Homey: Why would the NHL suspend Sean Avery for conduct "detrimental to the league" when his comments sold more newspapers, built a stronger rivalry, and brought more attention to hockey? And without doing anything illegal, injuring a player, doing anything on the ice, etc? I don't really get what was so offensive as to suspend a player indefinitely.

Jerry Micco: I think players in any league have to be careful what they say and how they say it. It's a privilage for them to play in the league and get all the money they earn. However, when you do that, you do give up some rights. And since most owners and league commissioners probably see themselves and their organizations as family oriented, comments like Avery's aren't tolerated. It happens and you'd think by now players would understand that.

Homey: Do you agree with Tomlin's decision to kick the FG while trailing 7-0, with 4th and short at about the Patriots' 2 yard line?

Jerry Micco: You get the points, especially in a game where you expect it to be tight to the wire. If they come away with nothing, you give New England a bit of momentum. The Patriots defense isn't that good. Giving them a boost with a hold inside the 5-yard line isn't something you want to do early. Take the points and let the defense win it for you, which eventually happened.

Homey: Does it make me a bad fan if I secretly rejoice when a player from another team gets knocked out of the game (e.g. Welker, Carson Palmer a few years ago)? I hate to see guys get hurt, but my desire for wins as a fan tends to come first.

Jerry Micco: I don't mind a big hit, I love big hits. But Clark's hit looked to be very late. I realize the argument that the ball was tipped, but Clark took two full steps before laying that hit on Welker. It was not helmet to helmet, but it was very high and Welker had pretty much stopped.

James_Taipei: At the end of the season will the Steelers be two good games from Big Ben away from the Super Bowl?

Jerry Micco: I'm not sure I understand the question, James, but are you saying that they'll get a first-round bye and then have to win two games to get there? We can kind of count on Tennessee getting one of the byes. Now if the Steelers can split the final 4 games and go 11-5, that might get you a bye in the AFC. I think the home games, Dallas and Cleveland, are critical and are the games they have to be favored to win. But as I've said before, the game at Baltimore next week is more critical.

James_Taipei: Can one imagine how good the Penguins would be if they still had Hossa? Any chance Shero makes another offseason attempt to get Hossa?

Jerry Micco: He might, but I don't know if they'd have the cap room to do it. They are already carrying Malkin and Crosby's salaries, add to that Fleury, Whitney and Orpik, and you've got a cap that's getting filled quickly. And you have to decide what you are doing with Staal after this year, too. And Talbott. I don't think Hossa is in the plans mainly because of the cap.

praveen: Hope you had a good Thanksgiving, Jerry. Great win for the Steelers. I have been waiting for the day when it was the Pats, not the Steelers that would be making bad mistakes on special teams and dropping crucial catches.

Jerry Micco: I had a very good Thanksgiving and hope all of you did too. Thank you. The Patriots made their share of mistakes -- more than they usually do -- in Sunday's game. I don't know if you can put a lot of that on not having Tom Brady, but if they have him, it masks a lot of other mistakes. But their defense is not what it once was and while they did run the ball pretty well, it's not where you fear their offense. The Steelers beat them the way they could -- get pressure on Cassel and force turnovers. No better way to win any game.

praveen: Jerry, maybe I am jaded. But I thought the NHL overreacted to the Avery comment. It seemed neither highly profane nor misogynistic. More like a very immature comment related to a personal situation rather than a broadbased comment on all women. Shouldn't the NHL just let the players learn from their mistakes via a player/media backlash?

Jerry Micco: Here's my question though: Why did Avery feel a need to do that? What purpose did it serve?

praveen: This year might be Dungy's greatest coaching stint ever. They could have easily lost every game they won except for the Baltimore game. I cannot recall a time when a team that could have easily been 3-9 end up 8-4

Jerry Micco: Tony Dungy is a very good coach, who in some ways, is very underrated. Yes, the Colts had a lot of injury problems this season to key players, but he's done enough to get them to the point where they are a likely playoff team. Peyton Manning has battled back from injury. Bob Sanders is in and out of the lineup. Marvin Harrison is not what he used to be. Dallas Clark, maybe Manning's favorite target, has been injured a big chunk of this season. Yes, it's a team that has overcome a lot, much like its coach.

PhillyMarty: Sorry, I can't stay for most of the chat today. We all know the Steelers longer term needs on the O and D lines. We draft a RB #1 last year who both fumbles and then gets hurt. To suggest he may go bust is hardly absurd. Now Parker is significantly dinged for the second straight year and looks like he may be a half step slower. Moore is terrific but not a full time starting RB. This begs several questions. Did Willie ever sign any type of extension? Short of finding another trade for a Bettis type player (highly unlikely), do we draft another RB in round 1, 2009?

Jerry Micco: I think you are jumping to a lot of conclusions, Marty. Mendenhall can't really be judged on this season because he hardly played. I don't know Parker's contract status, but to my knowledge, there has been no extension. And Moore has been a good pickup. I still think you will see them go to both interior lines with next year's draft, because what little depth they have will be gone. As for a RB, maybe they do take one on day 2 of the draft, but there are other needs.

Jacque_Strap: I know that Bill Stull is a first year starter, and I'm sure he is a perfectly nice fellow, but he stinks. It would have been nice to see Bostick in the second half against WVU. This team wins despite Stull, not because of him.

Jerry Micco: It was not Bill Stull's best game, but I can remember folks at this time last year lamenting the fact that Stull missed most of the season and Pat Bostick had to play. And not play very well. I think Stull still gives them their best chance to win, but I wonder why they got Greg Cross and never play him. I think if Pitt had to rely on Stull solely to win a game for them they'd be in trouble. But when you have LeSean McCoy, it makes a QB feel pretty good.

Jacque_Strap: How do you think Penn State would fare against USC?

Jerry Micco: Well, I don't think USC would blow them out, but USC likely would be favored. I think Penn State can play anyone close. Joe Paterno has shown over the years that with time, he can gameplan against any team. That said, on paper, USC is probably a better overall team. I think it'll be a close Rose Bowl.

Jacque_Strap: Do you know if Ike Taylor can catch the ball in practice? I have asked Edward this question many times but it is not one he has answered.

Jerry Micco: I don't know because I'm not at practice. But I think Ike Taylor has shown enough times that he has real problems holding on to the ball. And while catching the ball isn't always the job of a DB, it would be nice to have a few picks.

PhillyMarty: Which game will be easier to win, @ Balt or @ Tenn. Seems like they will need one of those two to lock up the division. Otherwise it could come down to needing help from Dallas against Balt. or strength of victory tiebreaker. Do we really want to chance that?

Jerry Micco: Believe it or not, I think Tennessee is easier to play than Baltimore because I think Tennessee's offense isn't as good. Baltimore's offense, under a rookie QB, is pretty solid and their defense might be better than Tennessee's. Having said that, the Steelers would be much better off if they can win the Baltimore game. It gives them the first tiebreakers against the Ravens, and I think they'll need them.

Jacque_Strap: What is your opinion on signing the two players from India? I say why the heck not, what have you got to lose. But I know a lot of others are probably ridiculing them for it.

Jerry Micco: My email inbox has been totally against the signings. I'm of the opinion that they didn't venture much money for this and if it doesn't work, you're not out a few million dollars. If these guys become serviceable, who knows, you may have opened up a new market. When you are scraping around for players you need to take chances. As long as they aren't million-dollar chances, they should be OK.

YeOldeBuccoFan: I'm floored by Paul Z's scenario that Pitt could go 9-3 and still go to the lowest-paying Podunk Bowl and play some team that they wouldn't even advertise if they were on their schedule. Doesn't on-field performance mean anything? Oh yeah, it's Division I college football we're talking about.

Jerry Micco: Bowl games are all about attendance and bringing people. That said, the Sun is one bowl game that fills up without having to use both teams' fans. El Paso has always supported that bowl. I think if Pitt takes care of business on Saturday that's where they will go. It would be a more attractive matchup to put a 9-3 Pitt team there than WVU at 8-4, provided they can beat South Florida. But Pitt isn't in that class yet where a loss on Saturday would guarantee them a nice bowl like the Sun.

Jacque_Strap: Based on his comments Ben didn't seem to think his INT was a bad throw, just a good play by Vrabel. Your opinion?

Jerry Micco: Great play by a linebacker. Very athletic play. But how does Ben not see him there? Not a wise throw and a great play at the same time.

jimmy_g: Watching the Pitt football team is like taking a roller coaster ride (up and down). They have looked great (South Florida, Navy, Lousiville) and terrible (Bowling Green, Rutgers, Cincinnati). They even do it within a game such as the bonehead call to throw a fade pass before the half against WVU. Then later they come to their senses and just start giving the ball to McCoy. What are your thoughts?

Jerry Micco: I think that's a nice microcosm of Pitt's season. They have been head-scratchers from game 1 vs. Bowling Green. But the bottom line is they have a chance to get to a nice bowl like the Sun. It's not a New Year's Day bowl, but it's a good bowl against a good conference (Pac-10). It's a real step up. And when you haven't gone in four years, it's a big step up. That's why I think Pitt fans have a hard time getting too fired up about the team. They keep wondering when the shoe drops on another bad game.

praveen: I think some of us find the NHL a little hypocritical. I was at a Thrashers-Pens game in Atlanta last year. The Thrashers girls with the real short short skirts bending over to clean the ice during short breaks would elicit comments that made Avery's comments seem mild.

Jerry Micco: But those are made privately by ticket-buying fans. I'm not saying they are hypocritical, but when you go out of your way, and Avery did that, to make those comments, you probably cross the line.

Brad_Sham: there's alot of great matchups on sunday, but one of the key ones will be how hartwig holds up against the cowboys under-rated nt jay ratliff.

Jerry Micco: I've not heard much about Jay Ratliff, but my line matchup is Max Starks against Ware. He's their best pass rusher and if Starks can hold his own against him, Ben will get time like he did against the Patriots. But the matchup you state is important, too, because the Steelers need to continue to run the ball and use up the clock. Dallas is another team that can ring up the points. They are at their worst when their defense is on the field.

Jacque_Strap: Very good articles by Dejan on the 'Pirates of the Caribbean'. At least some of us are young enough to eventually see the fruits of this effort in Pittsburgh, right?

Jerry Micco: Certainly, if there is fruit to bear. But at least the team put a plan in place and is following through. The idea is to have a plan. Not a year-to-year plan, but a long-range plan. The facility in the Dominican is a long-range plan. If this team is to be competitive, and believe me when I say that is the goal in the front office of the team, then they have to do this. But signing the right guys and giving them the right training is just as important. There is still much for them to do to regain the trust of their fanbase.

jimmy_g: So much for Sidney Crosby scoring goals problem. When he gets on a roll (like he is now), he is unbelievable.

Jerry Micco: He certainly is on a roll, though I still think the goal-scorer on that team is Malkin. But hey, Sid is capable of doing the spectacular too, as Pens fans have seen many times. And if he's scoring, that can open things up for other guys, too. Big one tonight in New York.

jimmy_g: Speaking of the Pirates, that was a very good three part update that Dejan did on their Caribbean and South America operations.

Jerry Micco: Glad you liked it. I think it was a good look at what the team is planning to do down there.

YeOldeBuccoFan: With all the 11-1 teams shut out of the Championship Game this year, will we FINALLY see enough groundswell to implement a playoff system in Division I college football?

Jerry Micco: I don't think so because the university presidents don't really want one. And the Big Ten, a major conference in all of this, isn't behind it much, either. I don't like that stance, but it is what it is. It sure does create a lot of buzz for college football though, so maybe to them it doesn't matter. But at some point, there needs to be a playoff. Here's the counter though: If it is Oklahoma and Florida, would you get a lot of argument that they aren't the best 2 teams in the country? I'd argue Texas, but now that's moot because they won't win the conference. I like a playoff and wish they'd do one, but the presidents are a stubborn lot.

jimmy_g: An interesting note on the Steeler-Patriots game: With rain from start to finish, can you imagine what it would have been like if the game had been played on the new sod at Heinz Field?

Jerry Micco: Ouch. Although, wasn't the Pitt-WVU game played in some rainy weather? At least they put sand down so it could sop up the water. But agreed, Heinz is not a fast track like New England in that storm.

jimmy_g: It's hard to be unbiased about the Steelers, but is their defense really as good as its statistics?

Jerry Micco: I think it is because they have guys on every part of the defense who can make plays. Aaron Smith is a top-notch D-lineman, probably a Pro Bowl guy. Take your pick on the linebackers. Farrior, Woodley and Harrison could all go to Hawaii after the season ends. And Polamalu is back as one of the top safeties in the league. When you have that many good players on one unit, you are that good.

Brad_Sham: you'll see Ware on Colon's side as well. The Cowboys switch their OLBs pre-snap on occasion.

Jerry Micco: And then it'll be a test for Willie Colon, too. DeMarcus Ware is a tough pass rusher and frankly I'd think Starks may have more success with that part of the game than Colon, who I think is a better run blocker.

praveen: it is kind of weird to see the Ravens play like the Steelers from a few years ago. Good D. a QB who makes just enough plays to win and then multiple trick plays that work(Flacco catching a pass, Clayton throwing a Randle El type TD). Has the fun gone out of the Steelers offense under Arians?

Jerry Micco: I don't know about that. Not as many trick plays as Whisenhunt ran, but Arians doesn't have Randle El, either. And Ben is a good enough QB that a regular offense is enough to move the team. And Parker, when healthy, is still a very good RB. With Moore's emergence as a good RB on this team, they have enough there to be competitive. They still run the occasional reverse, usually one a game, with Nate Washington, but that's as fancy as they get.

Jacque_Strap: Do you think colleges will ever adopt the Rooney Rule, at least for football head coaches?

Jerry Micco: Probably not, but they should. It's a real shame that you are going to lose 3 African-American coaches and they likely will be replaced by white coaches. I think that leaves only 3 Division I-A African-American coaches. There is a bad imbalance there that the university presidents should address. Identifying and interviewing more minority candidates is the only way to change this trend. Because if you do that, you will find good candidates to hire.

jimmy_g: The Steelers are half way home in beating my two most disliked teams (Patriots and Cowboys). What is you prediction on the Cowboys game?

Jerry Micco: Very close, but the Steelers win by 3 or 4. In my mind that's just a home-field advantage. I think Romo and that Dallas offense are much more lethal than the Pats offense, and I thought that offense had some big weapons. Romo is the difference maker, though. He's better than Cassel and he's got guys who can catch it and go. And Marion Barber is better than any back the Pats have.

Chunkles: Jerry, I think the NFL should award L.A. a team and send all these thugs out there to play. "The Los Angelas Divas", dress them all in pink and root for the Burress', the Oncho Cincos', the T.O.s', the Pacmans',etc.. Yeah, they can all carry hand guns, NO Gatorade!, only Remy Martin in drink bottles, and they can have strippers cheer for them, as the little kids watch in horror. These Divas are a joke! If they can read, do they realize that people are losing their houses and jobs? Ungrateful! spoiled brats!

Jerry Micco: Not much to say after that one, Chunkles. Be one hell of a reality show, though.

praveen: I think Tomlin needs to save some creative insults for Hampton and blame it on the other team during the playoffs. Save it for one or two crucial spots. I think a lot of us pretty much expected Hampton to do something special after seeing him fume at the refs for that penalty. The sack was not surprising.

Jerry Micco: I've been out of town and was out sick (nasty flu bug) yesterday so I missed this comment. No question Hampton was angry after the penalty, but my question after I saw it way, "where's that been all year?" I'm a big booster of Hampton and think he's a big reason the team is so good against the run. But this year I don't think has been Hampton's best. And the Steelers need him at his best down the stretch.

jimmy_g: I watched some of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge last night and saw some pretty good teams. With that said, does Pitt really deserve its current No. 3 ranking?

Jerry Micco: For me, it's hard to get behind any rankings this early in the season. Louisville, which was ranked No. 3, got waxed by Western Kentucky. It's early and in reality, the polls mean so little in college basketball. Why? We know why, they have an actual tournament. So it's hard to say if Pitt deserves No. 3, but they play in a terrific conference and they have played very well this season so far.

jimmy_g: Follow up on the Pirates: It's that time of the year when we can be a little optimistic (current record 0-0) but I'm confident it will crash land by mid May.

Jerry Micco: Unless a lot of guys get better in a hurry, this could be another very long season for them. And for me, the guys who have to get better are Snell, Duke and Gorzo. They need starters to go deeper into games to save the bullpen. And I want to see how Matt Capps does for a full season before I'm sold on him as a closer. It's pitching, pitching, pitching. They probably don't have enough hitting either, but if they can get some solid pitching, they can be in most games.

fanofhines: Type here Is this the point where Timmons starts to get the majority of playing time of Foote? I like Larry but Timmons playmaking ability has to see significant playing time.

Jerry Micco: As Timmons grows into this job, that's likely to happen. As it is now, Foote is better at the all-around game. But Timmons has big-play ability, as we saw on Sunday, which is why they drafted him in the first place. But being banged up his rookie year put him a year behind in his development. I think Tomlin's doing the right thing with him. It just makes an already good defense better and more deeper.

Brad_Sham: Tony Romo fears nothing. He's a Jedi Knight.

Jerry Micco: You know, he might be a Jedi Knight. I thought he was Jessica Simpson's boyfriend, but you may be right about the knight thing.

jimmy_g: Follow up on black coaches in Division 1-A or whatever they call it now: Kiffin to Tennessee. Give me a break.

Jerry Micco: I think there's still a sales job that Tennessee is still having to do to their fans on that hire. But as with anything, winning makes you the most popular guy around.

Brad_Sham: Will Pac Man Jones get a warm reception Sunday at 4:15?

Jerry Micco: Likely as frigid as the temperatures. What a piece of work that guy is.

Brad_Sham: Does Gerry Dulac get paid for his writing? His Thanksgiving picks where he claimed Romo fattens his stats against weak opponents was laughable at best.

Jerry Micco: Indeed we do pay writers for their work having left the indentured servant job title go a few years back. I'm not sure who his big games have been against, but I know he missed a couple and maybe those were against tough teams. If he fattens stats this weekend against this defense, then you know that he's earned them.

praveen: Would like to make a Romo and light saber joke, but cannot for fear of being banned in this chat Bettman style.

Jerry Micco: And with that, I'll say it's time to go. Been great talking with you all this week. Thanks for taking the time to join me. I'll be back at noon next Wednesday so we can digest the Steelers-Cowboys instead of that Thanksgiving Turkey. Take care everyone and I'll see you around.