Jerry Micco: He everyone. Before I start, I want to set the record straight on something from last week. After checking with our Pitt football guy Paul Zeise, I found that while Dion Lewis did go to a private school in his senior year, a school that has a prep school element, he indeed was there for high school. Thus, he can't leave Pitt after two years. He has to stay at least 3 years. Now, on with your questions.

shouldBworking: Jerry, didn't Alan Faneca make a big stink about not wanting to play for a rookie QB here when Ben took over? I wonder how he now feels having to play with another one in NY?

Jerry Micco: How's that big salary, Alan? I think with the money he makes he should work with anyone. I know what he was saying, though. Veterans trust veterans and they see rookies everyday struggle to learn the system. But I'm sure Ben going 14-1, or whatever he was, his rookie year might have changed his mind. Nonetheless, Faneca sure looks good for the Jets.

James_Taipei: Do you think that the Ravens will have a hard time making the playoffs? They have a good team but an upheal battle. If they make the playoffs they will be about as battle tested as the Steelers were last year.

Jerry Micco: I think they are in the mix, but not guaranteed. I think Pittsburgh, Denver, New England and Indy will make it. But the next level is Baltimore, Cincy, Jets and Houston. I don't know, out of that bunch, I think Baltimore makes it.

James_Taipei: Do you think that the Steelers can manage to keep Mike Wallace, Holmes, and Hines Ward under contract until Ward retires?

Jerry Micco: I think they'll find a way. Ward may restructure or they may tell Wallace he's getting a nice bump, but not a career contract. Still a ways to go to be thinking of that. He's signed for a few years.

JackSplat: In spite of past or future perfomances, has Jeff Reed punched (pun intented) his ticket out of town at seasons end?

Jerry Micco: I don't think the Steelers will keep him because he'll want too much money. And while you can always find kickers, they aren't always good kickers who can kick in a tough Heinz Field. Reed can do that. I think he's gone, but you never know what can happen between now and season's end. And while the latest incident certainly doesn't help him, he's contesting it, so let's see how that plays out.

JackSplat: If the BCS stars align properly and the possibility of a Pitt-Penn State Fiesta Bowl game presents itself, does the matchup have anything more than just a regional appeal? Also, if the game becomes a reality, is it a total Penn State whiteout considering Pitt's traveling track record?

Jerry Micco: I think it's a longshot for the BCS to put them together. Penn State must run the table and that won't be easy. Pitt can lose to Notre Dame, though I don't think they will, and still win the Big East. If Notre Dame runs the table, however, they get into the BCS at 10-2. I think the game, if marketed by the network right, will have appeal because of the history. I'm from that rivalry era, but I was there when Pitt was really good in the mid- to late-70s. Some younger PSU and Pitt fans maybe don't see the rivalry. I think if they played, it would be a game people would watch nationally. I think there would me more PSU fans because that's their nature. However, for that matchup, the Pitt fans would show up in strong numbers, too.

theWellHungarian: Hi Jerry-- Just wanted to drop a line and let you know that I'm absolutely loving the PG+... For 3 bucks a month definitely worth it...

Jerry Micco: Thanks. Please tell your friends! And we'll keep giving you that type of information first-hand on PG+

theWellHungarian: I thought contract years were a year where you gave extra-effort in order to maximize your earning potential. Did Jeff Reed not get the memo? That attempt at Percy Harvin was pathetic....

Jerry Micco: Well, he is the kicker, but yes, it was a weak effort. Reed is bigger than Harvin and could have at least tried to throw himself at this legs. I'm sure that was not lost on Mike Tomlin or the team.

theWellHungarian: After watching the Redskins on Monday night, I am happy & proud to say that I am a Pittsburgh Pirates fan... Are they in more disarray than any other pro team? I say this based soley on their arrogance

Jerry Micco: They are in disarray because they have hung the coach out to dry and the players know it. Terrible organizaton that used to be one of the best 2 or 3 in the NFL.

theWellHungarian: You're Ray Shero and you can only keep 1 (which seems a very highly likely scenario), a 35 year old seasoned stud Sergei Gonchar -or- a 22 year old stud with loads of potential in Kris Letang?

Jerry Micco: Has to be LeTang. It's a young man's game when you talk about the new NHL. Also, because Alex Goligoski can run the point on the power play.

theWellHungarian: Had a chance to rub elbows with a few higher-ups in the Pitt A.D. Dept and when I asked about the basketball program, the consensus seems to be, 2009-10 is gonna be tough, but look out in 2010-11. Thoughts?

Jerry Micco: That's what I'm hearing, too. By tough, that means probably a sixth, seventh-place finish in the BE, which is really a very good year for most other teams in the country. But the next season could be lights out for them.

theWellHungarian: My friend Ryan told me at Peter's on Saturday that Pitt should beat Notre Dame easily this year because we beat them last year on their home turf and that they are essentially the same teams, he later contradicted himself by saying that we should also be able to beat Cincinnati (even though we lost last year) because we are a much more improved team than they are... What do you think? Is he right or is he just a drunk idiot?

Jerry Micco: Pitt can beat anyone with that offense. They are loaded. Great WRs, very good RBs and a QB that seems to have figured it out. The O-line looks very solid. Defensively, which was supposed to be a strength, remember, is solid, but not great. A good passer -- like Claussen or Pike -- might be able to put some points up on them. But both games are at Pitt, so I think that gives them a slight edge. If Pike can't play in the season finale, Pitt may be as much as a TD favorite over Cincy, which plays tough defense. I don't think ND's defense is nearly as good.

theWellHungarian: I've proposed this idea to the Pitt brass on numerous occassions and they keep looking at me like I have two foreheads, but what do you think? Rather than have Pitt play in front of a half-full stadium, why not tarp off certain sections of Heinz Field (ie: 518-527) with a P-I-T-T? Only selling 50,000 seats rather than 66,000 would create a greater demand, higher ticket price, and a better gameday atmosphere. The blue-out was a joke and it was one of Pitt's biggest games in recent years.

Jerry Micco: Not a bad idea, other teams have done that. When you put 50,000 fannies in the seats, that's not a bad deal, but in a 65,000 seat stadium, it has its visible bare spots. Maybe they want to remind folks that at 7-1, they should fill the stadium to the brim!

JackSplat: Considering Ryan Clark's medical history when playing in high altitude, is there a team or personal Doc of Clark's with big enough stones or liability insurance policy to clear him to play? My guess is if he plays, it's at his own risk. Your thoughts?

Jerry Micco: According to what I've read, his spleen was the problem and it's no longer there. However, I would hope Clark would have a doctor explain to him every risk associated with playing in high altitude. Clark is owed that and the doctor is bound to do this service for his patient. Not everyone listens to doctors though, so it's ultimately up to Clark.

TheWiseGuys: Jerry, I heard this as a nickname for the Pitt O-Line: "The Wise Guys." I think it is a solid name choice for that group. Your thoughts?

Jerry Micco: I love it! Great name.

TheWiseGuys: Do you think that Gilbert Brown's suspension and Jermaine Dixon's injury will actually be beneficial to the 2009-10 Pitt Men's basketball team? Let me explain, both of those guys figure to come back before the New Year. With a very inexperienced roster the minutes that would go to Gil and Jermaine have to be distributed somewhere. Therefore, a lot of the new guys will get thrown into the fire well before Big East play begins and should show more improvement than if they were given a token 5-10 minute appearance in the majority of non-conference games.

Jerry Micco: I think they are better with Brown and Dixon, but you are right, the more the youngsters play the better they will be. Pitt has a decent OOC schedule, so it'll be good experience for them. Hey, it's a good theory, anyway.

TheWiseGuys: With Duquesne on the fast-track to becoming an annual post-season contender in basketball, is it possible that the City Game (Duq vs Pitt) could start to resemble those great battles from 30+years ago?

Jerry Micco: I certainly hope it does. I'd love to see that game even out and be great as it was in the past. It means Pittsburgh has three terrific programs. Don't forget, RMU made the NCAAs last year. And you can throw the Pitt women in there, too. So make it four.

TheWiseGuys: New nickname for Dion Lewis: Dion Run Around Sue-is. Scrap it or keep it?

Jerry Micco: Lousy. Scrap it.

JackSplat: If you are a believer in trap games, then the upcoming Pitt-Syracuse matchup certainly qualifies with Notre Dame lurking in the shadows. How does Wanny and company avoid the trap and is the 'Cuse capable of pulling off the upset?

Jerry Micco: I think Pitt will handle Syracuse. I don't think it'll be that close. Notre Dame, different story. It'll be much tougher for Pitt to win that game, but I think they will. Once again, if they should lose to ND, it doesn't kill BCS chances. They can stil win key games at WVU and at home vs. Cincy and win the league title, which should be first on the list. I think the coaches are telling the team, just keep doing what you're doing and the wins will come.

theWellHungarian: Heads-up for everyone out there, Spurs are on ESPN tonight at 8:00pm if anyone wants to see Fella play his first NBA game

Jerry Micco: We'll be watching here, too. Sam Young and Memphis play tonight too.

James_Taipei: Do you think that Ohio State will even be much of a challenge for Penn State? I see Penn State winning by two touchdowns!

Jerry Micco: I think they'll be a challenge for Penn State because it's usually always tight game. I don't think PSU will win by 2 TDs. However, I think they will win that game. Playing at Beaver Stadium will help, and if the LBs are getting healthier by the game, then that great defense gets even better.

Homey: Why is it called the "World" Series when it's always two North American teams? And why do NFL and NBA champs call themselves "world" champions?

Jerry Micco: Because we've always done it that way. I think people know they aren't "world" champions, but what the heck, it's nice to think it. Besides, what other football league besides Canada can claim that title?

CanUeerMe: A comment and a question. The WVU football coverage is crushing the competition this year. CD's blog is awesome and none of the other papers that cover the team have anything like it. He's the best beat writer on the team right now. I have a question though. How can a kid like Tony Pike not accept a ride across campus from a coach, but Cinci can fly him to see Dr James Andrews in Birmingham for treatment? That is a little crazy to me.

Jerry Micco: If you want me to interpret NCAA rules, I can't do that because they are the hardest things in the world to understand. So I'm sorry, I can't do that. Thanks for the kind words about Colin Dunlap's work this year on WVU. We do what we can with the 'Eers and he's taken the bull by the horns. We want to be the paper of record for WVU and he's helped us in a huge way.

Homey: Do you think Pitt is now the favorite to win the Big East, or would you still go with Cincy or WVU?

Jerry Micco: I think Pitt is the favorite, especially if Tony Pike is injured to the point where he's ineffective. I don't think I'd call Pitt a heavy favorite because Cincy is a very good team. But the game's here and if Pike isn't healthy, then Pitt can win that game. I think Pitt's tougher game will be at WVU. If Cincy beats WVU, don't you think WVU would like a shot at an unbeaten (Big East) Pitt team? They will never forget 13-9 and Pitt's crushing victory in that game. I think they'd love to try to ruin Pitt's season, too. That's what rivalries are for.

praveen: Good sign. Steelers are proving they are great in capitalizing on these turnovers with long defensive TDs. Bad news: Steelers still have a hard time getting off the field in the final quarter of games. It took a bad ref call on one drive to give the Steelers a second chance to make a great play and an unforced error of sorts on the next drive for MN to lose a FG chance to tie up the game. Keisel did force the issue, but his strip came after the ref gave us another chance. This stuff averages out over a season, but not reliable in a must win scenario in a knockout game.

Jerry Micco: You make due with what you can do. And to beat Minnesota and Favre, not matter what it takes, is a terrific accomplishment. The Steelers have always been bend-don't-break, but you're right. Be nice to see more 3-and-outs late in games.

theWellHungarian: Who were the geniuses behind having Pitt & the Steelers both on bye-weeks this week? On the bright side, pretty good game in the English Premier League Saturday morning Arsenal vs Tottenham. #11 Robin van Persie is a player to watch and one I think most will enjoy....

Jerry Micco: I don't think the NFL and Big East get together on schedules. As for Premier League, you know, if you say so....

praveen: Were you impressed with the burst Troy Polamalu showed? First drive, he makes a great play to end it. His tackle of Rice at the 1 yard line on what everyone assumed would be a TD saved us 4 points after MN's curious playcalling led to a FG. Even on a blown coverage on a 3rd and 18, Troy showed nice finishing speed in pushing Rice out of bounds on a call that got rightly reversed.

Jerry Micco: And he's getting a week-plus to rest that knee, which will make him even better. I don't know if he'll be 100 percent this season, but 90 percent of him is better than nearly every NFL safety. He makes a huge difference.

praveen: Hopefully this game was an aberration for William Gay and I am not just referring to the time when Adrian Peterson made him his bathmat.

Jerry Micco: Actually, I thought Gay made some plays in that game, but he's going to be picked on because of Ike Taylor being on the other side. I think Gay's going to be a very good corner. And the Peterson thing was ugly to watch. I did again last night. Ouch.

praveen: Ovechkin is having one hell of a start to the season, isn't he. Racking up both goals and points.

Jerry Micco: Well, he's got 19 and 11 goals. He's a scoring machine and he's doing what he does best. He's one of the best in the league and Washington is one of the best teams. Now, if they can just avoid the Pens in the playoffs.

praveen: I dont even see a reason for Steelers to use 4 WR sets. They got 3 great ones. Put in an extra blocker and I think he will find a way to get it to one of those guys or Heath or even Mendenhall with the extra second or two he gets.

Jerry Micco: Different formations open up different things. It may open up a draw play more, or it may force someone to single Holmes or Wallace. You do it to show it. Like a pitcher who doesn't have a great curve that night. He still uses it occasionally to show he has it.

praveen: Jerry pick one: 1)Ward, Plax, Randle El (2004) or 2)Ward, Holmes, Wallace (2009)

Jerry Micco: I'll take No. 2, because I think Holmes is a terrific WR.

Pittfan: Jerry I had interesting discussion with a friend last week. We each gave our opinions on the best football,basketball, and baseball coaches in the Wpial. For football and basketball we both agreed (Bill Cherpak and Tim McConnell), but we couldn't agree on baseball. I said Jim Rider, but my friend said Bob Amelia. Who are your "bests" for the 3 sports?

Jerry Micco: I'd defer to Mike White on this question. I mean, Cherpak and TJ are terrific and win every year. How about Jim Render at USC or Joe Hamilton at Blackhawk, who each have 300-plus wins. I won't even attempt the others. I'd send an email to Mike White, a guy who's covered the high school scene here for 25 years.

FoolBack: The specualtion continues about the future coaching prospects of Bill Cowher. I don't really see him anywhere but Carolina, and would he be Coach & GM? What's your take?

Jerry Micco: If he goes back, and I think that's a big if, he'd want to be both.

Menofpaws: The WVU football, while putting together a nice class, has not gotten a player from Western Pa as of yet. Do you think it is more of a commentary on Pitt starting to win or Bill Stewart not wanting to put an emphasis on the area?

Jerry Micco: I have no idea. Maybe Colin hears things around the program. Pitt and Penn State have done well here lately, which means WVU is nudged out some.

praveen: I find it odd that there is no penalty when Dugan clearly intentionally pushed that ref. It was not like the ref came up on him suddenly. He was running in a straight line and could not be bothered to move an inch out of the way. Dugan was trailing the play at that time too and would not have been useful for further blocking..

Jerry Micco: I don't think he did it on purpose. Sometimes, you get caught up in something and it happens. No, no penalty there.

James_Taipei: Do you think the Steelers will make an offer to Jeff Reed at the end of the season?

Jerry Micco: I don't.

James_Taipei: Do you think that Willie Parker will get a shot at resurrecting his career with another team next year?

Jerry Micco: I do. I think he'll still play some for the Steelers, but I don't think he'll be re-signed.

Menofpaws: Are Joe Paterno and Graham Spanier getting along better these days?

Jerry Micco: They haven't invited me along to lunch lately, so I have no idea. But considering Paterno got a 3-year extension, maybe they are doing just dandy.

praveen: The Tomlin-Colbert era has seen some nice midlevel free agents like Keyron Fox and Mewelde Moore make some valuable contributions.

Jerry Micco: I think that's Kevin Colbert's strength, finding mid-level guys who can make a team better.

PhillyMarty: Jerry: I am no fan of the Phils despite living here over 26 years, but I am as big a Steinbrenner/Yankee hater as you will find. The lack of a DH in games at Philly, has to hurt the Yanks. I don't get them being such overwelming favorites. I think the Series is close to a toss-up and out of principal lean to the Phils.

Jerry Micco: Going to Penn State in the mid and late 70s, the Phillies and Pirates were tremendous rivals. And their fans battled constantly. That said, I've never been a Yankee fan. And I would love to see the Phillies win, which I think they can do in 7 games.

praveen: Fortune favors the brave. Childress kicks a FG after having a 1st down at the 1, Chicago kicks a FG near the 1 while traling 31-0. Meawhile NO goes for the TD on 4th down trailing 24-3 and pull out a thriller.

Jerry Micco: Childress should have tried to score with his best player -- Peterson -- more than one time. The Bears just didn't want to be embarrassed. New Orleans' offense is the best in the NFL in my opinion. And the Dolphins defense is not all that good.

Chris_Fuamatu-Ma_afala: Hi Jerry, which of the Steelers' UFAs do you think is most likely to return next year?

Jerry Micco: If i knew who they were, I'd make a guess. Ed Bouchette is the guy who is better equipped than me to answer that. I will say I don't think Reed and Parker will be back, but most folks think that anyway. One more I'll guess at: I think Ryan Clark is a UFA and the Steelers, I think, would like to have him back.

James_Taipei: In regards to the Ravens their season may be over by the end of November if they don't find a way to beat Denver, Cincy, and the Steelers!

Jerry Micco: I think, though, they can win a couple of those games. They are favored vs. Denver and they are good enough to beat both the Bengals and Steelers (in Baltimore). So I think they are capable of winning at least 2 of 3 in that list.

praveen: Steelers D did a very good job with Peterson. Still, he got 100+ combined yards and Childress was foolish not to use him more. his biggest play was on a run after catch on the William Gay knockdown.

Jerry Micco: I know. I wondered why he took him out. Shoot, throw a hitch pass the next play and let Peterson catch his breath, then bring him right back. He got his combo 112 yards, but holding him to 69 rushing was huge. The key to the game, in my eyes.

PhillyMarty: Are you familiar with the rule on picks. The Holmes TD that was called back, the Viking defender seemed to run into Miller as much as the other way around?

Jerry Micco: I'm not familiar with the wording, but it seemed to many of us that it was coincidental collision on that one. It was probably as bad a call as the trip on Minnesota's Dugan.

Pittfan: Two-part question... Given his legal troubles will we continue to see Jeff Reed at Pitt Basketball games? Also, who is the short, stocky guy with glasses that Reed sits with at those games?

Jerry Micco: Well, you are allowed to do what you want even if you are cited for things, so if he wants to go to Pitt games, he should go. I have no idea who his friend is.

James_Taipei: Shouldn't Larry Johnson keep his mouth shut? He has not been productive yet keeps criticizing the coach and other players.

Jerry Micco: Larry Johnson has issues. I think that's pretty obvious.

praveen: I think the Steelers should take the decision out of his hands and prepare to play the game without him. It is not worth the risk to his health to have him play one game.

Jerry Micco: I assume you mean Clark, but if a doctor clears him, then he should play. It should be up to a doctor.

PhillyMarty: Even if the doctor gave assurances, if you were Clark's dad, would you want him to play next week? Maybe if it was a playoff game, but not this game.

Jerry Micco: If I'm his dad, I don't want him to play in either game. It would eat me up because I know he'd want to play, but he should consult with a doctor and a doctor should tell him every risk. I just said it should be up to a doctor, but Clark can over rule that. But most important, he needs to know every risk up front so he can make a decision.

PhillyMarty: Several players have been wheeled off the ice in less than 4 weeks of play. Yet the NHL nor the Players Association seems all that interested in protecting the players. One of the lethal players is Mike Richards, the same guy that attempted to run Fleury at the end of the last PENS game in Philly. Do you think the PENS should take justice into their own hands when the Flyers next play in PGH. It would also send a message to the whole league.

Jerry Micco: I think the Penguins know the game the Flyers like to play. If you get too into that, you will be trying too hard to get physical and forget that the Flyers have talented scorers. I'm not a fan of Richards. He's a good player, but I think he takes unnecessary runs at people all the time and always has. He's better than that, but it's what he does.

Menofpaws: McCoy was "Shady", Dion should be "Shifty"...Also Mike Wallace should be "Hotty Toddy", great Ole Miss and Cope reference all in one!

Jerry Micco: Are you a marketing guy?

PittPaul: Jerry, former NC Croton-ite here. What happened to the World Series? I think Fox is partially responsible for doing it in having teams play in New York in November. Do you hate the yankees as much as I do?

Jerry Micco: As a fellow NC-Crotonite, it's an honor to have you here in the weekly chat. I hope you keep coming back! Well, TV rules the roost because they pay the bills. Fox is certainly responsible (as well as TBS in the post season) for when games are played. I mean, Selig is trying to get Fox to agree to a day game. The commissioner is asking IFhe can schedule a day game. Playing into November is ridiculous. And I've never been a Yankees fan. Don't plan to start now.

Menofpaws: Lots of buzz about a potential Pitt -- Penn State Fiesta Bowl. A dream scenario for your writers, but I get the feeling that Paterno wouldn't want the match-up...thoughts?

Jerry Micco: I don't think Joe could prevent it. I think it would be a dream for anyone in Pittsburgh media if they played a bowl game. Great for fans of both schools, particularly ones of my era and older (I'm 53). That said, I think that matchup is a long shot. But it's great to dream.

Jerry Micco: Folks our hour is up and I need to run back to other stuff. I can't tell you how great this has been. I'm leaving 19 questions on the table because of the big turnout. I apologize, but I tried to get to as many as I could. I thank all of you for taking time out of your day to be here. There is not chat without you or your questions. I'll see you at noon next Wednesday. Tons to talk about!

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