Chunkles: Hi Jerry, I guess we have to put up with Tomlin's cute little sayings but its wearing thin when they become repetitive and make no sense. I saw in the PG today that he didnt trust Ben and called a time out and cost Pgh. a touchdown. He then said it was one of many of his mistakes. Thats not a good sign when your coach admits that he is constantly making mistakes. By the way, why doesnt he trust Ben? Ben helped out with writing the offense, he is a veteran now, and look how good he ran the no huddle without the coaches input. Its time for Ben to take the lead. Look at Indy, Tom Moore coaches Peyton but Peyton calls his own plays and has generally done quite well.

Jerry Micco: I think Tomlin, as a head coach, is a work in progress. I'd rather see the guy point the finger at himself than his players. He can do the latter privately and get all his points across. As for Ben, yes, he's more ready to run this offense, but I'm not ready to hand it over to him and call him Peyton Manning. I know, each has won a Super Bowl, but Manning's numbers and years of experience far outweigh Ben's. I think we'll see more no-huddle this week and throughout the season as part of the offensive package. You can't run that formation full-time, though. And as Tomlin and Ben work more together, you likely won't see Tomlin get in Ben's way, unless he sees it as helping the team to do so.

James_Taipei: I don't mean to beat a dead horse but after last game, why in the world didn't Daryll Clark get more playing time last year?

Jerry Micco: Probably the question of the year for all PSU fans: Why not even a series of offensive plays to change things up? Joe has always been very loyal to his players and I'm sure when Morelli was a big-time recruit and being sought after by many schools, they made him a promise that he'd be the starter. And maybe in Joe's eyes, taking him out would be akin to going back on his word. Not that it doesn't happen all the time in college ball, but he seemed to be particularly loyal to Morelli. And maybe Clark wasn't as ready to play then as he is now. But it would have been nice to see him as a change of pace last year.

James_Taipei: Joe Paterno may be the greatest football coach of all-time but in his current state is having Joe Paterno sort of like the glass half full versus the glass half empty senerio? Should Penn State fans be happy with Penn State's 34-7 record since 2005 or disappointed that they were only .500 in the Big Ten the last two seasons?

Jerry Micco: Depends on what you want from your program. Winning seasons and year-after-year bowl games, or a winning conference schedule with a so-so out-of-conference slate. No doubt, the Big Ten has not been kind to Penn State, and that has kept it out of the BCS picture except for 2005. I think this year will be the same dilemma. They are not a good Big Ten road team and they are going to have to find ways to win at places like Purdue (this weekend), Ohio State and Wisconsin. If you want to get to the elite level, you need to win road games in-conference. And they've not proven they can do that.

James_Taipei: Maybe Clark was not as ready but how would anyone know unless he was allowed to play in a real game? Furthermore after the Ohio State loss there was no reason to not give Clark at least a quarter of playing time in the last four games to get him ready for this year.

Jerry Micco: I'm not disagreeing with you, James. I'm not sure if some of that was if Joe pulled Morelli for any length of time, that Morelli might go in the tank or something. And because of that, they didn't develop anything for him. I'm not saying that's right, but that's what happened.

jimmy_g: I guess that Max Starks must really be in Tomlin's doghouse to not even be considered to play with the injury to Kendall Simmons. What are your thoughts?

Jerry Micco: Well, I think he's not very high on Tomlin's list of players, but again, Colon has not played much guard at all at this level and didn't practice it all season long. Essex and Stephenson have both practiced and played there during the preseason. It is better to look at one of those guys as a replacement for Simmons. Though it's a mystery to me why Starks can't get in. It's not like Colon is playing exceptionally well.

James_Taipei: Is there a good reason why Penn State goes 3-1 at home and 1-3 on the road? Is it coaching or lack of skill that a team performs so badly on the road?

Jerry Micco: On the road, I always thought it was coaching and making adjustments. You know the other team has at least a touchdown advantage in college football. In the pros it's more like a 3-point home advantage. So in college, the other team has to be ready to score and score quickly. Illinois did that this past Saturday, but couldn't really stop Penn State at any point. If the Lions want to have a shot at the BCS, they have to play very stout defense, but more importantly, they really need the offense to stay on high octane gas.

jimmy_g: I don't expect much out of Pitt on Thursday against South Florida. Then I didn't expect much against WVU last year. An upset win would be great for the team and Dave Wannstedt.

Jerry Micco: No question a win at Tampa would mean great things for that program, because it could be a precursor to a Big East title. If Pitt can win on Thursday, the schedule sets up pretty well for them in conference. The season ender at UConn, to me, is their only really tough conference game after this one. And UConn lost its starting QB for the season. Doesn't mean there can't be a stumble in a conference game at home, but if Pitt wins tomorrow, they could be headed for a conference title.

_jaggin_: I am a Pitt graduate and live less than a 2 hour drive to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. Please give me one good reason why I should go to the game on Thursday evening. I have a ticket if I want it, but my memory of Pitt's performance vs USF 2 years ago along with their insomnia inducing games this season keeps me from wanting to make the sojourn. Help please!

Jerry Micco: Here's a good reason: Pitt 13, WVU 9. Enjoy the game.

jimmy_g: I can't believe I read the whole Pirates post mortem by Dejan Kovacevic. I must have it really bad (being a Pirate fan) even when I see almost no hope for the immediate future.

Jerry Micco: It's amazing to me how many people continue to stick by this team and its losing ways. No question that if things ever turn around there, the city will be alive with Pirates buzz. It would be great to see, and see it soon, but it's going to take more time. I think they'll have a record they'll love to hate by the end of next season.

jimmy_g: Follow-up on the Pirates: All of the talk about Jack Wilson being finished in Pittsburgh is insane. Who are they going to have playing shortstop, Brian Bixler?

Jerry Micco: Well, that's the point. I would imagine that any trade involving Wilson will have to have in return a major-league ready minor league shortstop or a guy who can and has played in the league as a backup. Or even a starter-for-starter trade. The Pirates have very little at the position based on what I saw this season.

jimmy_g: Jerry, the problem with the Pirates having a record they'll love to hate is that the problably will beat Philadelphia by 3-5 years or more,

Jerry Micco: I'd think closer to 3 than 5. At some point, the team has to turn a corner. And they are going to have to do it with young guys and draft picks, but more importantly, Snell, Maholm, Duke and Gorzo are going to have to come of age in a hurry. Pitching is, and always will be, the key.

jimmy_g: Here's the basic problem with the Pirates: Even if Pedro Alvarez turns out to be the next A-Rod, it won't matter without pitching.

Jerry Micco: I guess we were thinking the same way, Jimmy. See my answer to your previous question. And that why they went out to look at guys like Ohlendorf and Karstens, to have more competition and choices in the spring.

Dice_Clay: I was happy to see Jeff Andrews let go. He was the sole reason for the demise of the starting pitching and it was good to see someone take the fall for it.

Jerry Micco: I'm not ready to tag Andrews as the sole reason for the failure of the staff, but the bottom line is, the staff did not get better, except for Maholm, under his watch. And you saw Gorzelanny take a dive, which is pretty unexplicable. That said, this is really up to the players. At some point, they have to step up and produce.

_jaggin_: Is Pitt's game Thursday night a litmus test for the state of the Pitt football program? Wanny's now in his fourth year and should be able to compete in the Big East. In my opinion, this game will let us know if Pitt 13, WVU 9 was legit, or just a fluke. Is this game as big to the perception of Pitt's program as I think it is?

Jerry Micco: It would be a more signature win that WVU last year because it's a chance to jump start them toward a possible conference title. Pitt should be in contention in the Big East most years. I think the Big East was hoping that'd be the case. It does have some history and it has some national notice. Having Pitt in the mix for a conference title helps the conference. Same for Syracuse, but they are so far down the ladder it's laughable. If Pitt wins tomorrow night, it makes them legit contenders to win the Big East. That helps in recruiting and puts the team in the national spotlight. Not for a national title, but for a big-time BCS bowl.

James_Taipei: Trading Jack Wilson would make about as much sense as trading Jason Bay. Now Neal Huntington is saying the Pirates need a bat. What is he talking about, the Pirates probably has the most affordable bat that they could get in Jason Bay?

Jerry Micco: With Wilson, it has to be about salary, since he'll make $7 mil this season. But also, you saw him decline at the plate and he was injured more this season than other seasons. And he's up in age a bit. Doesn't mean he couldn't be a very nice shortstop when healthy, because he is. But if you can go out and get a guy who can play the position who is younger and makes half the salary, you go get him. I don't say trade Wilson for anyone, but he's a marketable quantity to other teams.

jimmy_g: Up until the middle of the 3rd quarter, I think that most Steeler fans felt that they would crash and burn. Besides all of the injuries, this is a team with many, many questions to be answered.

Jerry Micco: I think they sometimes play well enough to win and that's it. I think they miss Willie Parker and their offensive line is average. But if they can win games at home and run the table in the division, they'll win 9 or 10 games and be in the playoffs. Are they elite? I don't think so, but the AFC is pretty flat this year and no one has a decided edge. You give that defense, when fully healthy, a chance to win you a couple games and you might be able to make a run in the playoffs if you make it. And Ben will be fine if they can keep him upright.

Dice_Clay: What is insane about Jack Wilson not being a Pirate? He has a good but overrated glove, he can't hit, he's become injury prone, he makes routine plays difficult with his excessive diving and he's vastly overpaid. He has to go as part of the rebuilding process.

Jerry Micco: As I said, he's a guy they think they can get something for, but if what you say is true, why would any team trade for him? If he's that bad, then they'll get nothing for him. In that case, why not keep him? I don't think he's as bad as you say, however.

jimmy_g: Jerry, in your earlier answer about Pitt and the Big East, you didn't mention West Virginia. Do you think that they have fallen that far?

Jerry Micco: I do. I don't know if they are as good as Pitt, I know they are not as good as South Florida and they may have trouble with Louisville and UConn as well. I think their offensive line isn't that good and it seems their defense is pretty average. That said, they had a nice game vs. Marshall and in the Big East, which is not a very good football conference, all they need to do is win a couple key games and they could be in a BCS bowl. This year, though, I think South Florida is the cream of the crop.

Dice_Clay: What is going on with the Raiders? What was it like covering that team?

Jerry Micco: With the Raiders, nothing surprised you because the guy who runs the team is the leader of the three-ring circus that is the Oakland Raiders. They have not been good for years after a nice run early this decade. Davis will never give up control to any coach, so you'll always see guys go in and out of there. One of the most bizarre memos ever was sent by that team to media prior to a Monday Night Football contest about the announcers for the game. A screed against Al Michaels, who apparently had criticized the Raiders on national TV. I actually called them to see if they indeed had sent it. Sadly, they had.

_jaggin_: I think Pitt can lose a close game and still benefit. But what happens if USF hammers them by 28 points?

Jerry Micco: If Pitt loses that badly, it can regroup and try to run off wins the rest of the way in the Big East. Again, I don't think Pitt is a national title contender, so you do what you need to do to get into a bowl game. They need to get to one this year, which they should do. I don't think a big loss kills the season for them any more than a close loss makes them feel much better.

jimmy_g: So far the Jason Bay trade is second only to Aramis Ramirez in results for the Pirates.

Jerry Micco: So far, but these are young guys. If Brandon Moss' career is severely affected by this knee condition, then it will be a bust. But there is still time to see how this works out.

James_Taipei: Even if Ohlendorf and Karsten turn out to be above average major league starters, how can the Pirates win with a third baseman that has yet to hit above .226 in the majors and a corner outfielder that has not done much better? With the Pirates hitting they would need Johan Santana and another All-Star pitcher to compete for a division title.

Jerry Micco: I agree, but again, if you had kept Bay and Nady for one more year, which is all you would have kept Nady for, you still have mediocre pitching and no one in the minors to push them. OK, maybe you win 77 games instead of 67 games. OK, big deal. You have to look long term at this. The Pirates can't afford to keep every guy and pay top dollar. They must develop players out of the minors. Most of the guys they had were from their farm system -- McLouth, Doumit, Gorzo, Snell, Maholm, Duke, Capps, Grabow, Burnett -- and they could not produce enough to win. So you have to restock and see what he next group brings. See what McCutchen, Walker, Alvarez and guys like that can bring.

jimmy_g: Wow, the Penguin season is about to begin and no comments so far in the chat.

Jerry Micco: I've found that hockey needs a bit of time to get everyone's interest. Football and the Pirates tend to dominate this chat, which is fine. The Pens, if they start hot or start cold, will make their presence felt as the month goes on.

Dice_Clay: Where were Colbert and Tomlin all winter and summer? These OL struggles aren't a surprise.

Jerry Micco: They did replace Mahan at center, a key spot. And they did draft Tony Hills in round 4, but he doesn't look to be ready. I think they thought guys like Kemo would step up, which he has, and that Colon would be better in year 2 than year 1. I don't know if I've seen that yet. And if a guy like Essex continues to look good and Stephenson is as good as they think he can be, you have depth. And Max Starks is just sitting around as a very expensive insurance policy. My guess is O-Line will be a high priority this offseason, but if they finish well and by consequence low in the draft, you don't always find good OLs that deep in round 1.

_jaggin_: I think Pitt can lose a close game and still benefit. But what happens if USF hammers them by 28 points? How hot does Wanny's seat become?

Jerry Micco: Probably not as hot as you might think. What makes Wannstedt's seat hot is a 7-5 season with losses to Navy, Cincinnati and UConn. With this team and this conference, 7-5 is not a good record in my opinion. I think Pitt's better than that.

jimmy_g: Jerry, do you really think that Penn State will have any difficulty against Purdue?

Jerry Micco: I think they will have some problems because of the spread, but should win that game. It will not be easy, though, because they just don't play well on the road.

Dice_Clay: Big Ben went up another level in my book on Monday night. I think the Steelers had no business winning that game and he just seemed to find a way to get it done. As long as he's healthy the Steelers will always be playoff contenders as far as I am concerned.

Jerry Micco: He is the key, Dice. If they can keep him healthy and the defense plays to its capabilities, then they can win 10 games and win the division. But the key is No. 7's health.

James_Taipei: Jerry, do you think there is much of a chance that the Steelers offensive line can improve this season? I agree that the Steelers are not an elite team but if the offensive line can give Big Ben a chance to throw and the defense plays at an elite level, the Steelers might get deep into the playoffs.

Jerry Micco: How deep will depend on those two things, James, exactly. But those are big ifs, especially on offense. I think the line has some workmanlike players. But they are going to have to get better in a hurry because they have games against the Giants, Cowboys, Redskins, Pats, Colts, Charger and Jags ahead of them. And they are all good teams with tough defenses.

Dice_Clay: I'm a PSU fan and I'm scared to death of this Purdue game. Please tell me they won't look past the Boilers.

Jerry Micco: The won't look past them, but their record on the road will keep it close. If they get off to a good start, put Purdue down a couple TDs, it'll make their job much easier.

_jaggin_: How hard will it be for Oakland Al to hire a new coach? I mean, who would want to coach for him? Especially after yesterdays presser!

Jerry Micco: If you want to coach in the NFL, you always say you'll be the guy to turn it around. Jon Gruden did it there for 5 years and took them to a Super Bowl. No one stays around for long with Al in charge, but if you can do well there, you can do well anywhere.

James_Taipei: How many offensive lineman will the Steelers draft in 2009? Not really a serious question but how about three?

Jerry Micco: Depends on who's out there, who leaves after this year, and how the young guys develop. Could be they draft just one, but look at free agency for more OLs. Sometimes it's better to do it that way.

_jaggin_: What's the chances of JoePa storming through the Big 10 and playing for the National Championship? And if he gets there and wins, does he say goodbye or stay around longer?

Jerry Micco: I'd say the chances are less than 50-50 because while the Big Ten is not a great conference, it is a very good conference. And I think for a Big Ten team to get a shot at the title, it will need to be undefeated. And will Joe then ride off into the sunset? Maybe a slightly better than 50-50 chance.

Jerry Micco: I need to run folks. Thanks for taking the time to chat with me. There weren't many of you this week, but you kept the questions coming. Thanks for that! I'll see you next Wednesday at noon.