Badbilly: Hi Jer, not really a sports question but what's up with Beano Cook, since I moved east I don't see him anymore, not even on ESPN. Has he retired or just hanging low in Pittsburgh?

Jerry Micco: Beano's still in circulation Billy, but he's doing some different stuff. He's on ESPN News some as a college football analyst. He writes some for ESPN.com. He's also a weekly guest on Stan Savran's and Mark Madden's radio shows. It wouldn't be college football season without Beano.

tampa_matt: Hi Jerry, any truth to the Jackie Jones rumors?

Jerry Micco: Hi Matt. Don't know about the Jackie Jones rumors, but we're checking out everything when it comes to the Pirates. Bill Mueller signed today with the Dodgers, so right now, Freddy Sanchez is the third baseman for the Bucs. They need power from somewhere, but Sanchez isn't that guy. Jones would be a good power guy. Just depends on what he wants money wise. The Pirates have a bit to spend, but it depends on what they choose to spend it on. I think those rumors on Jones may heat up some now that Mueller appears headed to LA.

Sr: Is Ben a baby when it comes to injuries?

Jerry Micco: A baby? Not hardly. I think he's playing on at least one bum knee and his thumb is hurt and may be broken, who knows. He may openly discuss his injuries more than some players and certainly more than his coach would like, but he tends to play unless he just simply can't go. He wanted to play right after the surgery but no one would clear that. He's a pretty tough guy, but he isn't afraid to tell you if he's hurting. Some guys are like that, but it doesn't mean they aren't tough.

Sr: Pitt looked pretty good last Saturday against Penn State. I know Penn State is not very good, but do you think Pitt is underrated?

Jerry Micco: I think we'll know a lot more about Pitt after they play at South Carolina and host Wisconsin during the last week of 2005. I think they are a very solid team that can do a lot of things, but they are still young and the competition they've played hasn't exactly pressed them. It's a nice team that might make a bit of hay in the Big East, but I'd like to see them get more consistent inside and see how the younger guys develop. Krauser is playing well, which is a good thing, and Gray and Kendall are getting them something underneath. Long season, but if Pitt keeps playing like it has the last couple of games, they'll get the recognition it'll rightfully deserve.

Sr: Why does Coach Cowher seem to be so annoyed with Ben and his thumb then?

Jerry Micco: When is Bill not annoyed? I think Bill likes to keep his injuries under wraps and wants guys to just go play and not whine about injuries. Ben whines a little, but it doesn't mean he can't play. It's the time of year when everyone is hurt some, but it's a time when if you can possibly go, you go. I think there's a bit of professional friction between Cowher and Roethlisberger, not unlike Noll and Bradshaw. And that provided a lot of great sports moments in Pittsburgh sports history didn't it?

RubyRunsTheCity: If your QB can't throw the ball more than 40yards down the field, doesn't that affect your game plan?

Jerry Micco: Absolutely Ruby, but then again, do the Steelers really have a guy who can get 40 yards downfield to catch a ball? I think that Ben can still zip medium-range passes just fine and if he has to, can get it down the field far enough for Hines Ward or Antwaan Randle El to get to it for a big gain. No question something's wrong with Ben's thumb, but you gameplan around that because they still want to run the ball 35 times a game and get the short-to-medium passing game going to be successful. If they control the clock like they did against the Bears, they don't need a 40-yard pass downfield to be successful.

tampa_matt: What do you make of the Mackowiak deal? It seemed that he was a good fit in the 'Burgh.

Jerry Micco: I was a bit surprised, Matt, because I thought the Pirates might try a platoon of Mackowiak and Sanchez at third and hope for 15 home runs and 70 RBIs between them. Not great power numbers, but better than what most free agent third basemen would bring. Marte is a good lefty and still could be part of a larger trade, but unless the Pirates can get a legitimate power hitter at either third or in right field, then I think trading Mackowiak might have been a waste. Now if Marte of one of the other lefty relievers is used to get that power guy, then it's a great trade.

Ron--Burgundy: With Bill Mueller going to LA, will the pirates pursue Joe Randa? Jerry Micco: They might pursue Randa, but he'd have to come relatively cheap. Actually, Randa's power numbers are better than Sean Casey's or Mueller's, so maybe they should. I still think they may be thinking trade to fill third base. Depends on if they believe Craig Wilson can revert to 2004 form and play right field. If that happens, then they may be content to play Sanchez at third. I still think they aren't done dealing.

Ron--Burgundy: Who coaches the pens in 2006?

Jerry Micco: I think Michel Therrien will likely land here as coach and probably before the end of this season. But the disappointment that team has caused isn't all Eddie Olczyk's fault. Far from it. You have to lay some of it at the coach, but the players procured by Craig Patrick -- Recchi, Gonchar, LeClair, Odelein, Thibault -- have really not played well. Recchi is the best of that bunch, but they've all sort of slid downhill together, leaving the team powerless. I think you're seeing the effect of that on Sidney Crosby, who I think is now trying too hard to do it all. He's not ready to do that and the frustration, and poorer play, has been the result for him. Now if Sir Sidney starts to slip badly, part of that is coaching.

Sr: Do you think Reggie Bush will be a Houston Texan next year?

Jerry Micco: If they have the first overall pick, then he'll be a Texan. Unless Bush comes back for his senior year at USC. He'll give up a Texas-sized pile of money if he doesn't come out. He'll be the most popular Bush in Texas if he goes into the draft.

tampa_matt: Why can Brad Johnson have so much success with the same guys Daunte Culpepper couldn't?

Jerry Micco: That's a tough question to answer, Matt, but part of it is who they've played. That division is so weak that just by playing them you can get six victories. Some of it is the return of a couple players from injury, including top receiver Nate Burleson. And some of it may be the defense playing better. Sometimes, too, players step up when the star goes down. Look at what the Steelers did with Ben when Tommy Maddox went down. Maddox was considered the No. 1 QB on that team and when the rookie was inserted, no one was wild about that. But everyone stepped it up a bit more to accommodate the change, and I think some of that has gone on in Minnesota.

RubyRunsTheCity: Over/Under =70 for Pirates win total in 2006...

Jerry Micco: I'd take the over. I think if the pitching comes through, and guys like Doumit, Duffy and Castillo continue to develop, they should be able to win 77 games give or take a couple. If Craig Wilson and Sean Casey develop good power numbers, then they can win 80 or more. The key is the pitching and the growth of those key young guys.

Ron--Burgundy: Does Mario fire Craig Patrick?

Jerry Micco: Ron, he won't fire Patrick, but I don't know why he wouldn't consider it. I mean, if Olczyk is the big problem, who hired him? Everyone knew he didn't have NHL coaching experience. I think that Patrick banked on veterans surrounding Crosby to keep him protected and get some tough goals. That is the last thing that has happened. And the Gonchar contract at $5 million a year makes him almost untradeable. They are nosing around now for a trade, but who wants Gonchar at that salary? He'd have a better chance of selling a team the arena than Gonchar. Talk about a major shakeup.

RubyRunsTheCity: Who will be the first LB taken in the draft? Hawk? Poslzuny?

Jerry Micco: Hawk is probably the first linebacker picked, though Posluzny may be just as high. I think, though, that Posluzny will stay one more year in school and then come out. Hawk is an excellent player and will have an immediate impact.

Ron--Burgundy:Crystal Ball Time - 2008 - Who has the best football program Penn St, Pitt, or WVU?

Jerry Micco: Wow, tough question Ron. Penn State certainly will use this season to land some very good recruits. Pitt already has some good, solid guys and Wannstedt is a very good recruiter. WVU keeps rolling along with good players year in and year out. I think all three may be headed for a nice run if some of the recruits pan out. Pitt and WVU benefit by being in the Big East and Penn State has some good young guys and more on the way. I'd not want to rank those in order, though, except to say that all should be on a roll even in 2008.

tampa_matt: I like the Pens and don't want them to move, but don't you think they need to put out a little better of a product if they want to get people in the city on board for a new arena?

Jerry Micco: Yes, they'll have to do that. They'll have to get the city excited about them again. Hockey fans are great and they are passionate, but city fathers grew up on football and baseball. When the Steelers or Pirates bark, they get more of an ear from the government. The Pens have to battle their way in and when they are in a funk like they are now, it's hard to get casual fans excited. That said, there's no way they don't get a deal done. We're a great sports town and the Pens are a part of that.

Sr: Do you think the Pirates are too slow at moving players up through their minor league system?

Jerry Micco: I think at times they were too fast moving players. Now, they seem to slow down a bit and by and large, that works. Sometimes, if a guy comes out great guns and wows everyone like Zach Duke, then you might think they left him on the farm too long. But when you get other guys who are rushed and fade away, then you know they weren't ready. Dave Littlefield is patient, and I think that pays off. Brad Eldred is a good example. Everyone loves those home runs, but he strikes out way too much and doesn't drive in runs because he doesn't make a lot of contact. He could stand another year in AAA, which is what the Pirates would like him to do. When a guy comes up, Littlefield wants him ready to play, not learning the game.

Ron--Burgundy:Do the Chargers and Chiefs lose again this week?

Jerry Micco: I think the Giants can handle the Chiefs and the Colts should handle the Chargers at home, though the latter game will be closer than people think. The Giants-Chiefs game is the one to watch, though. If the Giants can win on Saturday, the Steelers know that a win puts them a game up on KC with the CleveBrownies and Lions to go. Huge lift for the Steelers. If the Chiefs win, then the Steelers know that they must go out an handle the Vikings. Either way, it's an NFL playoff weekend in Pittsburgh for the remainder of the season. It's going to be very tight.

Badbilly: Come on Jerry, 80 wins for the Pirates? I hope you're right but I don't think so.

Jerry Micco: All I'm saying Billy is that if the pitching gets to where it could get -- Perez regains 2004 form; Duke continues to sizzle; Wells gets his act together and Maholm picks up where he left off last season, they'll be much better than 2005. Add that to having Casey pick up and have a good season and perhaps Craig Wilson's return, 80 wins isn't out of the question. It's an awful lot to go right, but it could happen. I'm saying they'll win more than 70 and probably something like 75.

tampa_matt: Is the Big East definitely going to lose its BCS bowl, even if WVU beats UGA, and Louisville beats VA Tech?

Jerry Micco: No, I don't think so. I think the Big East needs time to recover from losing Va. Tech, Miami and Boston College. If WVU, Pitt and Louisville can play tough, then there's three solid teams to hang your hat on if you're a Big East fan. What that conference needs is for Syracuse to get back to winning form and to keep Rutgers an above-.500 program. It would help if South Florida continues to play tough, too. I'm not saying it'll be the strongest conference around, but it will be more competitive if some of it's newer teams, as well as the established ones, can keep recruiting well and be competitive.

RubyRunsTheCity: Does anybody else think Pittsburgh has the potential to become the sports capital of the World in about 3 years? Big Ben is dominating for the Steelers. Sydney Crosby is living up to the LeBron-esque hype he had coming into the league. And the Pirates have a solid young nucleus with Bay and company. But more importantly, Cuban will own the team sometime after the All-Star game is over.

Jerry Micco: Well Ruby, we'd love for Pittsburgh to rise to that name because the Post-Gazette can then bring it's readers (online and in print) some of the great stories in sports. It'd be nice to see and it really could happen. I don't know that it'll ever replace New York, but it'd be fun to see all the teams do well and the city get behind them. Hey, you forgot the ABA Xpolsion.

Ron--Burgundy: Will Mark Cuban buy the Pens or Pirates? Both?

Jerry Micco: I think if the price is right and Mark Cuban can make money, he'd buy one of the teams. But I don't think the Pirates are for sale now and the Pens may not be here if a new arena isn't in the works. But no question Cuban would like a shot at owning a Pittsburgh team. If the right offer is made and he thinks he'll have fun doing it as well as make a buck, he'd probably do it.

Baxter: Are the Pirates going to give Mike Gonzalez a real shot to be the full time closer or are they going to screw around and give Tores and Hernandez opportunities?

Jerry Micco: I think Jim Tracy wants Gonzalez to be his closer, but he has Roberto Hernandez in the wings just in case Gonzalez bombs. I think the kid will get every shot in spring training but we'll have to see how he responds. He's got the right stuff for it, while Torres and Hernandez are ideal set up guys and have the pitches for that role. Hernandez, though, could be a closer if Gonzalez runs into trouble. Torres is really a set up guy, period.

tampa_matt: What do you think about Fleury's development? I think he does some amazing things, he just gets no help on the scoreboard at all. That can't be good for his psyche, right?

Jerry Micco: Great question, Matt. Fleury's psyche has been part of his problem, and it started with the soft goal he gave up a couple years ago at the Junior World's that led to Canada's defeat. He gassed a bit up here, then fell through the floor last season in Wilkes-Barre. Having said that, he's remarkable these days. I think he knows he's doing his best and that will sustain him. He's been their best player the past few games. And it shows why he, like Crosby, was a No. 1 overall selection. And you need a great goaltender to realize great things.

Baxter: Where do you see Pitt basketball standing as the year goes on? Are they NCAA tournament material?

Jerry Micco: I think we'll get a better feel Baxter once Big East play opens. The Big East, so far, hasn't been the beast everyone thought it would be, having only 3 top 25 teams in the latest poll. But you know it will still be a very tough conference, and I'm not sure if Pitt is one of the top 5 teams. I think they are in the 6-8 tier, but could, if a lot of things break right, move up. I think they are borderline NCAA, but if the conference is strong and they are in the top 6, then they're going to the Show.

tampa_matt: What do you think about Florida State hanging with PSU? The Noles' have a good defense and arguably the 3 best linebackers in the country themselves, if nothing else, don't you think it will be a good game, closer than people think?

Jerry Micco: Oh, much closer than people think. FSU had some terrible games this season, but they are capable of playing anyone tough. It's tough to go to someone's home state and play them, but it's what the BCS has PSU doing. It'll be a very good, entertaining game with plenty of defense. I think that the betting line will be much closer in a week to 10 days than the current 8 points that Penn State is favored by.

RubyRunsTheCity: Who will the Steelers draft with their first pick in 2006? History leads me to believe it will be a LB or OL. I would love to see them draft somebody like LenDale White or some other skill player.

Jerry Micco: I think, and I said this last week, that if a great linebacker is there who can rush the passer, the Steelers will take him. If not, likely go wide receiver or even offensive line, in that order. I think they need more good linebackers to run the 3-4 and their backers this year haven't been that great as a unit. More depth and a very good pass-rushing linebacker, if you can't get a free agent to fill the bill, would be my first choice.

Jerry Micco: Thanks everyone. It was another great session. I'm taking a week off next week so there will be no chat. But I'll be back for the Dec. 28 session and ready to talk about what 's on your minds. Have a great Holiday, and I'll see you on Dec. 28.