November 14, 2010; San Francisco, CA, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (72) warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park. San Francisco defeated St. Louis 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

The Rams haven’t had many bright spots in the franchise over the last several years, but Chris Long and James Laurinaitis have been are the present and future of this franchise. The good news is that the organization feels the same way. Rams VP Kevin Demoff did a chat over at the team’s website, and he said the team has started the process of negotiating long-term deals with the duo.

“We have been focused on clearing up our salary cap situation over the past few years to make sure in 2013 we had the available space to re-sign our key core young players, such as Long and Laurinaitis. We’re in the process of starting initial conversations with both players, and I’m optimistic that both will wear the horns for years to come. We have plenty of cap room in 2013 and the plan is to re-sign both of them.”

First of all, I recommend anyone who is a Rams fan go to the team site and read the chat in its entirety. There is a ton of info there, so much so that I can’t possibly get to it all here. There is plenty of moving/Dome talk, so check it out.

Now, back to Long and Laurinaitis. I’m a huge fan of both of these guys, so the fact that the team is making signing them a priority is a very good thing. Laurinaitis is one of the most consistent, reliable players in the league, and I think Long is on the verge of becoming a star. The Rams look like they are committed to having a dominant defense for years to come, and keeping Laurinaitis and Long is the first step.

- JT thinks receivers like Laurent Robinson, Mardy Gilyard, Brandon Gibson, and even Donnie Avery could in in trouble when it comes to making the team.

-He recognizes that DT a G are two major positions of need that the team did not address during the draft, and he seems concerned (as we all should be) that the team still has plenty of needs that need to be addressed.

-He discusses several questions about Saints RB Reggie Bush, who could become available when the lockout is over. He said the Rams would certainly have interest if Bush becomes available, but he will be pricey.

-”The failure to draft a running back in mind-boggling” is a direct quote.

-He thinks Fendi Onobun could be the odd man out in the TE group. I still like the potential he brings at either tight end or WR, so I hope that’s not the case.

-He thinks Mardy Gilyard is pretty much out the door unless he has a great camp.

There is plenty more, so go give it a look.

JT thinks the Rams are highly likely to trade down on Thursday, assuming Julio Jones isn’t available at 14. In fact, he said that he would put the percentage at about 70. That’s awfully high, especially considering he put the percentage of the team staying at 14 at just 15. I am all in favor of trading down if Jones is gone, so this was music to my ears. This also gives support to the rumors that the Rams are highly interested in Notre Dame TE Kyle Rudolph, which I am starting to hear from numerous sources.

Speaking of receivers, there were several questions about some of the second-round guys in the chat, and JT appears to be leaning towards Maryland’s Torrey Smith if the team decides to take one there. I am a big fan of Smith, and I would be fine with him, but I still think I like Jon Baldwin and Leonard Hankerson a little better.

Daniel Thomas’s name was mentioned as a guy the Rams seem to like, which was also music to my ears. Many of you know how big a fan I am of Thomas, and probably the biggest disappointment of the Combine for me was not seeing him work out. I would love to see Thomas in St. Louis, and it sounds like the Rams feel about the same as I do.

For much, much more head over to the s