Jerry Micco: Before I start, James_Taipei asked a question last week about our Web visitors from Taiwan. Turns out, we have quite a few. So far, in 2009: 12,763 visitors were from Taiwan. It was the 38th most popular country, above the Czech Republic and just after the United Arab Emirates. So there you go. Now, on with the chat!

James_Taipei: Can the Steelers avoid getting thumped by Tennessee again?

Jerry Micco: Oh, I think so. I think Tennessee is a very good team, but they are behind the Steelers and New England in the AFC pecking order.

James_Taipei: Which 2008 AFC playoff team do you see as most likely to miss the playoffs this year (Miami, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Indy, and Tennessee)?

Jerry Micco: Out of that group, I'd say Miami is the most likely, followed by Indy.

Jacque_Strap: Great win by the Buccos last night. At least they're still playing hard. Were you at the game?

Jerry Micco: I was not at the game but watched it on TV. That was a terrific win for them. And obviously, they are still playing hard despite going through a 17th consecutive losing season. A lot of them know they are playing for their jobs. That's one thing about what Neal Huntingdon has done, he's created some logjams because of all the trades and that's going to make people play harder because now they know someone is behind them in the minors. For years, this franchise had no one in the minors to threaten those on the big league roster. Hardly the case now.

Jacque_Strap: Matt Capps needs to develop at least one more pitch. If he doesn't have location with the fastball, he's finished. And the fastball is nothing special anyway. This could be his last year as closer, they have other internal options to try. I think they should give Hanrahan, or Chavez, or Meek a shot at it before the year is over.

Jerry Micco: Matt Capps needs to develop a lot to be a close in my book. I felt bad for Ross Ohlendorf, who pitched well enough to get a 12th win. How's everyone like the Nady trade now? Ohlendorf and Tabata alone make that trade pretty one-sided. I also think that's why Hanrahan was purchased in the Nats' trade, because Huntington thinks he's a closer. I don't think he is now, but at some point, you have to look at Capps and say put up or get gone. Fat fastballs to a team like the Phillies is deadly.

Jacque_Strap: What do you expect the home crowd reaction will be like for Michael Vick tomorrow? I expect the cheers will drown out any booing when he first steps onto the field.

Jerry Micco: I think you're right. Bottom line is he's playing for the home team, so you get behind your player.

Jacque_Strap: Where do the columnists get their ideas for their columns - do they have free reign, do you feed them ideas, or is it a collective effort?

Jerry Micco: Collective effort, though they come up with the vast majority of ideas. I sometimes have a thought and pass it along. Or, some of it is game assigned, so those take care of themselves.

Jacque_Strap: Who do you expect to see losing to the Steelers this year, Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson? My $$$ is on Quinn.

Jerry Micco: Anderson seems to have the upper hand in that battle, but I think they do want to take a good look at Quinn. It's going to be a long year for Browns fans. Again.

Jacque_Strap: Of course it is early, but this year's Steelers draft class is pretty amazing by itself, and when you throw in the undrafted FA's like Isaac Redman, Ramon Foster, and Stefan Logan, it is even more impressive. This could turn out to be one of the best ever, particularly for a team picking 32nd. Gotta love Kevin Colbert.

Jerry Micco: I agree and it'll make up for last year's class, which doesn't seem to be holding its own very well. That said, Colbert does a great job and certainly is the architect of this team. This could be a good draft class, but time will tell. Just as bad as last year's picks seem, give them another year or two before we make a final judgment. I'd like to see more from Mendenhall and Sweed. Bruce Davis, too.

Jacque_Strap: Great news for Dick LeBeau. I'll bet that was a great scene with the team when it was announced by Tomlin.

Jerry Micco: I'm sure it was. Those guys love him and vice versa. A great honor and long overdue for LeBeau, who will be judged on his player stats, not coaching. He's not retired from coaching yet, so HOF selectors can only judge his body of work as a player. That said, the defensive genius he's exhibited for years will be in the back of every selectors' mind.

Jacque_Strap: Jerry Jones is nuts if he thinks they're going to keep that screen where it is, even if the NFL did initially sign off on it. My question is, how in the world did anyone think 90 feet was high enough?

Jerry Micco: Apparently, someone in the NFL office in charge of those things thought so. And didn't only one punt hit the thing? I thought it was low, too, but I guess 90 feet is a long way up for a punt. And as much as guys angle punts now and try to drive them, maybe height won't be an issue. But I think they'll resolve it by moving it 10 to 15 feet higher, and the NFL will foot the bill.

Jacque_Strap: Seems like Ed has really been riled up about the national writers/talking heads reporting on the Steelers being a good landing spot for Vick, and he hasn't been afraid to show it. His line about 'Dan Rooney may now reside in Ireland, but he hasn't lost his mind' was hilarious.

Jerry Micco: Is there anyone nationally that knows more than Ed Bouchette when it comes to the Steelers? No, of course not. Add Gerry Dulac to that mix, too. They are both around this team a lot, and have been for years, so they know of what they speak.

Jacque_Strap: You'd think it wouldn't surprise me anymore, but every year I can't believe it when I realize the Pens open training camp in the near future. Feels like the finals just ended.

Jerry Micco: Starts on Sept. 12 and it seems like yesterday they were hoisting the Cup in Detroit. Well, it practically was yesterday. Hockey's such a long, grueling season.

theWellHungarian: Hi Jerry-- Just wanted to give you a heads-up and let you know ESPN is televising English Premier League games on Saturday mornings and Spain's La Liga on Sunday mornings... Watching either league versus the MLS is like comparing the Big East to the NFL... My advice, watch Real Madrid and Kaka. Brilliant player.

Jerry Micco: I've been watching some international matches lately and you are right. To compare the MLS with the premier leagues of Europe is a joke. While I think the MLS has become more competitive, it's not in that class.

theWellHungarian: I've been reading much about this 16 year old kid in Las Vegas, Hunter Bryce or Bryce Hunter or something, and they say he is going to be the next great MLB player. is he worth tanking the rest of the season for? Have you seen or read anything about him? From what I'm reading he could be the next Bonds.

Jerry Micco: That's everyone's best guess, but how do we really know? Just like the Dominican kid who is the next great shortstop. You take a risk with guys that young. I've always been in favor of drafting college guys, but high school guys come a bit cheaper and they have a longer time to develop. But in those four or five years to the bigs, a lot of things can happen that are not good.

James_Taipei: You say 12,763 visitors. Are you talking about 12, 763 hits which over 1000 might be from me or 12, 763 different IP numbers.

Jerry Micco: I believe those are different IP numbers. Actual visitors to the site.

James_Taipei: Is Brandon Moss no longer a Pirate by 2011?

Jerry Micco: I think he's lost in the shuffle of everyone and he's out of options. I still think he has a nice bat, and is a good all-around outfielder. But I don't think he's around in 2011 unless guys like Garret Jones are gone and Jose Tabata can't make the jump to the bigs yet. A lot has to happen for Moss to be here beyond next year.

Err_ahh: How many times did Dejan have to change his game story last night from the bottom of the 8th to the finish?

Jerry Micco: I didn't ask him, but I'm going to bet he did a lot of rewriting in that 9th inning.

theWellHungarian: Thoughts on the Pitt backfield, Hynoski, Dion Lewis, Ray Graham, Chris Burns, and Shariff Harris?

Jerry Micco: I've only been following a bit of the college spring practice, but I understand that Graham has looked great as has Lewis. I think that backfield will serve Pitt well this year, however. Pretty deep, though it's young, I still think behind a very good offensive line they can make some hay. And if QB is the problem everyone think it'll be, then they'd better get the running game going.

James_Taipei: What is it with people saying Delwyn Young is not part of the Pirates future? Until he stops hitting .300 he needs to be in the linup. On top of that he was a career .300 hitter in the minors.

Jerry Micco: His bat will keep him there, I'd think. And it's not like there are a lot of great second basemen in the minors pushing him. What may hurt him is if they decide to move Andy LaRoche to second and put Alvarez at third. They may like LaRoche better overall and he's a couple of years younger than Young. Doesn't mean Young isn't put somewhere on the team, but it may mean he's not a lock at second.

James_Taipei: They may like LaRoche better but until he proves he can hit as well as Young at the major league level I cannot understand making a switch.

Jerry Micco: Young will have a better average, but LaRoche maybe a better run producer. And his fielding has been lights out this past year. I think one of those two is probably gone after next year, but in my mind, both can help the team especially if they field well (Young is learning the position) and can produce a bit more power. Also, the Pirates need to make sure that those 4 corner spots -- first, third, left, right -- are power producers. Right now, no one in my mind is fitting there.

theWellHungarian: Been hearing a lot of rumours about Bostick possibly taking a red-shirt this year & compete for the starting job next year... Do you think Tino would be an adequate backup to Bill Stull this year?

Jerry Micco: I'm hearing that, too, and it seems the Panthers are working things so that Sunseri can be a backup this season. He's untried, but if he can learn enough in practices and play a bit in early games, I think he can do that job. And redshirting Bostick isn't a bad call at all.

James_Taipei: Do you think that Ben Roethlisberger will throw for 25-30TDs or is he more likely to be around 20TDs in 2009?

Jerry Micco: I'm going to say 20-25 TDs. I think the Steelers still like to run the football and if they can pound away at teams and not get Ben killed behind the offensive line, then they'll do it. If Parker and Mendenhall are the type of 1-2 punch the Steelers hope they can become, they won't need to throw as much. I'm going to say Ben will have 25 TD passes.

Err_ahh: If Matt Capps lost about 30 lbs would his era be under 6.30?

Jerry Micco: Well, I'm not sure it's his weight. I think as someone said earlier, he's not developed another pitch besides the fastball. And that seems to come and go. It's 95 one outing and 91 another. And his slider is junk. He hung a couple last night and it cost them. I just don't think he's a closer. I haven't thought that for a couple of years now. Maybe a set up guy, but I don't know. He'll need a lot more improvement, besides in his waistline, before he convinces me he's the guy to get those tough last 3 outs.

Jacque_Strap: I am behind Ed all the way, I love it when he sticks it to the national guys.

Jerry Micco: I think Ed's doing his job, rather than sticking it to national guys. If in the course of relaying news and insights to our customers he winds up correcting that national reporters' impressions, then he's just doing his job. OK, maybe that is sticking it to the national guys.

theWellHungarian: Is Garret Jones legit and is he part of the future?

Jerry Micco: I'm never convinced by one-year wonders. You cannot be batting third in the order, have a guy on third with one out, have a 3-0 count, and wind up fanning on the next 3 pitches. I think they like him. I think he's worth a look, but I'd not be surprised if he's not really a platoon guy, which is not a bad thing. All the great Pirates teams of yore had good role guys. Maybe they'd play half the games or more, but in different areas. Nothing wrong with having some platooning.

Err_ahh: Laroche is keeping the seat warm at 3rd until Pete Alvarez gets here, which is looking sooner rather than later.

Jerry Micco: Probably not until mid-2010 and that's if Alvarez continues to light up pitching at AAA and loses a bit of weight. Those two things, and a markedly better job of fielding, will get him here sooner. But until then, LaRoche has that job.

James_Taipei: Well if Jones can prove that he is not a one month wonder he might fit one of those power positions. Of course that is a big if!

Jerry Micco: As I said earlier...

WVURifleman: With how "down" the Big East is, i think West Virginia could win the conference. Do you agree?

Jerry Micco: Oh, no question. I think a lot of folks think WVU is good enough to win the Big East, and I'd not disagree with them. Of course, Pitt's probably good enough to win it, too. Rutgers may be good enough, too. I think as you say, it's pretty wide open.

Jacque_Strap: Jerry, I would like to send out an official shout out to James from Taipei. What's up James? Dude never misses a chat.

Jerry Micco: He is always the winner of "furthest traveler to the chat." He's all over it and has been for some time. And there are a few of you who are on that list, but James hails from the furthest outpost in our chatland.

Err_ahh: Bostik, Sunseri, Stull...what's the difference? None of that matters as along as Wanny is roaming the sidelines. He won't be confused with Lombardi any time soon.

Jerry Micco: Unless he delivers a Big East title, and that could be this year. No one's calling Wannstedt a Lombardi, but not many coaches are ever compared to the great Packer coach. Wannstedt delivered a 9-4 season last year. He could do better this season, and I think he will.

jackie_martling: I may be mistaken, but I don't believe Ben has spoken to the press since his injury. I am not losing sleep while I wait for him to make a statement about his health, but is there a double-standard in play? If anyone else was injured and missed Saturday's game they would have spoken to the media by now. Or does he only talk once a week, like during the regular season?

Jerry Micco: Ben generally speaks to the media on Wednesdays during the preseason and the season. That's why it was surprising a couple weeks ago when he called out to media to gather round him at camp so he could say his arm was in fine shape. I wish he was more open with media because he's the face of the team. But we can't force people to talk, so they do what they want. He's always spoken after games, too.

bennett8111: Type here Jerry, I know McCutchen gaff was exclusively his doing but it seems that Buc outfielders are constantly out of position and over shifted to the wrong sides? Any validity as both myself and another friedn have noticed their mis-alignments.

Jerry Micco: McCutchen badly misplayed that ball. It was a tough one, a liner hit on the screws right at him, but he knew he'd misplayed it in the first step. That's how good he is. As for the outfield, at PNC, they play the left fielder into leftcenter to cover the big gap there. It's going to make you vulnerable to anything that's pulled down the line or is shallow. Actually, Bob Walk said it best last night: you need two centerfielders to play left and center at PNC Park. Which is why when Morgan was there with McCutchen, they could cover that ground. Milledge, he of the 5-tool monicker, doesn't seem very fast to me. And he's still learning how to play left field here. But the more I see of his bat, the more I like it.

James_Taipei: Who will get the best of the match up this year Clark and Penn State or Terrelle Pryor and Ohio State?

Jerry Micco: If those teams hold serve, and OSU has a tough matchup with USC on their schedule and PSU has nothing close out of conference, that game in Beaver Stadium will be tremendous. I think Ohio State is probably a bit stronger this year, but if PSU's offensive line and secondary can hold up, that's a game PSU should win. Maybe 20-17. Clark and Pryor will put on a great show, I'm sure.

bennett8111: Back to Capps for a moment..where does it say that he MUST pitch all nine innings> Sanchez threw a laser to K the last guy and surely could have pitched to three more, but that "wasn't his slot" as we say. Why is Russell so hell-bent on this 'slotting' format when Stevie Wonder can see Capps deficiencies. Also, his news conference afterwards showed me he is merely collecting a check. No drive, going through the motions.

Jerry Micco: I disagree totally on the final sentence. Russell wants to win, he's just not going to rant and rave about it. He never changes demeanor much, but he does want to win. I mean, he'd like keeping his job and he's being judged just like the players. As for slotting pitchers, think this way: Brad Lidge can't get anyone out, yet the World Champions bring him in to pitch the 9th. Other relievers were mowing the Bucs down, but Lidge still came in. And did what he's been doing: Getting creamed. Has Charlie Manuel lost his mind? Point is, everyone does this. Doesn't make it right, but everyone does it.

James_Taipei: What do you seeing being the splits in carries between Parker and Mendenhall in 2009?

Jerry Micco: Probably 70-30 Parker, unless Mendenhall shows early in the season he can handle the pounding. But even at that split, it does keep Parker fresher as the season moves along.

Jacque_Strap: I live near the Phillies AAA ballpark and saw Garrett Jones there a few times. He can hit, but mostly all I saw him do was swing over the top of curveballs. I wasn't that impressed.

Jerry Micco: He has holes and pitchers are finding them now. He has a hard time with breaking stuff and breaking stuff down kills him. He will have to adjust if he wants a full-time job, in my opinion. But make a mistake, and he'll kill it. And that's not a bad thing.

James_Taipei: There is really no hurry for Alvarez to get here unless he clones himself three times and thus can become the Pirates entire infield of the future.

Jerry Micco: Too bad he can't. But you're right, no hurry to get him here. By the middle of next year, though, he'll likely be here and starting at third.

Jacque_Strap: Wanny is like Cowher, good coach and everyone likes him, but not the greatest coach on game days, in my opinion.

Jerry Micco: Many people would share that with you, Jacque. But Cowher got a lot of wins. Just seemed he lost a lot of big games, too. He does have his SB ring, though, so he can tell everyone he made it to the pinnacle of his profession. Wannstedt has yet to do that as a head coach at any level.

James_Taipei: Jacque_Strap, well talking about furthest traveler to the chat, one might say I may have an easier time chatting than everyone who lives in the US. According to an article on yahoo today, Taiwan has the 5th highest access to high speed internet and quicker internet connections than the US!

Jerry Micco: Maybe that's why your questions get here so rapidly, James.

theWellHungarian: Rate these conferences from Best -to- Worst, SEC, Big 12, Big 10, ACC, Pac-10, Big East

Jerry Micco: SEC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-10, ACC, Big East. And to be honest, you can throw a blanket over the last 4. I don't know that they aren't all about the same top to bottom. But the Big East is down a bit this year. I know, I know, they just win BCS games. But those are one-game series. And often, the opponent is there because they were disappointed by not winning their conference and going to a national title game. The Big East is there to prove itself. Their opponents are often wishing they were elsewhere.

Jacque_Strap: Speaking of Cowher, I'm starting to wonder if he'll return to coaching. There's a bit of a logjam now of unemployed coaches with a good resume, like Gruden, Shanahan, Holmgren...

Jerry Micco: Hey, he makes a million a year to work some weekends and has no pressure on him from owners, fans, players and media. Makes sense to me if he stays out of the oven.

dongta: jerry do you know if Big Ben and all but chavez eat at the same buffet? Should the pirates make bariatric surgery mandatory for all relief pitchers as it seems that had been doing for Tommy John Surgery for a while.

Jerry Micco: Huntington likes his pitchers big. And baseball players, pitchers in particular, have never been the most in-shape athletes you'll ever see. Remember Mickey Lolich from 40 years back? How about David Wells? As long as they can throw, it doesn't matter.

jackie_martling: I didn't get the point of the Jack Wilson letter in Sunday's edition. It's not like Ozzie Smith left town. Wilson is the biggest reason why we have not had a winning season in PNC Park. He was overpaid and overrated by the fans.

Jerry Micco: Obviously, the letter meant nothing to you, which is fine. But Wilson was here for nearly 9 years and arguably was the fan favorite at PNC. He did quite a bit for charity and while he never played on a winner here, I'd hardly lay all the blame at his feet. What did he not do? When the Bucs got him they knew he could be an excellent fielder (he was) with an iffy bat (mostly it was). Overpaid? Probably, but in today's major leagues, aren't a lot of guys overpaid?

jackie_martling: Who has the best fight song in college football? It's Notre Dame for me.

Jerry Micco: Well, I attended Penn State so Hail to the Lions is one I'll always rank high. Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, Texas, Alabama, Ohio State all are great. It's one of the great parts of college football.

jackie_martling: Can you do something about the comments in Dejan's blog? Two guys runs wild there and its impossible to find informed comments because you always have to page through their rhetoric.

Jerry Micco: We let people post there for free and they are free to post what they want as long as it passes the taste test. Dejan controls his blog, so you can feel free to email him to discuss this with him. But we don't want to limit comments. We want to hear from fans.

Jerry Micco: I need to run folks. Thanks again for the terrific turnout and questions. This is my best hour of the week, so I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday at noon. Tell your friends and we'll get them involved, too. See you next week!