James_Taipei: Can you explain why the Angles added Tori Hunter after they added Gary Matthews last winter?

Jerry Micco: Because the rich can afford to get richer. Torii Hunter is a known commodity who has proven his worth over the years. Gary Matthews has had one really good season. And Hunter's defense is superb. I think if you can have both of those guys, or even use one as a DH on occasion, why not get them?

James_Taipei: How important is this weeks game against the Bengals? A loss could lead to a three game losing streak, since the Pats and Jaguars are next!

Jerry Micco: Every game is important, James. And this week is one they should be favored to win. In the NFL if you're favored, you need to win your game. And it's a division game. A win gives the Steelers a 5-0 division mark. Not that it matters because they own the first tiebreak over the Browns, but winning division games are crucial.

NewspaperBusiness: I have a business type inquiry. It is my understanding that the PG has a marketing type agreement with the Steelers and the Trib one with the Penguins. What exactly does that mean? Are there any financial aspects involved? Could it ever impact the appearance of impartial reporting?

Jerry Micco: I am not involved in the marketing agreements our newspaper makes with sports teams in our area. For the record, we also have a marketing agreement with Pitt. In my 3 1/2 years at the P-G, I've never had anyone tell me or even remotely suggest that we cover a team a certain way or do something different because they are a marketing partner.

PirateApologist: Hi Jerry, here is what a lot of your questions will probably look like today: The field, THE FIELD, the field, etc. etc. We demand a statement from you.

Jerry Micco: Some people loved that game and how it was "old school." I found it boring and well below standard of an NFL game. Sorry, but there is no way on a good track that the Steelers don't win that game by 21 points. But, all I saw were guys tippy-toeing out there and trying to stay on their feet. It was a joke. And I know both teams had to put up with it, blah, blah, blah. So what? That was a man-made problem because you had to assume that it could rain and if it did, that sod was going to slip. How can you put million-dollar athletes on that field? I'm not saying artificial turf is the complete answer, but if you're going to play 20-25 games a season there, it just makes sense.

PirateApologist: Even if it would be great for the Big East to have WVU play in the championship game, I will not go against Pitt, and you can't make me.

Jerry Micco: And well you should not go against Pitt. And actually, the Big East benefits more if schools like Pitt and Syracuse get better and the conference gets stronger through that improvement. You need teams like that, who have a good football tradition, to come through to be considered a great football league. Cincinnati and Louisville, to me, are basketball schools. South Florida, and I know they're a nice team, doesn't wow you with some tradition. Rutgers is a johnny come lately and this year, slid back a step. Pitt and Syracuse need to step up to make the Big East a better conference.

SDWC: Hi Jerry, It?s always been my understanding that beat writers are to remain objective at all times and report the facts of the games as they unfolded. Why is it then that sometimes when I read the Ed Bouchette?s coverage of a game and then go to the web site of the opposing city newspaper for their report, I sometimes feel like I?m reading about two different games?

Jerry Micco: Because you're reading Ed's story from the Steelers angle, just as the Philly Inquirer would write a game story from the Eagles angle. We pretty much say what goes on in the game, but we tend to weight it toward what the Steelers have to say. Doesn't mean we don't include the other team, but most folks in this market want to know what the Steelers thought. And if you're measuring that off of Monday's game, you need to think about under what circumstances people have to write off that game. There's very little time to write.

jimb056: Hi Jerry, The Steelers got a split decision against two of the worst teams in the NFL. Realistically, what chance do we have against the Colts or Patriots?

Jerry Micco: No question the Steelers are the third-best team in the AFC. And some might say the fourth-best if you think Jacksonville is better. I still think the Steelers have some offensive line problems, especially at center. That's going to need to be resolved come games against the Patriots and Jaguars. The Jacksonville game could be for very important because should the Steelers be, say, 9-5 after these next 3 games, look out, because an improved San Diego could be right with them. And you really want at least a No. 3 seed so you get a home game.

jimb056: The low budget Pirates scrimped on all management personnel and don't seem interested in the free agent market, What chance do we have to rise to mediocre this season ?

Jerry Micco: It all depends on the young pitchers and can they take the next step. Can they become consistent winners and can guys like Bay, Sanchez, LaRoche and Nady, provided they are all still Pirates, provide steady offense? And can they count on Capps, Grabow and a comeback from Torres to shore up a leaky bullpen? That's a lot of ifs and that's just to get them to a .500 season. I'm not counting on all of that to happen.

jimb056: Pitt and Duquesne look dominant so far. What do you think of the match-up ?

Jerry Micco: Be very entertaining and fun. A very up-tempo game. Palumbo's a sellout and the place will be rocking. Too close to call in my book.

Art_Vandelay: Any chance that Goodell would force the Steelers to go to a synthetic surface, if they don't do it willingly?

Jerry Micco: Only if the NFL wants to pay to install it. The original turf at Heinz Field, while it's terrible, isn't dangerous. It may not look good and it may not be great to play on, but it's playable. Unless that field is considered "dangerous" for players by the league, the Steelers can do what they want.

Art_Vandelay: Can the Panthers (basketball) contend for the Big East title this year?

Jerry Micco: That will be tough with Georgetown and Louisville being as good as advertised, which they look to be. But I think Pitt can be a top 5 team in the conference.

gym_hat: Have you heard anything on the AD search for Pitt? Chances Peterson returns?

Jerry Micco: I've not heard much from the AD search and I guess if Pederson wants the job they'd look at him. But I don't think they'll go that way.

smpjcu: So, the other million dollar question, did Timmons "intentionally" step on Williams? I think the game moves too fast for it to be intentional, but for the anti-Steeler bias throughout the NFL, they seem to think it was intentional.

Jerry Micco: I heard someone say that and thought they were whacked out. I watched the replay and Timmons' head is looking past Williams at the loose ball. No, I think it was just an unfortunate injury.

Art_Vandelay: Jerry, I am loving the videos with you, Collier, Smizik, and Cook. Seems like you guys really enjoy it and get along well. But tell Bob he needs to fire his makeup artist.

Jerry Micco: First of all, we have no makeup artist. And that's probably part of the problem, speaking for me, because you know if you've seen me I don't have a forehead, I have a fivehead. But I think we're going to start using a bit of makeup for glare. That said, we think the show's getting better, but I know I need work. The columnists have given that back-and-forth banter for years together and it does show up nicely on the show. I'm not comfortable yet as a host and transitioning things yet, but I understand that comes in time. I'm not a pro on TV, so it's a lot of work for me. And thanks for watching us on Post-Gazette.com!

smpjcu: Jerry, Pitt is a basketball school now, has been for about 7 years ...

Jerry Micco: But the tradition still has a lot of football in it. Name me 3 All-American football players for Cincinnati? How about Pitt. I mean all-time type guys. Pitt has a rich tradition, not withstanding how poorly they've done recently. The Big East needs Pitt to step up in football. Pitt basketball has become the school's No. 1 sport, but again, when I think basketball tradition, I think schools like Cincinnati first.

PirateApologist: Have there been any Mario sightings lately? I don't think I have heard about him since the casino plan was announced.

Jerry Micco: He's at games and he does stuff coaching a youth hockey team. But he's probably working some behind the scenes with the arena design, etc. I think Mario prefers a low profile, anyhow.

gym_hat: I work in Oakland and I can tell you that as nice as the Peterson Events Center is, Pitt football needs an on campus stadium. I walked around when Navy was here and you would have never known there was a game that night.

Jerry Micco: I agree with you. A nice 40,0000-seat stadium there would be tremendous. Of course, I don't know who'd build it or where they'd put it, but other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how'd you like the play? But I do agree with your statement.

smpjcu: I think the most important thing for the Pirates is to lock up Sanchez for 3-5 years. The past 2 years warrants a long term deal.

Jerry Micco: I don't doubt that they need to lock up Sanchez. He's proven he can hit and play second. I'm not so sure they shouldn't do the same with LaRoche, too. I think long-term he'd be a good guy to have around.

Art_Vandelay: I completely agree with your assessment of the field/game. I half-jokingly told my wife they might as well turn the water hoses on the field before next week's game to slow down the fast-track Bengals. In college we used to use large foam pads to REMOVE standing water from the field. not throw kittly litter on it or uselessly push it around with squeegees. I can't believe no one else does this.

Jerry Micco: And it was painful to watch the poor guy who had to paint the lines on the field. And they had one guy and one machine at the start, then got another machine to line the field at the half. I don't mean to make fun, but it was funny to watch this poor fellow "box" the field with white paint. By the time he got side 3 done, side 1 had washed away. By the time side 4 was done, sides 1 and 2 were gone. It's like trying to handle wallpaper to flatten it. It's like a 3 Stooges routine. One side goes down, the other rolls up and vice versa.

jimmy_g: Two years ago, who would have predicted that the Pitt-Duquesne game looks to be competitive with a chance for a Duquesne win at home?

Jerry Micco: Not many people and it's a credit to what Ron Everhart's done in a short time. It'll be a test for Duquesne, though. Pitt's got a very nice team and they've been in big-time games many times.

jimmy_g: OK Jerry, it's time for your prediction. Is there any way that Pitt can keep it under a 28 point margin?

Jerry Micco: I think they can, but they need a lot to happen. First of all, McCoy and Stephens-Howling, together, need 45 carries or more. I'm not kidding. Then, you have to hope the defense forces, or WVU does it on their own, turnovers. South Florida did it, but Pitt doesn't have USF's corners, either. If they can control the ball some and play solid defense, they can keep it close. But it's a very long shot for them to win.

gym_hat: Jerry, write this down so you remember it. Sean Taylor's girlfriend will be implicated in some way in his death.

Jerry Micco: I'll remember it, but I think what happened to him is sad. I mean, he was gunned down in his own home. I think I'd rather see what the cops find then speculate. Horrible story, though. Think what you might about him, but the bottom line is he was a victim of a violent crime. And no one deserves that.

jimmy_g: One more turf comment: Of all the negative comments on artificial turf, I have never heard one about FieldTurf.

Jerry Micco: Because Field Turf is really a pretty good surface. And supposedly it gets better all the time. My son played his high school games on a very nice Field Turf field at Pine-Richland. And many high schools in the area have very nice artificial fields.

smpjcu: I understand your history argument, I cannot dispute it. However, Pitt has been a terrible football team for years with no end in sight; thus, the basketball school label

Jerry Micco: No doubt, but maybe it's time Pitt woke up the echoes, so to speak. For the Big East to be considered an elite football conference, it needs Pitt and Syracuse to be good again. The Big Ten this year was down. But still, the bowls want mediocre Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan, etc., because of the tradition. And that tradition brings fans. Maybe Pitt just can do it in football anymore, but it'd be nice to see what a winning season coudl bring.

jimmy_g: What percentage would you give the Pirates for doing something interesting and daring before spring training? I give them 0% which doesn't bode well for their dwindling fan support.

Jerry Micco: I'd say 20 percent, only because you may see them trade a starting player or pitcher to get something at the winter meetings. But no, they will not be players in free agency. But they will still draw nearly 2 million fans because people still like to go to the games.

Chunkles: Hey Jerry, I'm glad the Steelers won Monday night. My comments will not sound like sour grapes. I hope Tomlin takes out Cowher's trash. He needs to make this team his own. My suggestion: He has to throw out Max Stunks, Inate Washington, and Bryant McSadden!

Jerry Micco: Well, everyone needs an evaluation, but Max Starks played really well at left tackle on Monday night. He pretty much negated Jason Taylor, which is tough to do. And the Steelers desperately need offensive linemen to play well because they are so thin there. And McFadden is coming off an injury, but I think he's still a pretty fair corner. Washington is a fourth receiver and I guess you can rotate in receivers at that level. But I wouldn't say those guys are trash.

smpjcu: Pitt beats Duquesne by 25+. I agree that Everhart has done a great job there, but they are minor leagues compared to Dixon's group

Jerry Micco: Wow, are you giving anyone who wants it 25 points? Can I get some of that action. For amusement purposes only, mind you!

smpjcu: I hate WVU, but I need them to win so OSU is not in the national title game. This would be very bad for me...very bad.

Jerry Micco: Well, they could win and you'd still get the Bucks in the title game. If Mizzou loses to Oklahoma, each team would have 2 losses. OSU still only has one and it is third in the BCS behind WVU. If Mizzou loses they'll fall below OSU. What you want is for WVU AND Mizzou to win. Then it sets up Mizzou vs. WVU.

jimmy_g: I haven't been uptown for awhile. What's going on with the arena construction?

Jerry Micco: Not much. They are clearing land, but since it's been pushed back a year and it's getting colder, there may not be much more they can do. In 2008, they will do more heavy lifting.

gym_hat: Jerry you should champion an effort between Pitt and Duquesne or CMU to build a football stadium. Also don't you think that Duquesne should be involved in some sort with the arena plans being right down the hill . Considering DU's recent success, if they continue Polumbo will not be large enough.

Jerry Micco: I'm sure they'd love to play in the new arena and are probably looking into it. But the Pens are going to be the primary lease holders, so the Dukes will have to talk with the Penguins. I think, though, you'll see some very good basketball at the new arena. I'm looking forward to that.

smpjcu: I think the intrusion to Taylor's home is unusual for a burglary. I mean, they enter through the bedroom and fire shots at his groin? Something is rotten in Denmark

Jerry Micco: There are a lot of questions out there, but my understanding is 2 shots were fired at him, one striking him in the leg cutting his femoral artery. That's probably a lucky shot, but a deadly one. And obviously, someone had extremely bad intentions just because he/she/them invaded a home heavily armed.

jimmy_g: The Pirates could easily draw 2.5 million fans with a winning team. They already have just about the best park in baseball. Now, if they only had a team to put in it.

Jerry Micco: That's the tough part, Jimmy. Putting that team together. If they were just competitive, they'd get 2 million. But they've not been competitive in quite some time.

smpjcu: I don't know if you have talked about this in recent weeks, but in the upcoming draft the Steelers should take a LT and move Marvel back to RT. That would solve some minor problems. Rookie LT, that is a whole other can of worms.

Jerry Micco: Smith is a very solid LT, why move him? And while Starks isn't playing that much, I'd hate to give up on a guy with that size. A rookie LT is always a gamble. I think they are going to have more problems at guard and center. Faneca's probably gone, so who is his replacement? Kemoeatu? I don't know if he's capable there. I think they are going to go OL in free agency and then draft a guy, too. There are holes that will need to be filled.

gym_hat: What did Cedrick Wilson do to end up in the dog house? I don't understand how Nate Washington is our 3rd receiver.

Jerry Micco: Obviously, the coaches see things we don't. And remember, Washington had 6 TDs last year and over 600 yards receiving. That's not bad out of a No. 3 guy. I'm not saying they can't do better, they can. But Wilson has simply not been able to beat him out. He (Wilson) made some nice catches on Monday. He's serviceable, but only apparently as a fourth WR.

jimmy_g: Jerry, do you mean that you have never participated in a March Madness pool?

Jerry Micco: For amusement purposes only, yes.

Art_Vandelay: Steelers favored by 7. There have been a lot of lines where I think they were too heavily favored. I think this is another one that Vegas wants people to take the underdog.

Jerry Micco: I think people see Cincinnati have a big day against a sagging Tennessee team and think, hey, these guys are back. And getting Chris Henry up and running again gives them a third very good WR. I think their offense can score points, but the Steelers should be able to move on their defense. And I think that line might come down a bit as the week moves on.

jimmy_g: I agree with smpjcu on OSU, but an WVU-OSU game would be a very interesting match-up.

Jerry Micco: And they can all it the Terrelle Pryor Bowl. The winner gets the star Jeannette QB. I know he's got other finalists, but WVU and OSU are two of them and they may play for the national title. I'm sure he's noticed that.

smpjcu: Any chance Troy sits this weekend so the Steelers will shut out the Bungles?

Jerry Micco: Wow, a dig at Polamalu! I think he's had an inconsistent season, too, but they are better with him in there. Carter's a nice player, but he's not Polamalu. Come on now.

PirateApologist: How far in advance to college football schedules go. If Paterno were to retire next month (yeah, right), how soon could we get Pitt vs. Penn State on the schedule?

Jerry Micco: Schedules are made, sometimes, years in advance. That said, schools will work together to get games on the schedule and can usually do so with some sort of small payout. And the minute they can do it, that game needs to go back on both schedules. And, I'd like to see PSU thumb their nose at the Big Ten, and Pitt to the Big East and say we want that game as the last game of the season. Neither has a conference title game to worry about.

smpjcu: What about the C position? Mahan is not the answer, he is too small and not physical enough.

Jerry Micco: As I said, I've got concerns about Mahan. But you signed him for 4 years, so you may be stuck with him. And he can play guard so maybe you try him there and search for a center. But he's not played well this year.

smpjcu: Ladies and Gents....Darnell Stapleton!!!

Jerry Micco: That's what happens when you ignore the O-Line for too long in your draft. Or you rely on 4th and 5th rounders to play. Like corner, O-Line is too critical to draft low or to make mistakes. Trai Essex was a second-round pick. Yikes.

kjd_psu92: Jerry, please handicap Thursday night's Packers-Cowboys match-up.

Jerry Micco: The game's in Dallas, so edge to the Cowboys. Romo is a shade better than Favre (at this stage of Favre's career) and I like the Cowboys running game better. The Packers have a really nice defense, but not enough to handle Dallas. Final: 27-24, Cowboys.

smpjcu: I do not understand the anti Washington sentiment. What has he done in the past 4-6 weeks that warrants this attention? He has done a good job what I have seen from him on the field.

Jerry Micco: As I said, he's a serviceable No. 3 receiver. If he continues to improve, great. If not, and until you get someone better, then he's got to be the guy.

Art_Vandelay: Looking down the road a little. What kind of NFL future do you see for Pat White? He'd be a great Slash-type player, and a willing one, at that.

Jerry Micco: If he's willing to do that, then he'd be terrific. He's too small to play RB in the NFL, but as a flanker/WR/QB, he'd be so good. I don't think I'd use him on returns, though. I think you can do a lot with a guy like him. Tremendous athlete.

3820divis: Jerry, do you think Troy would be more effective if he did not bounce around so much before the play? seems like he keeps missing tackles or coverage

Jerry Micco: I think the Steelers want to let him do his thing. But I think he's better playing a bit more controlled and doing what he's done for his first few years here. He's so good at blowing up running plays, particularly on the edge, and the Steelers have missed that from him this year. Whether that's scheme or Polamalu's play, I don't know, but they haven't had it.

jimmy_g: If Pitt were to beat WVU, it would make the Appalachian State-Michigan upset child's play. What a sad state when WVU has moved in one direction and Pitt has moved in the other. One final WVU note: Every Big East coach except one is wishing that Pat White turns pro this spring.

Jerry Micco: It would be a huge upset, not doubt. And yes, I can think of a lot of coaches who'd like Pat White to say goodbye, and take Steve Slaton with him. Two terrific offensive players.

Jerry Micco: Folks, I need to run. Thanks for the good questions and for turning out in good numbers. Enjoy the rest of the week and enjoy what should be a terrific weekend of football!