James_Taipei: Too bad that a.500 Pirates team didn't manifest this week!

Jerry Micco: It seems they get close then fall away. I suspect we'll see that most of the year and they may eventually get to .500, but we'll see. Their starting pitching is still so suspect that I don't think if they get to .500 they can sustain it.

chooch79: Is it simply just a matter of time before the large market NFL teams figure out how to circumvent the salary cap with larger player signing bonuses in 2010?

Jerry Micco: I don't pretend to know the nuances of the NFL cap, but I do know there are "poison pills" in that agreement that don't allow for total madcap free agency. I believe this is why the owners feel OK about voiding the agreement. I think the problems come in 2013 if there's no agreement. And that's highly unlikely.

PirateApologist: Hey, Jerry. I'm am not trying to be funny here, and I would love to be able to speak two languages. A certain radio station jokes about Therrien and his less than stellar English skills. I do admit, it is sometimes amusing and in good fun. My question to you is, as a journalist, would a newspaper naturally quote someone like Therrien less so the article reads better (even though it is a quote)?

Jerry Micco: We don't change people's quotes, but we also don't make fun of people who have problems with the language. It's a fine line. But we know that dealing with peoples of all backgrounds, you're going to have occasional language glitches. And some folks, born and raised in the good ol' US of A, don't often use the King's English. We don't humiliate people by pointing out their shortcomings. Now if were were doing a story and how a person spoke, his or her dialect, added to the piece, we'd certainly consider it.

YeOldeBuccoFan: Ali-Frazier, Steelers-Cowboys, Lakers-Celtics...is that what we should expect with the Penguins-Red Wings series?

Jerry Micco: I think so. Two deep, talented teams that showcase a lot of offense. I think it's a Cup final made in Heaven. Even if you're not a hockey fan, you want to watch the tremendous skill these guys have. It should be a tremendous series.

PhillyMarty: Jerry: Consensus opinion seems to be that when a young team plays an experienced one like Pens vs. Wings, young team must lose once before going on to greatness. The same thing is frequently spoken in the NBA and defending champ San Antonio just won in New Orleans in Game 7, after previously being blown out 3 straight times on the road. I know we have Roberts and Sykora, but most would agree we have little finals experience compared to the Wings. Mario's Cup winners never faced this type of challenge. Why should we believe we can upset history? Are our expectations unrealistic?

Jerry Micco: I think those Cup teams of the early 90s had so many great players because there was no salary cap, that the Pens just overpowered people to get there. And if I recall, the Stars and Blackhawks were not the best teams from those conferences but got hot in the playoffs. That doesn't hurt when you don't have a lot of Cup final experience, either. This is different. Yes, common sense says good, young teams need to lose before they can win. That could be the case with the Pens. But the matchup is so even, you can't say unequivocally, that the Wings are that much better. That gives the Pens more than a fighting chance.

PirateApologist: I probably wouldn't complain about this if the Pirates could beat the Cubs, but who makes the baseball schedule? By the end of this weekend, the Pirates will have payed the Cubs 12 times and will have not played the Astros (also in their division) once. Doesn't make sense.

Jerry Micco: And if I recall, it was the other way around last year. I think with the unbalanced schedule and interleague play, this has to happen. I think last year, maybe Marty can help with this, the Pirates were done with the Phillies by early May. Six games and done. It's the odd way baseball schedules. I wish they'd get rid of the interleague games except for maybe 4 games with 2 2-game sets. And create rivalries that way. It would give the Pirates more shots at the Phillies and Mets, two teams they have some rivalry with.

chooch79: Does the PG have anything special planned for their coverage of the Cup finals?

Jerry Micco: We have a special section on Friday and then some wraps around the Sports and A Front sections for Games 1 and 2. We have a team of reporters and columnists headed for Detroit on Friday and our Empty Netters blogger, Seth Rorabaugh, will be there, too. Between the in-print edition of the P-G and our Web site, we'll have a ton of Pens coverage.

YeOldeBuccoFan: Which of the Penguins 'lesser lights" do you think could make a big impact in this series?

Jerry Micco: If you consider Hal Gill a lesser light, then I think he'll make a big difference. Why? Watch Detroit play. They constantly put people in front of the net and rush the goalie. Gill's job, as the biggest enforcer they have, will be to clear the crease. Someone has to keep those guys off of Fleury. On offense, how about Gary Roberts gets off the deck to play very well and score a couple big goals. I'm looking for the veterans to make a bit of noise, too.

James_Taipei: Do you think that Jordan Staal might get a chance to play as a winger next year on Crosby's line?

Jerry Micco: They tried that last year and it wasn't a success. I think Staal isn't as fast a passer as Sid likes and probably is more suited for center. That doesn't mean he can't skate the wing and that he can't move the puck faster now than a year ago, but I think they like him as a center.

PirateApologist: All the talk about not touching the Wales trophy is hilarious. I'm almost positive the 91 team skated around with it.

Jerry Micco: I can't recall that, but it looks like a giant tube of Kryptonite to a bunch of Supermen on skates.

chunkles: Jerry, why did Therrian keep his stars in the game after the Pens were up 5-0 in the third? I know the Crosbys and such want to be there at the very end but until that point, why risk getting your star players hurt?

Jerry Micco: I think you have to run those guys out there because you can't just skate two checking/energy lines for the rest of the game. They were relatively short shifts and you can't completely protect all those guys. I'm sure you'd see more Max Talbot, Adam Hall, Georges Laraque in those closing shifts than Sid and company, though. I didn't count up minutes, but I'll bet they were out there more than usual.

traffic: Does it seems as if NHL players are more superstitious than other sports? Speaking for myself, both times I wore my new Penguins t-shirt, they won, so you can bet I will be wearing that shirt on game day.

Jerry Micco: Well, baseball players are pretty superstitious. I'd say it's a tie between baseball and hockey. And I'm sure the Pens demand you wear the new shirt.

jimb056: Hi Jerry, Do you think that any of the Pirate starting pitchers will improve to the point of having a pretty good season ? If so, Who?

Jerry Micco: I think if anyone can do it, Snell or Duke can do it. I'm a Maholm fan, but he just seems never to get going the first half of the year. I don't see Gorzelanny getting much better this season nor is Dumatrait the answer. Gorzo is going through those second-season problems young pitchers have. He's talented enough to fight through them, but I think he's going to struggle. Also, if they had any talent at AAA, they could send a Gorzo or Maholm down for a couple starts to work on mechanics. No crime in doing that. But if you don't have anyone to replace them, you have to make them work it out at the major league level. And that's tough to do.

James_Taipei: With McLouth not hitting so well out of the three hole, do you see him being moved back to the leadoff spot?

Jerry Micco: I hated his move to the 3-hole. I think I said a couple chats back I hope they don't move him there because there's too much pressure. Sure enough they did and he slumped. I like him in the 2-hole, but I'm sure with Doumit out, they think they need a lefty down in the order some with Laroche. I'd hit Bay third, then Laroche, then Nady. And if Bautista ever gets his act together, hit him sixth. You can leave Sanchez in leadoff, though he was the best No. 3 hitter the team had a couple years ago.

PhillyMarty: Jerry: Last night's game aside, we can't field and our rotation is brutal, now 14 quality starts out of 45. Last year, we could not score with the same guys. So tell me is this team really any different from last year?

Jerry Micco: It is in the sense there's probably more offense on this team and the bullpen might be a bit better. Remember, last year the bullpen was completely awful. But without that starting pitching, this team is just left to struggle. I thought they could win 75-78 games this season and still think they can. That's an 8-to-10 game improvement. I think they are that much better, but we'll see.

traffic: Jerry, last week you thought Spector would drop Spygate, and probably 15 minutes after your chat ended, there he was calling foul. I loathe NE as much as the next Steelers fan, but he really needs to give this up.

Jerry Micco: He said he'd look at it if the NFL did not act. He will probably do hearings on it, but I don't think it'll resolve anything. Give it more profile for another day. But the league, in its mind, has disciplined the Patriots. Like it or not, and I thought it was a pretty light sentence, as far as the NFL is concerned, it's done. He said he'd revisit in three months. A lot can happen to cool the fire in that time. Let's wait and see.

James_Taipei: Since it seems that barring a miracle Hossa will be gone, do you think the Penguins can convince some veteran goal scorer to come to Pittsburgh for a reduced price to play for a Stanley Cup?

Jerry Micco: I think there are always guys like Petr Sykora out there. Just got to pick the right guys.

James_Taipei: Will Seth Rorabaugh have a special chat on Friday or Saturday before the Cup starts?

Jerry Micco: We are looking into that. Either Seth or Shelly Anderson, who does a regular Monday afternoon chat throughout the season.

PhillyMarty: Actually Pirates did not play the Phils or Mets on the road last year until August. But every year they are finished with someone early. I think this year we are done with the Braves already. The schedule is what it is, you play where you are told to go. Get over it. As for the question of being moved to the East. If you are one of the existing 5 teams in the East, would you want another team, no matter their finances? Let's face it, the members of the East and West based on simple math have an easier time winning their division. So why would anyone in the East want to change the status quo. Expecting the NL to move us back to the East seems to be a pipe dream.

Jerry Micco: I don't think the NL will do it, but I think the Pirates are a more natural fit there. Agreed, the Braves and Marlins probably don't want to move and moving them to the Central doesn't make sense. I've always felt the Pirates were an odd fit in the Central. And I'd never challenge an accountant's math.

James_Taipei: Today is the Championship League final with Manchester United. Does anyone in Pittsburgh care? I have been to a few Bundesleague soccer games. The only good part is that German soccer has cheaper beer than the Penguins or Steelers. Not to mention nice steak sandwiches and Bratwurst.

Jerry Micco: We probably will note that somewhere in our paper tomorrow. But I'm sure there are plenty of hard-core soccer fans who care and will find a way to watch it on TV. And we'll give them a result in the P-G, too.

PhillyMarty: Interesting that the vote by the NFL owners to "opt out" was unanimous, rich teams and poor teams. Looking down the road, supposedly one strategy is for the union to decertify. How does that help the players?

Jerry Micco: It probably doesn't, but how much as the union helped the players over the past few years? Not a whole lot. That's why you hear grumbling about Gene Upshaw being a bit too cozy with the owners. But the NFL is such a huge cash cow that no one wants that money to stop via a work action. I think they'll work pretty hard, and the players will probably have to make a concession, to work this out.

mbpensfan: Why not pay Malkin more than Sid? If the Pens don't, every other team will line up to offer him the max.

Jerry Micco: I'm sure many teams will offer Malkin big dollars and that's a dilemma for the Penguins. He has a year left on his rookie contract, then it's restricted free agency. That's why the Pens would love to give him a deal similar to Sid's without having to pay him more. Whether Malkin's agents accept that is another matter. The Pens will have a dilemma on their hands when it comes time for signing him.

PhillyMarty: What do you make of the comment in Dejan's column from an AL scout that Dumatrait has #2 or #3 starter potential?

Jerry Micco: I'd like to see evidence of that, which has not come in the form of how he's performed as a starter here or in Cincinnati. I guess potential is always there for guys to be great, but you have to realize that potential before you can be called great. Could he be a no. 3 starter? I suppose, but so could Maholm, Duke and Gorzo. All seem to fit that mold and that's part of the problem.

chooch79: Any insight yet on locations where the Cup will be displayed during the finals?

Jerry Micco: I have no idea.

jimmy_g: With all of the talk of the Pirates approaching .500 several times, I was wondering if we are really that desperate for a winner?

Jerry Micco: Yes, the Pirate nation is that desperate, Jimmy. Fifteen years is a long time.

jimb056: The Pirates say Sanchez's arm is no problem but some of his throws are a lot like my sister. Could this also be the cause of his non-hitting ?

Jerry Micco: I've read that the shoulder doesn't affect his hitting, but I'd think if he is struggling in the field a bit, maybe that translates over to his offense. But his lack of production is hurting the Pirates every bit as much as LaRoche's. I'm not sure how healthy Sanchez is, but to me he doesn't look quite right.

bedlem77: Jerry ... the Pirates can't possibly bypass a stud college position prospect to compliment McCutchen, McClouth, Pearce, and LaRoche and select a project pitcher who can't help in the next two years ... they have to make a splash ... agreed?

Jerry Micco: Agreed. And I think they will. Now that could be the high school SS from Georgia who is projected top 3, or a college player at a power position. But I think they'll go the route of best player and spend the money. If they don't, they're going to have fans with torches and pitchforks at the gates of PNC Park.

PhillyMarty: Tough to make strong opinions merely from monitoring games on the internet, but even in games that are competitive, Russell seems to stay with his starter too long, last night being a recent example. I'm not referring to games where he needs innings to save his bullpen like Gorzo's last start. He just seems to have a slow hook. Do you see that too?

Jerry Micco: I think I lean more toward he's trying to get as much out of a starter as he can. I guess it's frustrating, though, to see them walk so many guys and waste so many pitches. I think he wants them to work through the problems, but that can backfire on you. I think his hands are tied because if he had a quick hook, bullpen arms would be falling off.

PirateApologist: Why in the world did the Brewers sign Gagne?

Jerry Micco: Because people remember how good he once was. And you take a chance. But obviously, he's lost what he once had.

James_Taipei: If there are guys like Sykora out there do you think Hossa could become one of them? Maybe he could sign a one year deal for another shot at a Stanley Cup?

Jerry Micco: Doubtful, James. He likely will sign a pretty big deal with a team that has cap room and needs a guy to score 40-45 goals a year. He's a tremendous talent, but I'm thinking the Pens just can't handle the salary.

PhillyMarty: Any reason why your #1 hockey guy, Dave, does not do chats?

Jerry Micco: Dave does a daily Q&A as well as covering about 70 games a year. I don't mind having back up writers do chats, it spreads the work around, and Shelly is around the team nearly as much as Dave. Some beat guys want to do all the Web stuff, too, and that's fine if they want to do that. But we have backups for those beats, too, and if they want to get involved there's no problem on my end.

jimmy_g: Hats off to the Penguins for their play so far in the playoffs. They are playing very well within a system and seem to be unfazed by the playoffs, but the Redwings will be a major challenge. What are your thoughts?

Jerry Micco: No question, this will be a tough, close series. The Red Wings may have the best six defensemen in the league as well as a load of offensive talent. The Pens are a very close match. I look for a six- or seven-game series. Hard to pick a winner, so I won't. I'm looking for great hockey games.

SandlotWizard: Given that teams have overpaid the last few years for average starting pitchers (see Jeff Suppan and friends), shouldnt the Pirates also look into trading some of ther young SP? Paul Maholm might bring a nice return,.

Jerry Micco: He might, but you need to replace him with someone. And right now, there's no one down on the farm to do that. I don't think Sean Burnett is the answer and quite frankly, guys like Maholm, Snell and Duke come pretty cheap.

PhillyMarty: Hard to say union has not helped players. Minimums keep going up. Being on opening day roster guarantees season paycheck. Overall payroll as % of gross revenues at all-time high. Is the grass greener in the yard of Upshaw's successor?

Jerry Micco: I think union members aren't happy with the agreements, but maybe that's just grumbling. The players have it pretty good, I think, but some think they could get even more. There's so much money there, Marty, that I think the players want as much as they can get and the owners are shoving back just as hard. It will be interesting to see how tough these negotiations are. It'll give us insight into whether the new guard: Snyder, Jones, etc.; have outstripped the old guard: Rooney, Wilson, etc.

chooch79: If we don't win the Cup, should we bury the Wales trophy under the new Arena?

Jerry Micco: I think they'll display it nicely in Mellon and then the new arena. Of course, every team wants the Cup. But winning a conference trophy is nothing to sneeze at.

SandlotWizard: Its a real bummer the way the NHL Finals are being televised. I dont even get VS, so I've had to scramble to see most of the Pens playoff games. Is the NHL going to fix this?

Jerry Micco: Not unless someone like ESPN or TNT steps up and gives them a real national cable contract. Versus has the first 2 games of the final and NBC has the rest. So you'll only have to scramble early, not late.

Jimb056: It's early in the year, but what do you think of John Russell so far?

Jerry Micco: Too early to gauge. He seems like he's doing his best with what he has. I think there is more accountability. He's not afraid to bench or cut someone. If he can get that 8- to 10-game improvement out of this club, he'll have done a very good job. But for me, too early to tell.

PhillyMarty: I know the Flyers are up against the cap, could not pursue Malkin if they really wanted to. Seems like most of the better teams are going to be cap challenged. Is it possible the Cap is low enough that some of the better NHL players may have to "settle" for home town discounts as the bonus to join a weak team may not be high enough? Are there any decent teams that actually have mega cap space? Maybe the Rangers "dump" 68 for 71, but not so sure Malkin wants those bright Broadway lights?

Jerry Micco: It'll be interesting to see if in a couple of years, that certain teams don't start dumping players to aim at a guy like Malkin. Remember, he has one year left under his old contract, so it'd be the 09-10 season before he could move. That said, the Pens would really like to get him signed before next season. And if he wants to win Cups, he very well could just join Sid and take the money Sid took. But if someone offers huge money, that's tough to turn down. Though like Jagr, I see Malkin maybe as a better No. 2 man on a team than a No. 1. I know what he did this year when Sid was hurt, but I think the language barrier would hurt him immensely if he put a letter on his sweater. And if he gets 10 mil, he's the leader, letter or no letter on the sweater.

James_Taipei: Too bad there was not a stipulation that when PNC Park was built that if the Pirates didn't not have a winning season after so many years that the city would place bids to bring in another baseball team! Or the Pirates would need to donate all ticket sales to the city of Pittsburgh.

Jerry Micco: Well if you did that, who would we get? Could be someone worse. Love or hate them, at least the Pirates are ours.

PhillyMarty: 12:45 and no Steelers question yet. Rather quiet over there, maybe because everyone is wearing their motorcycle helmets?

Jerry Micco: And I'm sure that's the mantra: don't make news, especially in the off season. Or they are all at Pens games.

PhillyMarty: Hossa may be a talent, but I would not pay him what he wants. If he had a better shot, for all the chances Sid put on his stick he should have had 8-10 goals in that Philly series. The game we lost, Hossa and Dupuis could not finish anything. Crosby played a great game, but you would not have known from the boxscore. I am more worried about keeping Malone and Orpik.

Jerry Micco: I think they can keep Malone, but from what I'm reading, Orpik is probably gone. I like his style and what he does for the team but I've heard he and Therrien don't see eye to eye on a lot. Too bad, because he's a nice player. Can they find a replacement? Sure. But Orpik is a known quantity.

SandlotWizard: Could it really damage MLB's draft slotting system if MLB's 'slot enforcer' in the past Frank Coonelly's Pirates go ahead and pick Pedro Alvarez and pay him a bonus above what is recommend?

Jerry Micco: I think Coonlley will probably know ahead of time what he wants to pay a guy like Alvarez and will be talking with the home office about it. Agents know there is a slotting mechanism and that occasionally it can be broken. If Coonelly did it, then we know the Pirates mean it when they say they will break open the piggy bank to sign players.

SandlotWizard: Will Neil Huntington be scouting these top players himself? Its a little unnerving that the Bucs are using most of the same talent evaluators.

Jerry Micco: I understand Huntington is doing a lot of scouting in person. He seems very hands on when it comes to the draft and scouting talent.

Jerry Micco: Folks I need to run. Terrific turnout and questions today. I appreciate you all taking the time to chat with me. See you next Wednesday, when we'll be able to break down a couple of the Cup final games. Should be fun.