Chip Rosenbloom laid it on the line in his interview with St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Jim Thomas:

"Things will improve, and if they don't, we'll make a change."

And, with that, the first, and perhaps last, public warning shot was fired in Scott Linehan's direction.

Personally, I read great significance into Rosenbloom's quote. Before the season, I don't think the new Rams' owner would've said that. But, two games in, and with his team outscored 79-16 and entering the red zone as often as I've entered Meagan Fox, Rosenbloom knows this unfortunate situation he's been thrown into has gotten worse in 2 games than anyone anticipated just 11 days ago.

I read that quote like this: if the Rams lose to Seattle (an 0-2 team to whom they're currently a 10 point underdog) and at home to Buffalo, Linehan is gone.

Period.

You have to go back to 2005 to find an NFL team franchise in such a bad situation that they fired a coach in the middle of the season. That was 11 games into the Lions' season when they let go of Steve Mariucci. But, only had to play 5 games with an interim coach.

If Linehan is fired in the Rams' bye week, they'd have 12 games left. That's a hell of a task for an interim head coach. Usually the interim coach is the offensive or defensive coordinator. Considering the Rams' offense is ranked dead last in the league...and the Rams' defense is ranked dead last in the league, I highly doubt Al Saunders or Jim Haslett would get the nod. The firing of Scott Linehan, while well-deserved...even before 2008 started, is as much of a p.r. move as anything else.

In my opinion, the ghost of Vince Lombardi could return to the NFL sidelines, and the 2008 Rams are going to have some trouble winning games this year. In reality, it probably doesn't "matter" who coaches the Rams if/when Linehan is fired. But, in the sense that the chasm between the organization and the city continues to grow, whoever comes in here to take over has to be able to lead football fans back to the Dome as much as he has to lead the football team on the field.

As written in this very same space this time last year, in my opinion, this franchise's stability in this city is tenuous. That was written in September 2007. Somehow, it's actually gotten exponentially worse 12 months later. Someone who can win over both the fans and the team *this* year is needed.

That's why both insideSTL.com's Howard Balzer and Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz advocate the return---for this year only---of Dick Vermeil.

"He is a leader, and his main task would be to make the players believe again. He has always said 'you have to be believed to be heard.'He wold let the assistants coach, and inject his own genuine emotion to the situation. I would then consider him as club president next year," Balzer said.

As to the likelihood of Vermeil, who will turn 72 in October, returning to St. Louis, Miklasz, joining us on Team 1380's ITD Morning After, said he spoke with Vermeil in the offseason, and Miklasz said he got the impression that if Chip Rosenbloom came to Vermeil and asked for a favor to help get the Rams through a tough time, the former Rams' coach would definitely listen.

But, what if Vermeil listened...and decided he wasn't interested? Then who do the Rams turn to?

Bernie says he believes a good candidate on the current staff would be Wide Receivers Coach Henry Ellard. The 47 year-old Ellard had a great career with the Rams, and he's been in locker room as Wide Receivers Coach since 2001. Miklasz said he commands respect, and players would follow his lead.

Balzer, however, says in his opinion, Ellard is too laid back for the task of coaching the 2008 Rams. He says the job should go to Asst. Head Coach/Linebackers Coach Rick Venturi. Balzer's reasoning?

"He's done it twice before."

True enough. Venturi has taken over for coaches fired mid-season in both 1991 and 1996 with the Colts and Saints, respectively.

But, in both the case of Ellard and of Venturi, their interim head coaching tenure would likely do little to get St. Louis area football fans talking at least a little bit about football on Sundays...as opposed to what they're seeing on Saturdays in Columbia.

Vermeil, of course, would at the very least get people talking...and maybe the team would respond. But, whoever comes in would come in with no expectations from the fan base, and so it's a pressure free job...relatively speaking.

But, barring a miraculous turnaround, whoever takes over for the remainder of 2008 would not be back for 2009.

So, this time next year, who will be in charge on the sidelines for the St. Louis Rams?

When a team looks as bad as the Rams do, all kinds of names get thrown around. Marty Schottenheimer. Bill Cowher. Even Gary Pinkel and Marshall Faulk. Here's Balzer's take:

"I don't think the Rams will pay the price for Schottenheimer or Cowher. Faulk won't coach, and Pinkel has it too good as a college coach to enter the NFL landmines. My guy going forward is Mike Singletary. I wanted the Rams to interview him the last time. Singletary would be a leader, which is what a head coach has to be."

And, unfortunately, it's not what Scott Linehan is.

Who do you want to see take over if Scott Linehan is fired? Post your suggestions here, or you can email me at tmckernan@insidestl.com.