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These are selected questions and answers only. To read the whole chat click the link below.
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http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_10?Page=0
NFL chat with Jim Thomas
You are being chastised by some readers for continuing to issue limited reports about the only NFL team that those in this market understand.
Many of your readers still have an emotional investment in the Rams.
What say you to your detractors?
We will still offer some coverage of the Rams although nothing like what we have done when the team called St. Louis home. For every "detractor" I hear from, I hear from three or four others who still want Rams coverage. I've even received some critical e-mails from those saying we're not writing about the Rams enough.
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Regarding your statement: for every "detractor" I hear from, I hear from three or four others who still want Rams coverage. I've even received some critical e-mails from those saying we're not writing about the Rams enough. -- Is there any way to vet where those pro Rams coverage folks actually reside?
It seems a fair portion of St. Louis residents are done with the Rams; my guess is you are receiving those comments from the same LA Rams relocations trolls that have ruined the Rams Talk forum on the STLToday website. Your moderators really need to relaunch that forum as NFL Talk similar to the Soccer Talk forum and the way Bernie's Press Box rechristened as Hoch's Corner.
I guess there is a way to look into that, but I'm not technologically savvy enough to do so. But I do recognize a few of them as long-time Rams fans from St. Louis.
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What's your opinion on why Mark Davis dismisses St Louis. It has a plan to build a new stadium and his options are severely limited. As much as Stan trashed St Louis on the way out, you would think that most smart people would see it for what it was.
Very strange. I'm told that St. Louis _ and I assume it would be Peacock, Blitz, etc. _ never even got a chance to really talk to him about their stadium plan. That he just dismissed the idea of St. Louis outright. I don't really understand his "vision" of what's a fit for the Raiders. I thought being a Raiders fan was partly a state of mind.. And you're right _ his options are limited. Don't know why you'd turn your back on $400 million worth of public money and a $158 stadium naming rights deal.
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What do QBs do in the offseason, outside of organized activities, to get better? Do they look at their tape, tape of next season's opposing defenses or go to QB camps to work on fundamentals? Are the Rams QBs doing any of that?
They're not allowed to do anything like this with the team until the start of the offseason conditioning program in April. However, QBs can meet on their own with wide receivers, etc. before or after the offseason program/OTAs. Sam Bradford used to fly Rams receivers out to Oklahoma on his own dime in July before training camp started to do work with him on their own.
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I just don't get it.......Chris Long expressed a desire to stay with the Rams and acknowledged that, to do so, he would have to take a cut in pay. The Rams release him without attempting to renegotiate his contract. Now they bring in Coples on a two year deal at a base of $6.5 mill. If none of the money is guaranteed this a BS publicity stunt (hey LA don't worry about us cutting Long...we got a plan). Dude hasn't done squat for the teams he played for - 16.5 sacks in four years, a big goose egg last year. Whose bright idea was this??????
Coty Sensabaugh - 2 int's in four years. Pay him sizable bucks and lets pretend he is the answer to losing a big play guy. Oh yeah, just like Colples it was not his fault.....the team he played for did not understand how to use his talent.
And then there is the curious case (ha ha ha) of Case Keenum. Released by the Texans (who had no need for a QB) the Rams signed him in August 2014, waived him in October 2014, and then resigned him to the practice squad in October 2014 as a tackling dummy. Claimed by the Texans off the Rams practice squad, they traded him back to the Rams for a seventh round pick. The Rams now declare he is their man.
OK, I buy that.....after all Stan said he had no plans to move the team. Is the Rams' faith in the Case a negotiating ploy for FA QB's or do they really believe that Fisher can win with him? Or maybe the Rams realized that they couldn't land in LA without saying they have a starting quality QB or any answer to their QB problem.
I know Fisher prides himself as being a man with the plan......but when does his stinking plan pay off with 10 or more wins?
As Ricky used to say....."Jeffy you got some splainin' to do!!!!".
First off, Coples' entire contract is worth $6.5 million, but only $750,000 is guaranteed. His base salaries are $1.75 million in 2016 and $3.25 million in 2017. He gets another $1 million in the form of roster bonuses ($750K in '16 and $250K in '17). The remaining $500K comes on a per-game basis (of $31,250 per game that he's on the game-day 46-man roster.) So it's not what you think. The Rams do think Coples will be better playing in a 4-3 scheme. They plan to rotate him in behind William Hayes and move him in to defensive tackle in pass rush situations.
In the case of Long, the Rams thought he was a declining player, plain and simple Yes, the money had something to do with it, but certainly not everything. Don't know what to tell you on Sensabaugh. You do have the Gregg Williams connection there _ Williams once coached him in Tennessee, and coaches always like to bring in players they are familiar with.
As for Keenum, Fisher really likes him. I think he's a good backup/spot starter, but not an every day starter. But Fisher really likes him. (Why else tender the guy at the first-round level as a restricted free agent.) I'm sure the Rams are still looking at options at the position, particularly in the draft. As I mentioned in the chat last week, they held formal interviews with about 8 QBs at the combine.
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How much has the NFL hurt itself with how it treated St Louis. Asking them to put forth the effort (and millions) to retain the team. Then trying to derail and eventually turn down public money. How will it affect other teams trying to get public money.
I think the NFL is so arrogant that it doesn't care. As someone _ and I can no longer remember who it was _ so aptly explained to me, abandoning St. Louis was acceptable collateral damage to not only get back in the LA market but build a showcase stadium. A monument to themselves if you will by the owners. Nationally, I don't think the league's image is very good in terms of how it treated St. Louis.
But these other markets have teams, and they'll be thinking about them _ and not how StL got mistreated _ once the season nears. I do wonder if turning your back on $400 million in public money is a bad precedent, and how this might affect other small_ to mid-size markets. Then again, getting a team back to LA just might be an extreme example. In other words, there might not be another situation like this, where the league would turn its back on a city.
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Based on the relatively small investment the Rams have made (conservative scheme, rookie coaches, unheralded players), it seems Fisher doesn't agree with conventional NFL wisdom that the QB is the most important position on the field. If I'm wrong, why are they so cheap in this regard?
That's an interesting point. Sometimes I do wonder if Fisher realizes you need good (to great) QB play to win big in this league.
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Is naming Keenum the starter a smokescreen for drafting a qb ?
Snead didn't name Keenum the opening-day starter. His remarks were misrepresented. He said Keenum is the starter heading into the offseason program. That's it. Big difference.
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Heard any whispers on the RG3 and Kaep front? I find it hard to believe the Rams are going all in a backup like Keenum...
I heard second-hand _ and I repeat, second-hand _ that the Rams aren't really interested in RGIII. So take that for what it's worth. Haven't heard anything about potential interest in trading for Kaepernick.
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Do you think the Chiefs can unseat the Broncos in the AFC West?
As good as the Broncos have been, and their defense should be very good once again despite losing Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan in free agency, you have to wonder about the post-Manning (and post-Osweiler) offense. Hard to believe Mark Sanchez is the guy. So yeah, I think the Chiefs do have a chance to unseat them at this point.
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After watching Foles play week 1 and week 4 you have to think that hit in the chest from Clay Mathhews ruined him right? Maybe an offseason he will regain himself and takeover by week 1?
Possible. Don't know if it was directly a result of that Matthews hit, but Foles sure lost his mojo after the Green Bay game. It reached the point where in my mind I wondered if he came out of that game injured in some way. I've asked about that a couple times, including once recently, and the Rams claim that wasn't the case. If Foles survives and makes this roster again _ and there's no indication yet that will be the case _ I'm sure the Rams hope he can regain himself as you say.
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1) What are your thoughts on the Broncos / RG III hubbub, especially after the Sanchez signing (they can't really expect him to start, right)? 2) Who has the most upside of the remaining QBs on the market? RG3? Kaepernick? Johnny Football?
All indications are that RGIII is leaning towards Cleveland, but we'll see. Then again, it's hard to see either Sanchez or RGIII being the answer in Denver. Still think Kaepernick has the most upside of the three. He's also had the most success in this league. But let's face it, we're talking about damaged goods in all three cases.
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Will the Rams draft a defensive leader considering the fact they let go their defensive leaders?
Well, rookies almost by definition aren't team leaders. But I think William Hayes has a lot to offer in that area, and I think Ogletree also has some leadership qualities that can be developed. Perhaps Aaron Donald as well, although he's on the quiet side.
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Which team improved themselves the most through free agency? Are you ready to give the Rams a grade on it now?
I really like what Jacksonville and Oakland did. I'd rather have another week or so on Rams, but if I had to do it now, I'd say C-minus _ at best. They did a pretty good job of re-signing their own. And that was important. But the two biggest issues on the team _ QB and WR _ are still out there. And now you're looking for a free safety and another tight end as well.
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Do you NFL expanding in the next 10 years are so? If so, do you think STL will have a chance to have another NFL team. If Cleveland and Houston both got expansion teams, I think STL should have one as well on how this all played out.
I certainly do think St. Louis would have a chance to get an expansion team. But I'm not sure I see the league expanding.
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Johnny Manziel - I believe that many teams are interested in making a phone call and having Manziel play for free, what do you think any interest or just the agent doing their job?
I wouldn't touch the guy with a 10-foot pole. He has some issues away from the field, wouldn't you say? Issues probably more important than his football career. But if anyone can get him a job I'd say it's his new agent _ Drew Rosenhaus.
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Of the three moveable teams -- Rams, Chargers, and Raiders -- aren't the Raiders by far the closest to being a Super Bowl contender? Rivers is rapidly approaching Old Man status, the Rams are mediocrity defined, but the Raiders have Carr, Mack, and loads of upside. If the league really wanted the L.A. market to explode, they should've put the Raiders there instead. Typical Goodell brain cramp.
I have to say, I do like what the Raiders are doing in free agency. And I was impressed with them last year in Oakland when the Rams opened the preseason out there. Now you have Bruce Irvin to pair with Mack as bookend pass-rushers. Osemele has the reputation of an excellent run blocker. I think Carr is ascending, and let's not forget about Amari Cooper.
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I seem to remember that the Rams tried to extend JJ during last season but ended up insulting him with the offer. How in the world are they going to extend TJ, Brockers or Ogletree?
Yes, Jenkins told me right around the bye week that he didn't like their offer and was going to gamble on himself in free agency. Judging by the size of his contract with the Giants, the gamble paid off. The contracts for Brockers and Ogletree don't expire at the same time. And I believe the Rams are in position to have even more cap room after the 2016 season.
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I'm trying to figure out the game plan for this team. Everyone knows Keenum is not the answer, could we possibly be interested in a QB like Connor Cook?
I think there are some people in the building _ oops, can't say that anymore. No one's left in the building! Anyway, I think there are people in the organization that like Connor Cook. Not saying everyone. Not saying he's their guy. But he does have some support. (As did Johnny Football once upon a time.)
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Jim, aren't they still sitting on a potfull of cap room now - Ain't worth nothin' if you don't use it.
Not as much as you think after that second wave of signings. . . .Harkey,Sims Coples, Sensabaugh, plus tendering Keenum and Cunningham. The latest NFL Players Association numbers I looked at had the Rams at just under $13 million in cap space.
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It's pretty clear that Bill Belichick is the best coach in the business. But is he the best GM as well? He always seems to trade players at exactly the right time; he never overpays on the free agency market; he always seems able to identify guys like Welker, Amendola, or Vrabel--guys who weren't great with their original team, but guys who thrived for the Patriots. Fifteen years at the top with no drop off? 31 other franchises would kill for that kind of success. If Belichick knew how to draft, he'd be unstoppable.
You make some good points. no doubt, but Brady makes a lot of guys look better. Perhaps even the coach.
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How much do you think releasing Long and Laurinitas had to do with the Rams/Stan wanting to have fresh faces to lead the franchise to LA? Those 2 guys had been in STL the longest and would be a constant reminder of the STL. What do you think?
Very little to be honest with you. If the Rams thought they could play _ and maybe the Rams are wrong, and they still can play _ they'd still be on the roster. And I'm just saying internally the Rams had their doubts on both guys.
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What does the Chandler Jones trade do for Arizona? I'm assuming that weed overdose back in January was a one time issue. If it is, it seems like a solid pick up, assuming they re-sign him after the 2016 season.
I'd say the one chink in Arizona's defensive armor was pass rush, or lack thereof. And they figure Jones will help them out on that front. And I don't think the Cardinals are thinking too long-term. They realize they're not very far away and are in very much a win-now mode.
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The Rams had two tight ends in camp in 2014 - one was a better receiver than blocker and looked good in preseason. The other was a better blocker. I thought the receiver was a keeper. IF you recall the players, would either be a look see this year.
I think Alex Bayer was the receiving tight end you're talking about. But he wasn't nearly as impressive in camp in 2015 and was released and subsequently ended up elsewhere. I believe he's with the Chargers. I believe Justice Cunningham is the blocking specialist and he's currently on the Rams' offseason roster.
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As this is now an NFL chat, what do you think John Elway will do to fill the unexpected starting QB opening?
Hung out at the Kubiak table for a while this morning at the AFC coaches breakfast. He says the Broncos aren't necessarily in a hurry to get something done at QB. They just want to get it right. A this point, their options are both limited and problematical in terms of veterans. Help may have to come via the draft, and there's no guarantee they'll be in position to draft a quarterback who can help them right away. They're not in a very good spot in all this in my opinion.
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Are the Rams trying to sign Rashad Johnson at free safety? or are they considering moving Mark Barron back to safety?
Don't know about any interest in R. Johnson. Barron is getting paid like he is to play linebacker.
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Is there any real reason to think the Rams have assembled all the pieces for a strong O-Line?
I don't think it's off-the-wall thinking to expect the youngsters on the line to keep improving. And even if they do, there will still be bumps in 2016. The line will still be one of the league's youngest. The Rams gave up very few sacks last season, you have to give the line at least part of the credit for that. The run-blocking could be better. Saying all that, wouldn't be surprised to see the Rams add another tackle in the draft.
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With the lack of interest in the remaining free agent quarterbacks, which quarterbacks do you see the Rams targeting in the draft? Also, could you foresee the Rams trading up to select Wentz or Goff?
The Rams do have that second-rounder from Philly in the Bradford trade as move-up ammo. And as I mentioned last week, it looks like the Rams are casting a wide net at the QB position in the draft. At the NFL Scouting Combine, they had formal interviews scheduled with Jared Goff, Paxton Lynch, Carson Wentz, Connor Cook, Christian Hackenberg, Cody Kessler, Cardale Jones, Jacoby Brissett, and Kevin Hogan.
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http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_10?Page=0
NFL chat with Jim Thomas
You are being chastised by some readers for continuing to issue limited reports about the only NFL team that those in this market understand.
Many of your readers still have an emotional investment in the Rams.
What say you to your detractors?
We will still offer some coverage of the Rams although nothing like what we have done when the team called St. Louis home. For every "detractor" I hear from, I hear from three or four others who still want Rams coverage. I've even received some critical e-mails from those saying we're not writing about the Rams enough.
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Regarding your statement: for every "detractor" I hear from, I hear from three or four others who still want Rams coverage. I've even received some critical e-mails from those saying we're not writing about the Rams enough. -- Is there any way to vet where those pro Rams coverage folks actually reside?
It seems a fair portion of St. Louis residents are done with the Rams; my guess is you are receiving those comments from the same LA Rams relocations trolls that have ruined the Rams Talk forum on the STLToday website. Your moderators really need to relaunch that forum as NFL Talk similar to the Soccer Talk forum and the way Bernie's Press Box rechristened as Hoch's Corner.
I guess there is a way to look into that, but I'm not technologically savvy enough to do so. But I do recognize a few of them as long-time Rams fans from St. Louis.
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What's your opinion on why Mark Davis dismisses St Louis. It has a plan to build a new stadium and his options are severely limited. As much as Stan trashed St Louis on the way out, you would think that most smart people would see it for what it was.
Very strange. I'm told that St. Louis _ and I assume it would be Peacock, Blitz, etc. _ never even got a chance to really talk to him about their stadium plan. That he just dismissed the idea of St. Louis outright. I don't really understand his "vision" of what's a fit for the Raiders. I thought being a Raiders fan was partly a state of mind.. And you're right _ his options are limited. Don't know why you'd turn your back on $400 million worth of public money and a $158 stadium naming rights deal.
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What do QBs do in the offseason, outside of organized activities, to get better? Do they look at their tape, tape of next season's opposing defenses or go to QB camps to work on fundamentals? Are the Rams QBs doing any of that?
They're not allowed to do anything like this with the team until the start of the offseason conditioning program in April. However, QBs can meet on their own with wide receivers, etc. before or after the offseason program/OTAs. Sam Bradford used to fly Rams receivers out to Oklahoma on his own dime in July before training camp started to do work with him on their own.
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I just don't get it.......Chris Long expressed a desire to stay with the Rams and acknowledged that, to do so, he would have to take a cut in pay. The Rams release him without attempting to renegotiate his contract. Now they bring in Coples on a two year deal at a base of $6.5 mill. If none of the money is guaranteed this a BS publicity stunt (hey LA don't worry about us cutting Long...we got a plan). Dude hasn't done squat for the teams he played for - 16.5 sacks in four years, a big goose egg last year. Whose bright idea was this??????
Coty Sensabaugh - 2 int's in four years. Pay him sizable bucks and lets pretend he is the answer to losing a big play guy. Oh yeah, just like Colples it was not his fault.....the team he played for did not understand how to use his talent.
And then there is the curious case (ha ha ha) of Case Keenum. Released by the Texans (who had no need for a QB) the Rams signed him in August 2014, waived him in October 2014, and then resigned him to the practice squad in October 2014 as a tackling dummy. Claimed by the Texans off the Rams practice squad, they traded him back to the Rams for a seventh round pick. The Rams now declare he is their man.
OK, I buy that.....after all Stan said he had no plans to move the team. Is the Rams' faith in the Case a negotiating ploy for FA QB's or do they really believe that Fisher can win with him? Or maybe the Rams realized that they couldn't land in LA without saying they have a starting quality QB or any answer to their QB problem.
I know Fisher prides himself as being a man with the plan......but when does his stinking plan pay off with 10 or more wins?
As Ricky used to say....."Jeffy you got some splainin' to do!!!!".
First off, Coples' entire contract is worth $6.5 million, but only $750,000 is guaranteed. His base salaries are $1.75 million in 2016 and $3.25 million in 2017. He gets another $1 million in the form of roster bonuses ($750K in '16 and $250K in '17). The remaining $500K comes on a per-game basis (of $31,250 per game that he's on the game-day 46-man roster.) So it's not what you think. The Rams do think Coples will be better playing in a 4-3 scheme. They plan to rotate him in behind William Hayes and move him in to defensive tackle in pass rush situations.
In the case of Long, the Rams thought he was a declining player, plain and simple Yes, the money had something to do with it, but certainly not everything. Don't know what to tell you on Sensabaugh. You do have the Gregg Williams connection there _ Williams once coached him in Tennessee, and coaches always like to bring in players they are familiar with.
As for Keenum, Fisher really likes him. I think he's a good backup/spot starter, but not an every day starter. But Fisher really likes him. (Why else tender the guy at the first-round level as a restricted free agent.) I'm sure the Rams are still looking at options at the position, particularly in the draft. As I mentioned in the chat last week, they held formal interviews with about 8 QBs at the combine.
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How much has the NFL hurt itself with how it treated St Louis. Asking them to put forth the effort (and millions) to retain the team. Then trying to derail and eventually turn down public money. How will it affect other teams trying to get public money.
I think the NFL is so arrogant that it doesn't care. As someone _ and I can no longer remember who it was _ so aptly explained to me, abandoning St. Louis was acceptable collateral damage to not only get back in the LA market but build a showcase stadium. A monument to themselves if you will by the owners. Nationally, I don't think the league's image is very good in terms of how it treated St. Louis.
But these other markets have teams, and they'll be thinking about them _ and not how StL got mistreated _ once the season nears. I do wonder if turning your back on $400 million in public money is a bad precedent, and how this might affect other small_ to mid-size markets. Then again, getting a team back to LA just might be an extreme example. In other words, there might not be another situation like this, where the league would turn its back on a city.
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Based on the relatively small investment the Rams have made (conservative scheme, rookie coaches, unheralded players), it seems Fisher doesn't agree with conventional NFL wisdom that the QB is the most important position on the field. If I'm wrong, why are they so cheap in this regard?
That's an interesting point. Sometimes I do wonder if Fisher realizes you need good (to great) QB play to win big in this league.
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Is naming Keenum the starter a smokescreen for drafting a qb ?
Snead didn't name Keenum the opening-day starter. His remarks were misrepresented. He said Keenum is the starter heading into the offseason program. That's it. Big difference.
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Heard any whispers on the RG3 and Kaep front? I find it hard to believe the Rams are going all in a backup like Keenum...
I heard second-hand _ and I repeat, second-hand _ that the Rams aren't really interested in RGIII. So take that for what it's worth. Haven't heard anything about potential interest in trading for Kaepernick.
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Do you think the Chiefs can unseat the Broncos in the AFC West?
As good as the Broncos have been, and their defense should be very good once again despite losing Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan in free agency, you have to wonder about the post-Manning (and post-Osweiler) offense. Hard to believe Mark Sanchez is the guy. So yeah, I think the Chiefs do have a chance to unseat them at this point.
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After watching Foles play week 1 and week 4 you have to think that hit in the chest from Clay Mathhews ruined him right? Maybe an offseason he will regain himself and takeover by week 1?
Possible. Don't know if it was directly a result of that Matthews hit, but Foles sure lost his mojo after the Green Bay game. It reached the point where in my mind I wondered if he came out of that game injured in some way. I've asked about that a couple times, including once recently, and the Rams claim that wasn't the case. If Foles survives and makes this roster again _ and there's no indication yet that will be the case _ I'm sure the Rams hope he can regain himself as you say.
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1) What are your thoughts on the Broncos / RG III hubbub, especially after the Sanchez signing (they can't really expect him to start, right)? 2) Who has the most upside of the remaining QBs on the market? RG3? Kaepernick? Johnny Football?
All indications are that RGIII is leaning towards Cleveland, but we'll see. Then again, it's hard to see either Sanchez or RGIII being the answer in Denver. Still think Kaepernick has the most upside of the three. He's also had the most success in this league. But let's face it, we're talking about damaged goods in all three cases.
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Will the Rams draft a defensive leader considering the fact they let go their defensive leaders?
Well, rookies almost by definition aren't team leaders. But I think William Hayes has a lot to offer in that area, and I think Ogletree also has some leadership qualities that can be developed. Perhaps Aaron Donald as well, although he's on the quiet side.
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Which team improved themselves the most through free agency? Are you ready to give the Rams a grade on it now?
I really like what Jacksonville and Oakland did. I'd rather have another week or so on Rams, but if I had to do it now, I'd say C-minus _ at best. They did a pretty good job of re-signing their own. And that was important. But the two biggest issues on the team _ QB and WR _ are still out there. And now you're looking for a free safety and another tight end as well.
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Do you NFL expanding in the next 10 years are so? If so, do you think STL will have a chance to have another NFL team. If Cleveland and Houston both got expansion teams, I think STL should have one as well on how this all played out.
I certainly do think St. Louis would have a chance to get an expansion team. But I'm not sure I see the league expanding.
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Johnny Manziel - I believe that many teams are interested in making a phone call and having Manziel play for free, what do you think any interest or just the agent doing their job?
I wouldn't touch the guy with a 10-foot pole. He has some issues away from the field, wouldn't you say? Issues probably more important than his football career. But if anyone can get him a job I'd say it's his new agent _ Drew Rosenhaus.
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Of the three moveable teams -- Rams, Chargers, and Raiders -- aren't the Raiders by far the closest to being a Super Bowl contender? Rivers is rapidly approaching Old Man status, the Rams are mediocrity defined, but the Raiders have Carr, Mack, and loads of upside. If the league really wanted the L.A. market to explode, they should've put the Raiders there instead. Typical Goodell brain cramp.
I have to say, I do like what the Raiders are doing in free agency. And I was impressed with them last year in Oakland when the Rams opened the preseason out there. Now you have Bruce Irvin to pair with Mack as bookend pass-rushers. Osemele has the reputation of an excellent run blocker. I think Carr is ascending, and let's not forget about Amari Cooper.
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I seem to remember that the Rams tried to extend JJ during last season but ended up insulting him with the offer. How in the world are they going to extend TJ, Brockers or Ogletree?
Yes, Jenkins told me right around the bye week that he didn't like their offer and was going to gamble on himself in free agency. Judging by the size of his contract with the Giants, the gamble paid off. The contracts for Brockers and Ogletree don't expire at the same time. And I believe the Rams are in position to have even more cap room after the 2016 season.
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I'm trying to figure out the game plan for this team. Everyone knows Keenum is not the answer, could we possibly be interested in a QB like Connor Cook?
I think there are some people in the building _ oops, can't say that anymore. No one's left in the building! Anyway, I think there are people in the organization that like Connor Cook. Not saying everyone. Not saying he's their guy. But he does have some support. (As did Johnny Football once upon a time.)
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Jim, aren't they still sitting on a potfull of cap room now - Ain't worth nothin' if you don't use it.
Not as much as you think after that second wave of signings. . . .Harkey,Sims Coples, Sensabaugh, plus tendering Keenum and Cunningham. The latest NFL Players Association numbers I looked at had the Rams at just under $13 million in cap space.
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It's pretty clear that Bill Belichick is the best coach in the business. But is he the best GM as well? He always seems to trade players at exactly the right time; he never overpays on the free agency market; he always seems able to identify guys like Welker, Amendola, or Vrabel--guys who weren't great with their original team, but guys who thrived for the Patriots. Fifteen years at the top with no drop off? 31 other franchises would kill for that kind of success. If Belichick knew how to draft, he'd be unstoppable.
You make some good points. no doubt, but Brady makes a lot of guys look better. Perhaps even the coach.
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How much do you think releasing Long and Laurinitas had to do with the Rams/Stan wanting to have fresh faces to lead the franchise to LA? Those 2 guys had been in STL the longest and would be a constant reminder of the STL. What do you think?
Very little to be honest with you. If the Rams thought they could play _ and maybe the Rams are wrong, and they still can play _ they'd still be on the roster. And I'm just saying internally the Rams had their doubts on both guys.
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What does the Chandler Jones trade do for Arizona? I'm assuming that weed overdose back in January was a one time issue. If it is, it seems like a solid pick up, assuming they re-sign him after the 2016 season.
I'd say the one chink in Arizona's defensive armor was pass rush, or lack thereof. And they figure Jones will help them out on that front. And I don't think the Cardinals are thinking too long-term. They realize they're not very far away and are in very much a win-now mode.
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The Rams had two tight ends in camp in 2014 - one was a better receiver than blocker and looked good in preseason. The other was a better blocker. I thought the receiver was a keeper. IF you recall the players, would either be a look see this year.
I think Alex Bayer was the receiving tight end you're talking about. But he wasn't nearly as impressive in camp in 2015 and was released and subsequently ended up elsewhere. I believe he's with the Chargers. I believe Justice Cunningham is the blocking specialist and he's currently on the Rams' offseason roster.
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As this is now an NFL chat, what do you think John Elway will do to fill the unexpected starting QB opening?
Hung out at the Kubiak table for a while this morning at the AFC coaches breakfast. He says the Broncos aren't necessarily in a hurry to get something done at QB. They just want to get it right. A this point, their options are both limited and problematical in terms of veterans. Help may have to come via the draft, and there's no guarantee they'll be in position to draft a quarterback who can help them right away. They're not in a very good spot in all this in my opinion.
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Are the Rams trying to sign Rashad Johnson at free safety? or are they considering moving Mark Barron back to safety?
Don't know about any interest in R. Johnson. Barron is getting paid like he is to play linebacker.
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Is there any real reason to think the Rams have assembled all the pieces for a strong O-Line?
I don't think it's off-the-wall thinking to expect the youngsters on the line to keep improving. And even if they do, there will still be bumps in 2016. The line will still be one of the league's youngest. The Rams gave up very few sacks last season, you have to give the line at least part of the credit for that. The run-blocking could be better. Saying all that, wouldn't be surprised to see the Rams add another tackle in the draft.
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With the lack of interest in the remaining free agent quarterbacks, which quarterbacks do you see the Rams targeting in the draft? Also, could you foresee the Rams trading up to select Wentz or Goff?
The Rams do have that second-rounder from Philly in the Bradford trade as move-up ammo. And as I mentioned last week, it looks like the Rams are casting a wide net at the QB position in the draft. At the NFL Scouting Combine, they had formal interviews scheduled with Jared Goff, Paxton Lynch, Carson Wentz, Connor Cook, Christian Hackenberg, Cody Kessler, Cardale Jones, Jacoby Brissett, and Kevin Hogan.
