David: Gordo,

I'm always curious about Alex Barron. I've gained the impression his motivation isn't on the level of a Carricker or a Long. Is he having a good training camp? Are his skills living up to the hype surrounding his draft? I won't ask about the false starts. And I don't really care about his attitude--I just wonder if there is legitimate hope of this guy becoming top shelf, or will the Rams need to dump him when his contract runs out?

Jeff Gordon: Alex said all the right stuff in the offseason and there is a lot of money on the table for him IF he realizes his potential this year. But let's see when the real games begin.

adam_cruts: Jeff,

Thanks as always. I have to ask - why in the world is Josh Phelps not getting an opportunity to bat off the bench for the Cardinals? I can understand us not having the opening at 1B, but wouldn't it have been nice to have an experienced power bat off the bench against a Lidge last night in the 9th, rather than sending currently undermatched Mather/Stavinoha up there?

Jeff Gordon: Right now the Cards need an OF on the bench. But Phelps could have more value than an extra middle infielder, since he can also catch a little. And his power would be a welcome bench addition.

therealdealankiel: Gordo,

Where can I find a training camp fan schedule? Since it's just down the road, I'd like to make it over there for one of the bigger events.

Thanks!

Jeff Gordon: The Rams are headed to Tennessee to practice, so your best bet is to catch them when they return at the start of the next week.

Dan M.: Gordo,

Doesn't Marc Bulger have a problem with his touch on deep balls? If he is not able to accurately put the ball in the hands of these receivers down field, what difference does it make how much vertical speed they have? Until Bulger proves that he can go long, I don't see DBs biting deep and allowing the short passes to turn into big YAC plays.

Jeff Gordon: He doesn't have a real long arm, period. His key to throw accurately and hit guys in their break, headed upfield. Heaving the home-run ball over the top of the secondary isn't his strong suit.

Ken Wilson: Hey Gordo,

This summer seems to have shown a major philosphy difference between somewhere between Dewitt and LaRussa. Dewitt appears to be wanting to keep cost reasonable while LaRussa needs more bats and arms. Watching Mather and Stavinoha was painful. Everyone agrees that TLR is a sure bet HOFer. However, deep down I'm wondering if based on the direction upper management appears to want to go towards, IYO do you think upper management still believes that TLR is the best man to guide the Cardinals now and going forward?

Jeff Gordon: La Russa has developed Ankiel, Ludwick, Schumaker, Ryan and McClellan. So he is the right guy to do the same with Rasmus, Perez, Garcia, et al. Injuries to Duncan, Rasmus and Barton put Stavinoha in pretty deep Sunday, but this isn't a sign that the youth movement will fail.