az32td: Is there any real chance left that we can see a Pitt-PSU bowl game?

Jerry Micco: Well, that depends on if PSU gets a BCS bowl bid. No minor bowl matches up the Big East and Big Ten. PSU has a shot at a BCS bowl because of their fan base and how they drive TV in eastern markets. But on the field, I don't see how you can overlook Iowa, unless they have 3 losses. I don't think the Big East will get an at-large BCS team, so unless Pitt wins the league they won't go to a BCS bowl. Though they'd be more attractive as an at-large in the Big East than Cincinnati. Bottom line: would be a shocker to see a Pitt-PSU bowl game.

theWellHungarian: Hi Jerry ~ The Bengals had me fooled (and apparently the oddsmakers as well, as evidenced by the 7 point line) I thought they were all smoke n mirrors. I still think they are due for a hiccup and the division will be up for grabs again. You?

Jerry Micco: They will not be favored, I don't think, in 2 of their remaining 7 games: At San Diego and at Minnesota. So if you count those as losses, they finish 12-4. The Steelers will not be favored in one game, at Baltimore in 2 weeks. If they go 6-1 down the stretch they will finish 12-4. Really hurts to lose 2 games to 1 team in division. The Bengals are for real.

James_Taiwan: What position do you see the Steelers drafting in the first and second round this year? Do you think they will draft an offensive lineman in the first round?

Jerry Micco: If they want one, even late, you can get one. But it might be more of a project. Remember, Tony Hills and Kraig Urbik are hanging around, but never active. Darnell Stapleton is returning from injury. I'm not sure O-Line is where they need to go early. When you draft late, and they will, you look at best athlete sometimes. How about a safety? Or a linebacker? Might be a better player at those positions there than O-Line.

James_Taiwan: Any rumors that the Pirates are looking at any outfielders to add to the current mix?

Jerry Micco: I've heard they might want Rick Ankiel, but that's just a rumor. I don't see the Bucs being big players in FA, but if the right guy is available for the right price, then they'll approach him. But FAs usually don't beat down the door to get to Pittsburgh.

theWellHungarian: I was just thinking of this last night ... Has any other college sports program had a better 2009 than Pitt's ... Of the sports that matter & get airtime (Football, Mens & Women's Hoops): Pitt Men Hoops 2009: ranked #1 for a few weeks & Elite 8. Pitt Women's Hoops: Sweet 16. Pitt Football: Top 10 Ranking ... I can't think of any save for Oklahoma, can you?

Jerry Micco: Certainly a banner year for Pitt and any accolades are well-deserved. Oklahoma, you are correct, has been terrific in those sports, too. But Pitt will chalk up this past year as one of its best.

theWellHungarian: Even with a Top 10 team, I don't think they will, but in your opinion do you think the Pitt football program will ever be able to consistently draw sell-out crowds at Heinz Field?

Jerry Micco: I think if they play exciting, winning football, they can get 50-55,000 fans a game there. Sellouts are more difficult. The drawing area is smaller and in a shrinking economy, most folks want to spend money on the Steelers. But I could see steady, large crowds for Pitt. They have some great players on that team.

dj_doug: I am a PSU alum, but I have been a Pitt fan all of these years. How is PSU still ranked in the Top 14 of the current BCS when some of the computers don't even have them in the Top 25? What are the human polls seeing that the computers aren't? It's a total joke! Losing your two biggest games at home with a very very weak schedule is not the quality of a Top 14 team. Say what you will about who Pitt beat, but they only have 1 loss on the road.

Jerry Micco: Penn State lost to teams that were ranked in the top 15 when they lost and Pitt lost to a team that's won 3 games all season. I'm not saying Penn State is better than Pitt, but look at the polls and look at the teams out there. It's a pretty mediocre college football year, except for the top 6 or 8 teams. Penn State is a pretty good mediocre team. You won't hear me argue that they should be ranked higher, but my guess is if they finish 10-2, they might be.

dj_doug: Are the rules the same for pro and college when it comes to forward passes and the tuck rule? I refer to the last Pitt/ND Claussen play where they overturned the incomplete pass into a fumble. All the ND fans were complaining. But I ask this, who was he throwing too if it was a pass? Replays show there was no one any where near the pass. So, at the very least it's intentional grounding with a loss of down and makes it 4th-21. I'll take my chances there.

Jerry Micco: The call was incomplete and the video, in my opinion, was inconclusive. Call should have stood. That said, there is no way ND gets that first down against Pitt's defense. The ND fans have no real complaint about that one, I'm afraid. Pitt was the better team that night.

dj_doug: P.S. It was quite the time up in Happy Valley in the '90s being a Pitt fan. What can I say, they have a great school and campus, just was never a Paterno fan. But Sue Pa was a sweetheart and a Eucharistic minister at Saturday night Mass in the Forum Building.

Jerry Micco: As a student there, I enjoyed my time at Penn State, too. I've met Sue once, very gracious. I've met Joe many times and he can be gracious, too. And grouchy. Joe has many moods.

theWellHungarian: Great article by Cookie last week about Cincinnati's defensive coordinator, of course I wanted the Steelers to win, but there was a part of me that was actually rooting for Cincy's defense. Ron did a great job with that article & he is simply one of the best columnists out there.

Jerry Micco: Thanks Hungarian. Ron works his tail off to bring a lot of different stories to our readers. I'm glad you enjoyed the column. I like to thing with Ron and Gene Collier we have two of the best columnists around. But readers are the ultimate judge of that.

theWellHungarian: ABC televised the Pitt-ND game Saturday night from 8:00 p.m. 'til Midnight, CBS had the Steelers-Bengals the next day at 1:00 p.m. ... Do the competing networks use the same camera equipment or does CBS kick out ABC immediately after they are done with their game?

Jerry Micco: Different networks, different crews, I'd think.

Homey: Next year at this time, do you think Brian Kelly will be at Notre Dame, Cincy, or somewhere else?

Jerry Micco: Notre Dame. I think they are already putting together the package.

Jacque_Strap: The more that Charlie Weis and Eric Mangini struggle (jury is still out on Josh McDaniels), the more Spygate is validated, in my opinion.

Jerry Micco: All of those guys, with the exception maybe of Mangini, would have NFL coordinator jobs minutes after being let go.

PhillyMarty: I have never been a fan of BA, but his post-game statement about needing chunks of yards despite having a minute fifty, a TO and only 67 yards (not 80+), really makes him look foolish. I always thought the key to 2-minute drills is getting the very first 1st down, building some momentum and putting the D on its heels. Then maybe something good comes of it. BA spit in the face of that!

Jerry Micco: I think they needed to get what Cincy's defense gave them and keep, as the late Hank Stram said, metriculate the ball down the field. I was puzzled by that statement, too. Plenty of time to get downfield. But the damage was already done. Four FGs from four red zone possessions? Not a winning formula.

theWellHungarian: If Kansas fires Mangino, please tell me there's a way Pitt can open up a coaching spot on the staff to bring the big man back to Western PA

Jerry Micco: I would think Mark, who was a teammate of mine on the New Castle High football squad, would be welcomed as a coordinator or head coach at a lot of places. Kansas football had been in the doldrums for years. He made them a BCS program.

PhillyMarty: We have a QB that is good throwing on the run and balls were getting knocked back at his face. Why don't we ever move the pocket except near the goal line?

Jerry Micco: Good question. I don't have the answer, but I always think a mobile Ben is more threatening than a pocket Ben. Now you can't always run moving pockets and rollouts, but I would have liked to see more innovation last week.

D3Football: Jerry, I am glad to see a local team like W&J make the D3 football playoffs as an at large selection, but their inclusion seems to be for all the wrong reasons. I saw that their strength of schedule was ranked 214th and the only credible opponent they played (Thomas More) beat them. I know they have tradition, but it seems like more deserving teams (with less tradition) may have been left out. Your thoughts? Also, do you think the fact that W&J plays cupcakes every year hurts them in the postseason? They always seems to lose a playoff game by 30-50 points. Why can't they schedule the Mount Union's of the world in the regular season? Is it because they let Penn State's AD do their scheduling?

Jerry Micco: As much as I follow D3 football, I'll pass on making judgment on their schedule. Rich Emert is our small colleges expert. Maybe he'll address that in one of his stories.

Jacque_Strap: Got to see the Pitt men's team last night. Impressed with the talent, they are young but they'll eventually be great. Nice to see some outside shooters. I think with Dixon's coaching, losing more than 10 games this year would be disappointing.

Jerry Micco: I think they are a middle-of-the-pack Big East team, which isn't a bad thing. Next year, with a couple of the recruits they have coming in, look out. They could be a top 10 team all season. That said, never count out Dixon. Year in, year out he does a great job.

Jacque_Strap: Do you think Ike gave up too early on the kickoff return?

Jerry Micco: Didn't watch Ike, so I don't know. Not in his nature, though.

theWellHungarian: Just a heads-up, former Pitt Panther Sam Young had 15 points last game against Minnesota on Nov. 14 ... They may not realize it, but his & DeJuan Blair's success in the NBA are crucial to the success of the Pitt program. If they both continue to perform well, the Pitt Basketball program can & will soar to the next level

Jerry Micco: They are poster players for the Panthers, considering Chris Taft was a huge bust. But I don't look for that out of Young and Blair. They should be solid NBA players for years. And it does say good things about Pitt's program if they perform well.

PhillyMarty: AFC playoff race: Indy and NE have the two best QB's but partly due to injury, not much on D. SD still has talent that scouts marvel at, but are shackled by Norv. Denver is fading, Balt. looks 3 bricks shy of a load. Bengals lack playoff experience and still wonder if they have enough consistency on O to play with Indy and NE. Steelers are similar to Cincy but with experience and perhaps still with a SB hangover. Indy likely has home field advantage throughout, but have squandered that previously. Is there really a favorite? I think all have a reasonable shot to make the SB.

Jerry Micco: The AFC is crowded, as you point out. But I think Indy, New England, SD and Cincy are the division winners. The wildcard will be between Steelers, Denver, Ravens, Texans and Jaguars. Of those 5, the Steelers are the best of the lot, but need to beat the Ravens at least once to not lose a tiebreaker. They already own one against Denver. Still a lot of ball to be played, but that's how I see it.

Jacque_Strap: Do you think a salary floor could work in MLB? According to Scott Boras, MLB teams are taking in $100 million before they even sell a ticket. Pirates could easily spend over $70 million on payroll.

Jerry Micco: I think a salary floor should be mandatory and should maybe be in the $60 million range. Boras' numbers are an agent's numbers, so I take them with a grain of salt.

PhillyMarty: Over an 80-game schedule, the Canadiens in the mid-70's won 58-60 games three straight years, never lost/tied more than 22 (pre-OT rules), and one year they only lost 8. Recent run of Pens injuries makes me realize how good those Habs teams were.

Jerry Micco: In that franchise's storied history, oftentimes those 70s teams are forgotten in favor of those great teams of the 50s. But with Dryden, LaFleur and company, it was some of the best hockey ever played in the NHL. An amazing run for them.

theWellHungarian: Am i the only one that likes the BCS? I know it's not perfect, but seriously what is? Every week (except for this week) is a big week & the regular season is the playoff. I love it and I hope they don't change it.

Jerry Micco: The BCS is one game and a bunch of who-cares games. They really have no meaning except to the schools involved. Look, I don't mind a team getting psyched to play in a Rose Bowl or an Orange Bowl, but in reality, the game is meaningless as far as a national champion. So in that sense, you can just enjoy the games and in that sense, that's what it's all about. I'd like and 8-team playoff, but that likely won't happen.

stillers420: How is Kennedy's injury coming along, when can we expect him back?

Jerry Micco: An undisclosed (groin) injury. I think he's still a couple, three weeks away. But with the way the NHL shrouds injuries, you never know.

PhillyMarty: Despite recent power play struggles,have to believe the Pens depth on the blue-line insures that Gonchar is not going to receive much of an offer to re-sign and McKee will be one year and done. Your thoughts?

Jerry Micco: I think if Gonchar will take less money and years, the Pens may work out an offer. I mean, he has a great chance here to win another Cup. And I'd hate to see McKee go. He's kind of a Scuderi like guy and they need those guys. I'm not ready to hand over spots to guys like Engelland, Lovejoy and Guenin. Not yet, anyway.

PSU_is_not_local: PSU raising football tickets received three articles in the PG. A column by Cook, A blog entry by Smizik, and a general article on the beat. Please tell me again why you wouldn't give the same coverage to a ticket increase at Jacobs field in Cleveland which is closer than Beaver Stadium?

Jerry Micco: Because people from here don't go to games in Cleveland in large chunks. People from here don't go en masse to colleges in Cleveland. And it's the PENNSYLVANIA State University. Last I checked, we were still in Pa. It's a tired, played out argument. Get over it.

Chunkles: Steeler Nation cries the blues when Ben is not included in talks with who the top five quarterbacks are in the league. Last Sunday against the Bengals is one MAJOR reason. He was terrible! You dont see Peyton, Tom, Drew,ect playing that poorly. Jerry, why didnt the Steelers keep special teams ace Sean Morey, a couple years ago when his contract was up. He is still a top special teams player in this league.

Jerry Micco: Because you can't keep everyone as much as you'd like to. Last year, the STs were not that bad, but this year, they certainly are. I heard a lot of folks crying about not having Anthony Madison. Did you see what the blockers for the Patriots did to him in the Colts game Sunday night. They destroyed him. As for Ben, certainly a bad day, no question. And I don't think he's better than Brady or Manning. But he's very close. Don't let one game fool you.

Jacque_Strap: At this point, if the Panthers don't go 11-1 (and win their bowl game) it'll be a big disappointment.

Jerry Micco: Really? Gee, 10-2 is a pretty good season. They close with 2 tough games, but likely will be favored in both. As for the bowl, they likely will wind up in the BCS as BE champs, I think. But if not, the Gator Bowl should scream to get Pitt. The Gator is a NYD bowl and nothing to be ashamed of.

D3Football: Jerry, do you think the Nutting's will look to sell the Pirates within the next 5 years? I think the franchise value has reached it's peak and with the US Dollar on the fast track to being worthless, wouldn't it make sense for them to sell now?

Jerry Micco: Why sell something that you make a ton of money on with minimal investment? I think if they start to produce winning teams, they'll only make more money. Unless they get an offer they can't refuse, why would they sell?

D3Football: New tax proposal for Mayor Steelerstahl: Tax any student from the City of Pittsburgh that goes to Penn State! Think it would get approved?

Jerry Micco: Unfortunately, if you listen to some people around here, yes. It's amazing.

Binker: How about Charlie Weis here as offensive coordinator?

Jerry Micco: I don't know how he'd mix with Tomlin. Arians and Tomlin seem to have a chemistry. And Weis may want to take a year off if ND fires him. Besides, you'd have to pay him almost like a head coach, and the Steelers won't do that.

Jacque_Strap: A bit surprised that Jon Gruden is staying in TV for a few more years. But I've really enjoyed his commentary.

Jerry Micco: He's good at it. It's easy money, too. Better than the 3:17 a.m. (Gruden used to set an alarm for that time in his office in Oakland) wake up call and start to your day for six months. As Bill Cowher is finding out, TV pays well and is a pretty sweet gig.

ajt123: Do you agree the Steelers should put some starters on special teams?

Jerry Micco: You have to be very careful with that. I'd not put Harrison there. Maybe Timmons, but he always seems to be nicked up and you just magnify that if you put him on STs. No, try to make the guys there better.

Jacque_Strap: People are complaining that the Steelers dropped a few INTs, which is true, but so did the Bengals. Ben could have easily had three picks.

Jerry Micco: That's why they are DBs and not WRs. No hands.

theWellHungarian: Talbot, Gonchar, Geno, Letang, Kunitz, Goligoski, etc. ... The Penguins are still tied for 1st in the Eastern Conference

Jerry Micco: Shows you how good the rest of the team is. And how the offense has picked up ( 6 and 5 goals in 2 games) since Malkin's return. Now Talbot may be back soon, so that's another guy who can score a little. LeTang has about another week, then he'll return. It's a very good hockey team and has some depth. But when you have guys like Sid, Geno, Fleury and Guerin, you're going to be a pretty solid team. Withe the other guys healthy, a geat team.

D3Football: Jerry do you see the Steelers starting to phase out Jeff Reed by removing him from the Kickoff unit? His length has been ok, but the hang time has been poor all year long. And that's not even mentioning his heartless efforts at tackling the return man.

Jerry Micco: He's the kicker and he'll continue in that role as long as he's here, which likely is through this season. I won't credit him for any effort, but if it's down to him tackling someone, you have already failed as a kick coverage unit.

FoolBack: I know this is a hypothetical question, but I don't understand the diminished need for a fullback in football? FBs are supposed to block, catch, and run. The two TE offense seems to lack versatility of a two back attack. Especially in these days of RB by committee. That's two guys sharing the load. Your thoughts?

Jerry Micco: I like a fullback in front of a running back, but because of the spread offenses in college, many backs play in a 1-back backfield and are comfortable that way. And really, TEs and FBs are interchangeable in today's NFL. It's more of a passing league, so why not put guys who can catch passes in the lineup? I know FBs can do that, but a good TE can get down the field and make a difference.

stillers420: Is there a chance Pitt could move to the Big 10 in the coming years?

Jerry Micco: Always a chance if the Big Ten wants to go that way. I'd be surprised if it happens, but Paterno really wants an Eastern team to balance the league and has mentioned Pitt, Syracuse and Rutgers as teams the league should look at. But the Big Ten is like a glacier on things. I don't expect any moves soon.

Homey: In the Big East Conference, what football program do you think is strongest in terms of potential to succeed (i.e. recruiting base, location, facilities, fan support, tradition, money, stadium, etc)?

Jerry Micco: Probably Pitt, followed by WVU and Syracuse. I think the Big East in football always saw those 3 as the standard bearers. Cincinnati, South Florida and Louisville, though have kind of made bigger waves at times. Certainly more than Pitt before this year, and Syracuse has been bad for years. WVU has been solid every season, however.

stillers420: Do you think Pitt will be in the top 25 at the end of the year or are they only ranked because of last year's performance?

Jerry Micco: As far as basketball? Maybe bottom of the Top 25, or just out of it. I think they'll be in and out of the Top 25 all year.

ajt123: Who do you think takes over the coaching vacancy in Buffalo?

Jerry Micco: I really don't know, but there are coordinators on top teams who I'm sure the Bills will look at. I don't look for a big name person to land there.

D3Football: Rashard Mendenhall, Dion Lewis, and Evan Royster ... You can have a fling with one, date one, and marry one. Who do you pick?

Jerry Micco: Well, my wife may have an issue with how I answer this. Actually, I have an issue with how I answer this, so I won't. But I'll tell you this: When Mendenhall was hurt last year, he didn't hang with his teammates, which became a sore spot with them. But he did go to the opera. Any NFL player who goes to opera in their spare time is a pretty good guy in my book.

clyde567: Hey Jerry -- word is out Talbot is going to play in Ottawa

Jerry Micco: There you go. We speculated he'd be back about now and so it is.

praveen: Mike Zimmer - best defensive coaching job in the AFC North? His units even without Odom this week, shut out the Steelers in both 4th quarters, while our defense, as excellent as they were in the first 3 Qs both games, failed to force a single punt in either 4th Quarter. Zimmer's approach was also interesting. His unit stayed aggressive defending a lead this week, while our defense played not to lose when the Steelers were protecting a lead in the 1st game against Cinci.

Jerry Micco: Mike Zimmer deserves a ton of praise, not only for his work on the field but how he's dealt with tragedy off the field. But it's hard to go against Dick LeBeau. The Steelers defense just doesn't allow TDs. Hard to put anyone ahead of their defense, but you must give credit to the Bengals. They are building a very good defense there.

King_Moonracer: Can we put to rest the notion people have about it being difficult for other kickers at Heinz field - Cincy didnt have any problems. What's the stats on opposing kickers FG % versus Pitt kickers?

Jerry Micco: I'm not sure on the stats, but it gets tough there when it's cold and the wind is off the Ohio River. Any kicker will tell you that.

theWellHungarian: Might be a good year to make the drive up to Ann Arbour for the Michigan-Ohio State game this weekend, eh? Tickets should be reasonable compared to recent years, no?

Jerry Micco: What a letdown that game will be. Ohio State is already locked into the Rose with all the tiebreakers, and Michigan will not be much of an opponent. Wow, that program has just tanked in Rodriguez's first 2 years. He's going to need a big season next year if he wants to stay, I think.

praveen: For all the talk about OL improvement, they still have failures in the clutch. For the second game in a row against Cinci, Hartwig and one of the guards(Kemo in the first, Essex in the last) failed to slow down, let alone block, a solo Bengal defender, despite having the advantage of a double team on the final offensive snap for the Steelers. Their run blocking in the red zone was atrocious.

Jerry Micco: I think the line has improved, but like you, I still have some concerns. They could not get it done this week against a good defense. They didn't do a whole lot against Minnesota, either. Denver was a smaller D-Line and they manhandled them. I think the O-Line is better, but not an NFL top-notch unit.

praveen: My problem with that 4th down and 2 call was the playcalls in that entire sequence. If you think you are going to go for a risky 4th down if necessary, why would Belichick run the sequence the way he did?

Jerry Micco: I think the 4th down call, which I did not agree with at all though many seem to agree with it, to me seemed to come up last second. He was not playing to get 10 yards in 4 plays, but seemed to want to protect the ball, try to get a first down, and if he had to, punt. But he gambled and lost. And against Peyton Manning, that's a fatal error.

theWellHungarian: Ashton Gibbs is going to be my favourite Panther this year in hoops. The kid doesn't miss from 3-point land. Who's your pre-season favourite player?

Jerry Micco: I've always like to watch Gilbert Brown play because I like the 6-6 slashers who can get to the basket. Athletic guy, fun to watch.

Jerry Micco: Wow, that was a fast hour. I need to run folks. Thanks for taking the time to be here and participate. You make this hour my best all week. See you next Wednesday at noon.

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