Joan Hammond: I've always been told there is no such thing as a dumb question--so here goes.
When I'm watching the football game on TV, there is a colored line at the yard line that comes and goes. How do they do that??

Jeff Gordon: The technology, "1st and 10," is offered by a company called Sportvision. It is a complex process, naturally, but here is a snippet from the Wikipedia explanation of it: "There are seven computers in total and a crew of 4 people. Two crew members, one inside the stadium and one in front of a computer, communicate the position of the real first down line to make sure everything is working. Another crew member is a troubleshooter. The last crew member monitors the various colors that will make up the color palette onto which the line is drawn." For more on it, Google up "1st and 10" on the Internets . . .

David Cobler: Hey Gordo;
Thanks for responding to my question!
Just as "As The World Turns", may be the soap opra of choice to some, "St. Louis Cardinal Baseball" is the soap that consumes me. I pay for "Extra Innings" via DTV so I can watch the games here in Topeka, Ks. I rarely miss a game. I have been a Cardinal fan since 1964 due mostly inpart to my mother tuning them in on the radio in the town of Ottumwa, IA. I enjoy the regular season more then the post season because of the good stories (soap opras) that unfold. With that said, the 2008 season is shaping up to be an interesting one because of all the changes taking place on the field. I'd love to see Rasmus make the club and start. In your thinking, which player(s)intrigues you (performance wise) the most for the 2008 season and why?

Thanks for your thoughts/preview Jeff!

Jeff Gordon: Rasmus is high on that list. So is Brian Barton, a Rule 5 pick-up from Cleveland. He has a similar skill set (with less power) and he will have to stick with the club or go back to the Indians.

Other questions that will define this team:

Is Brendan Ryan a real prospect or a Bo Hart-like flash in the pan?
Is Rick Ankiel a .260 hitter with 25 homers and 90 RBI, or can he improve his contact hitting and do more?
What could a healthy Chris Duncan do with 500 at bats?
Can Scott Spiezio bounced back from his personal problems and help the outfield equation?

Mike: It appears to me that the most important qualification for being hired as a Linehan assistant is to have been a Linehan cronie at some time in the past. Is that a common practice among head coaches? Martz sacraficed the 2004 and 2005 seasons to keep Larry Marmie employed, will we suffer the same fate with Linehan's cronies?

Jeff Gordon: It is common for coaches to hire their buddies, yes. In this case, with Linehan shaping up as a lame duck in 2008, he will have a tough time hiring somebody he has no previous connection with.

TAR: The trade deadline is 26 February. The Blues have four consecutive home games after the deadline, then go on a nine game road trip, then come home to play Detroit. That's not exactly a cake walk for a team in the rebuilding mode! What's their game plan? In other words, if they're x points out of the playoffs by the deadline are they sellers?

Jeff Gordon: I don't see them going into "sell" mode, other than to jettison a veteran or two (Martin Rucinsky!) not coming back next season. The Blues will continue developing their team regardless of the standings. And that development will include cycling out some veterans to create room for younger players -- or dealing a veteran for another player will longer term value, like an Andy McDonald.

On the flip side, I don't see them going into "buy" mode and sacrificing prospects for short-term gain. That won't happen this year.

hammer: Do you think the Cards should invite Reggie Sanders to camp? He could provide the right handed bat in the outfield and would be a positive influence in the clubhouse.

Are the Blues going to make a trade anytime soon?

Jeff Gordon: The Cards need to add somebody to compete with Ryan Ludwick for ABs against lefties, since Ryan didn't exactly wear them out last year. Juan Gonzalez apparently meets that criteria. Reggie Sanders could fit that bill, too, given the leadership ability you mention.

As for the Blues, the team wouldn't mind moving Christian Backman if the opporunity arose.