Poll Question: was the NFL right to suspend James Harrison for one game for his hit on Colt McCoy? yes: 29% no: 71%
Jerry Micco: hi everyone. I’ll be back at noon to start the chat. Early questions are always welcome. and take a moment to vote in the poll if you’d like. see you soon!
kibab1979: hi Jerry, thanks as always for your time during the chat. any reason to believe the result of the Ravens/Chargers game could determine if Ben plays on Monday? A Ravens loss/Steelers win combo this week could very well decide the division.
Jerry Micco: I don’t think it will. I think if Ben is healthy, or at least can’t hurt the team by playing on that ankle, he’ll play. and without question, he gives the Steelers the best chance of winning that game.
kibab1979: I know that Penn State’s coaching search is unlike anything that has ever been conducted, but are you surprised it is taking them this long to get someone in place?
Jerry Micco: At first, I thought they’d make a quick hire, but now I can see why they won’t. For one, some candidates may not want to get thrown into the vortex created by the Sandusky issue and what may come from it, either from an internal investigation or from outside investigations. Two, they need someone who is beyond any question as far as ethics. good luck with that, I say. no one I know is perfect, but their job is to find someone who is doggone close. and can still win. I don’t think Penn State wants to sink it’s football program since it is a huge cash cow for the university. But a go-slow is, in hindsight, probably the best way to go now.
James_Costa Rica: If Alvarez hits 30HR and McGhee hits 25 can the Pirates finish 82-80 or better?
Jerry Micco: Not unless they get some pitching. and I’m not sure their rotation will be better than it was last year. The addition of Bedard was necessary to get a lefty into the rotation, but he’s a question mark with his health. Morton certainly is an unknown health issue, too. A lot of things need to happen for the Bucs to win 82 games, even if those numbers you state come to fruition.
James_Costa Rica: If the Steelers lose Monday will Ben be on the bench for the finally two weeks of the season?
Jerry Micco: only if the Steelers think they cannot make a push for one of the top 2 spots in the AFC, then if there is still an ankle issue, will the Steelers sit him down. But again, if he can live with the pain of the ankle and doesn’t hurt the team, he’s going to play. one “if”: IF that game in Cleveland to end the season is meaningless, they likely will sit him down.
James_Costa Rica: Can the Penguins compete for the Stanley Cup with Malkin, Staal, and Neal sans Crosby? we all know that Crosby would help but we can’t count on him playing.
Jerry Micco: I think they can contend, but I’m not sure if they can win it. I thought they were the best team in the East with Crosby and pretty doggone close without him. I still do, but losses to Boston and Philly have made me re-examine my thoughts on the issue. Pens have had a tough time against good teams this year, which has me concerned.
James_Costa Rica: Is Tim Murphy a serious candidate to become coach of Penn State? Isn’t the best solution just to let Tom Bradley weather the storm? If he wins great, if you they will be in a better position to hire a coach in a year or two.
Jerry Micco: Murphy, who coaches Harvard, is a name I’ve seen floated out there. I guess the feeling is if you’re the Harvard coach and can win, then you can win other places. But he did not have a good record at his prior stop, which I believe was Cincinnati. As for Bradley, I’ve known Tom for a number of years, and he is a terrific coach. But any holdover from the Paterno era, whether or not you believe his situation was handled correctly by PSU, is going to bring attention for all the wrong reasons. That’s the reality of this scandal.
George Atkinson: Chas Noll spoke of the Raiders as a ‘criminal element of the NFL’. Are the Steelers now the criminal element in the NFL?
Jerry Micco: I don’t think so, but no question a guy like James Harrison is the poster board for many fans and the league as a “dirty” player. though Suh is going to give him a run for the money if you ask me. Harrison deserved a penalty and a fine. I did not think that warranted suspension. But the league looks at a body of work. and I guess when you look at Harrison’s body of work in this area, it merits a game off.
Syl Apps: James Neal is by far the leader in shots in the league. does he shoot too much?
Jerry Micco: no, because on a team that has OK but not great wingers, he’s the best of the group and the guy who can score. You want your scorers to shoot, and Neal does that.
James_Costa Rica: Which sport is worse baseball or basketball? In baseball small market teams can’t sign free agents. In basketball all the All-Stars want to sign on the same teams. Lucky, football allows for smart teams like the Steelers and Patriots to win with brains rather than cash!
Jerry Micco: NBA and MLB are a bit of apples to oranges. NBA has a cap, but allows rules to circumvent parts of it so superstars can play on winning teams in large TV markets. If you don’t think their TV “partners” are at least chirping in the league’s ear on where the superstars are playing, you’re naive. As for baseball, no cap, so their guys can bolt to where the money is. and that usually is in larger markets. For my money, I’d rather watch baseball, but that doesn’t mean that system works all that well.
Guest: How did the Bucs get McLouth so cheap. Is he not the player he once was?
Jerry Micco: He’s not been the player “he once was” since the trade to Atlanta. At one point, I believe, he was shipped to the minors. The Pirates are betting that if he can play in 75 or 80 games, he can be productive. I’ll believe that when I see it. But if he’s not, then it’s a small investment for them to make for good insurance. Pressley is not a proven guy over the long haul. Tabata has always battled injuries. McLouth at that price is a good insurance policy.
The Chief: hi Jerry, hope your getting in the festive mood! Is Casey Magahee this years version of Lyle Overby. Why would the Brewers send him to a division rival?
Jerry Micco: I was in a great holiday mood until my back pain returned. Ugh. On to McGehee. He has slumped badly the past couple of years, so the Brewers found him expendable. and they signed Aramis Ramirez, who can be a power bat. The Pirates say they see ways to help McGehee get back to his old self. If they can pull that off, he’s a steal. If not, well, he’s Lyle Overbay, only not as good a glove at first.
Little Worker: Jerry, I notice on the side bar that Ray willl be doing the Steelers-9ers chat on Monday. what, you don’t like us any more?
Jerry Micco: Love doing the chats, but it’s vacation week for me, and I wanted a break. Besides, Ray played division I-AA ball at Holy Cross and knows a lot more football than I do. and I’ll be back for the final 2 games of the year and the playoffs. who knows, I may come in as a guest and join with you guys in bantering with Ray.
The Chief: You had written off the NBA season, but I sit back now and wonder what , other than the % increase, did the owners get? I thought the NBA was trying to head toward the NHL , but it sure looks like MLB!
Jerry Micco: I did not think they could get something done, but they did. I guess they did not feel losing a season was worth it, because you are correct. The players gave up money but little else. and the issues in this truncated free agency period maybe are part and parcel of a quick agreement with some holes in it.
James_Costa Rica: McLouth hit .228 last year. It could be argued that the Pirates overpaid for him!
Jerry Micco: By today’s ridiculous money standards, they did not. But I can see your point, James.
The Chief: think Ray Shero would rather have Mark Letestu now, rather than that 4th round pick?
Jerry Micco: maybe, but at some point all of these guys will get healthy and if there’s one position they are deep, even in Wilkes-Barre, it’s center. I thought Letestu’s play had fallen off dramatically late last year and early this season. I think they felt they could pick up some draft depth for him and did so.
Guest: Jerry I live out of state can you explain the reaction from that last hit Crosby took from a teammate that has him sideline. It looked harmless to me. do they test him after every game for signs?
Jerry Micco: Apparently, the hit he took from Chris Kunitz was not what caused his issues. that was knee to knee. While no one hit seems to have done it, signs point to a rather harmless battle he had with David Krajic of the Bruins where Sid got popped in the head with an inadvertent elbow. If that is what caused these latest symptoms, Sid’s road back is very long, in my opinion. Sid told them he had some symptoms the next day, so they did an ImPACT test, which he passed. But if there are symptoms he needs to say something, and he did.
Bud Carson: hi Jerry. what do you think privately Mike Tomlin is telling Harrison about his style of play? Clean it up or stay aggressive?
Jerry Micco: He’s telling him that if he can’t clean it up, then he’s hurting the team, and the team isn’t going to keep tolerating that. James knows the rules, and he’s not been hit with one personal foul all season. But the hit was illegal and it’ll cost him and the team in a big game.
Chunkles: Jerry, these “Fans” don’t get it! James Harrison broke the rules! He deserves what he got. He should have gotten a two game suspension. Fans have to realize, athletes, celebrities, and politicians, they ALL think their above the law. there needs to be a legal reaction to their illegal action. These people think life is one big party and we are suppose to sit around and oooh and awww everything they do! Harrison is unruly and needs to be tamed somehow! He doesn’t have the ability on his own to police his decisions.
Jerry Micco: You may have covered all of this in your post, so I’ll just rest on what I’ve said prior to the post. I will point out again, however, he was suspended for a football play and it is his first personal foul all season.
James_Costa Rica: Jerry, I agree it is a good gamble but McLouth may belong in the minor leagues. Or maybe if he wants to continue earning play in Japan or Korea.
Jerry Micco: I don’t think they are looking at him to be a starter, but more a backup who can play if Pressley or Tabata are slumping, not ready or injured. I think he’s a place holder for Starling Marte.
Patrick: Breaking news…Todd Graham is leaving Pitt and going to Arizona State..the fan is reporting
Jerry Micco: we are looking into that, but we do not have the proper sourcing to say that is true. If it is true, that’s a real gut punch for Pitt. and an undeserved one.
Little Worker: Enjoy your break Jerry. Can you ease my troubled mind with some sort of insight into #87? I know even he doesn’t know what the future holds, but do you think we’ve seen the last of him? If he hadn’t recovered after 10 months, and didn’t even take that hard of a hit yet has recurring symptoms.. that doesn’t bode well for his future as a hockey player.
Jerry Micco: It’s way too early to make that statement because we don’t know enough, yet, about concussions and everyone heals differently. But I think there is concern that one shot like that can set him back. He’s not at square one and he’s in better shape than he was in August, but there is no timetable for his return, and if I’m Sid, I’m checking all options, which I’m sure he’s doing.
The Chief: It seems very ironic that the NHL is trying its best to crack down on these head to head hits but the number of concussions seems to increase every day: Crosby, Giroux, Chara. your thoughts.
Jerry Micco: better knowledge by the medical people on the impact of concussions means they will hold players out for longer periods of time. and the long-term dangers associated with head injuries are now well-known.
Guest: Herm Edwards Jerome Bettis and even Trent Dilfer all said the hit was OK. Doesn’t that tell you that the NFL players have no problems with Harrison’s play?
Jerry Micco: But he led with his helmet and it was a helmet-to-helmet hit. those are no-nos in today’s NFL. I think players may stick together on this stuff, and will tell you a head shot is preferable to a knee shot, but with what we know about concussions, the NFL has to do something about them.
The Chief: so the Angel’s owner signs Pujols for more money that what he paid for the team. Truly amazing. This really puts to rest any idea of the Pirates being World Champions again!
Jerry Micco: It’s a tough slide for any team to win in MLB unless they spend some money, and the Pirates cannot do that right now.
Jerry Micco: Folks: we are ready to report that Todd Graham will take the Arizona State job. we have multiple sources telling us that.
Tino: Todd Graham was a one year guy all along. Not to brag but I saw this coming.
Jerry Micco: maybe now Tino, you will feel some of the heat coming off of you. should be interesting to see how the recruits handle this. I didn’t think Graham would leave after one year, but I was wrong about that.
kibab1979: Big news if Graham, in fact, does leave. If this ends up being true, does Bradley get another interview, or has that ship sailed since he didn’t get the job last year, plus everything that has happened at PSU in the last month?
Jerry Micco: I think, unfortunately for Tom, that ship has sailed. I think his next job will be in the NFL as an assistant.
Little Worker: Woah, woah, woah. Todd Graham leaving??? Pitt will definitely lose Shel, and it will take eons to get back to legitimacy, especially with the move to the ACC.
Jerry Micco: This is not a good thing for Pitt’s football program or its reputation. and that’s unfortunate, because Pitt football is not the problem here. Oh well, they will have to move forward with another coaching search. Interesting times.
Dana Holgorson: Todd Graham is a snakeoil salesman spouting Christian values and goes for the money grab at ASU. will I get all his committed recruits to come to Morgantown?
Jerry Micco: Don’t know that you’ll get any, but I’m sure a guy like Urban Meyer is casting an eye toward one kid in particular. I don’t want to give him grief for his values, those are his to live with and not for me to judge, but hey, money talks and the Pac-12 is a bigger football conference than the Big East, which Pitt will have to play in for a couple more seasons if the conference has its way. Wonder if that had anything to do with the decision?
James_Costa Rica: Jerry, do you agree that the Cardinals should be glad that Pujols signed with the Angels? now they will be able to field a competitive team for the next 10 years! I understand that Cardinals fans might not be too happy
Jerry Micco: Hard to replace that bat in the lineup, but the Cards will spend money and likely will continue to be contenders.
James_Costa Rica: Jerry, I hope that Fielder ends up with the Marlins. I am going to be living in Miami and would love to see Fielder playing in Florida.
Jerry Micco: be a nice spot for him and good for that franchise. He’s a terrific hitter and will be an immediate draw for them. The new stadium will help, too. But they do have to win if they sign him to a hefty contract. People there will not go, even with the new park, if they are flailing around at mid-season.
Wanny For Hire: Pitt AD should be embarrassed Where’s the loyalty that Wanny had?
Jerry Micco: Apparently, there is none when it comes to college football coaches these days. Contracts not worth the paper they are printed on.
James_Costa Rica: what NFL team do you see hiring Bradley? could he wind up with the Steelers?
Jerry Micco: maybe, but he’s a very good coach and any team would do well to have him. I don’t want to completely take him out of the PSU job, but I just don’t see how they could hire anyone from Paterno’s staff.
KS Steeler: Todd Graham becomes enemy #1 for Pitt now; just underscores what a joke the NCAA is, a coach can leave year after year, players must sit out a year to transfer.
Jerry Micco: Don’t even get me started on the NCAA. They control very little when it comes to college sports. At least where it really matters.
Guest: Pitt needs a Pitt Man. what about Sal Sunseri?
Jerry Micco: I think Pitt needs a guy who is committed to the program as it stands and wants to build it to where it wants to go. Whether or not that’s a “Pitt” man remains to be seen. there are some good candidates out there, but it’s late in the game, and while it’s a nice program, Pitt is not a marquee program in national college football. They will have to do the due diligence on this search.
James_Costa Rica: Tom Bradley can become Dick LeBeau’s understudy. But hopefully he will actually get that coveted job in five years.
Jerry Micco: I think he’d be an excellent coach wherever he lands. But that will not be at Penn State.
James_Costa Rica: I wish the NCAA and colleges could be honest and stop trying to act like college football players and basketball players are really students. stop the farce, make the players employees of the college and pay them.
Jerry Micco: Here, here. Not a bad idea in my mind.
Wanny: all I want for Xmas is my old job
Jerry Micco: well, your old job’s open.
Jerry Micco: OK folks, I need to get back to some other stuff like, say, Todd Graham. thanks for taking the time to chat with me this week. I always appreciate the good company. Note: I will not be chatting next week as I’m on vacation, but will return on Dec. 28. I want to wish all of you a wonderful holiday, and I look forward to chatting in a couple of weeks. see you then!
first published on December 14, 2011 at 1:46 pm
