BillyBaroo: What do you hear about Keisel's health?

Jerry Micco: To my knowledge, there are no problems with Brett Keisel. I believe he played against Cleveland (seems so long ago) and can play this week.

praveen: I know the Steelers do not have the habit of aggressively going after punt blocks. But they need to at least try to disturb his timing. I doubt we get significant return yardage regardless.

Jerry Micco: The Chargers punter pretty much won the game for them last Saturday night. Certainly, trying to get him off his rhythm would be a good thing. One more thing to consider is the weather will not be a nice cool Southern California night. Gametime temp is supposed to be mid-20s and maybe a bit of snow.

YeOldeBuccoFan: Do you agree with Dave Wandstedt that Pitt's offensive problems were mostly due to poor execution, and not Matt Cavanaugh's play-calling? I know the quarterback play was sub-par (to be charitable), but I think the play calls were often TERRIBLE, especially in the Snooze Bowl.

Jerry Micco: When I see issues with a team, I always believe it's a shared responsibility. The offensive line stunk that day, no doubt. Stull played poorly. And calling fade patterns all day, some in short-yardage situations, didn't seem to make sense to me. And you take a tremendous back and you somehow don't get him the ball in critical situations? Seems like a team loss to me, including the coaching staff.

ShowMeurLightningBolt: Went to the Pens game last night. That's not a playoff team. Outside of 87 and 71 they are short on talent.

Jerry Micco: And getting shorter because it looks like Fedotenko may have a broken hand, at least that was everyone's speculation today. And I don't know how badly Dupuis is hurt. If they are out for any length of time, then a team that's having problems scoring is going to be in bigger trouble. I do not think, right now, they are a playoff team. If they are, they are a 7 or 8 seed. Too many holes and too many guys hurt. And you aren't getting enough from Staal, Talbot and Satan. If they can turn it around even a little, I think they can make the playoffs. But there has to be some change to force that.

praveen: Against Atlanta, some PEns still looked shaky. But for a change, it was great to see Pens score 1)multiple PP goals 2)their superstars scoring 3) decent Penalty Kill and 4) WIN a game

Jerry Micco: As I said to the earlier question, I watched last night and they looked good for a stretch, which is enough to beat Atlanta. But I still can't get home losses, and bad home losses, to Tampa Bay, Florida and Toronto out of my head. And Boston, the conference leader, beats them 9 out of 10 times. And last year, no team could ever do that to the Pens.

praveen: I think Fleury's performance last night was pretty much what we need from him. He was great. The player of the game.

Jerry Micco: Fleury was a difference maker last night and you are right, that's what the Pens need from him every night. I don't know if he's capable of doing that over the long haul, but we'll see. If not, then it will be very difficult for this team to make the postseason.

PhillyMarty: Jerry: Happy New Year! Your SB XLIII projected match-up is? If I share mine, I could be banned from further participation in your chat.

Jerry Micco: I think the popular choice, at least the flavor of the week, is Giants-Ravens. I think the Giants will come out of the NFC, though Carolina is very good, but the AFC is still up for grabs. If the Steelers get a third game here with Baltimore, they'll be favored. But the Ravens have such a strong running game and defense that the Steelers may be hard-pressed to defeat them a third time. And going to Tennessee, another tough running team, won't be easy either. The absence of a strong rushing attack and some inconsistencies by Big Ben hurt this team. But can they get to a Super Bowl? Out of the AFC, yes.

PirateApologist: Hi Jerry, Who will be writing the sports media columns that Bob Smizik used to write?

Jerry Micco: As we reshuffle the priorities of our staff, I'm not sure sports media columns are high on my list. They were nice to have with Bob and he took the time to do them, but with fewer people they may be sacrificed for the greater good of other things we need to cover. But since Bob can still occasionally writer for us as a freelancer, it might be something I approach him about. I'm still shuffling things around.

ajt123: Score of sundays game?

Jerry Micco: I think the Steelers win by 4, let's say 17-13 or 14-10.

theWellHungarian: Pitt is #1 in College Basketball, Shady announces he's returning for another year, Big Jim Harrison wins Defensive Player of Year, Steelers get the most favourable match-up, Pens get off the schneid, Malkin #1 & Sid #3 in scoring, Malkin & Sid both named All-Star starters ... Are the Pirates gonna sign Manny Ramirez next?

Jerry Micco: If they do, it will trump all of the above-mentioned stories. I'm not counting on that.

praveen: Any feedback from insiders on why our defense has looked very hesitant in recent games? They looked great for a nice stretch during their winning phase. Now they seem incapable of even clearing the puck from their own end. There is still too much hesitancy going on when a pen has a puck.

Jerry Micco: Most nights, it's a different group of defensemen out there, so maybe there are some consistency issues. Lately, Gill and Goligoski have taken a seat so the other six can play. I still think that is where the Pens will reach when and if Ray Shero makes a trade. They are deep at D and center. We'll see if he can pull the trigger.

PhillyMarty: I have been trading bits with your esteemed hockey maven, Dave. He is buying Shero's line that no trade is coming. I don't. I admire Shero for holding his cards close to the vest. But this team has two NHL caliber defensemen sitting in the press box nightly with their best one due back down the stretch. Even if Fedotenko and Dupuis are back tomorrow, this team must deal from strength. Sid, Geno and MAF home for the playoffs is not something Shero wants on his resume.

Jerry Micco: I think Shero makes a trade is it's there. Yes, they have too many healthy D to be scratching the guys they are scratching. One, Goligoski, should go to the AHL if he's not going to play here. He can't be hurt by playing every day. I'm not a big Boucher fan, but Therrien seems to like him. I'd rather see Gill, but I think they see Boucher as a guy for the 2nd PP unit.

praveen: I think Chargers are a better team now than they were in their first Heinz Field game. They will be more familiar with the conditions. But that is going to be offset by the fact that I can't see refs being so one sided in penalties for another game and we get Heath Miller back who will hopefully help finish some of those long drives.

Jerry Micco: Well, the Steelers shot themselves in the foot with 13 penalties in the 11-10 game, so can it get worse than that? I don't think so. The weather will be a factor, but I agree San Diego is much better and their play down the stretch proves it. The defense, already pretty good, is much better under Ron Riviera. And the offense is good enough to make noise. I don't think Rivers will have as bad a day as he did the last time they were in.

YeOldeBuccoFan: Do you think the average sports fan in this region cares about Pitt basketball? As a Pitt alum, it seems to me that only Pitt grads and students are big fans.

Jerry Micco: I've always debated that because I don't know if this is a huge college sports area. I think this is a Steelers area and everything else settles out. The Pens and Pirates get more page views on our Web site than any one Pitt sport, but combined, Pitt does very well. I think the fact that Pitt is an excellent program in basketball and plays in a premier conference gives them some juice. And we cover them that way. As for a regional pull, I'm not so sure. But there are tons of Pitt alums in our region so they don't do too badly.

ShowMeurLightningBolt: A third matchup with the Ravens? Nonsense. Show Me Your Lightning Bolt!!!

Jerry Micco: Well, they do have to get by SD first, but that's going to be easier than a third matchup with the Ravens. But make no mistake, they make a few errors and they will lose on Sunday. At this point in the playoffs, particularly in the AFC, the teams are pretty even.

ShowMeurLightningBolt: "Steelers get the most favorable matchup." Nonsense. Show Me Your Lightning Bolt!!!

Jerry Micco: I'd rather play the Bolts than Ravens. Most AFC teams would agree, I think.

PhillyMarty: Come on Jerry, you did not give YOUR SB projection. I have Caro and that flavor of the week pick. I think the STEELERS will play them yet again next week, but the teams are so evenly matched that lady luck will find a way to the "other side." Hard for me to see a team so challenged as the STEELERS' o-line and ball holding QB winning the next two. But everyone else is also flawed, so I won't uncross my fingers.

Jerry Micco: So you think Ravens-Panthers? I think the Giants beat the Panthers. I'm not ready to say the Ravens so strongly. The AFC to me is too evenly matched. And everyone seems to be tossing the Titans aside. I don't know why. They look a lot like the Ravens and have a home game.

roninbuc: Would the Pirates signing Baldelli be a good risk? If Red Sox sign him national media will praise it, if Rocco signs with Pirates, headline will be Pirates sign player who can't play everyday. Do you agree?

Jerry Micco: Baldelli has a bit of pop in his bat and the Pirates need someone -- anyone -- with pop in their bat. I think your assessment of national media is probably right, but even if he can play 110 games, that's not bad for a team that will not contend and can use a bat.

praveen: I live in Atlanta. Local fans are livid at their GM and rightfully so. But now they seem to hate the Hossa trade mainly because Christiansen has been a bust. But Angel Esposito may turn out to be a pretty decent asset for the Thrashers. And Colby has performed decently despite playing on a bad team.

Jerry Micco: Christiansen's consistency has always been his flaw. And Armstrong on a good team like the Pens, is an excellent fit because he's a role player. Put him in Atlanta and he has to be a star. He's not talented enough for that. As for the Hossa trade, I think they got what they could for him. They knew he'd not sign with them after the season, so why not get some players? And if Esposito becomes a good player and Armstrong gives you that grit, it wasn't that bad a deal.

theWellHungarian: Am I in the minority when I say that I would rather LaDanian be healthy than the Steelers having to chase around Darryl Sproles?

Jerry Micco: Tomlinson has never played exceptionally well against the Steelers, so maybe you have something there. Sproles is a terrific player. The Steelers will have to play the cutback lanes well to contain him. And he's a great screen/draw guy. The Steelers should watch the Chargers run both with the personnel they have. They are built for that. The Steelers, as we know, are not.

YeOldeBuccoFan: There are several national pundits that rate Rivers as a better QB than Ben. Why? What has he won?

Jerry Micco: This year, Rivers probably was a better QB. Ben does have that SB ring, and he's led some key drives this year to win games. The gap is not huge. But I don't count this as Ben's best season by a long shot.

PirateApologist: Do you get the new MLB network or have had a chance to see it?

Jerry Micco: No. And I have not.

roninbuc: Any progress on Huntington signing Byrd or Pedro Martinez to fill the veteran starter role for the 2009 Buccos? Dejan is doing a great job with the blog updates.

Jerry Micco: Dejan works that beat as well as any baseball writer in America. Thanks for the kudos. I know he appreciates them. No further word on anything, though we should have a Baldelli update tomorrow.

The_Mamba: Do you like the NFL OT rules? They seem ok to me. You are permitted to play defense and special teams in overtime. Lose the toss? Make the other team punt or get a turnover.

Jerry Micco: I know folks want to change this, but I don't like what colleges do, either. Inflates scores and just kind of makes the game so different by starting at the 25, etc. I don't mind the the way the NFL does it. You have to stop the other team if you want a chance. Very simple. Besides, how would you do over/under bets with a college like OT? Just askin'.

YeOldeBuccoFan: How come it seems like everybody is overlooking Tennessee to win it all? They looked pretty solid a couple weeks ago when they beat the Steelers.

Jerry Micco: I mentioned this a few questions ago. A lot of people ignore Tennessee and they are capable of beating both Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Many people think they won't make the final, but I'm not one of those ready to count them out this weekend.

PhillyMarty: As a PSU alum are you satisfied with a football program whose upside may be around 10th in the country? That is all PSU really was this year, the Big 11 was that bad. Don't be fooled by the Tx-OSU result, 'Horns had nothing to play for. Remember '94 Lions did not look dominate in their Rose Bowl win after they had been denied a shot at the Nat'l Title.

Jerry Micco: I think Penn State, with about 113 other Division I teams, are on the same level. Because USC, Oklahoma, Florida and Texas year-in, year-out are always in the top 5. Or so it seems. Am I as an alum satisfied? It beats the hell out of 8-4. And they are not going to nationally recruit against any of those schools. Look at Alabama. They were No. 1 a big part of the year. Did anyone really think they could hang with Florida, Texas or Oklahoma? I didn't. And they didn't want to play the Sugar Bowl. Look at that start vs. Utah.

kelso: If Vincent Jackson were a Steeler, would he play this weekend?

Jerry Micco: I don't know. He's contesting the charge. If you're looking for a comparison with Holmes, he admitted to smoking pot the day before his being cited. I don't think Tomlin had a choice in the matter. Norv Turner said on the radio today he'd not suspend him for the game because Jackson is fighting the charge.

Praveen: What is the condition of the turf this year? Did the bye week help?

Jerry Micco: I would think the bye week certainly helped. The turf hasn't been all that bad this year, really.

theWellHungarian: As a Pitt alum & a Pitt fan, I think you guys do a great job covering my alma mater. It's not over-the-top (ie: Steelers - how many times can you write about Ben's concussion -or- Sid's need for a winger) & it is fair

Jerry Micco: That's nice to hear. There is a vocal minority of Pitt fans that do not like how we cover Pitt athletics. They can't cite anything, but they don't like the fact that I went to Penn State and I make the final decisions on the section. You'll never win with that crowd, so I just pretty much ignore it. I think we do a good and fair job of covering Pitt because our two reporters -- Paul Zeise and Ray Fittipaldo -- do an excellent job.

PhillyMarty: I don't buy the Bolts either. Check out their wins. They need an on-side kick recovery to miraculously win at lowly KC. TB and Denver had empty gas tanks and then choked on the gas. If the Steelers don't turn it over, they should not lose. Only if they play similarly to the Indy debacle, then SD is good enough to beat us.

Jerry Micco: I think SD's worst loss was by 9 and many of their losses were by a couple points. The Steelers will have to play well to win, but if they do, they should polish off SD. To be honest, I'll have my eye on No. 7. He's the key and if he holds the ball and tries to force a couple, that game will turn around.

theWellHungarian: Why do we always talk about a scoring winger for Sid, but no mention of a scoring winger for Malkin ... In my opinion, Malkin is the better player. He can make chicken salad out of chicken crap (ie: Sykora & Malone) whereas Sid needs shredded chicken, mayo, pickles, seasoning to make chicken salad (ie: M. Hossa).... Sorry for the bad analogy

Jerry Micco: I've always been a big Malkin fan, but both are remarkable players. Malkin is the better scorer, but Sid can do magic things, too. I've always thought Sykora was a pretty decent scorer from his days in Jersey. And he's done it here for the second year running. Sid does need a winger to score, but I've always thought that should be a guy who is big bruiser who can stand in front and has great hands. Think Kevin Stevens.

ShowMeurLightningBolt: How about the Bucs new play by play guy? At least we don't have to hear Lanny talk about Atria's 162 times per year.

Jerry Micco: Hey, I like Atria's. I'm interested in hearing the new guy.

Praveen: The Pens seem hesitant to swoop around from behind the net to score a goal this year. I have seen opposing teams do that with success against our goalies. Last night, Crosby passed on a couple of chances to do that.

Jerry Micco: I think this team is not nearly as aggressive as last year's team. That, to me, is a big part of what's missing. The chippy guys like Armstrong, Ruuttu and Malone are all gone. Fedotenko was trying to fill that void a bit, but now he's out. Dupuis is ok, but not a guy who you think of as chippy. Maybe they need Armstrong back to skate with Sid. He made Colby a pretty decent player back in the day.

theWellHungarian: Is there anything for me to get excited about for the 2009 Bucco season ... Sorry, but Baldelli, N-Dawg, the LaRoches, etc aren't gonna do it ... Time to start up my MLS in Pittsburgh again, I guess

Jerry Micco: I think this will be a pretty long season on the North Side. But you know, the thing about that is if they catch lightning in a bottle, and I'm talking 72-75 wins as lightning in a bottle, they will at least be fun to watch. If they can just compete and get a bit of pitching, at least it'll keep everyone's interest until July in Latrobe.

Displaced_Burgher: I have a question about the way stories are written. I've noticed Dave Molinar's Pens stories read more like column writing than straight game coverage. Is there a looser differentiation between "news" stories and opinion in the sports section than other parts of the paper? It's not that I disagree with Molinari. On the contrary, he's got great insights, but I always feel like his stories are laced with his opinion.

Jerry Micco: Sports journalism's history has always been a bit looser than other parts of the paper, but it does not call for flat out opinion in news stories or game stories. What Dave and other sports journalists are given broad latitude on is what they observe. If the Pens are 0-for-25 on the power play, Dave can say that stinks. Because it does. It's an on-ice observation. Now, if he were to say, this is all on the coaches and Therrien has to go. Then he's way overstepped his bounds. And he would not do that. I use Dave as an example, but it applies to everyone.

PhillyMarty: Though I am no fan of the Bolts defense, Rivers was as legit an MVP of the AFC as P. Manning. I still want to see the 2005 Ben R return to Heinz Field.

Jerry Micco: I think you are right on both counts, Marty. He does not seem the same for whatever reasons. A big one being, he took -- and has taken -- a lot of hits over his career. He's a big, strong guy, but that takes a toll on a player. If you know he's a franchise guy, and he is in my opinion, you really do need to go out and spend money on really good linemen. And they haven't. I feel that will change this offseason.

SteelernKS: Hi Jerry - Do you see Jamie Dixon becoming a target of some other 'Big' school with the continued, steady job he has done with Pitt? If so, do you think Pitt has a good chance to retain him if that happens?

Jerry Micco: I think other schools have contacted him, but I also think he sees huge opportunities here. Great facilities, great support, great league. And with this run, if he can get them to say an Elite 8 or Final 4, the recruits will put Pitt on the list. If I'm Dixon, I'm liking the situation.

Praveen: No Pen is on pace for 40 Goals. With the two superstars we have , it is inexcusable for neither of them getting to that level or having a winger to score that many. Seems like a waste of "assists power".

Jerry Micco: I don't know that Sid would ever score 40 in a season. Malkin has proven he can do that and I think still might this year. But the league doesn't have that many 40-goal guys. And as much as we love Geno and Sid here in Pittsburgh, there are an awful lot of players of similar caliber in the NHL. Ovetchkin, Kessel, Marc Savard, Iginla, to name a few. Yes, the Pens have special guys, but the league is stocked with several other special players too. And not all of them will score 40.

PhillyMarty: I think college football rules are okay, if only they back up the starting point to the 40. I did not like the Pitt-ND OT game, where teams barely moved the ball and were rewarded with FG opportunities. Make a team get at least one FD before they are in FG range. In the NFL, first possession only, if the coin toss winner scores, let the opponent have a shot. Sudden death after that even if both teams score the first possession.

Jerry Micco: Marty, I have never heard the part about starting at the 40 for college. I like that one a lot. Makes you work a bit harder. I guess I'm old fashioned on the NFL, though.

roninbuc: Shady's return to Pitt in 2009 is great news for a Big East Championship run, but do you agree with Wannys assessment of Cavanaugh play calling- Sun Bowl was brutal to watch. Can Sunseri beat out Stull and Bostick and take the reins as a redshirt freshman. Coaching staff needs to get its best talent on the field regardless of experience. Your thoughts?

Jerry Micco: I think Dave Wannstedt was supporting his coordinator in public, which is the right thing for him to do. Privately, he may not share those same feelings, but I don't know that for sure. As for Sunseri, I don't know if he can beat out both guys, but there will be open competition I'd think, coming off the season Stull had.

roninbuc: When is Cook's column coming regarding not believing Shady when he said he was returning to Pitt for 2009? Or does he still not believe it until Jan 15th?

Jerry Micco: You know, Shady's mom still said it was a family decision. She did not jump to agree with Wannstedt's statement. I won't believe it until Jan. 15.

PhillyMarty: I think you do an appropriate job on Pitt football. When they start selling out ALL of their home games, then the alum can squawk about poor newspaper coverage. Been that way as long as I can remember, over 40 years.

Jerry Micco: Pitt football has always had a problem selling out, except for some decent runs in the 70s. I don't know why that is except that folks say this is a pro town. But I can remember the U. of Washington selling out games with the popular Seahawks in town. And the Steelers, until the 70s, never sold out either.

Jerry Micco: Sorry I got cut off at the end, but I wanted to thank everyone for a great chat. A lot to talk about this week and more next week. A good start to the New Year. Speaking of that, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. See you next Wednesday at noon.