James_Taipei: Did the Steelers invite Percy Harvin from Flordia to Pittsburgh for a visit? Any chance that the Steelers draft Ward's replacement this year?

Jerry Micco: I'm not aware that they've invited Harvin for a visit, but that may be because they don't think he'll be available when they pick at No. 32. I think the Steelers will take a WR in the draft, but it may not be until the 3rd or 4th round. It's a top-heavy at WR in the draft this year and it is somewhat deep. Also, the Steelers are going to rely on Limas Sweed to develop. Remember, WR is one of the tougher positions to transition to in the NFL. It often takes 2 or 3 years (see: Santonio Holmes).

Homey: I read the PG sports online every day, and subscribe to the Dallas Morning News. My question is about coverage of HS sports in most papers. I understand the coverage of football, but it just seems there's so much newspaper attention given to other HS sports, where attendance is maybe 300. Do that many readers really care?

Jerry Micco: Well, we cover 144 WPIAL and City League high schools. If you take all the athletes in all the sports in their high schools, and then the parents and relatives of those athletes, it's a huge segment. Football is king here, basketball is second and we tend to do more with both of those sports.

Homey: What are your thoughts of the long period that college basketball players get to decide whether to stay in the draft or not? It seems like it handicaps coaches a bit, because they don't know if they have a scholarship available for a really long time. I'm not sure Dixon can really act until he knows for sure about Blair, and that could take a while.

Jerry Micco: I think coaches have a sense if someone is going to the NBA or not. Scouts likely would let Dixon know how they assess a kid like Blair. Also, a coach knows if a kid is going to class at all and if he can even stay in school. So coaches know more than you might think.

James_Taipei: How do you feel about the Penguins inevitable first round match up with the Devils? Are the Penguins in for trouble?

Jerry Micco: I don't know if it's inevitable because they could slip a notch and play the Caps. I think if you look on paper, this is the best matchup the Pens could hope to get. The Devils aren't playing very well and Brodeur doesn't look sharp. Where they could get bitten by NJ is if Brodeur quickly returns to form. He's a formidible foe when he's on his game, and is a series-changer.

ajt123: Nyjer Morgan and Andy Laroches performances just go to show you how little spring training means in relation to the regular season. My question is do you think Nyjer can sustain his performance, and is Andy Laroche a guy who will every reach his "potential"??

Jerry Micco: Too early to say on both counts. Certainly, the Pirates are hoping Morgan keeps getting on base and plays a solid left field. If he can produce at the top of the lineup then they will have some questions about who stays and who goes (see: Brandon Moss). Because at some point this season, Andrew McCutchen is going to come up to the big club and you need to start him if he's here. As for LaRoche, they will not wait all that long for him to show he can field a ball. I have the feeling they will give him some time, but won't wait as long as they might for other young players.

ajt123: Where do you think the Penguins will settile in the seedings and who will they play?

Jerry Micco: I think they will stay in the 6 spot and play New Jersey. I see them winning tomorrow vs. the Isles and maybe picking up a point in Montreal, which should wrap up 6th.

James_Taipei: What do you think about the Penguins chances against the Caps in the first or second round of the playoffs?

Jerry Micco: I think it would be a very close series, but it seems this year the Caps have the Pens number a bit. Of course, over the long haul, the Pens are 7-1 vs. the Caps in the playoffs, so the psychological factor involved in that is a big advantage for the Pens. I'd much rather play Washington after they'd played a series, hopefully a long and physical one with a team. I think if they are fresh, they are capable of winning any series. Their weak spot, though, may be too much to overcome: Jose Theodore is not a big-time goalie.

Scuba_Steve: Have any details been released on the reason for the Pitt suspensions?

Jerry Micco: No, and I doubt any will be formally released. We'll try to find out why, but usually the school is tight-lipped about any disciplinary measures.

James_Taipei: Are there any veteran recievers out their the you think the Steelers might still go after?

Jerry Micco: I'm not sure who is out there, but if it's someone who fits under the cap, then they might. But if they assume that Sweed is Nate Washington's replacement, they may need to go younger and draft a guy to replace Ward. You've got to think Ward still has a couple years left in him, which is time for a rookie to get some work in. But the key is Sweed. He needs to show marked improvement this season or the Steelers will have to blow another pick on a WR, and a high pick a that, in the 2010 draft.

Scuba_Steve: Malkin seems to be an emotional guy. How much do you think it would affect him if he loses the scoring title so close to the end of the season?

Jerry Micco: I think he'll be upset and probably get a bit down on himself. Getting a couple points last night was a big help and if he can get a couple more against the lowly Islanders tomorrow, he should be OK. He still has that 2-point lead over Ovetchkin and you can believe that any late-game plays or empty nets, he'll be out there to try to win the Art Ross. It would be a very big accomplishment for him and might give him a leg up on the MVP.

James_Taipei: What team do you think will take a chance on Plexico?

Jerry Micco: It'll never happen, but the Steelers should consider it. I know there are 100 reasons not to do it, but he's a terrific WR and they could use one more. And by all accounts, he was a good teammate. Just a knucklehead, as proven by his latest incident. I don't know. The Raiders come to mind. Why not the Lions or Bears? Lions because he played at Mich. State and there might be an attraction, and the Bears need help at WR for Jay Cutler.

beano: Do you think that there is a chance the Steelers will try to move up in the draft and secure a tackle? (Then they could move Colon to guard).

Jerry Micco: If they want a quality tackle, they likely will have to move up 10 spots minimum. If they can find a partner who will do that, then they might consider it. But it'll probably cost them a 2 or 3 to move that high. And they could get a guard in the second round, or first, and keep Colon where he is. He's not shown himself to be a quality right tackle, but he's only got a couple years under his belt. If a good tackle slips to them late, I'm sure they'll gobble him up. But I'd not count on that.

James_Taipei: What do you think is the most realistic outcome for the Penguins in the playoffs? A second round loss or a loss in the Eastern Conference championship?

Jerry Micco: Here's the thing with this team: are they the team of the past 3 games, being outhustled and outworked, or are they the team of the previous 15, who could not be stopped? You don't like to see bad habits creeping in late in the season, but they are starting to do just that. If they play like they did at first under Bylsma, then they will go to the conference finals. If not, they may be gone in round 1.

James_Taipei: Jerry, yes I would love to see the Steelers offer Plexico a one year contract but it will never happen.

Jerry Micco: The question is can you keep him for a full year? Is he going to do jail time for this if convicted? How will that affect the team, all the legal issues? The Steelers hate distractions and as much as I wouldn't mind seeing them try Plax out, they likely won't do it.

beano: I agree I think we need to take best value at our pick, and concentrate on getting a O-lineman/D-lineman/Corner in the first three rounds if possible. Do you have any insight to who they might hope willl fall to them at 32?

Jerry Micco: I wish I had my draft book, but I don't. There is a DE from San Jose St. who they like who is an Aaron Smith type. On the OL side, Alex Mack from Cal might be a guy they look at because he can play guard or center. I know there will be a couple corners there and I'd not wait until the third or fourth round to draft one. You may even see them go safety in the first four rounds. If they keep passing on OLs, you might see them go after Moon's A.Q. Shipley in say the fourth round.

James_Taipei: If the Steelers cannot sign Leftwich do you think they will look at other veteran backups?

Jerry Micco: I think they'll be fine with Charlie Batch in that role.

CHRIS: Are you sending Gerry Dulac to Augusta this year or are you going to have to rely on wire stories due to budget cutbacks?

Jerry Micco: Gerry is in Augusta and filed a story for today's paper. He'll be there for the tournament. It will be the only major we staff this year, as we will opt out of the US Open at Bethpage Black in New York. However, we plan on covering the Women's US Open in Bethlehem this summer. That tournament is coming to Oakmont next year.

beano: If we don't get a starting lineman in the draft do you think Stalpleton can really get the job done a Right Guard again or will try and see who is left in the free agent pool?

Jerry Micco: If they don't find a starter, they know Stapleton can fill the void. Is he a top-line OG? Probably not. He's also a guard/center type and long term he may be Hartwig's replacement. I don't know if he's more comfortable at center or guard. I saw some flashes this year, but he was a rookie and made more rookie mistakes than good plays. I think you will see them get at least one top OL in the first couple rounds, though.

James_Taipei: Since the Rooney's are such good owners I don't think that they will sign Batch for sure. He sat out last year and they might be able to pick up a better back up who is younger. Maybe they will just sit around to see what veteran is out of a job. Your thoughts?

Jerry Micco: I still think they'll look hard at resigning Batch. He knows the offense and is fine in the backup role. Depends also on who is out there. If it's a younger guy who still thinks he can start, he's going to be very disappointed here because he's behind one of the best QBs in the NFL. Of course, as much as Ben gets clobbered, who knows, he could start a game or two. I still think they'll try to sign Batch.

beano: I do like DE Jason Gilbert from San Jose State first round-and O-line 2nd round-corner 3rd. What positions should we address with the rest of our second day picks?

Jerry Micco: Thanks for the help on Jason Gilbert. Brain lapsed on that name. If they go in that order, then WR, safety and maybe more OL or DL on day 2. They have 2 fifth-round picks, so they get an extra shot on day 2. I still think at some point, WR has to be addressed and maybe more the DL than the OL.

beano: I am pretty interested in this years draft, I was wondering if you can take a look my mock draft?

Jerry Micco: if you want to email it to me, my address is jmicco@post-gazette.com.

beano: 1. Detriot Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia.

Jerry Micco: I all likelihood, that will be the case. I think if I were the Lions, I'd have given up Ford Field for Jay Cutler, but Stafford projects into a good NFL QB, something the Lions haven't had in a while.

praveen: Andy LaRoche is very consistent - consistently awful!

Jerry Micco: He's had nothing but problems since he arrived, but at one point, he was held in such high esteem that you wonder if there isn't something there. There are a lot of guys who can play 3rd in the organization -- Walker, Alvarez -- but the latter isn't ready yet. Walker likely is, but again, if you bring him up, you need to play him every day.

praveen: Do you think they will rest Malkin in the final game? He has worn down at different points in the last two playoff years.

Jerry Micco: I'll be curious to see who is rested the final two games. If Malkin has a chance to win the scoring title, and he certainly does, then they won't rest him. I'm sure he wants to beat Ovechkin and get that trophy. But you may see Fleury take a game or two off and maybe see Phillipe Boucher play some.

praveen: Thanks to the NHL broadcasting rights strategy, I will now have to search for a sportsbar when I travel on business in 2 weeks as my hotel room won't have Versus.

Jerry Micco: Depends on your city, praveen. I was surprised last year when my youngest son and I stayed at a hotel near Clearfield and watched a playoff game on Versus. That little Comfort Inn type place had Versus. If it's near an NHL city, you might get lucky on that score.

Anthony_Hritz: How many years are we away from seeing the Pirates become competitive year to year?

Jerry Micco: Probably at least 2, but it depends on the pitching. If we see either Snell or Duke start to develop like Maholm, then they can be a bit more competitive. I've always said the pitching is the key. If they can get good starts and the bullpen improves, they'll be competitive. But they are still a ways away from that, outside of Maholm and maybe Capps.

praveen: Wow, i am still surprised no team other than the Redskins have even looked at Leftwich. And even the Redskins wanted him only at the minimum. What are NFL teams which don't have even a single decent QB thinking?

Jerry Micco: I think their problem with Leftwich is his health. As a starter, he's never made it through a full season. And if you have a young QB with upside, do you bench him for a guy who has injury issues? Especially since Leftwich will want starter money and if your cap is tight, you can't fit him under it.

praveen: I gotta say as one of the Pirates skeptics, I am shocked by the incredible enthusiasm for the Pirates I see on the PBC Blog. Those fans deserve better.

Jerry Micco: I've always said, if the Pirates ever get competitive, not even good, but competitive, PNC Park will fill up in a hurry. A lot of pent-up emotion in town for the Pirates. Dejan's blog has been an excellent outlet for them.

Anthony_Hritz: Who do you think brings home the next championship for the city, Pens-Steelers-Bucs?

Jerry Micco: How can you not say Steelers? They seem the most primed to do it, though the Pens will be close on their heels. The Bucs will have to wait quite a while, though.

Jerry Micco: Folks I need to get back to my other sports editor duties. Thanks for taking the time today, even though it was a small room. I appreciate all of you hanging with me. Good to see a couple of my regulars here, too (praveen and James_Taipei). I'm off next week, and I'll probably have a replacement chatter, maybe Gene Collier. But I'm back on April 22 at noon. Just days before the NFL draft, one of the great days in the sports season. See you on April 22.