I still don't think this addresses the confusion about rows. If Rip is simply talking about a deloaded parallel row that is NOT the same row that has the Pendley or JS monicker. A deloaded parallel row is still not necessarily the "power" version of it that the "Pendley" one is supposed to be by utilyzing upper back flexion and violent extension. This is what needs to be addressed not just row substitution in general. Because this is more likely to cause problems with the general audience rather than them being a "pussy" and not doing power cleans.
That question is answered in my mind and I don't really do JS rows very much anymore since not doing them cured the upper back strain (since they caused it
). That is I don't do the version that says you are supposed to round the mid back before you arch it. A lot of people do Pendley's as a deweighted parallel row done quickly. Really fast really fast. Personally I have never once thought that a barbell row was not done parallel and always thought that people did it higher as another version or simply because they couldn't get low. As far as doing it fast it's OK but I wouldn't do all my rows fast. There is more to a row than just "activating" as many lat fibers as possible.
The power clean is just one "trick up someone's sleeve". There are lot's of tricks. Making a big huge deal about one exercise to me just shows you need more tricks in your bag because people get massively strong without doing OL lifts all the time. They may be a good way but they are not the only way.
Frankly I think people overemphasize rows who can barely do pullups and I really don't like rows being the standard way to customize the SS programs. And I agree that PC's will probably reap huge benefits. But there are other reasons to do rows then just pure progression or getting you DL's up. I think a lot of people trying to instruct themselves on cleans before ever doing rows may end up being bad at certain things, such as scapular retraction.