shouldBworking: Can we put to rest all these ideas that Wannstedt is turning this program around? So much for your 9, maybe 10 wins. Pitt just needs to focus on basketball and accept having a fledgling football program.

Jerry Micco: I'm amazed at how many emailers and letter writers have written these same sentiments after Pitt's disastrous start vs. Bowling Green. No question, Pitt should have won that game. No question, it starts at the top and works its way down when you start to assign blame. But, isn't it a bit early to bail on this team? It's not like they have to play Ohio State and Georgia this season. The Big East is not the strongest football conference in the nation. I still think this team can win 8 games, maybe 9, but they now need to pick up a game people thought they might lose -- like at Notre Dame -- to make up for the BG debacle.

shouldBworking: What are your thoughts of the Alvarez situation? So much for the best management team in sports. It appears the best management team is putting a personal vendetta before the team, not that Boras isn't doing his part. I await for the results on Sept. 10. You need to have the Smiz' question Nutting on this issue.

Jerry Micco: I think this is a lot of smoke and mirrors, maybe by both sides. Let's see what the arbitrator says. I think bottom line, this deal was probably done, probably a bit late and maybe MLB turned a blind eye toward a couple of minutes. The Pirates may not have followed the rules to a T, and maybe Boras didn't either. But I think when the smoke clears, Alvarez is a Pirate and he's going to get a $6 or 6.2 million bonus.

traffic: Can you please explain how college football scheduling works? I was trying to explain to my husband why PSU plays a team like Coastal Carolina. I thought it was because schools get so many non-conference games that they can pick themselves. PSU, I thought, picked "lesser" teams because those teams were willing to come to PSU (which results in money for PSU, much-needed to support all their sports). Am I close?

Jerry Micco: That's part of it. You play Coastal and you don't have to do a home-and-home to get that game. And Coastal's athletic director, who is a former PSU captain, gets that type of exposure on TV and to a huge crowd as well as a nice payday, to get crushed. It happens all the time in college football. Big programs with big stadiums that fill up often play those types of teams. And remember, college football has no exhibition season. And if you lose a game, you may not have any shot at the national title. If you play in a tough conference, you may want to start with a cupcake or two. Some do, some don't, but that's basically how these games are scheduled.

James_Taipei: How many carries do you see Mendenhall getting in the opener?

Jerry Micco: I'm thinking 8-10, maybe 12 max.

James_Taipei: How about a moment to pray for Richard Collier who was recently shot. Hopefully God will lead him to a quick recovery.

Jerry Micco: Tragic incident. We'll follow any details that come out of this.

James_Taipei: Will the football gods be on JoePa's side and lead him to a nine or ten win season?

Jerry Micco: I think Penn State can finish 9-3 this year. They're going to have to play well on the road to get that, but that's not a bad mark and will get them a New Year's Day bowl. I don't see them winning the Big Ten, but they will be in the top 3, I think. In my mind, only Ohio St. and Wisconsin are better. And I'm not sure about Wiscy, but that game is in Madison, a tough place to win.

Homey: If Pitt's recruiting classes weren't as highly rated as they have been, but our results were all the same on the field, would Wanny still have a job?

Jerry Micco: I think most colleges, not all, want to give a coach 4 years to see what he can do. And I think because Wannstedt wants to be at Pitt, and because Pitt isn't USC or Ohio State or Notre Dame, there's not as much pressure to produce immediately. The recruiting classes help Wannstedt, but they only take you so far. You never know what you get until they put on pads and start to play. You hope they progress and get "coached up." But it's always a crap shoot. Wannstedt will be expected to have a winning season this year, and probably is expected to win 8 games. We'll see if he gets there. I think he will.

James_Taipei: With the Steelers difficult schedule how important is it that they win the opener?

Jerry Micco: I think any home game is vital for them. The next level that's vital for them are division games. In reality, the easy part of their schedule is in the division and they have six games there. If they can be, say, 7-1 at home, and 3-5 on the road then they will win the division. I think they need to go 5-1 in the division, which means they need to sweep at home and go 2-1 on the road. I'm thinking a loss at Cleveland isn't out of the question. But it's a tough schedule, at least based on last year. But as we know, last season doesn't mean those same teams will be good. It's they the NFL is the best pro league. Parity.

yzguy431: what's your take on the Mahan trade

Jerry Micco: I think they like Darnell Stapleton at that guard/center spot. He's younger with a smaller cap number and that made the decision easier. I had no problem with it. Hey, not every FA you sign is going to pan out. This one didn't. And if you get something back, then you take it and go for it. I wonder if part of it too was Mahan wanted to get back to Tampa and the Steelers accommodated him. I don't know about that, though.

jimmy_g: I'm sad to say that my worst prediction last week that Pitt might not be able to handle the Bowling Green spread offense came true. In addition the offensive line was highly ineffective in both run blocking and pass protection. What are your thoughts?

Jerry Micco: In game one if you face a spread offense, it's always tough. However, you have a month or more to prepare for it. As good as their defense is, it seemed BG made big plays when they needed to do it. The offensive line is a concern. And I think they'll get better this week against Buffalo. But it will need to be in terrific shape two weeks after that when Iowa comes to town. The bye week after Buffalo is a blessing for Pitt.

traffic: So we had to read that JoePa tied Bowden's winning record. Is my memory failing, or did not JoePa become the winningest coach first back in '98 (and it might have been against Bowling Green)? I won't even get into that Bowden's non-division 1 wins are counted (except I just did).

Jerry Micco: JoePa won game no. 300 against Bowling Green in 1998 and became the all-time winningest with a win over Ohio State in 2001, but Bowden caught him during PSU's dark years in the first half of this decade, when they had four of five losing seasons and FSU was racking up 10-win seasons or better. And yes, all of Bowden's wins are counted, even the small-college wins. I guess a win is a win.

jimb056: Hi Jerry, Do you think the Bucs will wind up with Alverez?

Jerry Micco: Yes, I do.

jimmy_g: Follow-up on Pitt: I was in Columbus on Saturday and got to see most of the Ohio State game and Tyrelle Pryor (wow!) and a good part of the Pitt game on ESPN-U (yuk!). Not to pick on offensive coordinator Cavenaugh, but is it me or is the Pitt offense highly unimaginative?

Jerry Micco: Many fans -- and two of our columnists -- say exactly that, jimmy. I'm not an expert on how to run an offense (or defense for that matter) but I do know that the college game is now about speed and attacking defenses, mostly with the pass. It's evolved and is somewhat different from the NFL in that sense. Every team now seems to need 2 QBs to shake things up. And you need so many skill players to do different things. I think you may soon see smaller, faster defenses and smaller more versatile offensive linemen. Just a guess on my part, but that seems the direction of the college game. Pitt does not run that type of offense, but I'm sure they'll look at a few things before Buffalo comes to town.

ajt123: Honestly now, when do you think the Pirates will ever compete again? Do you think Nutting has to sell?

Jerry Micco: I think they will compete, but it's going to take years. You have to get lucky -- or god forbid, good -- to scout talent and make sure you put guys together from your own system that give you a chance, and only then, do you go out for a higher-priced veteran or two. The Pirates just can't outbid people for good players. And teams have proven you can win without doing that. But they scout and develop better than the Pirates. If Coonelly, Huntington and Co. put a plan in place, they could very well do that. But it'll be a while. And Nutting does not have to sell. He's making a tidy profit.

James_Taipei: Do you think that JoePa should have went with Daryll Clark more last year? Furthermore can he have an impact like Michael Robinson?

Jerry Micco: I think looking back, it might have been interesting to see what Clark could do. I'm not saying he'd do much because I don't know where he was developmentally, but it would have been interesting. And I don't know Paterno's dynamic with Anthony Morelli. It takes a special player to give up his job for a few series a game for the good of the team. I don't know Morelli and don't know his makeup, but maybe Joe thought it best not to alternate or play Clark much. Or, maybe, Joe just whiffed on a good opportunity. I don't know if Clark is Robinson, but he looks like a nice QB. We'll see more in a few weeks.

ajt123: Will you be sending any reporters over to Europe with the Pens?

Jerry Micco: We will send Shelly Anderson to Sweden for the regular-season games and I believe one exhibition game.

jimmy_g: OK, i give up, with the Mahan trade, who the heck is the back-up center now?

Jerry Micco: It's Darnell Stapleton. Or in a pinch, Kendall Simmons.

jimb056: How short is Wannstedt's rope? Surely he MUST win this year

Jerry Micco: No question he has to win this year. A 6-6 or 7-5 puts him on a very hot seat. A losing season may put him out the door, but again, maybe Pitt thinks he's still the answer. But I just can't see him staying after a losing season.

jimb056: If Alverez winds up a Pirate, Where will he play this winter?

Jerry Micco: I don't even know if he'll play winter ball. If he does, maybe the Arizona Instructional League.

yzguy431: how is jason bay doing in boston? do you follow him at all?

Jerry Micco: Occasionally. I know he's hitting for nice power numbers (4, 29, .315) and I also know he didn't play last night. You have to admit, he's gotta be happy with the Green Monster as opposed to the North Side Notch. Much easier left field to hit into.

jimb056: If you were the Pirate GM would you avoid dealing with Boras in the future, and have other teams taken that approach?

Jerry Micco: I'd still deal with him if he had a player I really wanted. It's part of the job of a GM, to get the best players possible. Now if you have 2 guys you want and both are there, maybe they are very close in talent and one is a Boras guy? Maybe you go the other way. But they need a big lefty who can hit for power and plays third (and maybe first when it's all said and done). Boras had that guy and the team did the right thing and drafted him.

James_Taipei: In what other business could you turn a tidy profit besides baseball with such a poor product that Nutting owns? Well I guess some Chinese factories produce junk and make a profit!

Jerry Micco: Supply and demand, James. People know the product, but if you love baseball and going to games, then in our town, you have the Pirates. Doesn't mean you won't enjoy yourself, but you know what you're getting into when you buy the ticket.

jimb056: Do you believe that the Steelers will make the Playoffs?

Jerry Micco: I do, with what will be either a 10-6 or 9-7 record. I think they'll get in because they'll win the division -- barely -- over Cleveland.

ajt123: Whats your favorite sport?

Jerry Micco: Football followed closely by hockey. NFL preferred to college football, but for pure fun, I like to go to my local high school games (Pine-Richland). My oldest son played there and I thoroughly enjoy going to the games. And I started to follow hockey when the Pens became an NHL franchise. Absolutely love the sport.

jimmy_g: I wonder if there is any way that Xavier Nady and Jason Bay don't get up every morning and say "Thank you, thank you, thank you" to themselves?

Jerry Micco: Sure they do. But you know what -- Nady will be in the same playoff spot that Adam LaRoche is in when the season's over. Bay, that's another story. That's not a swipe at X, who was my favorite Pirate, but it shows that whether you miss by a game or by 20 games, out of the playoffs is out of the playoffs. Now he'll probably get a very nice pay day from the Yankees next season and I hope he does well. But it just shows even the big-spending Yankees aren't guaranteed a playoff every year. Just 13 of the last 14 or so.

James_Taipei: In regards to Clark it seems that he should have been on the field. Penn State was not going to win the Big Ten, so why not start him the last game or two?

Jerry Micco: I think your point is well taken, James, but again, I don't know all the dynamics that went into that decision. I think some might have been the personalities in play and let's not forget something that Paterno is known for -- being very loyal to his upperclassmen. I think when folks started to criticize Morelli's play, he dug his heels in (a Paterno trademark) and just stuck with him. Did it hurt the team? It could be argued that it did.

Chunkles: Someone in Houston looks pretty smart now after choosing Mario Williams over Reggie Bush as a first round draft pick.

Jerry Micco: Glad someone brought this up. I thought when they drafted Williams, it was a terrific pick. You could tell, and it takes a couple years or so to develop a pass-rushing end (see: LaMarr Woodley), that this guy could be a real handful for offensive linemen. Those guys are tough to find. What I didn't like about Bush, and he still could be a terrific player, is that there's no real position for him. He was a slash type player, and if you have no position or role, then you are marginalized to an extent. Just my opinion.

jimb056: Since Alverez didn't play minor league ball this year and may not play winter ball, hasn't Boras potentially cost Alverez a full year of his Major League career and possibly a lot of money?

Jerry Micco: You bet.

Homey: A 2-part question about the upcoming Pitt hoops season: Are they a bit overrated, considering the lack of true NBA talent; and do you think they'll begin to get more NBA-types in the future?

Jerry Micco: I think they are definitely a top 10 preseason team, maybe a top 5 preseason team. They are very good, deep and veteran-ladened. True, no sure NBA types, but Sam Young is an excellent player as is Fields. DeJuan Blair will be even better as a sophomore, too. I think if they can get to the Sweet 16, or better yet, the Elite Eight or Final Four, then the NBA-type talent will follow. And I think you'll see that in the near future. And new recruit Dante Taylor looks to be an excellent player.

theWellHungarian: Hypothetically speaking of course ... Pitt fires Wannstedt. Who would be a top candidate to replace him as head coach? Call me crazy but I think Bruce Arians would make an awesome college head coach.

Jerry Micco: He was a head coach at Temple a number of years ago. How about PSU's Tom Bradley if the University goes a different way once they make the decision on Paterno? Arians is a very good coach with a good offensive mind. But I don't think Pitt's going to be thinking about letting Wannstedt go any time soon.

jimb056: Did you see that rocket that Nady hit last night. Wow! if it was not in a dome it may not have landed yet.

Jerry Micco: I didn't see it, but he's just coming into his own as a hitter. I don't know his overall totals, but it's got to be mid-20s for homers and high 80s or low 90s for RBIs. He's a great hitter, but the question is, would the Pirates have made the playoffs with Bay and Nady? The answer is no, and the follow question is could they have extended both guys with the type of money they would want? Again, I think the answer would have been "no." So why not get something for them because the minors are barren. Yes, it was more fun to watch when those 2 guys were in the middle of the lineup, but this team has to think long-term. Tough to watch them go through this -- again.

James_Taipei: Who wouldn't be happy hitting behind David Ortiz and Youklis? Do you think that the Red Sox will try to ink Bay to a long term deal?

Jerry Micco: Yes and he will make a very sizeable salary. Well-deserved, too.

theWellHungarian: Is Cavanaugh the worst coordinator the game of football has ever seen? He has stunk everywhere he has coached .

Jerry Micco: I'm not going to mention he was on the Ravens staff when they won the Super Bowl, but well, I guess I just did. I don't think he's the best offensive coordinator around, just from talking to people, but again, I don't know what he has to deal with on this team as far as talent goes. And maybe, ultimately, Wannstedt is involved in the final game plan and things can get changed. It's like Jay Paterno, who many think is worse than Cavanaugh. Jay may want to do a lot of stuff, but his dad still makes the calls.

ajt123: What role does McClatchy now play with the Pirates. Have seen him on occasion at the games, but has been relatively invisible....Does he have any input on any day to day ops an more?

Jerry Micco: Dejan Kovacevic is a better person than I to answer that question. My guess is he's not real involved in day-to-day stuff.

praveen: Why doesn't someone ask Boras pointblank? Once it was midnight, why were they even still talking on the phone if the extension was not valid in his eyes?

Jerry Micco: I'm sure the Pirates -- and the arbitrator -- will ask those questions. Here's what I've read about Boras -- very hard to deal with, but pretty much a stand-up guy who is fair. I know that's not what people see here, but if you read more about him, you'll see that.

jimmy_g: OK Jerry, it's time for a bold prediction, by how many years will the pathetic Pirates break the Phillies record of futility (two, five, ten)?

Jerry Micco: That's a tough one. They tie it this year, they'll likely break it next year. I'm thinking they'll go two or three years before a winning season develops. I think there is one there, but it'll take some time.

yzguy431: what's your take on that kid who threw too fast, and was banned

Jerry Micco: That parents get way too involved in sports. That said, if my kid was so good that no one could hit him, I'd be fighting to get him into better competition. That's because I'd want to see how he does against the best. If he's going to play the sport competitively, it's plain to see he's not going to get batter fanning everyone.

theWellHungarian: or what about Art Walker, Jr. as the next head coach of the Panthers? Seriously, I am in total agreement with Cookie's article today. I have had about enough of the Wannstedt regime

Jerry Micco: I think Art's probably pretty happy at N. Allegheny. He's got a powerful team this year. And I think we're thinking way down the road here.

praveen: Quite frankly, the Pirates would have been better off not even picking Moskos and trading away their #1 pick instead. They could have used the savings to build up their scouting staff. In fact, I would prefer they do it for a few years and stock up future top picks once the scouting staff is in place.

Jerry Micco: You can't trade draft picks in baseball. You have to take someone or pass out of that round. Different from football in that sense. Now had they passed in that round, they wouldn't get an extra pick in any draft. So you might as well draft someone. Of course, Moskos looks to be a pretty mediocre guy. And picking him No. 4 was probably not a good idea. Hey, that's why the draft is really a crap shoot.

Jerry Micco: Folks, I need to run. Great chatting with you this week. Thanks for taking the time to join me. I'll see you next Wednesday at noon. If your friends like talking sports, let them know to join us. The more the merrier!