The_Back_of_the_Net: Hi Jerry, I enjoy reading Mr. Molinari's coverage of the Pens, I was wondering why we never hear from him on any of the radio or TV shows? His knowledge of the game appears to be outstanding. Does he have a background in playing or coaching? I don't see a bio next to his online articles like I do for some of your staff.

Jerry Micco: Dave is a long-time beat reporter on the Pens. Our readers are the beneficiaries of his terrific work. He's one of the best hockey beat writers in the country. And Dave prefers to be just that -- a beat writer. I'm sure he's asked to do radio and TV, but he prefers to do what he does the way he does it, which is fine with me. I can't say he's never done a between-periods spot over the years, but if he's done one since I've been here I'm not aware of it. I generally leave that stuff to the reporters if they want to do it. And not everyone has a bio next to their name on the Web. But I'll ask Dave to provide one.

roninbuc: Wild Pirates opener in the ATL, but what impressed me most was the Pirates doing the little things like sacrifices right before the disastrous 9th inning. One game is just that, but last year's team probably would have packed it in after the 9th, your thoughts?

Jerry Micco: Well, aside from the four walks with a five-run lead and a horrible outfield play on the pop fly, all is well, right? I think it was a good game for them because they won. And if you had a chance to read Dejan Kovacevic's story today, the attitude by the coaches, apparently, was one of "hey, let's get the run and win it." Apparently, that's a new and refreshing approach from the bench. Too early to tell if they'll hit this well, but it has to be heartening to the team to see Nady, McLouth and Doumit hit like they did. Of course, if Nady does too well, he may be shipped for prospects. And anyone who is familiar with these chats know I think Nady's a guy they should keep. But you gotta do what you gotta do.

roninbuc: Hope Bay picks it up after the bad opener. Always been a huge fan of his past play, but maybe better for the Pirates to trade JBay and hang onto Nady if both get off to good starts. Xman in LF and Pearce in RF sounds good, doesn't it?

Jerry Micco: Well, Bay will have to show some semblance of being the hitter he was two years ago or he's not going anywhere. Nady, on the other hand, I think will have a big year and likely will garner high interest. So you likely will see Pearce in right, but it may be at Nady's expense. But, that's a long, long way off if it even happens.

roninbuc: Your first impressions of John Russell and his staff throughout spring training and the opener? His demeanor doesn't come across as the baseball know-it-all that was Jim Tracy?

Jerry Micco: More businesslike approach from the entire organization, from Frank Coonelly down. Nothing wrong with that. Sometimes you need that professional approach to everything because you can then demand accountability from everyone in the organization. I think Bob Nutting has that in him, too. Love him or hate him, he seems to be taking the approach that is measured and businesslike. We'll see if it works.

roninbuc: Good move by Pitt to have Dorsett congratulate Shady on a great freshman season. McCoy seems really humble and respectful of his teammates and past Pitt greats. Refreshing in an star athlete?

Jerry Micco: Very refreshing. We had TD in for the Dapper Dan dinner and it was good he got a chance to slide over to Pitt to talk to LeSean McCoy. I think that's a great link to the past for McCoy and a good move by Pitt to have him over. Dorsett is one of the true greats of the game. I played against him twice in high school (actually, I was on the sidelines watching, but I did have a uniform on!) and Hopewell won both games, 21-12. It was his junior and senior years. He scored a TD in each game: one on a 75-yard run and his senior year on a 70-yard interception return. Best player I ever saw in high school.

letsgobucs: your thoughts on a 1 game season?

Jerry Micco: Only if they win the playoff with the Brewers, who are also 1-0 will it make a difference.

Evil_Dave: I was pouring milk on my cereal this morning and I saw Jason Bay's picture on the carton. What happened to this guy?

Jerry Micco: Tough start, no question. He did make a couple nice plays in the field before the gaff in the 9th. But he looks to be struggling at the plate again. And they need him to hit. But again, it's one game. Let's see how April plays out before we get too analytical here.

roninbuc: How surprised are you that Maz's homer beat the Immaculate Reception at the Dapper Dan awards? How about Mario topping Clemente for his award?

Jerry Micco: I was a bit surprised by Maz winning, but it wasn't a shocker. I mean, he did win a World Series in the bottom of the ninth inning. The IR, which was a terrific moment, was a playoff game. But both are forever going to be linked as the greatest moments in sports history, I think. As for Mario, I wasn't surprised at all. Clemente, while truly a great one, wasn't even the greatest Pirate. I'd think that honor belongs to Honus Wagner.

roninbuc: Do you think Capps was just too wired up to pitch in that situation in ATL? The minute he walked the first guy I knew bad things were coming.

Jerry Micco: He looked very out of sync. My 14-year-old son Daniel wanted to stay up late to watch the end of the game and after Marte inexplicably walked 2 of the first 3 guys he faced, I remember telling my son "Here comes Capps. He hardly ever walks anyone." Way to make a liar out of dad, Matt. But Capps will be fine. He's going to be a good pitcher in this league.

Fla_Fla_Flohi: Can the Pens overcome Therrienand go deep in the playoffs?

Jerry Micco: I don't understand the fans' problems with Michele Therrien. I think the guy should win the Jack Adams Trophy. He loses his No. 1 goalie for 3 months. He loses his best player for 28 games. He loses two of his best defensive defensemen, Eaton and Scuderi, for the season and a month, respectively. Gets guys like Malkin, Malone and others to step up. And he's got them at the top of the conference. And you need to overcome what, again?

Evil_Dave: Did you attend the Dapper Dan? Everytime I read a Sidney Crosby quote or see him interviewed I am amazed that he is only 20. He seems like a young man who understands how to relate to the media and fans.

Jerry Micco: I was at the DD, which is probably my favorite event every year. Since it was started 73 years ago by PG sports editor Al Abrams, I've always felt a need to be very involved in it. I'm on the executive committee because that tradition of it generating from a sports editor, is very important to me. And it raises money for a great cause, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pa. So yes, I'm there every year God willing. And Sidney Crosby is the most poised 20-year-old I know. Gracious and accommodating, he's just a special athlete and Pittsburgh's lucky to have him.

jimmy_g: Jerry, I like you think that Xavier Nady has a very high upside potential and would be disappointed if the Pirates trade him for prospects to restock their A and AA teams. What are your thoughts?

Jerry Micco: I'd be very disappointed, jimmy, but that's likely if he stays hot. I'd think that if he does really well for a couple months or so, and stays healthy, you may get at least one top prospect for him. No sense giving him away. But I'd hate to see him go. I think he brings so much to the team.

jimmy_g: Hats off to Agnus Berenato and the Pitt women for their run in the NCAA tournament. Even in their last game against Stanford, I believe that they were the more athletically talented team but they could not hand the size of Stanford.

Jerry Micco: Agnus, who was the Dapper Dan sportswoman of the year, certainly has earned the praise she's gotten from the Pitt administration, fans and media for her work in that program. She's tireless and she never stops touting the program. Kudos to her and her team for a great run. And Stanford is always tough to handle. Year in, year out, they are loaded. And Pitt played them even for more than a half.

Evil_Dave: Edzo mentioned at least 5 times on Monday night that Therrien was "changing lines, looking for a spark". It was a one goal game throughout. Its that type of reckless strategy that makes me nervous that he's going to be outcoached in a 7 game series.

Jerry Micco: But you see, that's part of what has made the team successful. He's going to do that because that's what he does. But I also think once a line finds a spark, like Malkin-Sykora-Malone, he leaves them alone. But he's got so many great players, why not mix and match them occasionally? Since I've only seen him with this club once in the playoffs, I'm willing to give him some time before worrying if he'll be outcoached. Ottawa was just a better team last year, as evidenced by their going to the Cup finals.

jimmy_g: Maybe the thing that some fans don't like about Therrien is that he is the boss. In the old days, the players (and one in particular) ran the team and got rid of coaches that tried (Scotty Bowman). I think that he has done a great job changing this and having the team play in a system.

Jerry Micco: Either you're in charge or you're not. Therrien is definitely in charge. Though I'm sure guys like Sid do have his ear on certain things. Good coaches -- any good boss, actually -- listens to players who are top performers. They want that input because they know that the buy-in from key players is important to the team's success. But in the end, it's you're butt on the line. So you'd better make the call the way you see it.

Fla_Fla_Flohi: When a game ends like it does on Monday, what are the deadlines for getting the game story into the paper? Can you provide some insight into the process? I was very pleased that my driveway copy included the game story.

Jerry Micco: We electronically design all of our pages. I'll not bore you with those details. But generally, we want all the stories filed no later than say 10:50 p.m. Our first edition deadline in Sports is 11:15. That means we send the last page we have to our production folks at that time. Then, about an hour or so later, we go in for later information. Then again around 1:30 a.m. So a late game like that is done on what we call a "sooner." Meaning, we don't wait for that 12:30 a.m. deadline, we send it and the press folks stop to get that page (or pages) on and crank it up again. Sometimes, in a big press run, that can't be done. But we do our best to get everything to every reader. But we need to deliver by 6 a.m., so there are times when we just have to go without the story because our customers put delivery as their No. 1 concern. They want the news, too, but it takes time to deliver the product. Also, we use our web site to its fullest when we have a late game.

jimmy_g: OK, prediction time. Will the Penguins be the No. 1 seed in the east?

Jerry Micco: I think they will be the No. 1 seed. And probably will play Philadelphia. I think the Pens will get 3 of the 4 points left, which will be enough. I think the Flyers squeak in. At least I'm hoping for that because it would be a very old-school, tough first-round series.

letsgobucs: do you find it odd that when a coach makes changes he is being outcoached, yet when a team struggles, the first thing a fan wants is for changes to be made

Jerry Micco: Fans are fans because they expect everything and they expect it immediately. Hey, we're all like that to an extent. Coaches know that's what they sign up for when they take the job. Being second-guessed by fans is part of the deal. If you can't handle that, then you need to do something else with your life. Kind of like running a sports department, though this is more fun that coaching. Readers tell me all the time what we need to do and how to do it. You listen, sometimes you act, but most of the time, you use your experience and instincts to do what you think is best for everyone. And you want that feedback because you know at least they care. Coaches want that, too.

jimmy_g: Hey Jerry, we are half way through the chat and there has been nothing on the Steelers. Where is the "Nation"?

Jerry Micco: Taking a vacation in Palm Beach, maybe. The Steelers have been relatively quiet this offseason, so maybe that's what has the Nation hibernating. But the draft looms and about that time, the mighty giant awakens again.

roninbuc: Do you agree with Wannstedt that it's too bad Dickerson didn't redshirt his freshman year? After the LB experiment, do you see him as an impact player at TE?

Jerry Micco: I know he was so highly touted coming out of high school that it's disappointing to Pitt fans that he's done nothing so far. I think when you blow a redshirt on a few meaningless plays, that you probably don't help yourself. I'm not sure how much of an impact he'll make at TE. I think he's been moved around so much he doesn't have a real position. I think they'll coach him up fine, but big impact? I'd really have to be convinced of that.

chooch79: Since we must rely on your staff to hold the Pirates accountable for their accountability statements, can we expect the same zeal in reporting as the PG has given to the WVU degree scandal?

Jerry Micco: I think the WVU story is a much larger story. I'm not involved in that coverage, but you're talking about a major university that gets state money and there are some very hard questions not only us, but many folks are asking. But, as always, we'll keep pedal to the medal on the beats we do handle. Just remember, if I can toot our horn, it was Dejan Kovacevic's story three years ago, that unearthed the fact that the Pirates made a profit. Not easy to get considering it's a private business, unlike a state university. We try to do due diligence in everything we do and we'll keep doing that.

traffic: Do you think JoePa will retire after next year? I was surprised (well, not really) to read his comment about his not needing a contract. Do you think he thinks he will end up going year-to-year over the next couple years?

Jerry Micco: I think Penn State would like to get the situation resolved sooner rather than later. It's a tough decision for Graham Spanier to make, either way. I really have no idea if they'll renew him after he's done this season. They have three choices in my mind: Renew him for some length of time; let the contract expire and cut Joe loose or do a set period of time with an announced successor. It'll be a background story all season long until it's resolved.

roninbuc: Pass along my congrats to Dejan for the great piece in Sunday's paper on what could happen if the Pirates have a winning season this year. Coonelly and Huntington seem like they actually will follow the plan for the Buccos future, but it changes if they somehow contend this season. It will get interesting if the team hangs around over .500?

Jerry Micco: I thought Dejan did an excellent job with that entire package. And thank you for the compliment on his work. It is much appreciated. It will get interesting if they contend or are near contending. We'll see how disciplined they are on what they want long term. And this team has to think that way. They don't have $125 million to spend to buy players. They never will. But long-term, they can be competitive if a plan is followed and players are developed. But this organization hasn't proven that over the past 15 years, so people are keeping an eye on this new management team.

chooch79: What's the status on the Booger McFarland signing? Is he a Steeler as was originally reported?

Jerry Micco: No, which we corrected the next day. Anything else, Chooch?

jimmy_g: Watching the ninth inning of the Pirates-Braves game on Monday was kind of like being in the Twilight Zone. Has Jason Bay or Nate McLouth said anything about the dropped pop-up?

Jerry Micco: Each said they thought the other guy had it. That's been pretty much it. And that's probably what happened. It was an embarrassing gaff.

roninbuc: Your thoughts on Tom Crean getting the Indiana job? Dixon probably won't miss him in the Big East, as for a while, Marquette always had Pitt's number. Got tired of ESPN announcers going on and on about Crean as a "great" coach. Now he will have to prove it in Hooiserland.

Jerry Micco: Tough job for Crean, but I think he's a very good coach. Marquette isn't easy to recruit but he's had them in the tournament many times. Indiana, as you state, is another ballgame completely. He'll have to produce pretty fast and his coaching will be tested. Talk about a tough fanbase? Hoosier fans know basketball and they aren't afraid of letting a coach know exactly how they feel.

chooch79: I agree with your assessment on Dejan's reporting. He is certainly missed as one of the Pens beat writers. I just want to make sure that we are holding the new management to their word. When I watched the can of corn 3rd out drop between two outfielders on Monday night because neither of them bothered to call it, I expect that someone should be held accountable. Otherwise, their comments mean nothing.

Jerry Micco: Perhaps Russell did hold someone accountable, but he hasn't said anything to anyone about it, at least for public consumption. I'm not sure no one called it, I couldn't tell from TV. But someone should have done so, and I'm sure that's not lost on the players or Russell. And as far as accountability, beat reporters report what they see and hear. Columnists tend to be the folks who measure accountability. Again, it's one game. Let's see how the season progresses.

PirateFan: Jerry, What will happen first-Pirates make the playoffs or Pitt wins the Big East in football?

Jerry Micco: I have to think Pitt, with who is coming back and their recruiting class, have a better chance. As a football conference, the Big East is OK, so it's a bit easier to win a BE title than to win a division in baseball. After all, WVU or Rutgers or Louisville don't have big payrolls to go against. So if I were a betting man, I'd say Pitt wins a BE title first.

jimmy_g: I know that bowing out in the second round doesn't help the Pitt basketball team in recruiting but it sure would be nice for Jamie Dixon to finally land a highly touted recruit. Your Thoughts?

Jerry Micco: No, a trip to the Elite 8 or Final 4 is what it may take to land that player. Dixon is a very successful coach, but at some point, the team has to take a next step. And it needs that player to do so. I don't think for a moment that Dixon doesn't recruit these guys and does his dead-level best to land them, but sometimes a recruit looks at the success of other programs and goes that way. Or, they don't like Pitt's rough, physical style of play. A lot of things go into that decision.

Jerry Micco: OK folks, time to head back to what's waiting on my desk. I appreciate you taking the time to chat with me. It's always my pleasure to spend time with you. I'll be out next week, but we'll have someone fill in for me at noon Wednesday. Watch PG.com for that info.