Homey: Do you understand the legalities of the federal injunction that re-instated the NFL players who were suspended? Seems like the players just needed to find a judge wearing a Vikings hat and the government could override a business's personnel decision. I'm not sure I understand how this is done or how there's authority to do that.

Jerry Micco: I'm not familiar with the legalities of the situation, nor do I feel qualified to discuss it. However, the leagues have generally fared poorly when in court whether the plaintiffs be franchises or players.

Homey: I recently heard on the radio that here in the DFW market, the Fort Worth and Dallas papers were going to start sharing beat writers for the Mavericks and Rangers. Basically just employ one person to cover for both papers, and the reports would be identical in both. Is this going to be a trend around the country, and perhaps something you'd discuss with the Trib?

Jerry Micco: I think you will see more of it. For intance, the Baltimore Sun and Washington Post now have an agreement where the Sun covers the Ravens, Orioles and horse racing and the Post covers the Redskins, Wizards, Nationals and Navy. Both papers will cover the U. of Maryland. We are not in any talks with the Trib on this topic.

PirateApologist: Hey Jerry, I guess I am the only one who has to work today. Maybe I can sneak out for the Pitt game. Predictions?

Jerry Micco: That makes two of us, PirateA. Happy New Year! I think Pitt wins a doubleheader today. The football team should be able to beat Oregon St. Even if they had a running game, and now because of injury they do not, Pitt would beat them. By at least a touchdown. The only thing that can stop Pitt is....Pitt. Stull and company have to take care of the ball and play good defense. It should be fine. The basketball team is too good and has been tested enough to know that a game at Rutgers isn't automatic. They'll play it that way and easily handle the Scarlet Knights.

praveen: Wow, what would this chat do without me

Jerry Micco: We need you...ask away!

praveen: What is the word you hear about Hartwig's performance compared to Mahan;s? Physically and mentally during the games?

Jerry Micco: I've not heard specifics, but to my eye, he looks stronger that Mahan. Is he a dominant center? No. Is he capable? Yes. I think that's an upgrade, but there's a part of me that says Darnell Stapleton will one day have that job.

PirateApologist: Jerry, I hear a lot of people say that it is "still early" to worry about the Penguins. I don't know if I agree. I know Gonchar is sorely missed, but when should we really start to panic?

Jerry Micco: I've been saying for a couple weeks now that it's time to be concerned. Most of my colleagues and friends who are Pens fans are waving their hand at me. But I was concerned then and still am concerned. This team started to play well around Thanksgiving last year. It's New Year's and they are barely in seventh place. And I have no idea what the problem is. The talent is there, even without Gonchar though he is missed. It has to be something that's not showing in public, which could mean the locker room. But winning can cure that ill pretty easily.

PirateApologist: Denver -- good fit for Cowher?

Jerry Micco: I'm not sure. Pat Bowlen is a pretty hands-on owner. I don't think Cowher wants that type of owner to work with. I think he's going to spend at least one more year on TV and then see where the chips fall. Someone, though, is going to offer him so much money he can't say no. Here's a thought for 2010: Jerry Jones. He's hands-on, but he also hands out huge money.

PirateApologist: Jerry, if you want to duck out early, I'm sure we will understand. Thoughts on the Doumit signing?

Jerry Micco: I'll not duck out on my commitment, but thanks for the out. Good signing. Doumit established himself as the best catcher in the organization and I think if he can stay healthy, can be a guy who can hit 20 and get 80 RBI. Defensively, he's improving, but can still get much better. He's young and I think he's one of the cornerstones along with McLouth.

praveen: Whintey's play has been disappointing. Is it just rust?

Jerry Micco: I don't think he's played that badly, rust or not. He's not 100 percent, that's obvious, but for a guy who had some major time away for an injury, I think he's made a good accounting of himself.

praveen: Zigomanis was probaby the Mewelde Moore pickup for the Penguins. Not heralded, but he seemed to be really valuable.

Jerry Micco: I think they miss Zigo terribly. Great faceoff guy, and he had the fourth line playing well. Even moved him up to the third line at times and put Staal on the wing. I think he was a great guy along the boards and he could flat win faceoffs in important situations. So yes, he's missed and he has probably far exceeded expectations.

Chunkles: Jerry, what player was the Steelers biggest surprise, this year? Biggest disappointment? Also, would you trade, staight up, St Louis's Steven Jackson for Willie Parker? Happy New Year.

Jerry Micco: For me, the biggest surprise was LaMarr Woodley. I thought he could be a very good pass rusher in this league, just not so soon. But he's turned out to be very strong as a run stopper and he can drop into coverage. Again, I thought this could be what we see in him, but not in year 2. Also, I thought Farrior would struggle because he's getting older, but he's been tremendous.

Jerry Micco: I forgot to answer your other questions. Yes, I'd take Jackson straight up. But the Rams wouldn't make that deal. Remember the last deal they had with the Steelers? And disappointment would probably be Willie Colon. I wanted to see solid improvement from him, but I can't say as I have. He still has a couple penalties a game and hasn't become the run blocker a right tackle needs to be.

PirateApologist: Is the Pirate blog the most popular the PG website? I don't post on it, but I read it every day, and every time Dejan updates it, it seems that there are at least 50 postings no matter what the topic.

Jerry Micco: It is our most popular blog, as well as Empty Netters. Dejan has a strong following and he nurtures it with an infusion of news and information you can only get from a great beat reporter.

praveen: I am thrilled with the Steelers secondary. If Anthony Smith fumble recovery was challenged, that would make it approximately 6 or 7 different Steelers secondary players with turnovers.

Jerry Micco: Their secondary has improved as the season has moved on, and I think is the most underrated part of their defense. Ike Taylor has returned to be a near-shutdown corner. If McFadden doesn't get injured, he probably is even better than he is now, but I like his track. Ryan Clark has been steady. But it's been the huge improvent of Polamalu that has made that unit so good. He looks like he did a couple, three years ago. He's healthy and playing excellent football.

PirateApologist: Don't you think that 2:00 on a Wednesday is an odd time to schedule a bowl game since today is not a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday? Or am I just being sour because I have to work during the game today?

Jerry Micco: I believe the Sun Bowl has always been a 2 or 2:30 game. It's a noon kick in El Paso, and I believe that city does it that way so it's folks can celebrate the game and then do New Year's Eve. It is one of the few mid-tier bowls that has huge support from fans in the city. No matter the teams, people in El Paso go to the game.

praveen: Do you still the coaching staff is low on Starks that they would prefer Colon over him even now?

Jerry Micco: I think they are going to look at Starks to see if they can sign him to right tackle money and move him there. I really do think they'll either go free agent at LT or as Ed Bouchette said in On The Steelers on Sunday, see how healthy Marvel Smith is after back surgery. Colon's best spot could be inside at guard, which may mean Kemo or Simmons is out as a starter.

praveen: Do you think the coaching staff is still so low on Starks that they would prefer Colon over him even now? Starks looks clearly like the better tackle. (Correction)

Jerry Micco: I may have answered this, but if I were comparing the two right now, I'd take Starks. He's been pretty good at left tackle and if he had to keep playing there past this year, he'd be OK. Not great. He's still a better right tackle in my opinion. And I think if the team wants its best out of Colon, he's got to go inside to guard.

praveen: I could go on forever on what I do not like about Arians. But I do like one thing about him. He likes those big pass plays.It's too bad we got people like Colon who ruined two of those long TD passes this season.

Jerry Micco: Again, Colon has been disappointing, but the Steelers believe he can play inside and I think it'll be some musical linemen in the offseason. Whether via the draft or free agency, they are going to get a couple linemen and then see who they can sign. Remember, if Smith is healthy and returns you get Simmons back the same way. It certainly adds to your depth.

praveen: Sometimes I wonder if there should be a small penalty in revenue sharing on clubs that lose a lot. Have some kind of formula that penalizes teams like the Bills and Bengals $5M or so . Such teams bring down TV ratings.

Jerry Micco: Geez, those guys have enough problems without fining them. What would you fine the Lions? Everything?

PirateApologist: What was the biggest sports story of the year for the Steelers? Penguins -- Going to the Finals. Pirates -- Pedro Alvarez. What is the big Steeler story? I'm missing something.

Jerry Micco: I don't know that it's any one storyline except the play of the defense. Steel Curtain like in many ways. And I may disagree on the Pirates a bit, but Alvarez is still a very strong candidate. I think the dismantling of the team -- trading Bay and Nady -- was a bigger story. It signaled the end of trying to grow with that nucleus and starting over again with the new management team. And yes, Alvarez is part of that now.

Kibab1979: Happy New Year Jerry! Should we will be big Dolphins fans on Sunday to not only avoid the Colts/Chargers winner in the divisional round, but to also knock out the Ravens?

Jerry Micco: I'd think of the three teams the Steelers could possibly play, the Dolphins would be the best matchup. Not a high-powered offense so you might be able to get by with something like 14 or 17 points. Good defense, but the Steelers offense should be able to score a couple TDs against it. If they can protect Ben he can have a very good day against their secondary. The Chargers and Colts are a bit scary they are so hot right now.

Homey: What were your thoughts on the NFL coaching moves and non-moves? I thought Mangini and Shanahan should have stayed and Phillips and Jauron should have been axed.

Jerry Micco: I was surprised Phillips stayed. Jauron gets a bye because of the injuries at QB and because they were competitive most of the season. I thought Mangini would have hung on another year or two to see if he could get that team to the playoffs without Favre, who I doubt would have come back if Mangini stayed. I'm a bit puzzled by Shanahan, only 2 losing seasons out of 14, but the Broncos have not been in an AFC title game since 2006 (2005 season) when the Steelers clobbered them on the way to the Super Bowl. And maybe it was time for a change. He's in charge of everything football out there and maybe new eyes are what they need.

Kibab1979: Do you think Alvarez will be in Altoona by the end of the year, or will they play it slow with him this year since he got no minor league time last year?

Jerry Micco: I think he'll definitely be in Altoona by year's end. I think they can see how he does in Lynchburg, but if he's killing the ball, there's no reason to keep him there. Even if he flattens out a bit in Altoona, it'll get him in front of a bit better pitching. I think he's going to be on a fast track, though. They absolutely need his bat.

praveen: Satan is pretty much scoring at the expected rate. However, I do not like his play. He is too soft. Fedotenko at least gives the Penguins someone who has a superquick release even if he is not an impact player.

Jerry Micco: Agree on both points. I wonder if Satan is the kind of winger Crosby likes to play with because Satan doesn't like doing the work along the boards and getting low to cycle the puck. I wonder if Therrien would toy with putting Fedotenko with Sid for a bit? Not as gifted a scorer as Satan, but he might do some of the dirty work that's needed. With Dupuis playing better and scoring, it might be the right move. Problem is, the Pens have 2 good lines and they need at least 2 solid lines below that. And they do not have that.

Homey: Do you think Bouchette hates chats as much as he lets on? I see it as more of an act and a funny routine he does.

Jerry Micco: He doesn't mind the chats. Like all of us, sometimes you get distracted or it's a busy day and you might have stuff pulling at you, so you're quick to answer or say something in a short manner. But one thing about Ed, he'll tell you what he knows and the info is gold.

praveen: Belichick must be such a great coach. All of his high profile assistants have bombed as head coaches.

Jerry Micco: He may not develop people as head coaches, which sometimes happens when someone is really good at what he does but others can't learn from him. Some coaches, like Bill Walsh, are part teacher, too. And his coaching tree is the Redwood of the profession.

PirateApologist: I can't remember your feelings on a playoff system in college football. I'm in favor of one, although I don't know how it would work at all. However, I just thought about this...what would happen to all the other bowl games? If you were not part of the 4 or 8 team playoff, woudn't your bowl game just seem like the NIT? I guess some of the smaller bowls seem like that now anyway.

Jerry Micco: Isn't the entire bowl system the NIT now that there is a national title game? I'm in favor of a 4-team playoff. How the bowls fit in, I don't know, but if you could have gotten Florida, Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama together for a tournament, it might have been three great games. And maybe the same national title game, too.

praveen: Charlie Batch seems to be more visible than Ken Anderson in talking to Ben after a series.

Jerry Micco: I've never noticed, but the backup QB -- and Batch has been with Ben for some time now and knows him -- often can see things. Not that Leftwich can't, but Batch is a veteran and commands a lot of respect on the team.

PirateApologist: How many months do we have to wait to hear about Farve? Maybe he should play baseball like Michael Jordan did, and then come back.

Jerry Micco: Hopefully, he'll just end his career and start a second career. Yes, the Jets were competitive with him, but he still threw too many interceptions in key situations. He's done that his entire career, Hall of Fame one that it is.

Kibab1979: Obviously a lot of Patriots fans are upset about being left out, but what can you do with the Chargers needing to get in as divisional champ. I think the bigger issue is that the division champs are guaranteed a home game. Wouldn't it be better to have home field determined by the better record?

Jerry Micco: You need to have a reason to win your division. Home field is it.

praveen: Do you know why Tomlin did not challenge the fumble recovery by Smith? Even if the whistle is blown, woudn't replay award a change of possession even if they do not give us the TD?

Jerry Micco: I don't know why he didn't challenge. I think he wins that challenge and yes, you'd get the ball at the spot.

Homey: Why does Molinari not do the chats? Is it due to a more demanding travel schedule during the season?

Jerry Micco: Hockey travel is terrible. Shelly Anderson, as the backup, travels much less and is more available for them. For instance, Dave's trying to get to Boston today and that city is expecting 10 inches of snow and a blizzard. I always think about our reporters on days like this. The travel in these conditions is never easy, and once they get to where they have to go, it's right to work.

1st_and_Long: Who will be the next Pirate to have his number retired?

Jerry Micco: That person has not showed up at PNC Park yet.

PirateApologist: Happy New Year, Jerry. Be Safe, everyone.

Jerry Micco: Happy New Year Pirate and to all of you, have at terrific New Year. Time for me to get back to my other stuff, but it was a good chat today considering the holiday eve and number of people. I appreciate you all taking the time. You've made my 2008 chats a lot of fun. I'll see you next Wednesday at noon for the first chat of the 2009 season. Be safe if you go out tonight!