The re-signing of pitcher Kyle Loshe was a good start, and the Cardinals deserve credit for it.

But the Cardinals have many needs: a reinforced rotation, a more reliable late-inning bullpen and more offensive firepower from the middle infield.

Will the Cardinals make good on general manager John Mozeliak's pledge to be aggressive? Or will we see more hesitancy and waffling?

Will Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. buck up or take the cut-rate approach to free agency?

Will the Cardinals reach high or settle for - to use Mozeliak's term - the low-hanging fruit?

No reasonable person is asking the brass to spend money foolishly, but it's fair to demand a more ambitious effort for improving this team.

The fans have done their share by faithfully paying higher ticket prices and filling Busch Stadium. Will the Cardinals' front office be content to ride that wave of fan support? Or will this be a proactive offseason that leads to legitimate roster upgrades?

This offseason is a credibility check for DeWitt and Mozeliak.

Reading Time, three minutes Free Steven Jackson.

I've been tough on Jackson. His contract is one of the richest among NFL running backs and so much is expected. Jackson should be held to a high standard. At times he's been brilliant. And at times No. 39 runs his mouth harder than he runs the Football. But Rams fans are accusing Jackson of dogging it, as if he's somehow he's faking this thigh injury, or that he's unwilling to play with discomfort. I don't believe that. I think that's unfair. I don't see a legitimate reason to question Jackson's integrity. Question his durability, yes. But his integrity, no.

Blues prospect Philip McRae is off to a sizzling start for the Junior A London Knights, with 10 goals and 11 assists through the first 14 games. ... Kudos to Mike Caruso and the Blues' public-relations staff for doing some innovative things to keep the broadcasts fresh. The Blues were the first (and only) NHL team to place their radio analyst, Kelly Chase, between the benches at ice level. And on the TV side, injured star Paul Kariya provided analysis during Wednesday's game at Buffalo. Good stuff.

Quarterback Jeff Otis, the CBC grad and son of Jim Otis, signed a practice squad contract with the Oakland Raiders this week. He's represented by Bob Lattinville of Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP. ... Good luck to Doug Stanton, who did a super job on the graphics for Cardinals and Blues broadcasts on Fox Sports Midwest. He's headed to Chicago to help produce Cubs, Bulls and Blackhawks games.

After being waived by the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves, St. Louisan Blake Ahearn was signed by the Dakota Wizards of the NBA Developmental League (NBDL). ... And former Missouri coach Quin Snyder is back for a second season as the head coach for the NBDL Austin Toros; he guided them to a 30-20 record and the league finals last season. ... Other local connections in the NBDL: Jamaal Tatum (Southern Illinois) was in camp with Idaho; Marshall Brown (Mizzou) was in camp with Austin; Frank Williams (Illinois) was in camp with Sioux Falls. (Rosters haven't been set).

The Cardinals scored well in USA Today Sports Weekly's Major League Baseball franchise rankings. Teams were graded over a five-year period (2004 to 2008) on criteria that included postseason success, regular-season success, the draft and front-office continuity. The Cardinals were ranked third in the majors, behind Boston and the Los Angeles Angels.

Yes, that was Cardinals trainer Barry Weinberg seated near the front row during Wednesday's annual Country Music Awards show, televised by ABC. ... A Bit from Frank Ladd: Billiken band member Melissa Claus, while honeymooning in Hawaii, bought nine new conch shells for the band to use when SLU makes a 3-point shot. The shells replace those that were stolen from the band late last season. The tradition returns.

Congrats to the St. Louis organizing and operations committee, the volunteers and the staff at Bellerive CC for receiving the 2008 "Best in Class" award from the PGA Tour for their work in running the BMW Championship. This honor should help St. Louis land additional golf events in the future.

Without Jackson, I don't see how the Rams muster much of an attack at San Francisco, which is strong against the run. That will probably lead to unfavorable passing situations for Marc Bulger. Pick: 49ers 24, Rams 13. ... As for Mizzou, trips to Ames, Iowa are never much fun; weird things tend to happen. But the Tigers will be all right. Pick: Mizzou 38, Iowa State 20.

Dan McLaughlin, keeping busy with TV play-by-play duties for Fox College Sports, will be calling the Paradise Jam basketball tournament in the Virgin Islands Nov. 21-24. The tourney favorite is UConn. ... The next St. Louis Tiger Club meeting is Thursday at the Edward Jones Building (Manchester and Interstate 270). Featured guest is Football recruiting analyst Danny Heitert. Reception at 6 p.m. program at 7, and it's free and open to the public.

The Nice Section Tickets are on sale for the 21st annual Budweiser Guns 'N Hoses boxing show for Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 26) at Scottrade Center. In addition to 17 boxing matches featuring local police officers and firefighters, there will be a ceremonial "10 Count" to honor the seven police officers and two firefighters who have died on duty since last year's event. Tickets are $30, $25, and $20 and can be purchased at the box office or through ticketmaster.com.

As a warmup, the police officers and firefighters who will compete at Guns 'N Hoses will be introduced on Thursday at Hrabosky's Ball Park Saloon at 7 p.m. The boxers will receive their uniforms and there will be attendance prizes and ticket giveaways.