Jerry Micco: My apologies folks. Technical problems on this end, but I'm here now and ready to go. Good to be back from my week out of town!

PhillyMarty: Jerry: I was a bit surprised to see Dan rather than Art Jr. as the management representative at Ben's signing announcement. Any significance to this?

Jerry Micco: Gosh, nothing that I can think of, except maybe when that kind of money is spent, and when so many people have called Dan Rooney a cheapskate in the past, maybe he wanted his face with his $102 million man? I don't think it meant anything, really.

chooch79: Is there any truth to the rumor that JoePa's house in State College is for sale and that CBS is considering having him replace Cowher?

Jerry Micco: Laugh if you will at that story, but as of this moment, it's the most viewed story on post-gazette.com. Anything with Cowher, and even the crazy linkage with Penn State, gave that story at least a look. And we played it as we should have played it.

PhillyMarty: But isn't it Art Jr.'s show at this point? Or is he the type that would rather avoid the limelight?

Jerry Micco: I don't think Art avoids the limelight, but it may be the last really huge contract that Dan is involved in, so maybe Art wanted to give his dad some time. I don't think I'd read anything into this, but maybe Ed Bouchette will have something on it. I'll talk to him about it.

chooch79: Jerry, I think the PG really did a great job covering Myron's death last week. You mentioned previously that he was a writer that you really admired. Do you have any suggestions on some old stories he wrote that might be worth reading?

Jerry Micco: Gosh, those were long ago, but there was a piece he did on Muhammad Ali, I want to say in the late 60s or early 70s that was really good. He just always seemed to look at the humorous side of things in his stories for the various magazines where he worked. You really couldn't go wrong searching for those on the Web and reading any of them. The story he did for the NY Times and the P-G on the Immaculate Reception from the mid-90s is a must-read, too.

PirateApologist: They signed Ben. Now to complete Ben's hat-trick they need to get a tall receiver and sign Faneca. I wonder how that is working out.

Jerry Micco: Well, I'd say they'll bat .333 if that's the measure. They aren't going to be able to sign many other players certainly. But, you can always draft those guys.

thewellhungarian: any guesses on Pitt's seed in the NCAA Tourney (if they make it)?

Jerry Micco: They have that 7, 8, 9, 10 feel this season. I'm thinking more toward the bottom of that scale than the top, but this team has always played well in the Big East tournament, so they may play their way into a 7 or even 6 seed, but I don't see them any higher than that.

michaelg: Type I don't understand the Steelers cap situation. They always seem to be pushing against the cap limit, but don't spend a lot on free agents. By contrast, a team like the Jets just committed $137 million for 4 players, including

Jerry Micco: Depends on the size of the contracts and how much they count against the cap. Guys like Hines Ward have a lot counted toward the cap. Mahan has about $4 million. Troy Polamalu signed a $30 million deal last season. Kendall Simmons signed a $22 million deal. Some teams go in cycles and the Steelers consistently are good. I mean, 8-8 was considered a bad season. What were the Jets last year? 4-12? When a team gasses like that -- or is traditionally bad -- you're not spending a lot of money against the cap, usually.

PhillyMarty: I guess it is a good problem to have but do the Pens have a goalie controversy blooming?

Jerry Micco: I think if Marc-Andre Fleury plays like he did last night, there will be no controversy. Ty Conklin would make an excellent backup. Fleury has a huge upside because he's young and the Pens will need to make a decision on him after this season. Conklin is a known quantity and his track record here has been excellent, but his career is spotty. Nothing wrong, though, with having a guy like him to play 25 games a year or to lean on in the playoffs. Fleury, for all that upside, has had his moments where he loses confidence. I like Therrien's "hot hand" style for the goalies.

chooch79: Can you share any insight on what the PG has planned for the upcoming Olympics this summer?

Jerry Micco: We will cover some of the bigger trials, but I've not had a chance to do a lot of planning with Shelly Anderson, who will travel to Beijing for us.

PirateApologist: Accountability. I keep hearing about it but I am not sure what it means. If I am a Pirate player on second base with one out and I run like crazy on a routine pop fly thinking that there are two outs, what is going to happen to me? Am I benched? How will I be held accountable?

Jerry Micco: I don't think this manager is going to throw a guy under the bus in public. Jim Tracy would do that occasionally. I guess we'll have to see what John Russell does when this occurs. Michel Therrien will bench a guy or call him out. I guess we'll have to see about Russell. It's spring training so the rust is thick just now. Let's see how things progress.

PhillyMarty: After Thurday night, the Pens' schedule eases up a bit, only 3 games in 10 days. Maybe this will allow the team to recharge a bit? But could it be detrimental to allowing one of the goalies to get into a groove?

Jerry Micco: As well as they're playing, they probably want to play every other night. But you can stay sharp in practice and it'll give some guys a chance to heal a bit. Sid's back, but he had to be a bit sore after last night. We'll see how Staal's ribs are doing. As for the goalies, I'm sure both Fleury and Conklin would rather be playing, but you do what the schedule says. But when you're hot, you want to keep playing.

chooch79: The Steelers seem to be waivering a bit on the reason behind giving Starks the transition tag. Unless they are going to sign him to a long term deal, wouldn't it have made more sense to make put the franchise tag on Faneca?

Jerry Micco: I don't think so, because that costs you $8 million and it's for a year. And if you do keep Starks as a transition player, you get something for him if someone makes him an offer and he takes it. Certainly, with Ben's deal, they're going to have to look at that again. But I think in the grand scheme, they now see Starks as more valuable than he was over the first 10 games of 2007. If they can move Colon inside and put Starks back at right tackle, at least they have a veteran player at that spot, and Colon supposedly is more suited for guard.

jimmy_g: I was a little surprized to see the comparison between Big Ben's and Tom Brady's contracts. Brady apparently left some money on the table, ostensibly to pay for offensive linemen. I wonder if Ben might someday regret that he did not do the same when he is laying on his back going for another sack record.

Jerry Micco: He might, but I don't blame him for getting all he can get. These guys can lose their careers in one play. And the Steelers have to be cognizant that he is their best player. They proved they knew that with a huge contract. It's now up to them to figure a way to protect Ben.

Hunter_Hearst_Helmsley: Nobody in this town cares, but this has been the best NBA season since MJ was last with the Bulls. You have Kobe with a legit Title chance, 9 teams in the West playing .600 ball, and the re-emergence of the Celtics as a relevant franchise.

Jerry Micco: Tremendous NBA season, but you're right, in Pittsburgh we're a hockey town. Still, I know folks still follow the NBA and we try to provide what we can for coverage. But without a pro team, it's not as high on our list as the NHL. But it is a tremendous season for them.

chunkles: Okay, everyone is happy for Ben. I hope he can last a whole season with the O line that they have now. I wouldnt have paid Faneca all that money but its ironic that he will play in NY next to Nick Mangold. I liked him in the 06 draft. Santonio is far from a bust but we need a center more than a WR, especially today. Jerry, have you noticed how Cleveland is turning their team around right before out Black and Gold eyes. Watch out!

Jerry Micco: Cleveland is loading up on offense, certainly. Their defense, even with the Rogers trade, is spotty, I think. But no question, they think they can contend with the Steelers in the division, as they did last season. I liked Mangold, too, but in Holmes, you get a deep threat and a guy who is just going to get better every season. As poorly as Mahan played at center last season, he's probably going to get another chance this year. But don't be surprised if the Steelers really concentrate on OL in the draft. I'd say 2 of the first 3 picks they make.

jimmy_g: What is your take on the Pitt basketball team? Have the injuries finally taken their toll? Are they too young?

Jerry Micco: As simplistic as this sounds, they could really use a shooter. I mean, you still have to outscore the other team, and no one on Pitt's roster really scares other teams. And I think while Blair has had a great freshman season, he might be wearing down a bit. He's a small center in a big center league.

PirateApologist: Call me an apologist for the Pirates, but I think the fact that they signed Freddy and have talked with Capps and are talking with Laroche and Snell about long term deals is a sign that they are moving in a more positive direction.

Jerry Micco: Well, don't you call yourself a PirateApologist? Anyway, I'd rather see them identify core, young players, and try to keep them. I think that's the best way for them to go and it's the only way you can go unless you have a payroll approaching $85 million. But there are many teams that go nowhere with much larger payrolls. I'd rather see them sink money into guys they've developed who have a legit upside than get Jeromy Burnitz. That's a waste of money when you pay guys like him.

PirateApologist: Did Fleury's shut out last night do anything other than keep us talking about the goaltender controversy?

Jerry Micco: It got them two very big points against a team that's tough at home.

Hunter_Hearst_Helmsley: John Russell's mantra has been "accountability." If that's true isn't it aleast a bit important to win a few games in the Grapefruit League? The Pirates talk about bringing the pride back to wearing the uniform and they can't get out of their own way in spring training.

Jerry Micco: The beauty is, the games don't count. And how do we know he's not making guys accountable in other ways that are private? I'd rather see them go 4-20 in spring and maybe win 77 or 78 games when it counts.

Teddy_KGB: Do you see Pitt being better off for the tourney if it takes an early exit in the big est tourney? I see the rest being a good thing for them rather than trying to win 4 games in 4 days.

Jerry Micco: I think if they are a mid-bracket seed, and I think they will be, they are going to have a tough time with or without the rest. Some teams play better when they keep playing and, if they are playing well, keep on a roll.

PirateApologist: I was listening to the morning show on ESPN today and they were going on an on about where to put Favre on the list of all time QBs. I finally shouted "Who Cares" at the radio. He was great. So was Montana, Elway, Unitas, etc. Why do we feel the need to rank them? It is especially crazy when they played 40 years apart.

Jerry Micco: Were they ranking them or just putting him on a list? It's impossible to rank them, but then again, it's a sports argument. We do that stuff all the time. It's what makes what we do fun. Some folks would probably love to try to rank them. It'd drive me crazy, but for some, they'd get into it.

PhillyMarty: Faneca may have been a great soldier, but in taking the cash from a notorious loser, he showed his true personality. Countless FA's have previously gone the same route as Faneca. These guys will have more cash than they know what to do with it they have a good financial advisor. Making $7MM and winning should have more appeal than $10 MM and losing? I don't get it!

Jerry Micco: It's the business, Marty. These guys want a big payday and if they have to go to a loser to get it, so be it. The Steelers made the guy the highest paid lineman in the NFL at his height. He still wants that tag and he found a suitor. I don't blame these guys a bit, but how fans view their decision, well, that's something they have to live with.

jimmy_g: Great to have Crosby and Fleury back. Now let's get Hossa back and go, go, go.

Jerry Micco: Could be the best team in the East once everyone else gets healthy and knocks off some rust. Should be a great run for the Pens.

PirateApologist: Have you ever seen the movie "Shattered Glass?" If not, it is about a guy who completely fabricated news stories for a magazine. In your years in the business, have you ever come across a writer or editor who did something like this? I remember hearing about Mitch Albom doing something similar when he wrote about two basketball players attending a game together at Michigan State (it turned out they never went but planned to go).

Jerry Micco: I've not had that problem (knock on wood), thank goodness, but when it happens it's devastating. All you really have as a journalist is your reputation and your credibility. That's pretty much it. Once that's gone, you need to find another profession. I did see that movie, on a plane traveling back from Los Angeles. As for the Albom thing, Mitch wrote a column for the Sunday bulldog (this is what we in the industry call the Sunday paper you can buy on Saturday; the PG does one), after interviewing a couple of NBA players who told him they would be at the final four on Saturday. That column had to be filed on Friday, before the game. The guys decided later not to go. Mitch failed, as did his editors, to put in two words: "planned to" attend the final four. But that has haunted Mitch for some time.

chooch79: I'm fairly certain that the Pirates led the league (by a wide margin) in runners being thrown out in his previous stint a 3rd base coach.

Jerry Micco: Again, many have questioned the resumes of both Russell and Huntington. No question, you're rolling the dice with those guys. But let's see how they react and give them a bit of time to build something here. The idea of having one way to do things up and down the organization and of trying to lock down a core group of players, is good. Let's see if they can do it.

Teddy_KGB: Not sure if you saw it ... Seth Meyers from Saturday Night Live twirled a Terrible Towel after their news update on Sat. night. I assume it was a salute to Myron, but not sure of the connection or why he did that? Any thoughts? Nonetheless, I thought it cool for Myron to honored nationally.

Jerry Micco: I have no idea why. I can check with our entertainment folks to see if he has a Pittsburgh connection. I think everyone has a Pittsburgh connection, don't you?

PirateApologist: I loved the Hossa trade. How would you rate it from Atlanta's point of view?

Jerry Micco: Well, they dump a big salary they probably don't want. They get a couple -- or three -- young guys who could blossom into fine role players to go with their top guys. I think they are happy to get Armstrong and Christiansen, and are taking a bit of a flyer on Esposito, who was not impressive in juniors this season. But he's young, so they are betting he'll do well. I thought the move was just terrific for the Pens, even if Hossa does not sign. It shows Shero thinks they have a chance for the cup this year.

YeOldeBuccoFan: You think Sid and Fleury's performances last night has the Eastern Conference shaking in their boots?

Jerry Micco: As I said earlier, if those two -- and Hossa -- play up to their capabilities, the Pens are the class of the East.

jimmy_g: Follow up on Ben's contract: I agree with all the more power to him. At least in football there is a salary cap and small market teams can be more competitive. Now, how are we ever going to fix the mess in baseball?

Jerry Micco: You aren't, because the big spending owners like the system. They like the fact that they can buy a team to compete. And if they've got that type of money, let 'em try. Not all of them get what they want. Colorado and Arizona are not big-spending teams, but played in the NLCS. The Mets, who spend a gajillion dollars, missed the playoffs. Actually, it's kind of refreshing that one league doesn't have a cap. It allows you to really hate the big spenders if you're in a small-spender market.

PhillyMarty: I found Smizik's column today to be rather enlightening. The PIAA never seemed to have a good reputation. But doesn't its powers come from the schools. Why would the schools allow something like this to happen?

Jerry Micco: I'm not sure if they aren't an entity of the state government. I was out of town for all this, but think it's poor that they were going to make a school travel against its wishes. Safety first, but apparently the PIAA thinks schedule first.

Teddy_KGB: Am I the only one skeptical about Big Ben? From what I remember, he has played 3 very poor playoff games, 3 very good ones, and a so-so Super Bowl. I just didn't like what I saw in the Jville loss and its seems that is more of the norm for him.

Jerry Micco: Just remember, he's still a young guy. Yes, the Jags game was a poor game, but he also had some good plays in that game, too. The defense is what killed them in that game. He'll just get better, I think, but football is the ultimate team sport. He can do so much, but the team around him has to be great, too. And you can't do much with a poor OL and a defense that let's up and gives up too many big plays.

YeOldeBuccoFan: Do you think the Madison Square Garden lights will rejuvenate Pitt? They always seem to turn it up a notch in that venue.

Jerry Micco: I don't doubt that Pitt plays well in the Big East tournament. I think they are counting on that to get them out of the doldrums and maybe a bit of a higher seeding in the tournament.

chooch79: Do you think the Rooney's might consider an "All you can drink" section to counter the Pirates new marketing campaign?

Jerry Micco: Isn't that what every parking lot within a mile of Heinz Field is?

Jerry Micco: Well folks, time to head back to sports department work. Thanks for taking the time to chat with me. There's so much going on now and more to come as we get into the tournament craziness of March. See you next Wednesday at noon.