kevirwin: Type here Given that the Steelers may get McFadden back and be at full strength for the Bengal game, wouldn't you expect a dominating defensive performance from the NFL's #1 rated defense against the mediocre Bengal offense? If the Eagles had 7 or 8 sacks, will the Steelers be able to increase their total from their last meeting with the Bengals?

Jerry Micco: This game sets up as one the Steelers can use to get healthy on offense and defense. Not that the defense has been bad, on the contrary, it has been exceptional. Bob Smizik points out in today's PG that this game may give the offense a chance to get going again and score some touchdowns. Having said all that, it is an NFL game. And the Bengals have a win and a tie in their last two games.

Van_Smack: I didn't go to the Penguins game last night but I could hear the sound of 17,000 people snoring coming through my TV set. What a boring style of hockey the Wild play, eh?

Jerry Micco: Jacques Lemaire has done this everywhere he's been and he has a Stanley Cup to show for it. It may be boring, but it's effective. It fits their team nicely, too, because with Marian Gaborik being out most of the season, they don't have a lot of offense anyway. But last night, the Pens did have their chances early, they just couldn't beat Nicklas Backstrom. The Wild will be tough all season, but when it comes to the playoffs, you need to be able to score a little, too. And in the West, teams like San Jose and Detroit can do that as well as shut you down, too.

jimmy_g: I not sure if many people felt that the Pitt-Cincinnati game would be a big one at the beginning of the season. How do you see it playing out?

Jerry Micco: Cincinnati is a very solid team. Not great, but solid. Pitt is the same type of team. I think you give a slight edge to Cincy playing at home, but Pitt is capable of beating this team. I think if they can get the ground game going with Shady McCoy and keep the Cincy defense on the field, wear them out a bit, they can then hit some passes with their talented receivers. It should be a very close game. The only edge I see is that Cincy's at home.

praveen: Matt Cooke's play has made the loss of Ruutu and Adam Hall very easy to get over.

Jerry Micco: I think Cooke has finally begun to play like they thought he would. He's more offensively gifted than Ruutu, however. He's a big hitter and that line -- with Staal and Kennedy -- is a very good third line. I think a guy who goes under the radar but has been a very good player is Mike Zigomanis. Great face off guy who has a bit of offense, and very good defense. Just a nice guy to have on your team.

Van_Smack: It looks like the Bengals will have two new starters protecting Ryan Fitzpatrick's blindside. What is the NFL record for most sacks in a game, because James Harrison might own it on Friday morning.

Jerry Micco: I'm not sure what the record is, but you can probably guarantee that Harrison will be "chipped" or doubled on a lot of plays. If that happens, you could see LaMarr Woodley have a huge night.

Homey: What does the Southeastern Conference have against Mark Cuban anyway? That seems puzzling.

Jerry Micco: You know, that's actually a pretty funny line.

YeOldeBuccoFan: Can you remember a Steeler team doing this relatively well with ZERO contribution from their latest draft class?

Jerry Micco: I think these guys are veteran-ladened and haven't needed a lot of help. I think if you look at last year, Woodley had a little contribution, and Timmons was only helpful on special teams. I think if you are relying on rookies to carry you, you are in trouble. But that said, they have not needed too much from this class to be a very good team. That has to change next season. These guys should step up.

jimmy_g: I watched the Pitt-Miami basketball game the other night any they looked very, very good especially some of the newcomers. Can this be the year that they finally break through and make a serious run at a national championship?

Jerry Micco: I think Pitt's only hurdle is that it plays in the Big East and has to deal with UConn and Louisville. Not to mention Notre Dame, Villanova, etc. But the Panthers are very good -- so far -- and it looks like Jamie Dixon and company are going to make a strong run. You hate to say they'll got deep in the tournament because the history isn't there. But maybe this team makes a bit of history? Long season, we'll see.

praveen: Never liked the signing of Eaton to so much money($4M for 2) especially after last year. You think there is someone who would be willing to take him off the Pens' hands assuming Pens demand not much in return?

Jerry Micco: Maybe, but that number is pretty big. But with injuries always around the corner, you might want to hold on to Eaton until Whitney and Gonchar come back. I don't think they'd get much for him, you're right about that. But if Scuderi or Orpik go down, you'd not mind having Eaton around.

Van_Smack: Is this Joe Paterno's last game Saturday? Rumors are flying about SuePa bringing the family in and Paterno calling it quits after the game.

Jerry Micco: Well, I think he'll coach in the bowl game. And I'd not believe that rumor for a second. Joe wants to stay on and unless his health is so bad he can't, he likely will.

PhillyMarty: In the last two Steelers' games, I think I counted 2 deep passes thrown by Ben excluding a "hail mary" pass and one was a badly underthrown "flea flicker." I have also seen a ridiculously high number of short stuff referred to by Bouchette as "dink and dunk." Tomlin says we are merely taking what Indy and SD cover 2 zones are giving us. In the meantime, the offense is not scoring TD's. I say give Ben this week off and get him healthier for the stretch. I am not buying what Ben and Mike are selling.

Jerry Micco: I think most people know Ben's shoulder prevents him from going deep. I also watched Indy and SD play Cover 2 defense and give up short stuff all over the field. I think the fact that they are throwing more than running may have something to do with the offense sputtering as far as TDs. They did gain 410 yards total offense against SD. Ben's shoulder will not get better in a week or two. You might has well hitch your wagon to him and let him play. And if he gets banged up too badly in a game, you always have Leftwich.

praveen: While one of the penalties on Hines Ward was lame, Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes have been taking too many penalties recently. Especially disappointed that the otherwise great hardworking Ward is taking some silly penalties.

Jerry Micco: It seemed all the Steelers were taking penalties against the Chargers. I agree that a couple Ward in particular took were ones he should have avoided.

YeOldeBuccoFan: Which final record for Pitt is more improbable: 10-2 or 7-5? Which is more likely, 9-3, or 8-4?

Jerry Micco: Both of the first two, I think, are improbably. I think they are looking at 9-3.

jimmy_g: Whenever I hear or read of another baseball award, it just makes me more frustrated knowing that whenever the Pirates have a player of that calibre, he will most likely be traded for prospects.

Jerry Micco: Well, would he even be here long enough to get that award? Bay was once Rookie of the Year, but it took three years to trade him. I think the Pirates are trying to retool, once again, and the losing will go on for some time. If it stops, it's because the pitching has a miraculous turnaround.

Homey: Why don't the Steelers use one of their QBs as a holder, as many other teams do. Seems it would make more sense if they wanted to fake a FG or if a play broke down somehow.

Jerry Micco: I've seen teams use punters plenty of times as holders. And how many times do you see a fake FG in the NFL?

praveen: I know Ben's shoulder is injured. But are his legs injured too? Very few rollouts, he seems hesitant to run up the middle(even Flacco has run more). I think the other team wouldn't cheat against the run on the goalline if there was threat of a rollout.

Jerry Micco: I think Ben looks slow, especially going up the middle. I noted that he had a few rollouts on Sunday, which I think is a good thing for him. If nothing else, it gets him away from all the traffic. But most NFL QBs are drop-back QBs. It's what the league wants right now in its QBs.

jimmy_g: Careful Steeler Nation, the game is still played on the field and Cincinnati did tie Philadelphia which is no slouch.

Jerry Micco: And the Bengals won the week before, so they are unbeaten in their last two games. You take anyone lightly, you're going to lose in the NFL.

PhillyMarty: Given how many OT games the Pens have played over the last several years, I am somewhat surprised that they don't have better shootout results. I know what the percentages are. Seems like with intense practice they should go up.

Jerry Micco: I think they practice it pretty well, Marty, but in a live game the feel -- and often the result -- is different. I don't know what the problem is, except in a couple of those cases, they should have held on to late leads and not gotten into OT.

praveen: I don't expect the refs to call every holding play on James Harrison, however legit. But considering they call holding on our OL a couple of times a game, they obviously do not let everything go. James deserved to draw at least two holding calls minimum in the SD game. Would lobbying after the play help or hurt the next holding (non) call?

Jerry Micco: I'm sure Tomlin lobbies (yells) because I see him do it. Harrison lobbies, too, but as good as he is, he's just getting really known around the league. I think you'll see this week, the game called a bit differently. When a team is assessed 13 penalties one week, and the opponent 2 for 5 yards, the officials take note of that. You might see a couple holding calls early on the Bengals.

Homey: What I love about your chats is that any sports topic is open. With that in mind, how do you see the MLS Championship playing out this weekend?

Jerry Micco: I encourage people to bring up anything in our chats, Homey. And because I do, I'm hoping someone who pays attention to the MLS can help us out.

RichP: Why does Crosby keep getting to take penalty shots. He's really awful at them.

Jerry Micco: Do you mean shootout shots? He's never been good at them, but he's Sidney Crosby and you'd think that he'd give you a better chance. And as good as Malkin is, he's lousy at shootouts.

Van_Smack: I'm not saying Sunday's game was fixed, but 13:1 on the penalties, Harrison being held on practically every play, the strange replay reversal where the ref said the Charger receiver somehow got his knee down AND had possession while sliding out of bounds, and of course the bizarre events after the last play have made many people scratch their heads. It just seems weird, you know?

Jerry Micco: Some games are like that, but I've never bought into the conspiracy theories. I'm sure the Steelers sent that tape to the NFL office, and I'll be that crew is going to be downgraded based on some calls, but particularly the game-ender. And I did think the guy got his knee down and made the catch on the sideline. I think they got that one right.

praveen: I dont care what Ben says. McNabb looked foolish with his statement about OT rules. He played Atlanta in the playoffs the year they tied the Steelers. So we can assume he was awake the day Atlanta tied and it must have been a revelation to him how two teams tied. Or he would have noticed a 1 under T when he looked at Atlanta's record before the playoffs. Don't expect him to remember the score. But he had to know ties exist.

Jerry Micco: I'll bet there are quite a few players who don't think ties exist because so few happen. The tie Sunday was the first in six years. It's a bit baffling a smart guy like McNabb, who also plays the key position of QB, wouldn't know that. Only because it may have altered his decision making in that game at some point if he thought OT went on and on.

YeOldeBuccoFan: Is this Troy's best year? Should we be surprised at anything he does on a football field?

Jerry Micco: I think it's his best year in three years. I had always rated Ed Reed above Polamalu at safety, but this year, Polamalu is at the top of his game and at the top of the league.

praveen: Selig must be the happiest man related to Cuban's new scandal. It's a pity because Cuban would have been a better owner than the Tribune Company for the Cubs and definitely a better owner than the current Pirates owners.

Jerry Micco: He would have been a great owner for fans because he spends money. But he also brings a boorish side to ownership that I'm sure MLB will not miss if he can't buy the Cubs. And with the state of the newspaper industry today, the Trib Company, whom I worked for 11 years, probably can't afford to keep the team.

Chunkles: Jerry, it looks like Justin Hartwig is working out at center? Do you think Marvel Smith is gone based on his injuries, of late, and almost certainly , a steep salary request?

Jerry Micco: Hartwig is solid. It's a step down from Hartings and further down than Dermontti Dawson, but that position now is solid and that's a good thing. He seems more used to everyone around him and seems in charge of the line calls. As for Smith, I think this is his last year. The injuries, the contract, all of it. Too bad, he was a very good left tackle.

Van_Smack: Why does the WPIAL hold its championship games at Heinz Field? The coaches and players have to be frustrated since the field conditions are worse than what they play on each Friday night.

Jerry Micco: I can say from experience because my son was a game away from going to Heinz, the players, coaches, fans and parents look forward to their sons playing on the same field the Steelers play on. If they played that game at another high school field, it would not have the same feeling.

PhillyMarty: I look at PSU QB Clark and I see another PSU QB who seems to be regressing. But the QB coaching is the same. Other than one year out of Robinson who was really more like a single wing tailback, we have squandered some decent QB talent that has prevented PSU from being an elite team. I can't be the only who sees this problem.

Jerry Micco: I think Clark has regressed since being banged up in the OSU game. He looked much better against Indiana because they let him run it a bit more and pass it around some. I think if they just let him run that option and throw "safe" passes, he'll be fine. I think as a first-year starter, he's done a great job. Is he a great QB or could he be one? I don't know.

Van_Smack: Where's Maddog Russo today?

Jerry Micco: He's here.

jimmy_g: I started to comment on the BCS championship last week but we ran out of time. My prediction is that neither Alabama nor Texas Tech will be in the game. Instead it will be two of the teams that are currently 3-6 (Texas, Florida, Oklahoma & USC).,

Jerry Micco: I think it'll be Oklahoma and Florida, though I'm wondering why Florida is getting a free pass. They lost to Ole Miss. At home. What's the love affair? The SEC is a very good league, but if you look at Texas' loss (Texas Tech) it's a much tougher loss than Ole Miss.

Van_Smack: When will the Rose Bowl get with the times and opt out of their Big 10 and Pac 10 commitments. No one wants to see Penn State - Oregon State, especially when Oklahoma, Texas and Florida will most likely be avaliable to play the Nittany Lions and would be a much more attractive matchup.

Jerry Micco: Well, I'm sure the Rose Bowl folks are hoping Oregon State loses one of its final 2 games. And I think the Big Ten and Pac-10, particularly the latter, wants to keep that tie-in. A lot of Pac-10 teams love playing in the Rose Bowl. To me, and I know there's a national title game these days, it is THE bowl to play in.

praveen: There is nothing wrong with what Mewelde was doing at the goalline. Most RBs get stuffed the way the other defense sniffed out the run play. Arians needs to keep those defenses honest. It doesn't help that Chris K. is not as good as hyped.

Jerry Micco: Kemo is playing like a first-year starter: some plays he looks great, others he looks terrible. That was a terrible block, or non-block, on the goal line. But that play was needlessly hurried. If you need to call a TO to set it up, then call it. That was mishandled from the start.

praveen: Our punter is brutal. We would be better off having Ben punt from a regular offensive formation on short yardage 4th downs. Nothing wrong with his leg.

Jerry Micco: You know, someone in the press box on Sunday said exactly the same thing.

YeOldeBuccoFan: Shouldn't a Hall of Fame induct an individual based on his entire career, his entire body of work in contribution to a sport, whether as player, coach, administrator, or a combination of the above? Why should they compartmentalize a guy's career? I'm thinking specifically of Dick LeBeau here.

Jerry Micco: But what about 62 career interceptions doesn't give you a big leg up getting into the Hall as a player? I've never understood LeBeau's absence. Granted he was not a great head coach, but he was an excellent player and a true innovator as defensive coordinator.

RichP: So when will the Pirates sign the 40 year old utility infielder for this upcoming year since Gomez isn't coming back?

Jerry Micco: They usually have one. And I think everyone needs one. But just one. They have so few infielders in the minor league system who can play, they'll have to do that again.

Maddog_Russo: How come we only got a fluff piece from Smizik on the weekday afternoon sports talk shows. That Paulsen, Logan, Crow show is absolutely unlistenable.

Jerry Micco: He said that show has some flaws and pointed them out. And if you're not listening to it, how do you know it's unlistenable?

PhillyMarty: Check out the Ravens' schedule. If the Steelers lose their 3 road games as Bouchette projected yesterday, the Ravens have a very good chance of at least tying us. Philly, @Cincy, Wash, Pgh, @Dal, Jax. And if their losses are to Dallas and Wash they will have a better record against common opponents, hence own the tiebreakers. If one loss is to Jax, then it goes to net points, who knows. Point being, our playoff spot is much more precarious than most seem to realize. And loss to Indy will not help our Wild Card chances.

Jerry Micco: The loss to Indy hurts and that's going to be tough to make up. I think the key to the entire season is Dec. 14 when the Steelers go to Baltimore to take on the Ravens. If the Steelers can close out at home with wins -- tough to do against Dallas -- then they will have 10 wins. But if they can beat Baltimore, all the tiebreakers will be theirs.

turtleD: Jerry, Do you think the Steelers will focus their 2009 draft on building the OL? I'm not sure why they even pay the 5 guys upfront because they are unathletic, unaware, and unable to block anyone!

Jerry Micco: If they have good OLs available when it's time to pick, I'm sure they'll look that direction. But I think Hartwig is good enough to stay. I'd like to see Stapleton play, but then what about Kendall Simmons when he comes back in 09? Willie Colon is better than he was last year, but has to get better. And Kemo is a first-year starter who is up and down. Starks will have to play much better than he is now to stay. Not a stellar group, but there are some growing pains there, too. And don't forget: free agency is a good way to get OLs.

turtleD: Jerry any thoughts on the upcoming WPIAL basketball season?

Jerry Micco: None. Mike White and Colin Dunlap are much more versed than I on that topic.

praveen: I think Thrashers are not happy with Christiansen. Maybe Pens can get him back for Eaton and we have our shootout specialist. Heh.

Jerry Micco: Sometimes, you have to make that type of deal, but it seems an awful lot to carry one guy because he can do shootouts. And very little else.

YeOldeBuccoFan: How come more guys don't try the angry slapshot for the shoot-outs, like Geno did last year in the playoffs?

Jerry Micco: I think for Malkin, that's his best shot. I think the players feel the goalies have time to see that shot and with no fake, they just get in front of where they think it'll go. Most times, they guess right.

RichP: Malkin's record is better than Sid's. Malkin has asked the coaches to not put him in the top 3 because he knows he isn't that good.

Jerry Micco: I think that's smart on Malkin's part. Sid just has a hard time with shootouts, but he occasionally surprises you. Like last New Year's Day at the outdoor game. He wont that one with a shootout goal.

PhillyMarty: Just don't understand why talented guys like Crosby and Malkin don't spend a summer working on their penalty shots. It has become a major part of the game.

Jerry Micco: I don't know the answer to that, and maybe they do, but it doesn't translate into games. I think the Pens end many practices with shootouts, so they are working on that phase of the game most days.

jimmy_g: It finally looks like Dave Wannstedt's rebuilding is coming to fruition. He has plenty of skill at wide receiver and running back. He has rebuilt both lines. Bill Stull has played well but could you imagine what they would be like with a top-notch QB ( Colt McCoy, etc.)?

Jerry Micco: Pitt is having a very good year. Losses to Bowling Green and Rutgers not withstanding, the team is a top 20 caliber team. Wannstedt has done a very good job, but there remain 3 tough games. I think they'll win 2 of the 3. If they win fewer, or lose all 3, then the season is not nearly as good as many Pitt fans -- and administrators -- would like it to be. It think 8-4 is a good season. But when you're 7-2, 9-3 looks much better.

PirateApologist: Will the Penguins survive if Fleury is out for an extended time? No Conklin this year.

Jerry Micco: I think Dany Sabourin has played as well as any goalie in the league. He's a terrific backup.

PhillyMarty: The comical part is that the ref prior to the OT coin toss mentions the rules. One 15 minute OT, etc. The people in Philly were already down on McNabb and Reid. The volume is much higher this week.

Jerry Micco: He does explain that, doesn't he? I know the fans and press in Philly are all over McNabb and Reid for that game. And they should be. There is no way the Eagles shouldn't handle Cincinnati.

praveen: I am usually a critic of the way Steelers overpay the likes of Simmons, Starks. But I hope they find a way to reward Harrison with a good contract. I will not begrudge him if he wants to hit paydirt at least once.

Jerry Micco: I think they will reward Harrison with a very good contract. It might take a bit to get done, but it'll happen.

Scuba_Steve: With all his injuries, do you mean that you think this is Marvel Smith's last year with the Steelers or last year in the NFL?

Jerry Micco: Last year with the Steelers. And if his back is as bad as it could be, it could end his career.

praveen: I think Jeff Reed is goofy enough to use in Talbot like car ads, especially if he brings his troll doll hair back.

Jerry Micco: You must be a marketing guy. He does have that certain look to him doesn't he?

jimmy_g: Speaking of Florida, is it me or is it a Northeast thing because I have no positive feelings about Florida, Florida State or Miami?

Jerry Micco: Florida is a very good football team and if it plays for a national title, it would not be a crime. But I think early losses are passed aside and late losses cost teams. As for FSU and Miami, they've not been on top of the college football world in several seasons. FSU played PSU in the Orange Bowl 4 years ago as an 8-4 team.

PhillyMarty: I always felt PSU joined the Big Ten because JoePa yearned to play in the Rose Bowl. Ironic that his last two really good teams may lose an opportunity to prove how good they really are because of being locked into that game.

Jerry Micco: Well, those teams had to go unbeaten to prove that they were the best in the country. They didn't. Doesn't matter which bowl they play in, losing to Iowa gets you out of the national title picture. I agree I think Joe wanted to coach in a Rose Bowl. He seemingly has coached in every other bowl game. But the university is heavily benefitted by being in the Big Ten. Lots of academic grant money goes to the Big Ten. So much so, that the University of Chicago, which hasn't participated in Big Ten sports in decades, is still a member. For academic reasons.

jimmy_g: Jerry, that answer to Maddog_Russo was your most sarcastic is quite some time.

Jerry Micco: I do, occasionally, offer up the sarcasm. We all like to have fun with the Maddog anyway ... I need to run, folks. Thanks for taking the time to talk today. Big, big sports weekend and it starts tomorrow night. I'll see you next Wednesday at noon.