steeler1: If the Steelers trade the #23 pick, what would be the value in terms of what they could receive? Thank you.

Jerry Micco: Well, first they have to find a trading partner who is below them or does not have a first-round pick. I don't think that's going to be easy. I'd think if they traded out of the No. 23 slot, they'd want a second- and a third-round pick. Now some teams may only offer a 2 and a 4, but I think they Steelers would hold out for more. Either scenario definitely involves a second-round pick. And likely an early second round pick.

McBeam: Is the Max Starks fiasco the biggest financial screw-up by the $teeler$ in the modern $teeler$ era (since Noll hired)?

Jerry Micco: I don't think so. Yes, he got beat out last year by Willie Colon, but he certainly looked very good later in the season. And he proved he could play some left tackle, a position of need, considering Marvel Smith's age and ailments. This is a one-year deal. If the Steelers want to keep him, they'll look to lower that price to around 4-5 million a year, which for a starting tackle is not bad.

James_Taipei: I am sure that no one wants to lose the first game but would you agree that the first game is more important to the Penguins due to their lack of playoff experience? Most Penguin players have not faced any playoff adversity yet.

Jerry Micco: You are right, James. The Pens don't want to let the Rangers, loaded with veteran playoff performers, to think they can steal a game in Pittsburgh. They are going to lose a game at some point, and how they recover and react in the next game will say a lot about the young Pens.

YeOldeBuccoFan: Don't you think the Penguins fans' continued hatred of Jaromir Jagr is a bit over the top? I don't like the way he left, but I can't forget all that he did to help us get two Cups.

Jerry Micco: I agree with what you say. I can't understand it, even though I wasn't here when Jagr left, I do know what was said and how bitter it was. But come on, give it a break.

YeOldeBuccoFan: On one level, aren't all of the Pirates' games this year exhibition games? They have no hope of winning, and they just want to see who they should keep and who they should get rid of.

Jerry Micco: In a sense that's right, but these guys are professionals and I'm sure they approach every game as an important one. But when you are trying to find out what type of team you have, I agree it's kind of like an exhibition.

Jim_Tracy: I have an idea that might help Adam LaRoche. Have Matt Morris pitch to him. He'll be out of his slump in no time.

Jerry Micco: Mr. Tracy, not a bad line at all. Better yet, you could probably manage that situation as well.

PirateApologist: Early prediction on the Penguins/Rangers?

Jerry Micco: I'm thinking Penguins in 6, but would not be surprised to see this one go to a nail-biter seventh game.

miccolicious: Jerry ... is the down attendance numbers a sign that the people of our great city are finally sick of the off the field nonsense and want winning baseball?

Jerry Micco: It certainly could be looked at as a barometer of the fans' displeasure with the play of the team. Absolutely. I know the team usually struggles with attendance in April, but it's lower than it's been in several years and they are now last in the league. If the team begins to play well -- at least be competitive -- fans will go to the games. But they have to prove it over the long haul.

PirateApologist: Last night, the ump blew a call on Nate's stolen base. Later, the first base ump called Ramirez out when he was clearly safe. I do not think it was the case last night, but do you think that umps/refs try to "even it up" when they know that they have made a bad call?

Jerry Micco: There's always the theory that umpires and referees have "make-up" calls. I'm not sure that's accurate. I think because of the nature of close calls, you're going to get a few and you're not going to get a few. It's the nature of sports.

PirateApologist: I don't disagree that Bautista should be on the bench, but how does a player improve if they are not playing?

Jerry Micco: Well, when you've had several chances and you still struggle, then it's time to look at the player and ask if he's ready to play every day for your club. Everyone loves the guy's potential, but that and a $1 get you a cheap cup of coffee. He's not proven he can play every day as far as Pirates management is concerned. Do I think he'll be back in the lineup soon? Yes and he'll get 450 at-bats. But this is his year to show -- or not show -- that he's an everyday player for the club.

miccolicious: Joe Flacco couldn't play at Pitt, what makes anyone think he can play in the NFL?

Jerry Micco: I think sometimes people don't fit programs and vice versa. And sometimes people make mistakes. Pro scouts think he can play in the league and he's probably a second-day pick or a late second-round pick. The draft is a big-time crap shoot and sometimes you hit a homer and other times, you whiff. Flacco, like everyone else who will be selected this weekend, is a bit of a gamble.

PhillyMarty: Jerry: It is quite rare for even a good team to go through a season with the same 5 starting pitchers. Right now we seem to have one that is fighting to become a true #1, one that is fighting to avoid retirement and three inconsistent ones that are really a puzzle. And one of those three (Gorzo) likely threw too many innings last year over and above the year before leading some to wonder if he is really trying to pitch through an injury. Do you see it any differently and who would you like to see be the next guy to join the rotation?

Jerry Micco: I think you've got it right, Marty. Snell is emerging as the leader. The other guys, particularly Duke and Gorzo, are still really "babies" when it comes to being starters. One full season for Gorzo. Only two for Duke. There's time for them to improve, but it's going to take time. Neither one was ever looked at as a No. 1 or 2 starter on a team. The Pirates drafted a bunch of No. 3-5 starters. So, you draft them and hope they emerge. I think Maholm is the next one to take a step forward. He has the most experience starting of the three lefties. As for a Morris replacement, I don't see one. I guess Dumatrait, but he was shelled as a starter in Cincy. Down on the farm, none of those guys have proven at this level they can be effective.

PhillyMarty: Why are the Pirates such a bad defensive team? It does not seem to add up. The infielders they have other the injury at SS were more than adequate last year.

Jerry Micco: I don't think Sanchez is 100 percent. LaRoche had a couple of lapses, which is odd. Bautista, I think, is pressing in every part of his game. And Luis Rivas has never been a shortstop. Bixler, once he gets settled, is a pretty good glove man. I think they'll get better as they move along and Wilson's return will be very welcomed.

PirateApologist: Do you think it is wasting a pick to draft a QB that will only serve as a backup? How much longer do you see Batch playing?

Jerry Micco: I think if you do that, you sign a free agent. It's a very thin draft for QBs.

Michael: Are Pirate fans destined to be satisified with the ownership's philosophy of being a farm team for MLB?

Jerry Micco: I don't think, because I don't think the people in any organization are wired this way, that the ownership plans on losing year over year. It's going to take time to do the things they need to do. In the meantime, they have the players they have. This is the product of their farm system (most of it) and this is what they will have to live with.

PhillyMarty: WIth the 23rd pick the Steelers will draft a player at what position?

Jerry Micco: I'm thinking defensive line or wide receiver.

SRK: Do you have any thoughts on who the steelers may pick in round one?

Jerry Micco: I think a defensive lineman like Kentwan Balmer of North Carolina may be a nice pick if they stay at 23. I really like a receiver there, because I think only one will be gone by that pick, Limas Sweed of Texas. I know a lot of folks say offensive line, but at that point, you are getting maybe the seventh or eighth best lineman. Yes, an offensive line-rich draft, but if you can get a No. 2 WR, a position of need, or a top 5 D-lineman, another position of need, I'd do that instead. I think all the top-rated corners would be gone, but I always land on the side of drafting at least one corner in every draft. I think the Steelers need to do that, too, but can maybe do it early in the second round if they trade down. Justin King, perhaps?

Michael: I don't blame any players performance. I think fans will attend - but its the same old, same old story.

Jerry Micco: Michael, most fans would agree with that assessment.

Fred_Norris: How come the Pirates attendance story was on the front of the sports section? 1) that isn't much of a story given the team's start and recent history and 2) the game story was left for page 5.

Jerry Micco: Well, sometimes when the president of an organization goes on the record with his reasons, or concerns, about having the worst attendance in the NL, you see it as more newsy than the 20th game of a 162-game season. Sometimes, news trumps games. Most of the time it does, actually.

PhillyMarty: How many more starts does Matt Morris get?

Jerry Micco: I think at least 2 more. They've got to see if there is anything at all left. But he's trying to reinvent himself late in his career at the big-league level. That's extremely hard to do. But again, not many options behind him.

Fan_Since_The_70s: What can the NHL do to lessen the continual controversy that exists with the officiating in the NHL? It seems that the outcome of way too many games, more than other professional sports, falls back to 'bad' calls made by referees. Is it time for red challenge flags to be tossed onto the ice?

Jerry Micco: You can't do that in hockey. They replay any goals, but how do you red-flag a trip or a cross-check? Refs in all sports blow calls. It's the human part of the game.

Jim_Tracy: Would you be in favor of instant replay in baseball? The ump's union would never allow it but it would improve the product, right?

Jerry Micco: I'm not a big fan of baseball replays, though I think it works in the NHL and NFL. And basketball does it for clock/shot purposes. I don't know, baseball has so many "tweener" type calls that it just slows down a game that's slow enough.

Fred_Norris: With regards to Flacco, could it be possible that Pitt made the wrong decision between him and Palko?

Jerry Micco: Well, you could say that Fred, but again, maybe it was the wrong fit for the program at the time. And Tyler Palko had a pretty good career at Pitt. Flacco may not have had that same career there, one never knows.

Chunkles: I was one who always wondered who would waste their time or money on a Pirate game. I was last there at PNC in 2001. I got free tickets a couple weeks ago and I can understand why people still go. Yes, the park is wonderful. The thing I was most impressed with were the employees. The ticket takers, ushers, and vendors were really nice and made you feel welcomed. Having said all that Jerry, will there ever be a time in PGH where we can go and root for a first place Pirate team again? Not a fluke season. Back a team out of spring training who has a chance on day one to win a championship.

Jerry Micco: It's going to take a while for that, Chunkles. There's still a long way to go to first place. Let's see when they have their first winning season before we think first place.

PirateApologist: Hey Jerry, great turnout for the chat today. John VanB is lights out in Indy right now, but I know that he'd probably fair only slightly better than Morris if he came up. Why can a player be dominant in AAA and awful in the majors while at the same time some players are just okay in the minors and blossom in the majors?

Jerry Micco: Because sometimes their stuff doesn't translate to this level. They never take the one step needed to be a major league pitcher. Other times, even though a guy is just OK in the minors, the light bulb goes on and he gets it. When he does, it all comes together for him. Just depends on how the guy develops.

Jim_Tracy: There was yet another report this week that Bob Nutting is using revenue sharing dollars to pay down debt. All this means is that when he sells the team it will be for pure profit because the Yankees and Red Sox paid for the Dominican facility, Bradenton upgrades and the new restaurant in PNC Park. How can Selig and the owners sit still while Nutting robs them? Not to mention the fan outrage ...

Jerry Micco: I'm thinking the Pirates aren't the only team doing that. And MLB does keep a pretty close eye on where that revenue sharing money goes and how it's used. Paying down debt can be a part of that. But the payroll has gone up from last season and Nutting has said he'd bump it more if the right player came along. I'm not saying this team has been well-run in the front office for years, but I think they are doing what they can with what they have. And as you know, payroll isn't the only measure of success.

KY_Steeler: I keep seeing "experts" say the Steelers may take a quarterback to eventually replace Batch. Why does no one mention the signing of Jared Zabransky? I was stoked about that...

Jerry Micco: I don't see the Steelers using one of their six picks on a QB. And if that signing stokes you, then great for you.

wvcincyreds: The Pirates swept my Reds but have already accounted for 6 of the Cubs victories.

Jerry Micco: The Cubbies certainly have owned the Pirates this year. No wonder some experts think they can get to the World Series. Nice hitting club with just enough pitching.

Jim_Tracy: How many more days until Camp Tomlin begins?

Jerry Micco: Sometimes too many, other times not enough. It's still about 3 months or so off...we can relax.

Bucco: What's Gary Roberts status for Game 1? I think they need him to play to help set the tone for the series.

Jerry Micco: He's still day-to-day. Groin injuries in hockey are tough to play through. It would be good to have Roberts back at some point for this series. But it may not happen.

praveen: here is a reason why Steelers run out of cap space. Do you think the Pats would spend nearly 17M for one year on the likes of Kendall Simmons, Starks, Nate W, Mahan?

Jerry Micco: Hey, not exactly the best group ever, but sometimes you have to take what you can. Great players don't always just fall into your lap. And the Steelers are actually in pretty good shape, about $2 million under the cap. And there will be contract adjustments as always.

praveen: Do you think the Pens should go ahead and sign both Malone and Hossa and then trade one of them after a couple of years to get some cap space? Or do you think Hossa will come up with some no trade clause?

Jerry Micco: I don't think the Pens can sign both of those players. Ray Shero has a tough job ahead this offseason.

uniontown2: so why exactly are we not a baseball town? is it because we dont like baseball or more likely and what i believe that Pittsburgh has too much pride to support an org that doesnt even try to compete. We support the Steelers and the Penguins they both compete

Jerry Micco: But didn't about 2 million fans go to the Pirates games last year? And the year before that? At least it was more than 1.6 million, which is a decent number. They do get support, but maybe fans just said enough is enough. We'll see as the weather warms and school is out.

praveen: Worst Pirates signing (or trade that is the equivalent): Pat Meares, Matt Morris or Derek Bell?(no hindsight allowed, just how stupid it looked from the very start)

Jerry Micco: Morris.

PhillyMarty: It has been said/written that the Rangers "ran over" the Devils the focus being they harassed Brodeur at every opportunity. If you statistically analyze the Pens and Rangers, the Rangers are a poor shooting team that would appear to be outmanned if the players play to form. So they are likely to try a similar strategy against us to get us off our game. Can it work? How long before Laraque takes Avery out to the woodshed?

Jerry Micco: The Laraque-Avery main event should happen in Game 1 if Avery does that same stunt he pulled on Brodeur in Jersey. I know refs can call that now, but that was bush. I don't mind guys like Avery because everyone has a pain in the butt player, but that was bush. I think the Rangers want to muck and grind, Marty. They have to. Anyone has to do that to beat the Penguins. A lot of running of Fleury, a lot of stick and hand work. The Pens have to fight through that both physically and mentally. The latter is actually harder to do, in my opinion.

praveen: Imagine all the second base tags that get overturned on double plays

Jerry Micco: I think the "in the area" rule has been the norm for a long time. It keeps a lot of second basemen and shortstops alive.

Bucco: Matt Morris seems like a proud guy. Maybe he'll retire. That should save the Pirates from paying the rest of his salary, right?

Jerry Micco: He's proud. He's probably a classy guy, too, I don't know him at all. But he's also entitled to the money he signed for. And by my understanding, he's not stupid, either.

Michael: What do you think of Pitt's fb recruiting class this year?

Jerry Micco: On paper, it looks very solid. A top 20 or 25 group for sure. But again, I always wonder about those ratings. It's on film from guys who watch film. Who knows who is going to step up. It'll be up to those players and Wannstedt and his staff to get them ready to play. I do know the Panthers certainly have made their mark here in Western Pa. They got, potentially, some very good players from here.

Fred_Norris: With 3 of the first 4 Pens games scheduled for national tv, its a relief that we are spared Steigy and Errey. They are terrible and I bet Empty Netters agrees with me.

Jerry Micco: Maybe Empty Netters will get back to you on it. I don't comment on commentators. Tough job and I know I couldn't do it.

SRK: I think the steelers and browns rivalry will reach old heights this season ...your thoughts?

Jerry Micco: Yes, because the Browns will be very good. It takes two good teams to make a great rivalry. I think you'll see the return of a good, healthy, Browns-Steelers rivalry this season and for years to come. As it should be.

praveen: Steelers are far from cheap. They are too generous and that's the reason why they keep running out of cap space.

Jerry Micco: Well, again, Kendall Simmons, they thought, was going to improve and they signed him at a relatively cheap price, considering what other guards in the league are paid. And he's certainly not their worst offensive lineman. Remember, he had Mahan on one side and a first-year starter, Colon, on the other. I'm more interested to see if the Steelers put Starks back at RT and move Colon inside. Any how, it's true sometimes teams blow money on mediocre guys. Maybe in this case the Steelers did just that.

Matt__Ryan_Express__Morris: At what point in time will Huntington decide I'm not any good anymore, buy me out, send Meek back to the Devil Rays, and call up Burnett, Van Benschoten, and/or Salas? If I threw 83 MPH last year, then I throw 83 MPH this year, what makes Neil think I'm gonna hit 92 MPH in my next start?

Jerry Micco: You won't, but if you can spot a fastball and use breaking pitches as out pitches, you can pitch in the majors. That said, I don't think that's going to happen for Matt Morris. And maybe you're right. You cut all your losses and check out who is in the minors, despite the fact that they are a big a risk as the folks you're sending down. And if you bring up Burnett, you have 4 lefties in the pen. One too many.

praveen: I think that leagues that have revenue sharing should use a free market principle and force clubs that take money and fail constantly to sell the club back to the league who can then find a better owner (Marc Cuban, hint hint)

Jerry Micco: So the model is to lose money but win? Not a good business strategy.

Jim_Tracy: Is there any chance that the NHL will be back on ESPN next season? I've been watching the games on Verses and they have been fantastic but I'm sure the ratings are low since Verses isn't readily available.

Jerry Micco: NBC today opted for their extra year of coverage of the NHL. Their telecasts on weekends are up 11 percent over last year. I don't think ESPN, because of their NBA contract, will bid on the NHL.

KY_Steeler: What's the chance we see Max Starks at left tackle where he did so well at the end of the year, Marvel moved back to Right, and Colon at Left Guard? With Hartwig at Center and Simmons at RG, that has to be an improvement over what we saw last year ...

Jerry Micco: You may be right on this one, but I'm not sure they'll flip tackles. I think the reason Starks was signed, though, was as Smith's replacement this year or next. I think there's still at least one good year left for Smith. But if not, the Steelers now have someone on the roster to replace him. And I do think Colon has his best chance to succeed in the NFL at guard. Just my opinion.

Fred_Norris: Back to the fans booing of Jagr. Yeah he whined about wanting to be traded, but he was traded he didn't leave as a free agent, he's the 2nd best player to ever wear that uniform and the Pens will put his number in the rafters when its all said and done, unless they have no clue.

Jerry Micco: I don't disagree with that assessment. It seems trendy now to boo the other team's best player when they have the puck, so maybe he's the guy and that's how the fans couch it. But what are you gonna do? Fans pay the bucks, they got that right.

Jim_Tracy: Do you think Hines Ward will threaten a hold out if the Steelers draft a WR Saturday?

Jerry Micco: Funny. No.

Fred_Norris: Looking at the Steelers schedule, I can't see any possible scenario where they beat that juggernaut coming to town December 7.

Jerry Micco: The Cowboys? Be a terrific game. The Romo-Ben battle will be the highlight of the day.

Jerry Micco: Well folks, got to run. Great chat and great questions. Sorry I couldn't answer all of them, but we only have the hour! See you next Wednesday at noon. Plenty to talk about: Draft fallout, Bucs, Pens. Great time to be a sports fan. Thanks for taking the time to talk.