John: Gordo:
For the Rams, every prediction I read seems to fall to about 7-9. What is your prediction?
Also, I have renewed my season tickets. Have you heard how many people have dropped their tickets after last year's horrendous season?
thanks.
Jeff Gordon: Getting to 7-9 could be a chore. Like I said earlier, 9-7 would merit a contract extension for Scott -- that is how hard the schedule is.
As for renewals, don't know where that stands -- but business overall has been slow.
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MELVIN: Wheres James Hodkins when you need him?
Jeff Gordon: Ah, that man could block all day. He fumbled a bunch in his first camp, but Dick V. stuck with him and got the payoff.
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MELVIN: Do the rams have anybody there looking at to help @ safety?
Jeff Gordon: Nothing has excited them yet, but let's see what happens when camps start rolling. The staff just doesn't see the urgency the fans see.
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chattylicker: Who do you see stepping up as the #2 running back i don't think they have a solid backup that can give steven a break?
Jeff Gordon: Pittman has drawn high marks. Remember, he came in last year and had to learn the offense on the fly. He would get the call ahead of Leonard.
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Jake Gajic: Gordo,
What are your impressions of the team so far this spring? Do you think they have a chance of competing for a playoff spot/winning the divison when both Cards and ***** are expected to be much better this year along with the Hawks?
Jake
Chino Hills, CA.
Jeff Gordon: The Rams have to be better, of course, but it's easier to believe in each of the other NFC teams right now. It just is. If the Rams win 9 games, it would be something -- and Linehan should get an extension.
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don.soderberg: Gordo,
The fact that the Rams didn't land Barry Sims was a big headline. Was he that coveted? Seems to me that the Rams have more OLs than they can use right now, but might be thin at DE, LB & DB. Any targets at defensive need positions?
Jeff Gordon: I think they're OK at DE, since Adeyanju has made strides. We've talked about LB and DB -- the areas where I believe they could use the most help right now.
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Superjim: Hey Gordo,
Is there any contract news on Long/Jackson/Atogwe? It's only 4 weeks to training camp...
Apart from that, is there any word about the depth chart at receiver or linebacker? we're stacked at WR and frighteningly thin at LB. Any free agent signings/trades on the horizon?
Thanks Gordo
Jeff Gordon: Rams fans are really tight about the LB depth, but the coaches love the kids. Culberson, in particular. That said, you have to think the team will monitor any and all veterans who hit the waiver wire.
Any additions now would be depth guys. The lineup and the back-ups is pretty well set.
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Curtis: Thanks Jeff,
Are the Rams serious about starting washed-up SS Chavous again this year?
Do you think that if
Dane Looker and Richard Owens make the final roster, its because of pure Linehan cronyism?
Jeff Gordon: Haslett strong disagrees with your assessment, but this is a common complaint in Rams Nation. The numbers don't favor either Looker or Owens right now. And if Linehan wanted to protect Looker, the Rams wouldn't have drafted two WRs reasonably high.
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ttomjerrie: Gordo, whats the latest on contract talks with Long? Picks # 1, 3, and 4 have signed already.
Jeff Gordon: Again, I would expect him to sign with the bar already set and his stated preference to be in camp for Day One.
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Jeremy (Denver): Gordo,
I'm not sure I understand the Rams moving Incognito to C. When he played there before, I thought he was just average at best. It seemed to me that the additional thinking that happens at C took away from his aggressiveness. Help me out here! Why did they make this move and do you believe they are tinkering or that this is permanent?
Jeff Gordon: Linehan wants to see if the Rams are better with Incognito at C and Setterstrom at RG, as opposed to Romberg at center and Incognito at RG. And he is just trying to add to the flexibility, anticipating injuries.
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Chris: Gordo:
Thanks again for fielding our questions!
I've been on a rant for the past while for the Rams to pick up a true blocking fullback - I just think it will open the running game up. I see that the Rams invited Dan Kreider to camp. I don't know much about him, but what I read seems to indicate he would be ideal - if healthy. What do you think the chances are of him signing? If not, will they bring in another (a la Lorenzo Neal, or Najeh Davenport - or other) to fill this position?
I just think that without it, the running game will be at a disadvantage.
I know that the addition of Anthony Becht will help out with blocking schemes (and that he can probably double as an H back or similar), but if they sign a true blocking FB (which I don't see Leonard as being one - at least not at this point) it would make the running game stronger.
Jeff Gordon: Kreider is supposedly recovered from his torn ACL, so he could fit the bill IF gets back to full speed. He could also help the special teams. But the guy is 31, so I wouldn't be shocked if the Rams added still another candidate. I don't believe Davenport would fill that need. Neal is 37 and coming back from a broken leg.
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Kevin in Jersey: Hey Jeff,
Thanks for taking my email. What free agent pick ups do you think the Rams might add before the start of the season, if any?
Also, I liked Jeff Wilkins but on kickoffs he always put the ball on the 10 yard line that usually led to good returns. Does Josh Brown have a stronger foot that would help the coverage right away?
Thanks.
Jeff Gordon: I don't think anything too sexy will happen with free agency. As for Brown, he had 25 touchbacks the last two years combined. The previous three years he had just 12. So his kickoff range has improved.
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virginiatom: What is your take on Ty Hill and if healthy, do you see him as a shut down corner this year? Also the Rams seemed to get burned quite a bit up the middle with short passes to tight ends or the quick crossing routes that turned into long gains. Was this a breakdown in the line backers coverage or safety?
Jeff Gordon: Hill as a shutdown corner? He believes he can get there, but we haven't see it yet, obviously. I see him as a good CB, but not a Pro Bowler. Part of the defensive woe you speak of came when the Rams had to get create with their D and use linebackers to apply pass rush. That does leave a hole in the defense, if the offense has a quick response.
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bfulton: Now that the Rams have lost out on Sims, have they targeted any other specific free agents or positions?
Jeff Gordon: Still looking for O-line depth, fullback competition and DB depth. Other needs could arise as camp unfolds and the staff gets a better look at what the draft picks can really do.
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Farbod: Hey Jeff,
Did Chris Long seem to struggle with anything in particular while in mini camps?
Thanks
Jeff Gordon: Pass rushing from the outside, in space, is something new for him. But his athletic tools are better than critics realize. He will cause more havoc than some folks expect.
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Wes: Just a simple question here Gordo...
What is your favorite St. Louis sports team to cover?
Jeff Gordon: All three teams are easy to work with. The Blues work the hardest to help reporters, but the Cards, with all those kids, are also fun to cover. The Rams were a bummer last year, so it remains to be seen what the atmosphere will be like when the real games start.
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Tyler: Whats the latest on the Contract talks with Long?
Jeff Gordon: Linehan conceded that his deal may not come by the start of camp, but that is still the kid's intention. I don't understand the holdup, since the other Long already set the bar.
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Rambunctious: Hi Jeff, Do you think the Rams are hurt by losing out on Sims, or was he viewed more as "just a guy". Thanks in advance!
Jeff Gordon: He is more than a guy, but I wonder if the Rams needed more than just camp depth at this point. They already have six guys fighting for five sports, plus two rookies and a couple of reliable back-up types. It is hard to attract a decent free agent because of that -- agents will tell a guy to find a more needy team.
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Linear Mode
