Burwell & Company Show Note Thursday 11.12.09

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9:02a-- Cliff Saunders joined Bryan Burwell once again for today's show. Cardinals GM John Mozeliak told Scott Boras that they will not engage in a bidding war for Matt Holliday and that whatever their initial offer is will more than likely be it. Burwell says it's important that the Cards don't offer Holliday a ridiculously low number, because he may feel insulted. Saunders and Burwell are both questioning whether or not Mozeliak is serious about resigning Holliday; or if he is just appearing to have interest to appease the fans. Saunders thinks the Redbirds need to be sure of what their payroll is going to be before offering Holliday a multiyear contract. Saunders agrees with Mozeliak and thinks it's important that the Cardinals either sign Holliday as soon as possible or just part ways and move on to the next available option.

9:23a-- Cardinals insider Derrick Goold joined the guys to talk about the Matt Holliday situation and other hot stove issues. Goold thinks it's possible that the Cards let Holliday walk; but believes it will be well down the road if that happens. Goold says Boras hasn't even begun to market Holliday and things will heat up in the weeks to come. Burwell reiterated his point that Holliday is the best option for the Cards. Goold believes the Redbirds may overpay for Holliday simply because of the intangibles he brings to the clubhouse. Goold also believes that the Cardinals may in fact be the team that makes the best offer for Holliday. Goold says a lot of the players in the clubhouse probably know what Holliday wants to do in the offseason and that a few of them still keep in contact with him. Goold says that if the Red Sox, Angels, Yankees or Mets get serious about signing Holliday, the Cards are probably out of the running. Goold says Mark DeRosa could possible be a Cardinal next year, but the Cubs and Phillies are also interested in signing him. Goold says DeRosa doesn't want to sign a contract based on his wrist injury and that this may be his last shot at a big contract.

9:42a-- How would Michael Vick look in a Rams uniform? Burwell says that Vick is a giant question mark, which is worse than being a disappointment. Saunders says that Vick playing quarterback for the Rams would be an improvement over Marc Bulger and Kyle Boller, since Keith Null is unproven. Burwell believes Vick should have gone to play in the UFL since he would have been a starter from day one and could have proven that he can still play. Saunders doesn't think Vick makes sense for the Rams since no one know what he really has left in the tank and the Rams can't afford to blow anymore money on a mistake. Burwell thinks Rams fans would embrace Vick and that he made the wrong choice in signing with the Eagles. Burwell says that if the Rams decide Vick can still play, maybe St. Louis takes an impact wide receiver or defensive player in the first round and then a young quarterback in the early second round. Saunders disagrees because Vick usually plays in his own type of offensive so Coach Spags would have to completely rework the system.

10:04a-- Rams insider Brian Stull joined the show to talk some football. Stull thinks Vick would be a decent fit in St. Louis with the Rams but has concerns of what he could actually bring to the team. Stull agrees with Burwell that Vick is a big question mark and no one knows what he can do. Stull says that based on what Steven Jackson has done over the last few games on the ground and the fact that the Saints have struggled against the run this year, are both reasons why the Rams could upset this weekend against New Orleans. Burwell and Saunders agree that in order for the Rams to be successful, they have to move the chanins and keep Drew Brees and his high powered offensive off of the field. Stull agrees, but he is concerned that the Saints much improved defense could prove troublesome for the Rams offense. Stull says the Rams are averaging 9.3 points per game and that is unacceptable if the Rams want to win some more games this year.

10:22-- When will Big Mac speak? MLB Commissioner Bud Selig was asked by Bob Costas recently about his thoughts on Mark McGwire discussing his history of PEDs. Selig says he has no idea when McGwire is going to talk about his past, but he is amazed that fans are still hung up on him. Selig says McGwire will be drug tested when he returns to baseball. Selig says the MLB has done enough in regards to steroids and he just wants everyone to move on and play the game. Burwell says Selig needs to convince Big Mac to sit down with the media and explain himself: mainly because he was one of the stars of the steroid era. Burwell says that he doubts Barry Bonds will be welcomed back with opened arms like McGwire and says the only reason he was let back into baseball because Selig liked him more than Bonds. Saunders argues that there is a huge difference between McGwire and Bonds. Saunders agrees with Selig and thinks that everyone should just try to move on.

10:43a-- The callers joined the show to react to the Bud Selig/Mark McGwire situation. One caller says it's unfair to compare McGwire to Bonds and that everyone needs to quit beating up on him. Another called argues that there is no physical evidence that Big Mac used steroids and none of the listeners are anyway. The last listerner wants to know what everyone will do if McGwire talks to the media and claims he is innocent. #1 Ranked Kansas Jayhawks Men's basketball coach Bill Self joined the guys to talk some college basketball.

11:03a-- Former New Orleans Saints QB Bobby Hebert joined the show to break down the upcoming Rams/Saints game this Sunday. Hebert says the Saints' run defense is a little bit of a concern and they are going to have theri hands full with Steven Jackson. Hebert believes the Rams have to be +2 in the turnover column if they want to succeed against the Saints this week. Hebert argues that the Saints; secondary is extremely competitive and the Rams are going to have problems throwing on them. Hebert can't believe the Saints actually have more run attempts this year than pass attempts. Hebert believes Greg Williams is the primary reason the Saints' defensive has been so much better this year than in the past; another big part of the defensive upgrade this year has been what they've been able to accomplish in the redzone. Compared to the 1999-2001 Rams, Hebert thinks Drew Drees is better in the pocket than Kurt Warner, but they lack a Marshall Faulk type running back; he also argues that their defense is much better than the Rams used to be and they have more resilience.

11:24a-- #1 Ranked Kansas Jayhawks Men's basketball coach Bill Self joined the guys to talk some college basketball.

11:43a-- National Football Post writer Michael Lombardi joined the guys for the last segment of the show. Lombardi says there isn't enough evidence on Vick so far to make a judgement on whether or not he has anything left. Lombardi believes Vick made the right choice by skipping the UFL and signing with the Eagles; because if he were to fail there, he would have never made it back to the NFL. Lombardi says the Rams should take a look at Vick since it certainly wouldn't be a downgrade and the Rams could use any lift right now. At the same time, he would probably just draft a rookie quarterback with the Rams first pick. Lombardi believes the NFL is a quarterback league and drafting a good one is key in rebuilding a franchise. Of the potential quarterbacks in next years draft, Lombardi thinks Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen is the most impressive, though Sooners QB Sam Bradford and Washington QB Jake Locker are both intriguing candidates. Lombardi thinks the Rams will be a team that can win 8 or 9 games within the next few season, but their number one picks have to start playing like it. As far as Bulger is concerned, Lombardi believes he has taken too many hits and thus become ineffective. Lombardi thinks Steven Jackson is a great running back, but it's usually quarterbacks who decide the outcome of the game these days.

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