. He wanted everything but the keys to the city and permanent possession of the Arch. He is king of Southern Cal football, so it would take a Brinks truck to bring him here. Don't hold your breath on that one.
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John D: Jake Long, Michigan
(Jr) Michael Oher, Ole Miss.
(Jr) Calais Campbell, Miami (Fl);
(Jr) Vernon Gholston, Ohio State;
(Jr) Tyson Jackson, LSU;
(Jr) James Laurinaitis, Ohio State;
Rey Maualuga, USC;
(Jr) Brian Cushing, USC;
what position and player should the rams be looking to draft ? Sorry i'm starting this line of questioning so early but the 2008 draft and free agency is all rams fans seem to have to look forward to.
Jim Thomas: How about taking Howie Long's kid _ the DE from Virgnia _ re-sign Chillar, sing Arizona ILB Karlos Dansby in free agency, and switch to the 3-4?
Now you'd still need some o-line help and a speed WR, but that's a start.
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ramknick: Hello Jim! Thanks for your time.
After Sunday's catastrophic lost I was real mad. But things got worst when I watched how the niners won in overtime.
It's a shame how we let this big opportunity go away.
I feel sorry for all the rams nation. Fire Linehan!!! this guy is only an assistant coach. No more!! To be a headcoach in the NFL, first of all you need a lot of character and this guy doesn't know what character means.
What can I tell you about Frerotte. This guy is nothing more than a mediocre player. I can't understand how this "athletes" are still playing in the NFL (Testaverde). My grandmother (that rests in peace) was more athlete than these idiots.
Thanks for your time... after all ... I still believe.. Go rams forever!!
Jim Thomas: Linehan deserves much of the criticism he's getting after a game like Seattle, but he is of very high character. That's one thing you can't question about the guy. And if you spent even a little time with the guy, I'm sure you'd realize this.
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Will: Jim, why did the Rams start Petitti when Gorin was playing better over the previous few weeks? Plus Petitti does not handle speed/edge rushers like Tapp or Kearney well. He was the weakest link on a weak o-line Sunday. Will Gorin or Steussie get the nod at RT this week? Also, do you see Barron coming back at RT in 2008, or perhaps being traded for a mid-round pick once the Rams can pick a blue-chip tackle in the 1st or 2nd round of the Draft in April?
Jim Thomas: From what I've observed and seen on tape, neither Gorin or Petitti had vastly outplayed the other. It's almost stating the obvious, but Gorin has shown himself to be better as a pass blocker; and the bigger, bulkier Petitti the better run blocker. So it was puzzling to me to see Petitti start at right tackle against a Seattle team that has one of the best pass rushing teams in the NFL. It just made no sense.
I would think the Rams return with Pace at LT and Barron at RT. I would think you could get at least a third-rounder if you traded Barron. But given the Rams' recent draft record with third-rounders, do you have much confidence that they'd be able to make something of that pick.
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Harold: Coming from Steeler and Joe Pa country but being a Rams fan since '69 I am real interested in the Rams getting Cowher as the coach. Is he looking to coach again? If so, what are the odds of the Rams signing him to coach?
Jim Thomas: From what I hear, Cowher wants to coach again but ideally would like to sit out one more year. I don't think the Rams have much of a chance to sign him. For one, Cowher will probably have his pick of any coaching opening. For another, Cowher will certainly get in excess of $5 million a year.
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Buzz: Jim,
Did they check Frerotte for a concussion?
Eric Bassey has played well on special teams. Does he have any future at CB? How would he rate in development compared to Wade?
Also, I thought CJ Ah You was a nice pickup for the practice squad. I gather he is a great athlete, but an underachiever. Any chance he could help with the pass rush this year? I'm afraid Haslett's luck will run out if he has to blitz ALL the time. Thanks.
Jim Thomas: Bassey was elevated to the practice squad in place of Darius Vinnett because the coaches thought Bassey has more potential as a corner. But now, he's probably out for the season with the knee injury. Wade, to me, has been a disappointment on special teams.
I don't think we'll see Ah You on the "varsity" this season. But you never know if the injuries keep piling up.
Haslett will have to pull more rabbits out of his hat the rest of this season, because Pisa is probably out for the season with his injury and James Hall is expected to miss at least one game with his high ankle sprain.
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Louis: I honestly do not know what to do anymore, we should have 4 more victories than we do.
I watch most other teams protect their quarterback with backups and it works for the most part.
We need top quality linemen next year....Priority #1!!
We have bad quality linehan now.
Do you agree with this?
Jim Thomas: In my opinion, the Rams need at least 3 offensive linemen. A tackle, and two interior players. I'd say sign one or two in free agency, and draft one or two.
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Craig Wilson-Matson: The Rams need to have the play action fake and the dump off to the TE McMicheal or Joe Klopenstien as a part of their red zone package , Randy especially could have scored at least 5-7tds by now if they would use him in that area, or on the goal line as receiver or mix up formations with him split him out in the slot ala a Gates or Winslow and let him run in space.
Why does Linehan put 5 tes on the Roster ,ok 4 now that Walker has IR'd ,and not use their size in the offence more ??? Can you plead this for the fans at once ????!!!! Craig From Pasadena , Ca,
Jim Thomas: I too am puzzled why McMichael isn't used more in the red zone.
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GoneGator: Why is it on defense the coach can lose players, yet get better? While on offense, it used as a weekly excu... uh crutch. The Rams sack leader is gone for the season. Yet, miraculously, the coaches figured out way to still get sacks from other players.
Jim Thomas: So you noticed, too?
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Jack Cramond: Hi Jim,
Hope you had a good Thanksgiving.
I believe
Marc Bulger was correct when he said that the rams were a very bad team.
Jim Hasletts defense seemed to step things up but the offense floundered. Just when you think you've seen it all, Gus "Frerotte" drops the snap from center on a 4th and goal from the six inch line. If the entire team hadnt quit on Linehan by then, for sure they will quit on Linehan NOW. If its not too much to ask, I would like to get through the remainder of this "season" without a shutout. If the rams score a field goal in each of their remaining games, I'll be happy. All we can do is hope for greener pastures next season. A major shakeup will be required and fan patience will be called upon once again, but perhaps we can begin digging ourselves out of this humiliating hole and reclaim some of the respect we once held.
PS: I heard that Donovan McNabb was not going to play against the Patriots because of a slight thumb and ankle injury. Considering what
Marc Bulger has gone through this year, I can't help but conclude that Donovan McNabb is a coward, and that he exaggerated an injury in order to stay home and watch the game on TV. He did not want to be embarrassed by the patriots. Jay Feeley played very well in a losing effort and should now become the new starting QB for the Eagles.
Jim Thomas: Say what you want about Bulger, but his toughness goes unquestioned.
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bash-on: How bad is the play calling when the radio announcers are predicting the play before its run? Even I, a layman but long, long time fan, was able to call run or pass with an 85% efficiency this last game. Incredible. A vanilla offense is one thing but we might as well hand the opposition our playbook! I've liked
Scott Linehan and have hoped that he would succeed but this is just a bit ridiculous. Next!
Bash On Regardless
Jim Thomas: I'll just say this: It's uncanny to me how often on third and "medium" (3rd & 3, 3rd&4, 3rd&5, the Rams throw those out patterns. If I can see them coming, I'm sure the opposing cornerbacks can to.
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Damon: Hey Jim, I am now convinced that Linehan should not be our coach next year. I am so tired of watching our offense consist of running up the middle and throwing short hooks and out routes. Maybe I am wrong, but I always thought that when you use playaction you should be looking to throw down the center of the field.. isn't it supposed to open up holes behind the linebackers? Instead, we prefer to throw out patterns that are intercepted. When I watch all of the great offenses they attack the middle of the field. Isn't that what McMichael and Bennett were brought in to do?
After Jackson broke that 50 yard run we probably could have exploited them with playaction.. but the plays were designed all wrong. Also, we never use motion or shift our players to attempt to get missmatches. I do think that Haslett deserves to stay, but some new leadership is needed for the offense. Any thoughts on who we might hire to get this offense back to its glory days?
Jim Thomas: Good points. I don't know why the Rams don't throw over the middle very much. There were plenty of opportunities to do so Sunday, even if it meant checking out of a call at the line.
The Rams do use a fair amount of motion _ although not nearly as much as in the Mad Mike days.
I don't know who you bring in to run the offense, although a former Rams assistant, Ken Zampese, seems to be doing a good job in Cincy.
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Chad Fenton: First question do you think
Steven Jackson will resign with us? Or do we even want him to resign? And can we please start playing for Darren McFadden?
Jim Thomas: Jackson isn't a free agent until the end of the 2008 season. I think the Rams should try to re-sign him before we get to the end of '08. That being said, from the little bit I know now about McFadden, how could you pass on him if he's staring at you in the draft? Hey, you need two running backs these days anyway.
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RESPECT: Hello Jim,
Sunday was a tough loss, mainly because we beat up on them for 2 straight quarters. Holmgren, unfortunately, did his thing with halftime adjustments and came out with the victory.
Question:
1) is it me, or does Stephen Jackson seem to think that he's built like Marshall Faulk instead of like Earl Campbell. i mean, i know you guys like him, but, he lacks acceleration THRU the hole because he HOPS with the handoff like a giant rabbit. he runs toward the sideline (which is unbelievable given his size) and seems afraid to take on tacklers, he constantly looks for cut backs, misses run reads, and is seemingly clueless on blitz pick-ups.
He's not very nimble (for his size, maybe) to be trying to dance like he's Barry Sanders. Sometimes i would love to just see him get angry and HIT the hole like Pittman did when he was given the ball. doesnt he know that you cant pop the big one every time just by relying on blocking? C'mon, 1,2,3 at a time are better than -1, -2, -3.
Jim Thomas: I do think
Steven Jackson did more tap-dancing than usual in this game. There were a couple of negative yardage plays where if he just cuts it up and hits the hole, he might have gained two, three or four yards.
But overall, I don't think you can question Jackson's toughness. He is not afraid of contact, and gets a lot of yards after contact.
Usually, the tap-dancing happens when there isn't much of a hole. But again, I agree with you that this wasn't Jackson's best game.
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Don: Jim--It has all been said before. As fans, we weep. Do we blame Linehan for terrible play calling 4 yards from the go ahead (and winning) TD? Do we blame Gus for his ball handling skills? Do we blame Linehan for Gus being the number 2 QB? It doesn't matter. The team played their hearts out and looked strong. I am more proud to be a Rams fan in this loss than I was in the win against SF (and I was at Cewndlstick that day!) The team needs a revamp from a football operations perspective. Shaw's comments to Bernie a few weeks ago were encouraging. Anything new on that front? Please keep us posted.
Jim Thomas: I haven't talked to Shaw since Bernie's conversation with him. But obviously I will between now and the end of the season.
I think this is a game where Linehan should get a lot of the blame _ for the play-calling, for the decision to start Petitti over Gorin, for the fact that Frerotte was his hand-picked No. 2 QB and has been a disappointment all season, not just this game.
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Todd W.: Hi Jim,
If this isn't posted by the time you get this, Can you give me a %chance of Marc starting Sunday? I know you probably don't know but just a guesstimate in your opinion? I definitely think this game is winnable, you know like the Seattle game was. I'm not sure it's winnable if Gus is in.
Thanks
Jim Thomas: Judging from my conversation Monday with Marc, I'd say it's 70-30 that he plays.
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Dman: Jim,
Yesterday loss summarizes Linehan lack of head coaching potential. Even with all of the injuries, he has repeatedly loss early leads which is indicative of his lack coaching adjusments. His O plans have lacked innovation and creativity. However, Haslett's D (aside from the Cleveland game) has out performed expectations. In your honest opinion, do you think the executive management would provide Haslett the chance to run the show and if so when would you thinkg the change can occur? If not, do you think Cowher or a big ticket head is being considered as we speak?
Jim Thomas: I must admit, Haslett and the defense have really come on over the last month or so. They have moved up to 15th in total defense. Haslett has done an admirable job adjusting to the loss of DE
Leonard Little.
I'm beginning to think that if a change is made, Haslett might be the best alternative. 1.) Hiring unproven coordinators is always a crapshoot.
2.) I don't think someone like Cowher will be coming here and I don't think the Rams want to pay $5Million-plus for a head coach.
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Charlie Connors: Jim,
I've been harping on these points for weeks, but here I go again. Top reasons to fire Linehan.
1. His record is horrible and far worse than Martz's. Martz was out sick much of '05. (Failing grade)
2. He was brought in to keep offense rolling with Bulger, Jax, Holt. (Failing grade)
3. His offensive scheme lets his franchise qb take beatings. Even after seeing these teams earlier in the year. (Failing grade)
4. His offensive players do not believe in his system and do not believe in him. Including the franchise QB. How can situation ever improve when you don't get along with your Qb? (Failing grade)
5. He chose a more expensive Drew Bennett over Kevin Curtis? Look how Curtis is playing now with some coaching! (Failing grade)
6. He is 0-5 at home! His 2nd halfs are a joke. Heck, he tried giving last week away to at SF! (Failing grade)
Jim Thomas: 1.) The Rams were 56-36 under Martz: they are 14-24 since he last coached a game on the sideline (prior to his illness).
2.) You're exactly right. Linehan was hired because of his offensive resume. He inherited an aging, but still pretty good corps of skill position players.
3.) For all the talk about how Martz got QBs hammered, things haven't changed under Linehan. The Rams are at close to a record pace for sacks allowed this season.
4.) Some players have quietly grumbled about the system being too simplistic; but these are basically the same guys who grumbled about the Martz system being too complex. Well, which is it guys?
5.) Can't quite agree with you on this one. Curtis wanted to go somewhere where he could be a starter. Bennett and Curtis contract are very similar.
6.) Worse yet, regardless of circumstances, regardless of the injuries, all five home games were very winnable.
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Rogurs: Hey Jim,
Last year at home vs. the Seahawks, Rams up 21-7 at half, get throttled in the second half and lose the game. This year almost the exact same story.
Linehan's playing not to lose instead of playing to win mentality just doesn't work in the NFL. Didn't Linehan learn anything from last years game? Can we officially say the Linehan experiment is over??
Jim Thomas: John Shaw has made in clear on several occasions now, that he will do nothing before the season ends. There are 16 chapters in this book, and five more still must unfold. But there's no doubt in my mind that Sunday's loss to Seattle was a big step backwards for Linehan. In terms of play-calling, game management, starting Petitti over Gorin, even the fact that his hand-picked No. 2 QB Gus Frerotte played poorly. Linehan is coaching for his job over the final five games. He knows it. His staff knows it. The players know it.
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George "stlramz" Mavris: Is it true that (1) Marshall Faulk sat in on the initial interview with the Rams Front Office when they interviewed Linehan for the head coaching job? and (2) it it true he objected to the hire?
Thanks for your efforts Jim.
Jim Thomas: I don't believe this is the case. But I'll try to check for you sometime in the near future.
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Billy C: 1 Poor management / we need a real GM from outside the organization .
2 Pood drafting & FA pickups / key word Quality (unless they look it up they dont know what it is)
3 Poor coaching / Shellshocked once again / we need a leader like Bill Cower
4 No emotion on the offence / Kurt Marshall & Lawerence played psyched up football
5 No sense of urgency / There are nomore tomorrows : the Fans wont be here .
6 No Team Leader among the players / Wheres the Leadership / wheres the Family / wheres the Direction ??????
Any of the above will hurt a team / all of them will KILL a team . I love the Rams from the 60s to forever / win or loose I am an Old School Ram who walked the field and cherished it . But we are a shell of our former selves and dead in the water without changes . Management must change and admit thiungs are wrong all the way up and back down the line . Fix it befor all the Little Guys stop comming to the games .
I still think we should draft Brian Brohm with our #1 and trade Marc / ya we can win games with Marc but Brian will make us consistant winners again . With or without a cap hit from trading Marc it will still take us a few years to be continders again so bite the bullet and dont pass up on Brian .
Maybe Im nuts but I think Georgia will wake up and do what CR did to fix the team / we will see . Billy C Old School Ram Fan
Jim Thomas: Hello again everybody, and judging from leadoff man Billy C _ it looks like everyone is in a good mood today. I'll just address BC's last point. The Rams do need to add a quarterback _ but as a No. 2. Regardless of how you feel about Bulger, the Rams simply have too much money invested in him, to jettison him. And there is more hit and miss with QBs taken in the top 10 of the draft than any other position. For every Peyton Manning, there's a Ryan Leaf. Or two. But I would like to see the Rams select a QB in the middle to late rounds, someone they can develop.
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Gary DeVries: Just wondering who is likely to be signed to fill the void of these injuries and likely IR movements. Pisa, Bassey, Milligan....who are the candidates to move into these spots...will they come from the practise squad or from FA?
Jim Thomas: There are very few street FAs left at this point in the season, who can walk and chew gum at the same time. Darius Vinnett is on the practice squad, and although small in stature, he made some nice plays on coverage units on the special teams earlier in the year while he was on the active roster. So that could be your corner to replace Bassey.
Otherwise, there are no easy answers. I think the Rams would scour other team's practice squads for possible replacements.
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James Griffin: Provided there was a player available on the board and wasn't too big of a reach, what position would you take in the first round next season...basically what is the order of the rams NEEDS!
finally, what are the chances haslett stays if a new coach comes in. Haslett did coach under cowher (i think?) but if someone new where to come in, would he bring his own D-Coordinator?
Jim Thomas: Rams needs--this is a moving target--and the list seems to keep getting longer. Here's my ranking _ as of today.
1.) DE
2.) OT
3.) WR
4.) OG-C
5.) S
6.) QB (backup, or QB of future type)
---of course, if the Rams truly switch to the 3-4, you'd have to add LB to that list.
As for Haslett's future, I think it would be up to the head coach.
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Bill Johnstone: Hey Jim,
Can you give me an update on the progression of the rookies. It seems Pittman has passed Leonard on the depth chart. i.e we took a fullback in the second round! How bout derek stanley? Jonothan Wade?
And i know there not a rookies but where are the TE's at, byrd and Klop?
I dont get to see that many games so any help would be great!
Jim Thomas: Leonard is being used as a fullback in the base offense and as a third-down back occasionally in the nickel package. I think the coaches feel that Pittman is a more natural halfback than Leonard, but since the New Orleans game, Pittman hasn't shown much. Leonard is a willing blocker but needs to be more consistent, particularly on his blitz pickup.
Ryan and Carriker, obviously, have been big pluses. They have played better than their stats might indicate. Just ask the linebackers, who have had freer routes to ballcariers because Carriker and Ryan are holding up the point of attack. Wade hasn't shown much on special teams, which is where the coaching staff wanted to see him make his mark as a rookie. At the moment, Stanley seems lost in the shuffle on the practice squad.
Since Walker's season-ending shoulder injury, Klopfenstein has see a lot more action as the No. 2 TE, and his blocking _ although still far from ideal _ has improved.
He has had few opportunities as a receiver, and it doesn't seem like the QBs have much confidence in him as a receiver at this time. Byrd seems like a wasted pick; he flashes potential, but is immature and just doesn't seem to put as much into the game as the coaches would like.
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cecil97531: My question has to do with
Ron Bartell. I am of the opinion, and have been for some time, that this kid has the potential to be a playmaker. He is big, strong, fast and a decent tackler. While i like him in the swing role where he can used differently each week i see maybe a hard hitting stong safety in the making. Chavous is a gamer but not a game changer. If Bartell is as a SS that is one less hole to fill. What seems to be the long term plans for Bartell?
Jim Thomas: In theory, your idea sounds good. At least having Bartell at free safety and maybe sliding Atogwe over to strong. I've long thought that Bartell wasn't physical enough to play safety. But he opened my eyes with his play against Seattle. I think it might have been the best game of his career in terms of playing physically. Now, if he does that on a weekly basis, the coaches will find a way to get him on the field more often.
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Ray: I live in the Tampa Bay area and for the past 6 years my son and I go to a local sports bar on Sundays to watch the Rams on TV. This past Sunday we were watching the game as the Rams surged ahead 19-7. Two tables away from us were a group of SeaHawk fans. At half time we got to talking with them about the game and the first half results. They told us they were not worried about losing the game because they were playing the "Rams" and the Rams would not be the same team in the second half and they were very confident that the Seahawks would come back and win the game.
Needless to say that is exactly what happened. They managed to smile and laugh as they left the sports bar and left us with a "see I told you so". It is very discouraging to know that no one fears the Rams anymore. Sorry to vent but I do not want to give up on them but it seems like they have given up on themselves.
Jim Thomas: I don't think the Rams have given up on themselves. But it's clear that the Seahawks and Holmgren certainly have the Rams' and Linehan's number. Three of the four Rams-Seahawks games since Linehan was hired have come down to the final seconds of play _ and Holmgren has won all three.
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gabriel: a few weeks ago i asked jim and the rest of you who were asking for a new Coach WHO could do a better job with all the injuries well this last lost should have open our eyes to
Jim Haslett who has made the Defense better even with out little maybe haslett is the coach we need to relive this team? he has made young players like Bartell,Atogwe even first year Clifton Ryan into very good players what do u think jim should haslett take over this team???
Jim Thomas: As I mentioned earlier in this session. I'm coming around to Haslett. He has shown a lot in the last month, particularly how he responded to Little's season-ending injury. But let's see what happens over the next 5 games.
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Brian: Jim,
Is Adam Carriker a better end than a tackle? With Little and Hall hurt why not let him play there all the time?
Jim Thomas: Unless you're in a 3-4 front, Carriker doesn't have the pass-rush skills to be a full-time DE. I thought he's played very well over the last month, month and a half, at DT and is getting better all the time there. If the Rams continue to use a lot of 3-man fronts, I think you'll see plenty of Carriker at DE the rest of this season.
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jeff beta: Please tell me nothing will save the coaching staff's job for next year.....I am from Chicago and have been a Rams fan since 1965; I am horrified at what they have become!
Jim Thomas: It's not a pretty picture, is it? But I think Shaw would like to bring Linehan back in '08 if at all possible.