Jerry Micco chat transcript

Matt: Jerry, don't you think OLN is dropping the ball in not broadcasting the Pens game Steelers Jerseys tonight? I live in Florida but I am from the South Hills, and I would have liked to see the debut of The Crosby Show.Jerry Micco: As someone who doesn't get OLN on his cable channel, I'm wondering what game they are televising? Not having Sidney Crosby, who by all accounts is the best player in 20 years to enter the league, on your maiden telecast sounds stupid on the surface. The sport needs a boost, and nothing boosts a sport like fresh superstars. At least, there's a curiosity factor there in Crosby. The only answer could be ratings, but I can't imagine Crosby wouldn't draw huge ratings. FSN Pittsburgh should do very well tonight in the ratings wars.Pghsportsfan: Do the Bengals look that good to you? Or are they just beating weak teams?Jerry Micco: It's a bit of both. The Texans are weak, but the Bengals struggled with them, winning 16-10. Make no mistake, though, the offense for the Bengals are very good and will be a touch match up for any team, including the Steelers. But they lost a couple of offensive lineman in that last game and may have to do some patchwork there, which is never good for any team. I think in a couple weeks when the Steelers go to Cincinnati, it'll tell us a lot about both teams.BR: Should the Pirates have tried to get Jim Leyland?Jerry Micco: No, I think getting Leyland would have been a mistake. Leyland doesn't mind a rebuilding project, but the Pirates are at least two years away. Some folks think the Tigers are better and have some veteran players, which Leyland likes. Also, the Tigers ownership has deeper pockets than the Pirates, so they could go out and get more veterans. I think Leyland's best days here were 14 years ago and they were great years. But I think the Pirates need a fresh approach and a fresh face on in the dugout. I think by not hiring Leyland, Kevin McClatchy and Dave Littlefield did the right thing.Pghsportsfan: Can Dave Wannstedt be blamed for Pitt's awful season thus far? Or is he really just playing with players/etc that were passed on from the Walt Harris era?Jerry Micco: It's a combination of both for Pitt. It's leftover players from another system, so there's an adjustment that the team is struggling to get through. And, the coaching staff shares in some of the blame for the poor start. It's hard to point it all at Wannstedt, though. He needs a bit of time to get thing together up in Oakland. He'll do that, but it may take time. LaMarr Woodley Jersey There might be staff changes coming in the offseason, too. But Pitt may actually get better as the season moves on instead of worse. Watch to see how they adjust during the second half of the season.SLR: If Duke, Perez, and Maholm live up to stay healthy--is there any chance they could each win 20 games and give the Pirates a shot at contending?Jerry Micco: I don't think healthy they could all win 20 games in a season. That's very tough to do in the Majors these days. Now, they all could be 15-game winners or say 12-15 for two of them and maybe one of those guys can win 18, but that won't happen next year. The team is still a year away from contending. They still need a big bat or two and they need an awful lot of young players -- including the three you mention in your question -- to come through big time. If that happens, and the stars align right, it'd be a magical season for the Pirates.Mike: Over or Under: 20 power plays in tonight's Pens vs. Devils game?Jerry Micco: I'd say under, but it'll be close. Fans had better get used to seeing a ton of penalties called, especially if the league really enforces the no-tolerance obstruction rules.Pghsportsfan: Were you surprised at the ease Notre Dame won at Purdue on Saturday?Jerry Micco: Yes I was, though Purdue's defense was shredded the week before at Minnesota. I thought they might recover enough to get their act together against the Irish, but I was wrong. I'm not sure Purdue can win in the Big Ten with just an offense. In the past, it's managed to put together enough defense to make hay in the conference, but I don't think so this year. As for Notre Dame, what a great game in two weeks when USC visits Santonio Holmes Jersey South Bend. We'll be sending Ray Fittipaldo, our national college football writer, to that one. I can't wait.BR: If you're Cowher, which running backs do you dress and how do you use them?Jerry Micco: I'd dress Staley, Parker and Haynes.