James_Taipei: Can you tell me why the Pirates signed Doug Mientkiewicz to a minor league contract but didn't make an offer to Craig Wilson? At least Wilson can play the outfield, first and catch in an emergency.

Jerry Micco: My guess is that the Pirates feel Mientkiewicz has a bit more pop in his bat, I believe he's a left-handed hitter, which sets up well for them and maybe Wilson isn't near the player he used to be. Besides, Ryan Doumit can catch, play first or right field, too. And maybe Mientkiewicz just gives them a bit more pop off the bench than Wilson would.

fletch: Clemens guilty or innocent?

Jerry Micco: Guilty or not guilty of what? Using steroids? There is nothing that makes that a criminal offense. Perjury? I don't think we'll find that out today. If folks want to see if Roger Clemens is guilty or not of perjury, that has to be a criminal trial. And a jury would decide that. It seems two men -- Clemens and McNamee -- tell wildly different stories. And it seems Andy Pettitte also is in conflict with Clemens. Pretty much a circus atmosphere around this.

fletch: Why is Arlen Specter wasting time with Spygate and meeting with Goodell?

Jerry Micco: At first, I felt the same way about a senator getting involved in Spygate and with the goings on vis a vis the Patriots cheating. But the more I think about it, I'm glad this is going on. The NFL is a multi-billion dollar industry in our country. At question here is the integrity of the league. It's also a league that spouts a multi-billion dollar betting business. And you'd better believe that casinos and sports books around the country care if the integrity of games is impugned in any way. I'd like to know why the evidence was destroyed and how that thought process came about. I'm probably in the minority, but I'm glad Specter is doing this.

fletch: What do you think the Pens should do about their goalie situation when Fleury returns?

Jerry Micco: I think Fleury is the guy who, before his injury, was the No. 1 goalie. So, upon his return, he should play and play often. That's not to say we should never see Ty Conklin again. He's earned that right to play. But, at some point, you're going to have to look long-term at Fleury. If you don't play him, then you never really know if he's the long-term solution at the position. He's not done much over four years to say he's absolutely the No. 1 goalie and worth first-pick-overall money. Very good season last year, until the playoffs, but a slow start this year hurt him. He was playing his best just before his injury, however. I think they'll probably stick with Conklin as the No. 1, but Fleury will play quite a bit, too.

Chunkles: Jerry, I noticed after the Super Bowl that the national media jumped back onto the steroid topic. Why do we care? I mean no one knew what went on in the 1930's, 40's, and 50's, and we have our sports heros from that period. Why make a big deal of it today. I dont like any of the stars who are being questioned, but its their bodies. The WWE calls their business the "Sports Entertainment Business". Is'nt that what all sports are really doing anyway, entertaining us? Bruce Willis had a great movie in the 80's called "Die Hard". I would not like that movie any less if he use steroids to inhance his performance. So what, it was a good movie!

Jerry Micco: A lot of folks would agree with you, Chunkles. Some people don't care if players juiced or not. Some people do care. But there is no doubt, athletes for years have done something -- whether it be speed, steroids, HGH -- to enhance performance. There are too many proven cases out there to not say that. I'm surprised that many in the public and Congress are surprised by drug use among athletes. It has gone on for years.

fletch: Dejan's 'Building Blocks' series has been excellent. Do you think the Pirates are using the proper rebuilding strategy, since another losing season is on the horizon and fan excitement seems to be at an all time low heading to Bradenton?

Jerry Micco: Again, I'm in the minority, but I think this is the exact way to go. They are not going to go out and spend millions on veteran players and why should they? A few years back, they were voted as having the best minor league talent. Much of that talent is here now. If it's lousy talent, then I guess those guys either can't play big league ball or have not been properly coached to do that. But if you look at their team, and at their payroll, they are doing it with many of the players they brought up through the minors. Maholm, Snell, Gorzo, Bautista, Doumit, McLouth, Capps, Grabow, Duke, all of them came up through the system. You have to see if they can play or not. And for some of them, it's going to take a few years. I don't see any other way for them to go.

yzguy431: what happened with the 10 o'clock start?

Jerry Micco: What 10 a.m. start? If you mean this chat, it's always at noon. Folks can log in as early as 6 a.m. and post a question, but we talk from noon-1 p.m. every Wednesday. And we're happy to have you!

yzguy431: Are you surprised that heinz field is going to stay with grass?

Jerry Micco: Well, not that the Rooneys would stay with grass. They've always favored grass and know the players and coaches prefer it, too. But I still think that if you play approximately 20 games a year on that field, it's going to be pretty much torn up by the end of November. So, folks will have to live with it. Apparently you never hear a complaint from the Steelers players about it, but the players around the league annually vote it as one of the worst fields around.

fletch: Do you make the trip to Bradenton?

Jerry Micco: Actually, I don't. Dejan Kovacevic goes and Paul Meyer relieves him for a few weeks, but I don't go share in the warm sun. I am headed to Orlando late next week for national sports contest judging, but that's as close as I'll get. But the way Dejan and Paul report, I feel I'm there every day.

PhillyMarty: Jerry: If I am not mistaken, steroids are a regulated and controlled drug that requires a prescription from a licensed doctor. On that basis, it would seem that Clemens, Bonds and many others have broken the law. Why baseball needs specific rules to address the breaking of laws is beyond me?

Jerry Micco: I think that most of the prosecution for that would be, as we saw with Greg Anderson, it's the person that gets the steroids and not necessarily the user who gets into hot water. But in Clemens case, I've really only heard perjury as the criminal act he may have committed.

fletch: How scary was the Zednik injury? Why don't players wear any neck protection? It was a freak injury, but he almost died.

Jerry Micco: I don't know what protection they could wear. Perhaps a collar of some type, but otherwise you have to just say it's part of the game and you hope it never happens. It has rarely happened, thank goodness, but it is the scariest of all injuries. I have not seen the video of it, and I do not plan to watch it. A player's face and neck are the only two exposed areas on a player. I guess because you essentially play with razors on your feet, maybe they do need to look at a way to protect them everywhere.

JoPaFearsPitt: Who's the wise guy who edited my screen name last week to "NoOneFearsPitt"?

Jerry Micco: Well, I'm the only guy who monitors the room and I can guarantee you that as busy as I was in here last week, it wasn't me. I don't notice all the screen names, but you are free to use any name you want -- within taste reasons.

yzguy431: Do you think the 7 contract will get done quickly, or drag into training camp?

Jerry Micco: I think they'd love to have it done well before training camp. I think they'll get it done and the numbers will be extremely high. I heard one person talking about $100 million over 8 years. I think that's a bit high, but it likely will approach those figures.

JoPaFearsPitt: I say the Pens need to do whatever it takes to keep the Crosby/Malkin tandem together for a long haul. What say you?

Jerry Micco: Absolutely. At the expense of losing other players, you have to keep those two guys. Which is why I'd not be surprised if the team this offseason didn't work out a new Malkin deal. He's a restricted free agent after 08-09 and there's no sense in letting a team get him an huge offer sheet you aren't prepared to match to keep him. Be better to get him locked up so Ray Shero knows what's he's dealing with -- money wise -- down the road.

Chris_Berman: My act is tired, and judging by these videos of me I'm a real creep. Why am I still employed by ESPN?

Jerry Micco: Wow, a Chris Berman hater. I've seen that video. He's upset yes, but if you've got folks moving around when you're trying to concentrate that can be very hard to handle. I'm not condoning dressing folks down like that, but I don't walk a mile in his shoes. Or is that your shoes?

Chris_Berman: Biggest game of the night - Duquesne-Dayton. Your thoughts?

Jerry Micco: Very important game for the Dukes. A win would be huge for them going forward. I think even though Dayton has been sliding, they are still very tough at home. Love to see the Dukes get this signature win, but it'll be a close game. And the best of the night.

PhillyMarty: But it is the steroid user who is initiating the request for the illegal drug and also setting an awful example for the youth of our nation! I don't understand how the league can't justify policing it under currently existing morals clauses in the player contracts! And again it is breaking the law, so it is not like it is unrealistic. However, I also would not be surprised if there is something to what Rocker said regarding Selig looking the other way, even if Rocker is not very creditable.

Jerry Micco: No doubt Marty about the example. You hit it right on the head. The reason Congress is involved, at least what they always say, is that they are trying to set the example young kids that this isn't good practice. And the league had done a terrible job of policing itself. Every team has a stake in this.

PhillyMarty: I see where Bugsy Malone is an unrestricted FA after the season. He has come a long way from likely being on the trading block, this time last year. He seems to like it here, do you see a hometown discount and an easy re-signing. He seems like the kind of role player you need to hold onto now that he is maturing.

Jerry Micco: He certainly will draw some interest, but I think again, if the Penguins work ahead of the clock with him they may get that discount. But Malkin has to come first so Malone may only be offered a "discount" contract. And his agent, as well as Malone himself, may see much larger numbers in their future and may not want to do that type of discount. It'll be an interesting backdrop to what I think will be Malkin negotiations this offseason.

JoPaFearsPitt: I've been reading the Press/Post-Gazette for about 40 years, and I think your current stable of sportswriters is the best bunch the paper has ever had. Not a question, just an observation.

Jerry Micco: Well thank you. I've had the pleasure to work with many staffs in my years as a sports editor here and elsewhere. They are the lifeblood of any sports section. The folks here are a terrific bunch and I'm proud to work with them. That goes for my assistant editors and copy desk editors, too. And I want to thank you for being such a long time subscriber. We appreciate your loyalty and your business as do our advertisers.

fletch: Any Terrelle Pryor news this week? This is as quiet as it has been since August (thankfully).

Jerry Micco: Oh goodness, let's hope the next we hear from Terrelle he's ready to make a decision. He can do that on his own timetable and take all the time he wants. But I think you'll not see much until there's real movement toward an announcement.

Chris_Berman: If I were Ray Shero, I'd see what the trade market is for Crosby. Malkin is a dominant force without Crosby hogging the biscuit, we could deal Crosby for quality players and draft picks.

Jerry Micco: I'm a huge Malkin fan. I think he's nearly every bit as good as Sidney Crosby. But Crosby is still a force and is still the best overall player on the team. Besides, he's the face of the NHL and that makes the Penguins -- by default -- the face of the league. He's valuable as a player, leader and in the world of public relations. I think it's a gift that they have these two young, gifted players.

PhillyMarty: Bill Currie surely was different. And after we figured him out, I think many of us warmed up to him. Do you have any humorous stories to share about him?

Jerry Micco: I didn't know him personally, just as a teenager watching him on TV. I'll never forget the sportcoats. I think this can be a tough, parochial market to get into. Currie was not the typical "Pittsburgher" that's for sure. But you are right, folks warmed up to him after time and he did a good job while he was here. Certainly couldn't miss him.

j_s15226: Have you heard anything on the shawn Chacon front? It seems to make too much sense on both sides to not get something done.

Jerry Micco: Nothing more than what we've had. But I'm sure when Dejan Kovacevic heads to Bradenton tomorrow, he'll be looking into that story as well as many others surrounding the team. But you're right, this seems a no-brainer.

fletch: I'm not offended by this, and I certainly understand that the pg needs to look out for their bottom line, but I've noticed some of the ads are very explicit lately, and I remember growing up the sports section was my favorite thing to read (probably still is).

Jerry Micco: The acceptance of ads is done by our advertising department. We can control the copy we put around the ads, but while some folks seem to be offended by these ads, they are legitimate advertisers. Whether or not I agree with taking the ads is really moot. We're in business and these folks think we're a good way to drum up business.

traffic: Jerry, will you please tell JoPa that he is missing the "e" in Joe, and that JoePa does NOT fear Pitt. Sheesh. Can't we all just get along?

Jerry Micco: I think rivals are always rivals. Even when they don't play anymore. But one day they will play again, and one of the nation's great football rivalries will be reborn. And I wish they'd do it like Florida-FSU: play it after the league season is over as the last game. Not likely to happen, but it's nice to dream. But I do think they'll play again. And as an example of that rivalry hitting home: There are still a lot of Pitt folks -- not officials there or coaches -- on message boards who think I'm a Penn State plant here. My question if that's true: What the devil took the old alma mater so long to get me back home?! The rivalry still lives.

PhillyMarty: If the Pens can not afford to keep both Sid and Geno together, then the league is in more financial trouble than anyone seems to know. Your imposter questioner is clueless if he wants to deal either!

Jerry Micco: Absolutely. They need to keep them both, too important to the future of the franchise. And I think they'll do it. Will that be forever? As you know Marty because you are a student of all sports, you never say forever anymore.

Chris_Berman: How come the Steelers weren't concerned about player injuries when they played on green concrete for 30 years at 3 rivers? Its all about the dollar for the Rooneys and they don't want to spend the buck to replace the grass. Simple as that.

Jerry Micco: It seems according to Ed Bouchette's report that grass is more expensive to upgrade yearly than the one-time installation of an artificial surface. And back in the 3 Rivers days, almost everyone had the turf. But that's not saying the players liked it.

PhillyMarty: Did I miss it, did someone ever sign Craig Wilson?

Jerry Micco: Not yet, Marty.

j_s15226: Everyone keeps saying how russell will help Paulino get back to his level of his rookie year. Why not help Doumit improve his ability so he can take his 30 hr potential behind the dish?

Jerry Micco: Because they feel Doumit is much more suited for right field and he'll likely land there so his bat can get into the lineup. I'm a very big Xavier Nady fan, but I think he's the guy they'll deal for prospects so Doumit can get into the lineup. And the Pirates think Paulino is the much better catcher. I guess we'll see if Russell can work his magic.

fletch: I enjoy the SportsNow videos each Friday -- good job by all.

Jerry Micco: Thanks, so much, for viewing. We do our best and we're always trying to make them interesting. The columnists are easy to work with and I have fun doing the show. It seems more people are watching, which is always a good thing!

Jerry Micco: Folks I need to run. Thanks for taking the time to talk about sports with me. Back to the Clemens hearings or should I say the circus! See you next Wednesday at noon.