ctramsfan: Jeff, I was under the impression that the rams are about 6 million dollars over the cap. Will this hurt their chances to land potential big name free agents such as Bernard Berrian and Gibril Wilson or even mid level free agents such as Jacob Bell and Bryant Johnson, and what are they going to do to solve this problem? Also, which players do you see the rams making serious runs at in free agency? Thanks for your time.

Jeff Gordon: They are $7 million under the cap, but the Rams need to restructure Little's contract and either restructure Bruce's deal or release him to create even more room. As Jim Thomas noted, the club would like to lock in Atogwe and Jackson to longer-term deals.

As for free agents, the Rams certainly need a speed receiver. But their commitment to Bennett might preclude a big investment there.

As we noted last week, some of the more attractive free agents would come off the board. FS Hamlin and DT Corey Williams were among those stuck with the franchise tag.

drelboc: HEY GORDO;
Who in camp do you think has the best chance of being the every day starting RF? If it is a platoon situation who would you like to see out there?

As Jack Buck use to say oh so many years ago..."thanks for your time-for this time-til next time....SO LONG".

Jeff Gordon: I would park Ankiel in RF and leave him there for 500 ABs, unless he fell apart. In CF, I'd use Schumaker and Ludwick until Rasmus is ready. Colby is the future CF, so leave the spot open while seeing if Schumaker has more than you thought. Barton has a poor arm, which is why he mostly played LF in the minors. But it would be interesting to see what he could add offensively.

If Gonzalez stays healthy, send him to Memphis to see what happens. In my mind, he would have to kill the ball to take a spot from one of the younger players.

J. Murphy: I have been a Ram fan since 1949. You would think at 71 years of age I'd know better but here I am upset as hell about the miserable shape my team is in. There can be no excuse for the financial condition they are in as far as the cap is concerned. Not since Rosenbloom has the Rams had a hands on owner or anyone in top management that knows football. They got to the Superbowl in 79 from what Rosenbloom had done before and they just got lucky to get Vermeil who put them in the last one. What top management should do, if they want a winner and so bit of respect,hire Vermeil back and get rid of JZ and Shaw.Give him a free hand and let he build a dynasty. This draft is a no brainer 1st defense, pass rush in particular. The QB can't hurt you on his back. Chris Long may be gone but Gholston is more than capable. next look for a top ol.The Rams have a chance to recover if they know what their doing with 4 picks in the first 97. Having said that JZ may have something to do with draft and that would be a disaster.

Jeff Gordon: The Rams are not in terrible cap shape. They have some older guys eating up some space -- and that has to change. Zygmunt has been able to work restructures in the past. If Little won't play ball, I'd cut him as part of the youth movement, switch to a 3-4, move Carriker to DE and take a long look at Dorsey.

tom: Is Tony LaRussa incapable of handling the press? Is it as Slaten as said in his latest argument with Tony, the press only lobs softballs at him? Are we seeing a personality change, from the time he started in St. Louis, in Tony LaRussa?

Lastly, does the management really care about these arguments that have become more common from TLR? Will they ever say that is enough and so "shut up" to Tony?

Jeff Gordon: La Russa deals with the media daily. He takes hard questions and easy questions. He's not hard to find. During the season, he is available in his office for long stretches before and after every game. He is easy to talk to at spring training as well.

concerned blues fan: Why do the blues announcers on tv keep talking about how great our defense is? The way I see it, they always look out of position, make poor clearing passes, and are getting drilled into the endboards. It is quite obvious if Manny wasn't back there we would be hanging out with the Kings in the standings.

Jeff Gordon: There is a lot of potential on defense, true, but some overhaul is needed. Veterans like McKee, Jackman and Backman can certainly do better -- especially since they are being paid as Top Four defenders.