DBQIA: A question about last years Tigers. They had three players drafted, one in the first round and at least one additional player that is going to a training camp as an UDFA. They also had a player, Weatherspoon, that would have been drafted if he had come out. With all that talent why was the defense so bad?

Jeff Gordon: Great question. Teams burned the Tigers time and again with similar passing plays. How many times did the defensive backs end up pointing at each other? For a team that sees the spread every, Mizzou was shockingly incapable to defending that sort of passing attack.

It would have been nice to see Pinkel do additional hiring from outside his tight circle to put fresh eyes on this.

Tackleberry: Gordo,
After the 1-0 loss Saturday, again they referenced the "Ludwick & Ankiel" absence in the post-game show when discussing the recent scoring draught. Ludwick is a given, but Ankiel is batting .247 with 2 HRs and 11 RBI's. My point is that the offensive issues go deeper than Ankiel not being in the line-up whether they want to admit it or not. This team needs a constant force in the line-up, they are relying too much on young players who cannot deliver night in and night out. But where do you get that proven bat now?

Jeff Gordon: It WILL take a collective effort to get out of this. Ankiel showed signs of becoming the power hitter he was last season . . . and then he got hurt. Ludwick started fast, tailed off and got hurt.

Barden and Thurston had a great month, then died. K. Greene showed signs of breaking out, then he fell back. Rasmus has shown us potential, but not consistency. Duncan has been solid, but he lacks the power he had before neck surgery.

Since Glaus seems increasingly unlikely to play for the Cards again, 3B becomes a focal point. With both Freese and Mather hurt, now Wallace, the '08 pick, is moving on deck. That's great, but, yes, another veteran RH bat would be welcome.

As teams edge into "bail" mode, this will merit some attention.

BillP: Hey Jeff, who do you like in the Conference Finals? You got the Hawks/Wings and Penguins/Canes Who's your pick in each series and why? Thanks and Have a good week!

Jeff Gordon: For all my reservations about Osgood, the Winged Wheel keeps on rolling. I like Carolina's grit, but the Crosby/Malkin show ought to prevail there because Pittsburgh wisely added some beef. I'd feel even better about Pittsburgh if Gonchar wasn't trying to play on one leg.

Wild Bill: Hey Gordo,
Thanks for the chat.
With the Blues pick at #17 in the 2009 entry draft; what direction would you like to see Jarmo go this year, perhaps trading up for a OHL player (like Peter Holland or Zack Kassian) who is close to ready for an immediate impact or will he go with another lesser known Eller type Euro kid (like Jacob Josefson or Oliver Ekman-Larsson)? Also how would rate this years draft class is it considered to be a good one?

Jeff Gordon: After the first three picks in the first round, this draft falls off. Given that, I'd recommend that the Blues go for long-term upside with the pick. If that means taking a Euro or a skilled kid headed to college, so be it.

The Blues will have their hands full developing Eller, Pietrangelo, Palushaj, Bishop, et al in the short term.

Tackleberry: Gordo,

Really enjoyed Wellemeyer's 41 pitch 1st inning on Sunday. Your colleague Mr. Strauss contends that Wellemeyer & Piniero are safe based solely on their salaries alone. Meanwhile, Boggs continues to be effective, though not terrible efficient. So how do you defend sticking with Wellemeyer or Piniero when Carp returns? They aren't even giving us a chance to win most times out.

Jeff Gordon: If Boggs could pitch deeper into games, he would be a candidate to bump Wellemeyer or Pineiro back to the bullpen right now. But those fifth-inning exits killed him. So Mitchell is still positioned as the No. 6 guy, waiting for somebody else to fall. The team was 4-0 when he started, so he remains on the front burner.

Wellemeyer and Pineiro aren't immune because of seniority. They are pitching just enough good innings, in there with the bad ones, to offer hopeful of better things. They are straddling that line right now.