Jerry Micco's sports chat transcript
Abbie Normal: The Steelers have been filling the positions that need to be filled with the first few picks each draft, but the actual selections have taken longer to develop into quality starters than many would have expected. Is it a failure of the scouting department, draft day mistakes, bad coaching, or is it just bad luck?
Jerry Micco: I'd say a little bit of all of those. The bad luck part being some of those guys have had injuries that have held back their development. Part of it, too, is drafting late, it's hard to find impact players. But at some point, your scouts and talent evaluators need to be able to find guys, particularly in the first 3 rounds, who can be impact players. The Steelers haven't done much of that recently, and it's starting to show.
Subspace Interference: I am sick that the Pirates let Byrd get away. Mistake?
Jerry Micco: Byrd went for what his market value likely would have been, but while I believe he was a great addition for the playoff run, I'm not sure he would have been able to put together another season like he did in 2013. You don't have much in RF or 1B if you're the Pirates, officialbullsauthentic.com/WOMENS-MICHAEL-JORDAN-JERSEY so losing out on Byrd may, if he has a 2014 like his 2013 season, in the long run hurt you.
James_Pittsburgh: Did the Phillies do the Pirates a favor by signing Marlon Byrd?
Jerry Micco: Not a favor, but maybe by him signing so early it gives Neal Huntington a chance to recalculate and see what's out there.
Art Gooney III: Unless they make the playoffs Haley seems to be dead man walking, so does Joe Philbin. I say he becomes the new OC next year. Possible?
Jerry Micco: Couple big ifs. Owner in Miami seemed to give Philbin a vote of confidence, which might mean he stays. Of course, we've all seen how those "votes" ring hollow many times if the product doesn't improve. I know there are offseason changes coming if the Steelers bottom out and it's likely that coordinators and assistants will be gone.
James_Pittsburgh: What position player do you see the Pirates targeting? Anyone you like. I like David Murphy. He actually has a better home run rate than Byrd. He only hit .220 last year with 13 home runs. Maybe the Pirates can sign him for two years for $8 million.
Jerry Micco: Murphy is a guy who you might pick up for platoon reasons, but as an everyday guy I'm not sure he's the answer. There are not a lot of must haves in RF and 1B in the free agent market. Some of those guys aren't all that good. Kind of a weak crop. You might be better off trading a relief pitcher like a Tony Watson for an everyday person at one of those spots.
The Chief: Jerry, better Right Tackle Kids Michael Jordan Jersey for the future Gilbert or Adams?
Jerry Micco: I thought Adams was a natural to play there, but for some reason in training camp, they switched him and Gilbert around again. That hasn't worked and now they are stuck with Adams as a TE type and Beachum at LT. I like Beachum and think he's a nice player, but he's not my LT next season.
Bill L: Jerry, have a good feeling about Sunday?. I don't like the Farley Suh match up with the Steelers interior. But it is the Lions, after all.
Jerry Micco: And the Lions don't do well on the road, particularly in Pittsburgh. But you are going to have to have a superhuman effort out of an interior line, that could be missing Foster, to handle Farley and Suh. Both are terrific players and are a handful all game. You may see a million runs disguised as bubble screens this week just to get outside of those two.
James_Pittsburgh: It probably won't happen, but how do you like this for a middle of the order lineup Pedro Alvarez, Ike Davis, and Andrew Lambo? Lots of home runs and lots of strikeouts. Marte, Jordy Mercer, and Andrew McCutchen would be the one through three hitters.
Jerry Micco: Too many strikeouts, way too many. Part of the problem with the Pirates is they often don't have productive outs. Strikeouts are just that. Also, I'm not ready to give up on Walker hitting 6th, or even staying 2nd. I think he's still a pretty good offensive player, and by your lineup, he and Martin are hitting Nos. 7 and 8.
The Chief: Jerry, does Geno get it going now the Nealer is back?
Jerry Micco: It certainly won't hurt having his big scoring winger back, but it'll take some time for Neal to get going, I think. Malkin has played better in other ways than people think. Sure, he still turns the puck over at times, but his defense and face offs have improved. I think once he starts scoring with Neal back on his line, we'll see an uptick in his play.
James_Pittsburgh: If I believed that one of the quarterbacks in the draft could be the future of the franchise, then I would trade Ben Roethlisberger if given enough picks. However it takes two to tango.
Jerry Micco: Right. And some of the teams who will have a shot at those guys need QBs. Jacksonville probably wants a Teddy Bridgewater, or Tampa Bay might like him. There are some good QBs in this draft, but I don't think trading Ben and working a deal to take one of them is going to make the Steelers better.
JamesinNYC: Byrd at 8 mill for 2 years was a mistake waiting to happen. Even if he was healthy both years at 37+38 who knows if he would come back to his average. Think they need to spend the money on a 1st baseman, and let Tabata + Snider hold the fort for Polanco. Who would make the most sense 2 3 year contract for them?
Jerry Micco: We'll see how Polanco looks in AAA, but I could live with Snider/Tabata until he's ready. Tabata, in particular, hit pretty well down the stretch and you could bat him in the 2 hole if you wanted. Snider was hobbled by a bad toe the latter part of the season, so you only got part time play from him. Shows some pop, but not very consistent. I think at some point, Lambo deserves a look in RF or 1B, too.
James_Pittsburgh: Jerry, if the Pirates make a trade, it would be for a first baseman. I don't see them given up resources and years of control for a right fielder, when Polanco could be starting in right field on Opening Day 2015.
Jerry Micco: Either spot could be up for a trade, but you are right about officialbullsauthentic.com/WOMENS-SCOTTIE-PIPPEN-JERSEY Polanco. I'm sure the Pirates see him starting in RF in 2015. If he can produce at the AAA level in 2014. I also don't see Polanco as a big power guy, more of a good gap hitter.
The Chief: Your thoughts on John Moffit DEN OG quitting the Team and calling football a "dirty business"
Jerry Micco: Hey, if you don't like what you do and you think the sport is "dirty," then he did the right thing by quitting. Plenty of guys would kill Kids Scottie Pippen Jersey to take his place. Football is a tough sport; a violent sport. It's not for everyone.
Jerry Micco: Jim Swartz isn't the most well liked guy in the NFL, but he's had the Lions playing well under his watch. Of course having Calvin Johnson, Farley and Suh on the team doesn't hurt. Those types of guys make coaches geniuses.