A New Season: What to Expect

By Jeffrey Esch McCombie, Blogger/Writer for EM Press

It is September, and that means one thing: the start of the season is right around the corner. Today we’ll review three teams from three leagues; The Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL, The Penn State Nittany Lions of the NCAA, and Team McCombie, the Fight’n Scots, currently living in Big-12 country. (Editor's note: For those of you not interested in the Steelers or PSU's pre-season rundowns... please proceed to the 4th paragraph!)

The schedule for each of the above appears to be favorable this year. Generally speaking in the NFL, the better your record in 2XX1 the more difficult it will be in 2XX2. Not so for the defending Super Bowl Champion Steelers. Fortunately for them, they will play the AFC West, a weak division, and as always, they have the luxury of playing both Cincinnati and Cleveland twice. I expect these 8 games alone to yield 6 if not 7 or 8 wins for Pittsburgh. The offense returns its core and if the O-line and running backs can stay healthy this year, expect the Steelers to get back to being a top running team. Defending Defensive MVP (and Kent State alum) James Harrison returns to lead the #1-rated defense to another exceptional year. Record: expect a 10+ win season, 13-3 if they can avoid the injuries from last year.

Similar to the Steelers, the Lions had a great 2009. They have an easy non-conference schedule and most experts feel the Big10 is down right now. This looks good for PSU, but don’t forget Iowa last year, Michigan in 2005, and Minnesota in 1999 - each destroyed the Lion’s hopes at undefeated seasons. This year’s big potential upsets include at Illinois, at Northwestern, and at Michigan State. While the offense loses 3 top receivers and will be playing with an O-line that will return no starters to their position from 2009, there is a lot to look forward to. All starting WRs are 6’2”-6’6” and PSU returns its entire backfield. Defense could be a concern with a rebuilt secondary and D-line that lost players to the NFL last year. Fortunately, PSU, aka Linebacker-U, returns what could be the best and most experienced line backing group in the country. Record: 2 losses would be ok, 1 would be a good year. Undefeated? A possibility.

The McCombie Fight’n Scots (McCombie is Scottish…) have a slightly more difficult schedule, building to a crescendo with the "big game" (date and time TBA) in mid-November. Team McCombie has had a strong preseason, we’ve seen a lot of work on their new field (the nursery) where they brought in a new crib and chair, dog decorations, and a ceiling fan to fill the void left by the twin bed and bookshelves. Erin McCombie, team President and Manager, brought up some artwork from the minor leagues that she had been working on. She was unavailable for comment, but towel boy Esch had this to say,

“I like ‘em, I really like ‘em. Who would have thought that in THIS family, the colors would be blue and white with a dog (Lab) theme?"

Along with baby clothes, books, and music, Team McCombie has also acquired a new Pack n’ Play and travel system (stroller/car-seat) in the early parts of the preseason. There was a slight scare this past weekend in McCombie camp, but it turned out to just be a dry-run to the hospital. Reports show that some pesky Braxton-Hicks contractions sabotaged Team McCombie’s Sunday plans, but all is now well, and there are no concerns in camp at this point.

The only bump in September will be a road game to Port Aransas over Erin’s birthday weekend, then back to more preparation. We expect the Fight'n Scots to continue to work on the "little things" during this part of the season. September will also hold a number of mini-camps for Team McCombie, including sessions (classes) on Lamaze, and on feeding the soon-to-arrive rookie. Home prep and scouting in terms of what to expect in November should continue to be at the forefront. The season picks up in October with another away game to Chicago. (When Esch goes to watch PSU vs Illinois).

Esch is quoted as saying, “This trip to Illinois will be my last time away from the team until well after the big game in November. I mean, I think I would be out of a job if I missed it, right?”

The following week there will be a big home game when Austin, TX plays host to the rookie, William’s, Baby Shower.

Shortly after this time, "1-a-weeks" (doctor appointments) will begin, and the team will expect to put about ½ a pound a week on the rookie in an attempt to bulk him up for the big game. Most expect the President/Mgr. of the team to help with the rook’s growth and take on some weight herself. In a show of support, even the towel boy is taking on sympathy weight and eating whatever and whenever needed.

“I love it! Truthfully, it looks like I’m the only one putting on weight. Yeah, her stomach is stretching to accommodate William, but that’s really it. She looks great, beautiful! Neck up and waist down you can’t even tell that she is carrying a human inside her,” he said.

Early November will be final prep-time for the big game. Training sessions will be done, the nursery completed, and equipment stocked. While Team McCombie expects to be as ready as possible, the team’s management knows they won’t be completely prepared for what is to come. Legends and scouts alike (parents and siblings) from Pennsylvania are flying in to review the game, assist with post-game celebrations, and help out in the weeks following what is expected to be the biggest victory in team history. While she refused a statement (team policy), Erin was overheard saying

“Yeah, this will be the biggest day in team history. I remember the day this team was founded, just over 2 years ago; we knew then that we wanted to grow to a 3 person team soon, and eventually we’ll go to a 4 or 5 person roster.”

The future looks bright for Team McCombie. An expected All-American on the way, and a great support system should make this team a dynasty.

In other news, Team Andrew Grim is in the middle of his training with Federated in the Twin-Cities. First reports show he is doing well and enjoying his time there. Team David Grim is back at school, leading Juniata again as President of his class and as a forward on the schools soccer team. And, Team Erika McCombie has made a move from high school to the college level at Kent State, beginning classes this week. We understand she is settling in well, but misses her brother, Team McCombie’s towel boy, a lot. We continue to wish each of them the best of luck!!