Michael Kent: Jeff ...

Most Cards fans would believe that Colby Rasmus is the best bet of all the minor league prospects to make the 25-man roster on Opening Day 2009. Or is he?

Who would you consider to be the "darkhorse" candidate(s) to make the team this spring? I'm talking about players who have yet to be on the active roster (i.e., those who were September callups last season don't count).

Thanks.

Jeff Gordon: For a darkhorse, perhaps one of the pitchers we haven't seen yet -- Jess Todd, who was great last year, or Clayton Mortensen, who was not. That kid looked good in the spring and was positioned to get a call-up . . . until he struggled at Memphis. But he still has good stuff and he is on the radar.

Right now, the team is overloaded with outfielders and third baeemen. There is no room for breakthroughs there. Maybe Brian Barden gets the nod to replace Aaron Miles in the infield, since the team will need a guy who can play third base when Glaus needs a break. (Ryan seems a little shaky over there and Freese needs to get his ABs at Memphis this year.)

Tim: How would you like this for starting Oline next year

Andre Smith LT( stud rookie that will anchor the line for years to come)
Jacob Bell LG ( I wont give up on him, he is playing subpar this year with a playing weight around 280. Get some solid weight and muscle mass on him this offseason and I would bet he would be the same guy that played for the Titans)
Incognito C ( Im actually a fan of him. he plays with heart and intensity and hated to lose If he can just got a good coach to calm him down, dicipline him, and relize his full potential Hed be great
Grecco RG( Great intensitly and strength, Should be a cornerstone on the Rams line for many years)
Jordan Gross( I think would be a solid signing for the Rams)

Would you like that line opening day?

Jeff Gordon: Smith is a great line prospect, but his body type (really fat) makes him better suited for right tackle or even guard. As for signing a starting-caliber FA tackle, good luck with that. Those guys are scarce and they can pick better locales than this one.

Tim: What direction do you think the Rams will go in head coaching position? If I were Them I would go either Spagnola or Rex Ryan. Both of thema are smart, fiery tempered and diciplined coaches that would turn this team around. Plus, who would be the perfect guy to give Incognito a kick in the butt other than the guy who has a grudge against him for the way he played "Rex Ryan"

Jeff Gordon: The Ravens didn't think much of Richie, so it would be interesting to see what happened if Rex did get the call.

Whatever the Rams do, they need to hire a head coach with some attitude and go as far from the Linehan style as possible.

Tim: Do you thimk the Rams will spend money on their D LINE this offseason?
Obviously Long is there next year I Think Carriker just needs an offseason to recuperate from injuries and get helathy again and he should be back to his rookie form. Clifton Ryan will be there byt other than that its wide open. If im the Rams I would which Doubt will happen but if Albert Haynesworth hits free agency we should throw stupid money at him and build our D around him. Then if Im correct Julius Peppers is a free agent so Id work real hard to try to sign him whick would leave us with Long Haynesworth Carriker Peppers on front four. Not bad to me what do you think?

Jeff Gordon: Good luck signing impact D-linemen as free agents. They usually don't hit the market -- and if they do, they go to the better teams.

I'd go to a 3-4 D, use Long, Carriker and Adeyanju at the ends and fird somebody bigger than Ryan to play the nose. Then the team would have to find a couple of tough inside linebackers.

Tim: Is there anyone big on free agent wide recievers in free agency this year? Holt is likley gone so that leaves us with Avery Burton and Stanley. Id like to see them add a veteran reciever that can produce and teach the kids to play the game.

Jeff Gordon: Looker runs routes as well as anybody, so he can handle that role. I'd go with the kids and maybe draft one more guy on the second day.