Brian81277: Although the Rams defense has looked a lot better this season I am not impressed with the play in the secondary. It seems like teams can and have passed at will against them and guys are way too open. Are the DB's really that bad on the rams or is there just bad coaching or play calling?

Jim Thomas: Lots of young corners are getting on the job training. The team's best corner, Ron Bartell, has been playing hurt with a thigh injury which affects his deep speed and his closing speed. He had to get the thigh shot up with pain killer against Minnesota, which is never a good thing.

pdub: Jim-

Do you have any inklings of the Rams possibly making a trade before the upcoming deadline? Is so, wouldn't you think they'd be looking for a WR? How about Gage of the Titans? And what Rams' players would you think might be of interest to other teams?

Also, what is the deal with Victor A. and Dorell S. on the defensive line? I mean, we've picked up several other DL men off practice squads and waivers, and they're getting PT, yet these two guys have both been on the roster from day one, and are not. I don't get it. Are they so bad that they can't see the field on this team?

pdub

Jim Thomas: again, I don't anticipate anything before the trade deadline.

The Rams obviously think Ah You is a better pass rusher than Adeyanju, and since they have only been dressing four DEs, Adeyanju has been the odd man out. I'm not saying Adeyanju is Reggie White, but it's been very puzzling that the leading tackling from the preseason season can't even get on the field for a winless team. Adeyanju may finally get his chance this week if Hall can't come back from his thigh injury. As for Scott, that's also puzzling. Ramsey has been playing pretty well. Except for a play or two here and there, I haven't been seeing a lot for Douzable. I was told Scott blew a gap assignment on Julius Jones' 62-yard TD run in Seattle in the season opener. And that may have led to him being inactive the next several weeks.

Brock Landers: Jim: I know we long past the Greatest show on turf. But I think our play calling on offense has been horrendous for the most part. Incredibly predictable. Do we ever throw downfield? Or on first down? Steven Jackson left, then right, then it's 3rd and 12 after a procedure penalty. The screens were effective Sunday which was good to see but it seems protection has improved so why not stretch the defenses a little? Is Pat Shurmur the guy or overmatched?

Thanks,

Brock

Jim Thomas: The Rams threw on first down 10 times against Jacksonville, and ran on first down on 12 plays. Granted, some of those first-down throws came in the hurry-up offense at the end of regulation. I think we'd all like to see them throw downfield more. And I think they had been trying to do so more often lately with Avery (one of which was intercepted near the goal line by Rashean Mathis). But once Avery's out of the lineup, there's really no one in the receiver corps with deep speed (with the exception of Tim Carter, who's just been added to the team, and hasn't really shown himself to be a polished receiver.)

RamFanInPA: Jim,
If the Rams are sold does Spags have an out of his contract?

Jim Thomas: Yes, at least that's what I've been led to believe.

robbewc: Jim, thanks for the great job covering the Rams. With all the "draft experts" and fans saying the Rams will draft a quarterback in round one or two of the 2010 draft, what insights can you provide about Noll being the quarterback of the future? Or will it be necessary to draft a quarterback in 2010? Thanks!

Jim Thomas: The Rams coaching staff seems to like Null, but I think it's fair to say that they don't regard him as a franchise-type quarterback. If the Rams are drafting in the top five next year, which now seems very likely, why not consider a franchise-type QB if one's available there _ as now seems likely. Of course, a lot depends on how Marc Bulger plays over the last 10 games. But the cap constraints that prevented them from even considering moving Bulger won't be there after this season.