DAVE COBLER: Hey Gordo;
I am really liking Skip Schumakers game. He is proving to be a tough out at the leadoff spot and the Cards are scoring early because of his ability to get on base. Ludwick has proved he can hit and hit with power and if given the opportunity to play every day he might just be the guy to hit behind Pujols. But he can't do that when Skip and Dunc are playing. The bottom line is we are winning whoever TLR puts in there because they are all performing.
How do you see this outfield shaking out as far as trade chips go? Do you think TLR would prefer Ludwicks power off the bench over Skips leadoff roll? Who do you think is the odd man out once Rasmus takes over the show?...Because it has been said that once he is here, HE PLAYS?
The more this season goes on the more intriguing it is becoming. "Intrigue" is definately the theme of this years Cardinal ball club.

Thanks so much for your time Jeff! It is always a BIG treat to get your insightfull feedback from all the chatheads who call on you!

Jeff Gordon: Skip has played great, but Rasmus is the same type of player -- but with more power potential. That is the one piece missing from Skip's game. So from that standpoint, Skip would be a more likely player to package in a trade. He could help a lot of teams as 250- to 400-at-bat player, just as he is helping the Cards this season. He is establishing himself as a true big leaguer.

Ludwick offers right-handed power plus solid defensive ability. The fact that he, too, can play center field hurts Skip's long-term security here. Also, we presume Ankiel is a legit player in all this discussion. Ultimately the team needs a mix of right-handed and left-handed bats.

Chris Rizzuti: Gordo,
Thanks for taking our questions.

Is there anyway the Blues could trade up to the No. 1 spot to takt Stampkos? What would you put the percentage of that happeniong? Also, what do you think it would take from us?

Thanks a lot for the answers.

Jeff Gordon: Tampa Bay moved Richards and his big contract out of the center slot, so taking Stamkos makes a lot of sense to them -- even though they have Lecavalier. Given that, it would be tough for the Blues to move up.

If the Lightning did look for a deal, I'm guessing they would want a top young player to swap picks. I'm guessing they would ask for Perron over either Eller or Berglund.

Dan Husselbee: Hi Jeff,

The Rams of all teams should be aware that defense wins Super Bowls, in our last two Super Bowl appearances this was surely the case. With that said, I think it's important that the Rams draft defensive players with their first and second round picks.

It's true Long or Gholston fit our need at DE and I won't be upset with either one of the two. But for those Ram fans who think we shouldn't draft a DT because the Ram's track record hasn't been pretty at that position, I'd say Glenn Dorsey is definitely no Jimmy Kennedy or Damione Lewis. Where he was drafted Ryan Pickett was well worth drafting and I believe Carriker and Ryan will turn out to be good players. As far as Dorsey, he's played at a high level with injuries even while being double and triple teamed. You can't even compare Dorsey to either Kennedy or Lewis since neither is in his class. We shouldn't have drafted either one of these guys they were both reaches. Dorsey is no reach, If it were my choice Dorsey is too good to pass up.

Finally a question Gordo, do you think the Rams should draft a WR in the second round or draft someone who can make tackles as I do?

Over the last few years I've watched the Rams lose games they could have won if they could only make open field tackles. I know the Rams have already spent major dollars on linebackers, but if you look at the league stats the top tacklers are linebackers. Since we've lost Chillar I think were dangerously thin at linebacker, Pisa gets hurt too often and what if Spoon goes down for the season? We're, in trouble, I think we need another impact linebacker and if he's still on the board OLB Curtis Lofton would be my pick, this guy is an explosive hitting tackling machine who can also rush the passer, this guy had 157 tackles last year. I think if the Rams are determined to draft a WR they'll find a good one available in the third round. Guys like Lofton won't be around in Round three.

I say Defense Gordo, then again I would have fired Linehan, what do I know!

Jeff Gordon: I agree with your take on DTs. You can't be afraid to draft one because of the team's past failure at that position. Dorsey is much-loved by the Rams scouts for the reasons you state. Many experts believes his high side exceeds any defensive player in the draft.

At LB, Lofton is ranked No. 2 overall among inside linebackers by Scouts Inc. But Devaney told me the LB pool is thin, so he didn't hole out much hope for the right guy dropping out of the first round.

WR is deep, as you say. If the Rams take a defensive lineman first, as it appears they will, then either WR or OT ought to be the next pick. And OTs are harder to find.

dave elmendorf: i have noticed since the rams won the super bowl that they lack a physical presence on the defensive side of the ball. they do not have enough physical players. i look at glen dorsey and i see someone in the mold of warren sapp or at least a guy who is a good as sean gilbert who was not so bad at defensive tackle. Jg why are the rams so afraid of drafting players that are a bit more physical. im 46 and i could run through the holes that opposing backs run through. what do ou think the possiblities are that they actually draft dorsey and if they did would they would carriker to right end and then maybe trade a 3rd or 4th rd pick for lido shepard. He is still relatively young and he is being traded because he is unhappy over the acquisition of deangelo hall.

Jeff Gordon: Can't argue with your points. The Rams need to get more stout at the point of attack. They made progress last year with Carriker and Ryan, but they still have smallish linebackers and the need to be tougher against the run at DE. Moving Carriker outside could address some of that, although I still endorse taking Chris Long to strengthen the end position while leaving Carriker and Ryan to start inside.

andy: hey i was wondering given the lack of offense we have at third it there is any chance of either skip or ankiel trying their hand at playing third. Both are stellar athletes and while im sure the defense they would play at third would be below average to start, i would think they could improve enough to become above average. I also wonder this because i can't think of any prospects we have at third that are close to majors, although maybe the prospect we got for jimmy may be moving up, is there anyone else. Ryan could be an option, but i think unless izturis steps it up, larussa is going to have to let ryan play short

Jeff Gordon: I agree that Ryan will have to get some ABs at short to shore up the offense. The Cards are betting big dollars that Glaus is still a 30 HR, 100 RBI guy. If he isn't, this team is in big trouble.

Perhaps Troy is coming out of his funk. The team started well despite his early struggle, but clearly this offense needs more production ASAP.