Fresno Ram Fan: Hey Gordo,

Do you know if and how much Saunders uses the no huddle? and wz curious to see if you know how are offensive line coach did during the OTA's? Once again, thanx for keeping us Ram fans in CA updated.

Jeff Gordon: Saunders did get to use some quicker tempo stuff with the Redskins later last season, which seemed to help their stagnant offense. Jason Campbell did pretty well with it. Of course, Saunders was really limited by Joe Gibbs' preference for a power-running offense. With veteran QBs here, I'm sure he will be feel free to use some of that keep defenses off-balance. Will he use a lot of it? We'll have to wait for the regular season.

Offensive line Steve Loney made a good impression on the returning linemen. It looks like the coaching change will do the unit some good.

Lynn: Thanks for taking my question. Has something happened to Chris Carpenter in the last 5 days that the Cardinals are not telling us? They just put Carp on the 60 day DL on Saturday with Encarnacion and Kinney. There will be no place for him to do a rehab assignment 60 days from now. It would appear that they have given up on him! Do you think we will ever see him again?

Jeff Gordon: Yes, you will see him again. In fact, the diagnosis on his arm was encouraging. His return will just take more time. The 60-day designation was just a bookkeeping deal, since the Cards have filled up their allotment of 15-day DL slots. He will rehab when his elbow is ready to be tested. Don't rule out his return at the end of this season.

G Money: The number one draft choice fills a huge need for the Blues. Puck moving defensemen are hard to obtain. This young man and Johnson give the Blues a potentially bright future. He reminds me of Pronger in terms of size. I know he is not known for being a tough guy. Is he defensively sound at this time? What are the chances we see him this year or next? Same question with the goalie in the third round.

Prospects in hockey take about the same time as young baseball prospects??

Jeff Gordon: Hockey players take a while. Pietrangelo suffered a spleen injury at the end of last season and he just recently resumed working out. He could make the team this camp, but it's more likely he will need additional developmental time. The Blues saw many veteran D break down last season under fore-checking and they can't let that happen to this kid.

Allen will be at least a few years away in goal. The developmental time for hockey players is generally much longer than for basketball players. Only a tiny percentage of players actually reach the NHL the first year after they are drafted.

G Money: Mulder - got hit hard last time out. What was his velocity like?
Carpenter- back by August?
Wainwright - July 17 or mid August ?
Todd - this year or next year?

Jeff Gordon: Mulder's velocity dipped some in his last start, so his final "tune-up" at Memphis could decide whether he starts as scheduled in Kansas City.
Carpenter is a tough call, since the inflammation set him back. If he pushes too hard, he could end up suffering consequences as Kinney did.
Wainwright is anybody's guess, given the nature of that injury. I'd guess later than sooner, because the team does NOT want him aggravating that injury.
Jesse Todd should be on the front burner by next spring. In nine games at Springfield, he is 2-2 with a 1.79 ERA. But as Garcia is finding out, the jump to Class AAA Memphis is a challenge. Let's see how that goes.

G Money: Boggs has a very good sinking fastball . Seems like a better late inning relief guy to me. Closer in college. Lacks a real good number 2 and 3 pitch. Will we see he and McClellan switch roles next year?

Jeff Gordon: That could happen. Duncan loves McClellan's starter potential. Could be Wainwright, part II. Boggs has the makeup to work out of the pen, which is critical. As a long guy, he could offer better long-range potential than Brad Thompson.