pj: I know the Grizzlies and the Bandits are minor league teams, but both teams have won their respective championships within the last few years. Why do they get no media love? KSHE was at a grizzlies game a few weeks back. they hardly ever get a mention in the Post. I love the Blues , but they havent been great. the cards are the cards enough said... the rams, tho, SUCK but they get ALL kinds of media attention.

Jeff Gordon: You are talking about Class A, independent league baseball teams. It is tough to command the attention the big league teams get. It just is. The P-D, like every outlet, has to prioritize. And fans can't get enough Rams/Cards/Mizzou/Blues.

JP: Where in the world is the PASSION on this football team????
Maybe it's just me but I saw more excitement & passion from the other teams
around the league.

Hopefully Dick Vermeil's has one helluva speech left in him for the
troops because they sorely need it! From your "inside knowledge" would it be fair to say that while Linehan may be a nice man he doesn't have the respect or confidence of the players under him......

Jeff Gordon: I wouldn't say that, but Scott does have to ramp up the leadership. All eyes are on him as the team comes off a 3-13 fiasco.

trey: do u think the rams have a shot at the NFC west?
i really think that they are the best team in the nfc west and dont think the hawks are better..truthfully who would u pick to win the NFC west?

Jeff Gordon: I like Arizona this year. And Seattle always beats the Rams . . . so I'm not optimistic.

Pat: when does training camp start for the blues? a buddy and I were gonna catch a few practices/scrimmages. I think remember hearing they will all be at Scott trade or split half & half, he says they are all still at the Mills, whos right?

Jeff Gordon: The Blues' first preseason game is Sept. 22, but I'm not sure when camp starts. They won't practice much more than a week, I believe, before they play.

Michael Kent: Jeff ...

A couple of questions related to Cards' pitching:

1) If you're TLR and Chris Carpenter can't make his next scheduled start later this week, who would you start in Carp's rotation turn?

2) I read Joe Strauss' post on Mark Mulder looking to try to come back again in 2009. Do you feel that Mulder feels he "owes" it the Cardinals to try to come back with them next season, even if he has to take, for example, a contact paying the minimum guaranteed salary but incentive-laden? Do you think the Cards would even entertain that proposition?

Thank you.

Jeff Gordon: Yeah, Mulder owes the Cards for the last two years, so it would be great if he would sign for limited guaranteed money and lots of incentives. It would be worth it then. Will he do that or go elsewhere? We'll see.

Who would replace Carpenter? Either Thompson or Garcia would be ready to step in. I'd try Garcia, with Thompson backing him.