shouldBworking: Jerry, I have a 'paper business' question. Are there impacts to hard copy circulation by having your paper on-line? I know there are generational aspects to it, but I really enjoy being able to get my PG news anywhere and when I want it having it on-line.

Jerry Micco: Newspaper readership, despite declining circulation numbers, is probably as great now as it ever was. If you include the number of people who get us on the Web as well as in-print, that number is very high. And we still sell 215,000 daily papers and 330,000 Sunday papers. And the daily has increased over the past year or so. What we find is that folks will read both because as you say, they want their news now. But still will go to the print product for other items. Our goal is to make sure our products -- both print and online -- give our readers all they need to know on any topic. We want to continue to grow, and the Web is one way we see that we certainly can grow. But it won't be at the expense of print.

shouldBworking: One other item, I know I am in the very silent minority and I know this topic drives web hits and paper sales, but I am disappointed in having to scroll past Steelers updates to get to real news. I would expect this info to dominate the sports area, but I would think there are more important matters to put on the homepage other than the movement of the 80th person in camp...so to speak.

Jerry Micco: We put all of our breaking news in the little breaking news box on our home page. No matter the topic. And quite frankly, the Steelers get more online hits than any other topic we put up there. We try to be careful to weight that news. For instance, if we have hard news stories we try to keep them higher on that list than the Steelers. Especially if it's a basic training camp move.

yzguy431: hello, Jerry. how's the diet? on the topic of weight, what is your take on the Casey Hampton saga?

Jerry Micco: My diet is up and down, I'm afraid. I was up a bit but recently have come back down a bit. I need to work much harder on it but I get lazy. And I love to eat. And I tend to stress eat, so in this job that's not a good thing. For Hampton, I think Tomlin did the right thing and Hampton should not have come in that big. He was just too big. One of his strengths is his lateral movement and push, and I didn't see a lot of that by the end of last year. I think he's great at around 335, but he looks more like 370. But he'll be fine once the season starts.

yzguy431: pirates - improved, not improved, to early to tell

Jerry Micco: I'd say not improved because you take 38 homers and 130 RBI out of the lineup and you aren't better. Long run? Probably improved, but you have to see if these guys develop. I like what I see in Moss, but Andy LaRoche probably still needs some work. Karstens looked good in his debut, but can he keep it up? It's a long-haul kind of deal and we'll see how it goes.

Lanny: What do you think of the Pirates' moves over the last 2 weeks?

Jerry Micco: For the most part, I like the way they did it. I liked the Bay trade better than Nady, but overall I think they did what they had to do. Restocked the minor leagues some and got some young players to step into Bay's and Nady's spots. I'd rather see them do that than lose with Bay and Nady and never have a pitcher in the minors they can bring up when a starter or reliever falters on the big club. At least now, they have some options.

Chunkles: Jerry, could you imagine if Bradshaw would have wanted to come out of retirement in 1984 and the Rooneys sent him packing! The Stiller Nation would have burned down Three Rivers Stadium. Having said that, I see nothing wrong with Favre heading to Tampa Bay. Its a different time in sports. You almost need to have velcro on the back of a team shirt these days! Favre will always be a legend in Green Bay.

Jerry Micco: He wants to play and the Packers want to move along. I think trading him is the best thing for all concerned. I'm just kind of tired of the non-stop coverage. And we're part of that, having Sports front stories the past 2 days. But I think we'll look to see if any movement occurs before we get too deep into Favre coverage again. ESPN and NFL Network are out of control on it.

jimmy_g: I understand the reasoning for the Jason Bay trade but the Pirates are now even more of a AAA team than before. Futhermore, how much longer are we going to have to wait for them to become a major league team?

Jerry Micco: Well, they were under .500 all these years with those guys and had a team populated by a bunch of AAA type guys, so if you don't restock, you can't compete down the road. And they couldn't be saddled with a Jason Kendall type contract for Bay if for some reason, Bay started to tail off in the next year or so. Teams without a lot of money can't carry long, expensive contracts. You have to restock and hope those young guys hit on all cylinders. But notice, none of the young pitchers were dealt. The are hoping that soon, they will all improve at once and it can become a strength of the team. But that's a big "if".

jimmy_g: Wow, the expectations are certainly rising for the Pitt football team. It sure seems that Dave Wannstedt has to deliver this year.

Jerry Micco: The expectations are high and rightfully so. This is a team that can win 9 games and perhaps challenge for the Big East title. It's year 4 for Dave Wannstedt so these are his guys. And I think with the schedule and the talent they have, 9 games certainly is a very solid prediction.

Lanny: Do you edit the blogs or are they anything-goes for the author?

Jerry Micco: We always can go in and edit a blog, but the software we use allows the writers the freedom to go and post. We trust our writers to be fair and factual in the blogs, so we give them that freedom. They aren't anything-goes in that sense, because if the editors determine a post is out of line or not within the journalistic standards, then we'll take it down.

jimmy_g: I hope all of the publicity on the Alvarez signing is just posturing on both sides. For many reasons, not the least of which is PR, the Pirates must sign him.

Jerry Micco: I think the Pirates know they have to sign him and the posturing will likely continue until the last hour. It's how these things get done with players who have the potential of Alvarez. And if they do sign him, then that sends a clear signal that the draft and development in both the minors and the Caribbean are the way the team wants to go in the future.

Ham_Hands: If Frank Coonelly is telling us that overpaying Alvarez would effect future signings, shouldn't Nutting and the rest of his crew just get out of the MLB business?

Jerry Micco: Again, this isn't the only team that faces that prospect. Look at how good Cleveland was a year ago. This season, they traded CC Sabathia for prospects. Most teams can only sign a few players to big deals and they have to hope to hit them right. You can't look at the 2 NY teams, the 2 LA teams, the 2 Chicago teams and the Red Sox and say everyone has to be like them. They can't. They don't have the revenue streams. Can the Pirates spend more? Sure, if the investment's worth it.

yzguy431: I did not get the 'silent treatment' for Doug Mientkiewicz after his homer the other night...can you explain that one?

Jerry Micco: I think the guys were messing with him like "oh, did you actually hit a home run?" type of deal. If you noticed later, they were congratulating him as they would any teammate who hit a homer. Kind of like messing with your big brother. See if you can get a rise out of him.

Lanny: Is Gerry Dulac covering the PGA Championship? Will you send him to the Ryder Cup if Rocco is on the team?

Jerry Micco: In my time here, Gerry has never covered a PGA Championship, so we aren't going to start that this year. As for the Ryder Cup, let's wait and see. It's the middle of football season and Gerry is a Steelers reporter. I think if Rocco's on the team we'll probably talk about it.

Ham_Hands: Please tell me you aren't going to devout a lot of coverage to the Olympics. What an absolute bore.

Jerry Micco: We have Shelly Anderson over in China and she'll have in-print and Web reports. She has already started her Olympics blog. Otherwise, we'll have a front page presence every day, some bigger than others. And we're doing one page inside. I think we did 3 or 4 inside the section for Athens. But the paper's shrinking and we're adjusting. I disagree with the boring part. Michael Phelps, the mini dream team, gymnastics and Rochester's Lauryn Williams try for gold are all great storylines.

Lanny: I've enjoyed the comments section of the blogs. It's interesting to see some many different perspectives on a topic and it's led to some lively discussion. Will this feature ever be available on stories and columns?

Jerry Micco: I believe it will in time, Lanny. We're starting it on blogs to see how it goes. It's software we've wanted for some time and now that we have it, we're seeing how the blog comments go. And for the earlier question, we do monitor comments too and will take some down if we deem them offensive.

yzguy431: what is it with baseball that players take so long to 'develop'

Jerry Micco: I think of the big 4 sports (football, baseball, basketball, hockey) the skillset needed for baseball is the toughest to acquire. I think it's a sport where it just takes so much time to develop, usually, that you have to be patient. The ability to hit a baseball, in my opinion, is the hardest thing to do in sports.

Lanny: Mickelson suffered another collapse on Sunday. I think he has a game as good as Tiger's but nothing between the ears or in the heart. Is there another athlete out there who is as talented but can't perform under pressure?

Jerry Micco: I agree he had another collapse, but I don't think it's either heart nor head. I think sometimes, he tries to get too fine with his game and when he does, he thinks his way into problems. OK, maybe it is his head. But he's won, I believe, at Colonial and Riviera this year. Two tough, traditional courses and he nearly won at Firestone, a similar course. The PGA should be his best tournament every year. Oakland Hills is a tough course. Let's see if he just goes out and plays and forgets that it's a major.

Ham_Hands: Jerry, where can I get a good steak sub in town?

Jerry Micco: Gosh, I have no idea. I don't eat steak subs much at all and I rarely get out to lunch. I generally eat at my desk. Primanti's has a terrific cheesesteak, but it's not a sub as such. Maybe someone can help him in this chat?

yzguy431: Why, if gambling interests were in conflict with NFL policy did the Rooney's get involved with it? They may not be in a position they are in now.

Jerry Micco: I'm not sure that they thought it was going to be a problem because the horse and dog track were not a problem. When they expanded to casinos, obviously, they became an issue. I think part of the hold up with this is everyone is trying to divest itself of the casinos shares, which I believe Dan and Art Jr. have done, and then trying to see who gets what. Still a bit of a muddled situation.

yzguy431: on developing baseball players, in the pirates case, maybe throwing a baseball is the hardest thing to do

Jerry Micco: Again, finding good pitching is tough. I'll bet if you asked baseball people they'd tell you if you can get a couple good starters and a closer, you have a chance to win. If you have middle and set-up relievers with that mix, you can win a pennant or World Series. The middle part of the bullpen on most teams is batting practice. And unless you can outscore teams or you can get good guys in those spots, you're never going to compete. The Pirates are bereft of pitching on the big club and the minors. That's why of the eight players they got, five were pitchers. You need to have pitching depth to shore up the holes. And they had none before the trades. Now, they do.

jimb056: Hi Jerry, If the Pirates save $10,000,000. in salaries of the traded players why not use that money for a really good free agent pitcher this winter?

Jerry Micco: I think they'll save about $3 million over the course of the rest of the season. And if you think $10 mil on one player gets them a division title, I'm afraid you're whistling in the dark a bit. They still have to hope for Maholm, Gorzo, Snell and Duke form the nucleus of a starting staff. But at least now, Ohlendorf, Karstens, Dumatrait and even Jason Davis, can push those guys for starting spots. And behind them are guys in the lower minors who are going to, hopefully for the Pirates, move up and challenge one day, too.

JudgeSmails: Jerry, who will have the tougher season: Paterno or Rodriguez?

Jerry Micco: Do you mean media tougher or on-the-field tougher? I think Penn State can win 8 or 9 games. Nothing great, but still very good and puts them probably in the top 25 or even top 20. If they do better than that, then I'd be surprised. Michigan may be a bit down this year because Rodriguez doesn't have all the guys he needs to run his offense. Or maybe even his defense. Of course, Joe's going to be pounded from media day (Friday) through the end of the season about the contract situation.

yzguy431: Do you think the Tampa Bay will send a QB to Green bay if a deal gets done there?

Jerry Micco: I'm thinking draft picks. The Packers can probably wait a bit and if Rogers stays healthy, they can wait until a couple guys are cut in other camps to pick up a QB. And they do have a No. 3 QB, I'm sure, so they have some backup. It's not deep, nor is it very good, but there's some depth there.

Charleston_Charlies: Jerry, now pirates fans will wait at least until 2010 for a shot at .500. Why not just try to get2 FA pitchers in the off season. The offense was fine why not just add the pitching?

Jerry Micco: Well, because they won't spend big money for a couple pitchers and their stated goal is not .500 but to contend. Maybe they would have contended if they got two starters, but if you want to front line starters, you're talking probably a couple guys who would want, say, five years and $45 to 50 million. Now, you've doubled payroll with a couple of guys. And if that don't pan out? You're stuck with them. And you have no minor league system to come to the rescue. Remember Matt Morris? He was a $10 million pitcher. And he had nothing left. Sometimes you bet on the come like that and if you get burned, you are stuck with big money.

JudgeSmails: Do you think this is the end of the line for Joe, even if he wins 9?

Jerry Micco: It's hard to say. His health will have a lot to do with it. And I'm sure off-field issues will, too. Winning only helps, but with Joe it's always an adventure. Thing is, it always has been. He's always been his own man and done things his way. Like it or not, it's how he is. And he's one of the best ever, so you take that into consideration.

yzguy431: Do you think the Steelers extend any contracts before the season?

Jerry Micco: Reading Ed's story today, doesn't look like they are in any hurry to do so.

yzguy431: Chances of Doug Mientkiewicz being around next season? He's a big reason I even watch the games this year

Jerry Micco: Depends on if they can bump him up some in salary and if other teams -- contenders -- get into the bidding. I'm sure he'd rather play on a team that has a real playoff shot, even though he's probably grateful for his shot with the Pirates. He's brought a lot to the table for them, and I'm sure they'll try to sign him. I'd put him at 50/50 for next year.

jimmy_g: Jerry, I finally got around to watching a SportsNOW video which confirmed my opinion that Bob Smizik is a knowledgeable and crusty old veteran.

Jerry Micco: You got that right. Bob, like any good columnist, has his fans and detractors. You don't mind that, as long as people are reading you. He's been around Pittsburgh sports for so long, there's few issues he's not heard about or covered. He's a tremendous asset for our staff. And he's very good on the Webcast. All the columnists are. I'm just the Ed McMahon to their Johnny Carson.

JudgeSmails: Also, just to add, the new Pirates blog is awesome. Dejan deserves high praise for his excellent work on it during the trade deadline. I'm hooked.

Jerry Micco: He indeed deserves high praise and nothing is better than getting that from the readers. It's their approval that keeps us going. Even their disapproval is what we want to hear. He's done wonders with the blog and it shows off his skills as a reporter and also his ability to connect with people. I think I have one of the best baseball beat guys in America. And readers are the ones who benefit, whether it be in-print or on the Web.

tiger_paul: Are you surprised that, by design, Pitt doesn't have an offensive lineman over 300 lbs? How effective do you think this strategy will be?

Jerry Micco: In the Big East, it probably can work. In the SEC, Big Ten or Pac-10? Probably not. I think Wannstedt has always loved speed and now he's got his guys in there. Defense, in particular I'm hearing, looks big and quick.

YeOldeBuccoFan: In your years in sports, how often have you run into a.) sportswriters who were never really sports fans, b.) sportswriters who got jaded and ceased to be sports fans, and c.) sportswriters who still are big sports fans.

Jerry Micco: I've run into all types. All three. Probably "c" is the most I've seen. Many of us, me included, got into this because of my love for all sports. But I wanted to couple it with my interests in writing and a natural curiosity and it fit what I wanted to do. Few writers get jaded about sports, but any good writer is a bit jaded about whom he covers. You have to remember, while you need professional relations with whom you cover, there is an adversarial element to it. So that makes you a bit jaded.

Lanny: Has there been more traffic on the web site lately, because pages seem to load a lot slower (particularly the PBC blog).

Jerry Micco: Some of that is new software, some is size of file and some is time of day and how many people are hitting that blog at one time. I think PBC crashed the site just after 4 on trade deadline day. But hey, I'd rather get over run than to sit here and listen to crickets chirp. You guys keep it up, we want to be your No. 1 source for Pittsburgh sports information. From Preps to Pros, I say.

jimmy_g: OK, let's cut to the chase: Forgetting the past and all that he has done for Penn State, does anybody really not believe that Joe's time has come...to retire?

Jerry Micco: I think there are still 2 camps on that, Jimmy. Some people think the guy's doing fine and the program is winning so why change? Others think his time passed some years ago. Huge debate, which is why unless they go undefeated (not likely) this will be the big story out of State College all year.

JudgeSmails: Jerry, do they get the same amount of vacation time as Carson did?

Jerry Micco: It's not far off, but in reality, for all the time they put in the vacation, every second of it, is warranted. It's an extremely tough job.

tiger_paul: Which coach is under more pressure to win this season, Pitt being picked 3rd in the BE or WVU picked #1?

Jerry Micco: Well, as for head coaches, I'd say Pitt is under more pressure. And is there anyone who can't wait for the Backyard Brawl this year at Heinz Field? Should be a tremendous game if each squad meets expectations.

PhillyMarty: "Outside the Lines" made JoePa look borderline insane compared to the administration, why don't they push him out now? They are gutless. And don't tell me the alumni pockets dry up. Crime facts are facts and this is not something just recently. Just one more reason he should have left 10 years ago.

Jerry Micco: I'll give the last word to Marty because he's a chat original, but will say that if you took crime stats at other major schools you might find similar numbers. Look at Georgia in 2008 alone. That said, there's no question the problems at Penn State are very important and a lot of that can be laid directly at Joe's feet. Does that mean he should go? Tough call.

Jerry Micco: Folks I need to run. I'm on vacation next week so I'll probably ask Mr. Smizik to fill in for me. Hope you all have a great week and I'll see you in a couple weeks.