Chunkles: Bob, does Rod Woodson go into the Hall of Fame as a Steeler?

Bob Smizik: Good afternoon, one and all. Sorry I'm a bit late. The NFL does not put players in by team. He will go in simply as Rod Woodson.

Deke: Can you believe Madden and Savran are doing a Steelers post-game show together?

Bob Smizik: They've been doing it for about three years, so, yes I believe it. Money makes strange bedfellows. As I suggested in print when the show first started, maybe they should call the show the Coward (Savran's name for Madden) and the Shill (Madden's name for Savran). I do not hear the show since i'm always at the games but I'm told it's pretty good.

rock: bob- who are supposed to be the best high school teams this year and did Central or anyone other private school get any transfers?

Bob Smizik: Actually, my sources tell me that Gateway has surpassed Central as the recruiting leader in Western Pa. I'm told Terry Smith has a powerhouse at Gateway.

JoePa_Beano_2008: Smiz you and John Steigerwald seem to be the only people who openly speak about how bad the Pirates are run, can you foresee at any point in the next 5 or so years that this team is even competitive? I don't

Bob Smizik: You're jesting about myself and Steigerwald being the only people critical of Pirates management. EVERYONE is critical of Pirates management. I'd say the chances are strong the Pirates will not surpass .500 in the next five years, but no one can say that definitively. You don't just have to gauge the strength of the Pirates, you need to gauge the strength of the entire Central Division. That's pretty impossible to do.

mtw: Why all the optimism for pitt football in 2008, last i checked wanny is still the coach. His game management alone will cost them several games.

Bob Smizik: I'm not trying to be contrary, but I haven't seen all the optimism you're talking about. I wrote not to expect a successful season this year. Losing Kinder hurts because he was key to their passing game, particularly with the young QBs. I could see Pitt going 7-5, but that would not be much of an accomplishment considering the schedule. I haven't noted Wannstedt making major in-game blunders. If so, refresh my memory. Harris had more than his share, but I can't say the same for Wannstedt.

Andre_Igoudala: Bob, I knew that Benito Santiago trade was bad news when I was walking by Pnc Park the 1 month he was here and his ID did not work to get into the players garage.

Bob Smizik: The Santiago trade speaks to the talent evaluation of the Littlefield administration. He was so washed up the Pirates cut him in May. The Mets gave him a look (it cost them nothing) and cut him before he ever played for them. Why couldn't the Pirates scouts have seen that before they traded Leo Nunez? Another nail in Littlefield's coffin.

ronin_buc: Given Pirates management is always five years behind on MLB trends, does the Kuwata experiment yield future players from Japan down the road (hopefully with the new manangement team)? Or was he just another bad Pirate relief pitcher?

Bob Smizik: He was both. A bad relief pitcher and an entree into Japanese baseball. What they do with that entree remains to be seen. There was talk from Tracy last night that Kuwata would be given a job in the organization. That might be a smart move. It's tough for the Pirates to get any kind of free agents -- American, Latin or Asian. Every little bit helps.

Andre_Igoudala: Will George Mitchell be investigating why Roger Clemens has increased 3 cap sizes since 1986?

Bob Smizik: The lack of attention on Clemens saddens me. His post-40 accomplishments are at least as good as those of Bonds. I believe his ERA for 2004-06 was a full run lower than his career ERA. That's astonishing. Yet Clemens escapes almost all scrutiny. I don't get it.

ronin_buc: Is Wannestedt on to something by moving Dorin Dickerson to LB? From PG reports, his athletic abilities have made up for his inexperience in practice at the position.

Bob Smizik: The switch was certainly worth a try. There is a far greater need at LB than RB or WR. He brings great athleticism to the position. Now all he has to do is play it well. That's one of the big questions of the season.

Deke: What do you think of the job Greg Linelli has done filling in for DeMarro?

Bob Smizik: Great does a nice job. He's a talented guy.

frank_the_tank: Why is everyone so quick to assume that Alex Rodriguez never took steroids?

Bob Smizik: Probably because he's a clean-cut nice guy. I read recently -- I can't verify this -- that he's gained 40 pounds as a major leaguer. Nothing would surprise me. There are chemicals out there, HGH, that can't be found by testing. Considering the money that can be made, why wouldn't some of these athletes try it?

ronin_buc: Other than Colborn's tinkering, if Zach Duke comes back to September and shows some of his rookie year form, can we chalk up his struggles this year to an injury? Do you see him pitching better under a different regime?

Bob Smizik: I don't blame Duke's problems on Colborn's tinkering, any more than I blame Chad Hermansen's failure on Lloyd McClendon's tinkering. Duke has been pounded for two straight seasons. He's going to have to make adjustments. Hitters are on to him. He could make it back, but I would not count on it.

JoePa_Beano_2008: What will JoePa's record be against ND,OSU, Michigan and Wisconsin? 4-0?

Bob Smizik: 2-2.

ronin_buc: Other than more money (which Nutting hasn't shown to be willing to spend yet) and more power, why would Walt Jocketty want to be the Pirates CEO? Tell me arrogant LaRussa doesn't come with him (Tony will want big money)?

Bob Smizik: Who knows what's going on with ST. Louis? There could be any number of reasons why Jocketty wants out. Mabye he's tired of the day-to-day grind of being a GM and wants to be more in charge without as much hassle. It's a step up in the management chain.

JoePa_Beano_2008: What was your favorite "Barry Bonds was a jerk" story from covering him early in his career? Or weren't there any

Bob Smizik: His refusal to contribute to the fund for the two members of the ground crew killed in a traffic accident certainly would be near the top of any list. Likewise, I read he refused to sign anything for the sick child of a former teammate (Brian Fisher) Barry and I often had words when he played for the Pirates. But he never made a scene with a reporter. I can't say I like the guy, but I don't have great animosity toward him.

ronin_buc: Now that Littlefield is scrambling to save his job (Armas in the rotation, Morris trade, calling up vet Kata), what do the Pirates have to get to for win total to save his and Tracy's job? 76 wins or more?

Bob Smizik: I don't see bringing up Kata as an attempt to save Littlefield's job. It seems more like an attempt to lose his job. I don't think there's a win total involved. The call may be with the new CEO. It's also possible Nutting may want to keep Littlefield on, but under the thumb of the new CEO, so as not to have to pay him for not working. Tracy, too, is at the whim of the new CEO, unless they also don't want to pay him not to manage.

mtw: Bob, I was referring to the article by I believe Ron Cook and the discussion on the sunday night show in which Kinder's injury was described as a blessing in disguise. Basically, the believe was that pitt could go 10-2 or even 11-1 in 2008. I cant see it.

Bob Smizik: I don't think Ron said that. He did say that Kinder could be of more help in 2008 (if healthy) than in 2007. I can see that. It is generally agreed 2008 is the year Pitt has to get good. I don't believe anyone on that show said how good Pitt would be.

Andre_Igoudala: 3 things in life are certain: death, taxes, and Ryan Doumit getting injured.

Bob Smizik: There is no question that Doumit is an injury=prone guy. That doesn't mean it will happen every year, but teams have to be cautious about guys like that. I see him as a long-term major leaguers but never as a major contributor.

Stork: Bob I've seen you compare Clemente with Al Oliver twice in the past week, some how to prove that Bonds is better than Clemente. Seems odd to me. In today's sports postseason accomplishments mean everything...Have you recently reviewed Clemente's postseason numbers compared to BBs?

Bob Smizik: Using your logic Doug Williams is a better QB than Dan Marino and Jackie Hernandez a better player than Ted Williams. There is way too much emphasis on winning. That's particularly true in baseball where one player can only do so much. I won't try to tell you Bonds was a great post-season player, but his 2002 post-season was historic. The Pirates lost in 1972 with the best team. Are we going to blame that on Clemente?

rock: wha post-gazette writers will be on the KDKA sunday night show now after all that happened with paul zeise? Will you be on there? Ron Cook? Kovacevick?

Bob Smizik: I believe Cook will be the only P-G person doing the show.

Pickman: With the recent passing of Phil Rizzuto, do you have any comments about his play or about him as a commentator? I'm not old enough to remember either and faintly remember his commecials for the "Money Store"

Bob Smizik: I never heard Rizzuto. It's my understanding he was one of those guys who wasn't technically very good but was loved by the listeners.

Deke: Record for PSU and WVU this year?

Bob Smizik: WVU 11-1; PSU 9-3

Tprod: Bob, Doesn't DL recent personnel moves seem absolutely designed to win now to preserve his job, rather than build toward the future?

Bob Smizik: They are not designed to build for the future, that's true. But adding an over-the-hill pitcher who will be paid about $14 million is not my idea of endearing oneself to a bottom-line oriented boss (Nutting).

Sandlot_Wizard: Do you think the "Lame Duck" status of DL and Jim Tracy is beginning to hurt the Pirates for the future? Seems that both are playing for this year, and the guys playing and the trades made (Morris) and not made (Wilson) arent looking ahead.

Bob Smizik: You always try to win this year. It's important to win. If they can work a good trade for Wilson, they should. Just because they haven't doesn't mean Littleifield is only concerned about the present. It could be the offers haven't been good enough.

frank_the_tank: Why are the Steelers concerned with traffic patterns around the casino? The Steelers play 10 home games -- only the most degenerate gamblers and the morons would be stupid enough to play the slots on game day

Bob Smizik: I do not understand the Steelers stance on game day traffic and the casino. As I wrote once, they might be looking for the casino to make improvement that otherwise would not be made. Too many people look at the casion as the cure-all for every thing.

frank_the_tank: Is there anything more lame than Steely McBeam? I hate him.

Bob Smizik: I don't think it's a good idea but I've put it out of my mind. Why is everyone so upset about this? It's not like he's playing QB.

frank_the_tank: If the KDKA sports show that Paul Zeise last appeared on was taped, why does it seem like he is the only one taking heat? Someone's job should be on the line for allowing that segment to air.

Bob Smizik: It's possible KDKA did take some action againt an employee. They do not announce such action.

Deke: Have you-or anyone for that matter-had an endearing conversation with Littlefield since he became GM?I swear that guy is a robot.

Bob Smizik: He is rather strait-laced. I seldom talk to him because he tells you nothing.

buccopete Is Littlefield gone, or does the money invested in the Morris deal give him another year?

Bob Smizik: I don't think the Morris investment will be a factor in Littlefield's retention. Actually, I should say it won't be a positve factor in his retention. It could -- and should -- cost him his job.

Tprod: Bob, Can the Steelers afford to sign one of their soon to be free agent Offensive Linemen, Starks or Simmons--Faneca obviously out? If so which one do they resign?

Bob Smizik: They've made it clear they can't afford Fanceca. I would not be surprised if they extended Simmons soon. Starks has to win a job this year.

ronin_buc: Do the Pirates plan on doing something more than a moment of silence after Bill Robinson passed? He wasn't a superstar, but a solid contributor to their last Championship team.

Bob Smizik: I don't know what else they could do. Do you have a suggestion?

Pickman: Does Timmons even start on special teams this season? I'm not going to question the fact he may be really hurt, but does such an injury hurt the opinion carried by his teammates of him when he doesn't take the practice field.

Bob Smizik: I'd have to see Timmons on special teams first. Usually, linebackers, with their combo of size and speed, work well on special teams. I'd be very surprised if he wasn't used on some of them, especially considering the team's investment.

ronin_buc: If the Pirates make a mgr change, Macha has the most experience, but if not him, which '90s Pirate would be a good fit potentially, Jay Bell, Andy Van Slyke or Bob Walk? Andy probably doesn't have an interest, but his media interviews would be a lot more entertaining than Tracy's doubletalk all the time?

Bob Smizik: Bell has the most experience, although I think he's out of baseball this year. Of the ex-Pirates you named, he would be, by far, the best managerial candidate. I hardly think, though, the team will limit itself to ex-Pirates. That would be foolish.

Doogie: Bob--From Ron Cook's Monday column: "A 9-3 or 10-2 or even an 11-1 record in '08 doesn't seem out of the question." Is that a rational and informed opionion?

Bob Smizik: Sorry, I missed that. I would not agree with that opinion.

Andre_Igoudala: Bob, there certainly is someone more lame than Steely McBeam, and that would be Jolly Roger at the Bucco games.

Bob Smizik: Agreed.

Deke: How do the Pirate announcers keep doing this?I know they get paid,but still....Wouldn't you get tired of calling the same things over and over again?

Bob Smizik: I think you answered your own question when you said, ``I know they get paid.'' Those jobs are pretty good -- even on losing teams.

sportswriter12: What do believe to be the reason for the Steeler's falling off the map so much, just two years removed from a Super Bowl victory. It seems as if they are given less props after an 8-8 season following a championship, than they received during the long streak of not getting past the AFC championship.

Bob Smizik: You earn your props. They were 8-8 and are not expected to win the division. I still think they are one of the more respected franchises in the NFL.

PhillyMarty: Clemente scored 227 more runs and had a career OPS that was 39 points higher than Oliver. I know Oliver's line drives were always caught. I think you are unfairly mentioning these two in the same sentence.

Bob Smizik: I never said Oliver was better than Clementte. He wasn't close to Clemente. I only pointed out that he drove in more runs than Clemente despite having fewer hits and fewer home runs. Don't put words in my mouth.

JoePa_Beano_2008: Who retires first Bobby Bowden or JoePa?

Bob Smizik: Bowden. More pressure to win at FSU.

chall I hate to bring attention to the elephant in the room but, the pirates have drafted pitcher after pitcher with the hopes that they will not need tommy john surgey within the first couple years of their careers. They pass on prospects in the draft that will require an investment. As an ex-pat living in Chicago and not having my finger on the pulse of the sports scene( I read the PG online) in Pittsburgh my question still stands - Due to current MLB market conditions Can or will the Pirates ever field a competitve team?

Bob Smizik: I answered that at the start of the chat. To be brief, it's possible but not likely.

ronin_buc: With the injuries on the Pirates and carrying Nady as a pinch hitter only, is this Jose Castillo's last opportunity to show what he can do with consistant playing time, or with Tracy, will it not matter regardless of how much he produces?

Bob Smizik: I don't think the Pirates have much use for Castillo. I would not be surprised to see him non-tendered after the season.

Andre_Igoudala: Should Solomon Torres worry less about his baseball academies the Pirates shunned, and start getting some hitters out? I mean he carries 5 gallons of premium unleaded to the hill every time he is summoned from the pen.

Bob Smizik: Torres has been a major disappointment. He's signed through next year, too.

Sandlot_Wizard: Will Kevin Barlow make the team? If so, what do you forsee his role?

Bob Smizik: I'd say he's a long shot.

buccopete I really enjoy the Pirates post-game call-in show ... What you think of it, Bob?

Bob Smizik: A long overdue idea. I think it's great.

Andre_Igoudala: Bob, are you as excited as me about the beginning of the 2nd Matt Kata era? Every single baseball operations person in the organization should lose their job for bringing this bozo up again.

Bob Smizik: All the blame goes to Littlefield on this one.

bennett8111 To ther Pens for a moment. What do you feel is the most important component still missing from this team to contend for the Cup?

Bob Smizik: I still think they need some more help on the wings. They upgraded but not far enough.

PhillyMarty: Didn't Oliver also play all of his career within a 24 team MLB which means diluted pitching from a mound that was not lowered until 1969? Comparing just one stat from these two seems to show a bias against Clemente?

Bob Smizik: The greatest era of expansion came at the height of Clemente's career. The NL went from 8 to 12 teams in eight years from 1062-69 an unprecedented expansion. In the next 38 years it added only three teams. Repea after me: Clemente is better than Oliver; Clemente is better than Oliver . . .

LarryDoughty: Bob.. Many national newspapers covered Bonds' home run record-breaker. Why didn't the P-G send someone? I think you should have been there.

Bob Smizik: You'll have to submit that one to Jerry Micco, who will be back next. week. I've subbed about six times for Jerry and these were by far the best questions. Thanks to all. It was a blast.