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| Doug Benc/Getty Images |
| LaDainian Tomlinson and the usually potent Chargers offense could not get going in a 17-10 upset loss at Miami. |
As we make the turn into the second quarter of the season, a number of storylines have raised my interest. A travel subject that can't go unnoticed, a world champion quarterback who still seems to live in the shadow of others, a down-and-distance situation that made sense, and my unsung heroes of the week ...
Three time zones too much to overcome
So far this season, five teams have traveled across three time zones from the west to the east and they are 0-5. Week 5 perpetuated the issue, as the Chargers looked sluggish in a loss to the Dolphins in Miami while the Seahawks looked like they never got off the plane as the Giants dominated them in every phase of the game. I've heard people say this trend has more to do with the five West Coast teams just not being that good or letting the travel get to their heads. I've even heard a businessman say, "I travel all the time from California to New York and it doesn't affect me."
Bill Musgrave
Atlanta FalconsAfter starring at Oregon and playing six years in the NFL, Musgrave has amassed 12 years of NFL coaching experience and is responsible for the rapid development of rookie Matt Ryan. Ryan got his first road win on Sunday when he connected on 16 of 26 passes and two touchdowns.
Chris Palmer
New York GiantsPalmer has 19 years of NFL coaching experience, including two years as head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Eli Manning has improved significantly under Palmer's watchful eye, and now deserves elite status. In 24 games since Palmer arrived, Manning has thrown 35 touchdowns to just 22 interceptions.
Pep Hamilton
Chicago BearsHamilton, who played QB at Howard University, is in his sixth year of NFL coaching. He does a nice job with Kyle Orton, who was 24-of-36 for 334 yards and two TDs in a road win over Detroit.
David Lee
Miami DolphinsChad Pennington looks like a new man in a Dolphins uniform, thanks in part to Lee, who played QB at Vanderbilt and is in his sixth year of NFL coaching. Pennington completed 22 of 29 passes and a TD in the win over San Diego. His arm looks stronger and he's completing 75 percent of his passes.
At the end of the year, the Unsung Hero of the Year is presented a trophy made in the name of Chip Myers, a longtime NFL assistant coach and former player who passed away just days after he was elevated to his first coordinator position with the Minnesota Vikings in 1999. Chip was well respected by everyone in the coaching ranks and embodied all the virtues assistant coaches need to be successful. He was humble, a good teacher, a loyal friend and a tireless worker.
I don't think comparing a desk job to playing professional football works. I don't think you can chalk it up to the recent record of some of the West Coast teams, either. The situation is worth a deeper look.
Since 2003, when the Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks travel to the Eastern time zone for a 1 p.m. game, they have a combined record of 19-59 -- a winning percentage of .243. When you look at games played at 4 p.m. or at night, the West Coast teams are 3-5 (.375 percentage). When you look at the whole picture since 2003, West Coast teams win 25.5 percent of their East Coast games.
Some of these West Coast teams have struggled in recent years, so let's take a specific look at the Seahawks, who have been in the playoffs every year since 2003. Seattle's west-to-east record is 6-12 in that time. The Raiders have been on hard times lately, but back in 2000-02 -- when they went 33-15 and made the playoffs all three years -- their west-to-east record was 2-3.
Coaches I spoke to that have coached in this situation all felt it is a real issue, even though it's hard to put a finger on why it happens. They all mentioned a "sluggish" feeling, especially early in games. Anyone can dig up a game like Seattle's 42-0 win at Philadelphia in 2005 and say it's all hogwash, but the numbers over time suggest something different. Maybe it's time to figure out how to at least schedule these games in the later time slot.
Eli deserves more credit
If you told any marketing or advertising firm on Madison Avenue that a New York team would win the world championship on the incredible road journey that the Giants took last year and culminate it by knocking off the undefeated Patriots, they would tell you it's grounds for a movie. Instead, the Giants just slipped back into the world of obscurity. But now they are the only undefeated team left in the NFC and someone has to recognize what they -- particularly Eli Manning -- are doing.
Dating back to last year's postseason, Manning has led his team to eight straight victories and has looked like an elite quarterback in doing so. During the winning streak, he has completed 156 of his 251 passes for 1,886 yards. He has thrown 12 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions and he has beaten six playoff teams from 2007. I just don't get why it's like pulling teeth to discuss this guy with the likes of Romo, Roethlisberger, Rivers, and even Cutler.
Fourth-and-go-for-it
I love when NFL coaches go for it on fourth down. There is always extra excitement with the risk-reward scenario of a fourth down "go for it" decision. In the 13 Sunday games for Week 5, coaches went for it on fourth down 26 times and converted to a first down or touchdown 12 times. A success rate of 46 percent makes it a very interesting call to say the least. Here are my favorite "key" fourth-down calls from Week 5:
Indianapolis Colts (went for it three times):
» First series of the game, fourth-and-1 at Houston 41: Joseph Addai 3-yard run led to a field goal.
» Second series of the game, fourth-and-1 at Houston 45: Peyton Manning to Reggie Wayne 9-yard completion, led to a TD.
» Fourth quarter, fourth-and-6 at Houston 7: Manning to Tom Santi for a touchdown.
Atlanta Falcons
» First quarter, fourth-and-1 at Green Bay 1: Matt Ryan pass to Justin Peelle for a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.
New England Patriots
» Third quarter, fourth-and-2 at San Francisco 2: Direct snap to Kevin Faulk for a touchdown to go up, 24-14.
Dallas Cowboys
» Second quarter, fourth-and-4 at Cincinnati 35: Sweep to Felix Jones for a 33-yard touchdown.
Washington Redskins
» Fourth quarter, fourth-and-1 at Philadelphia 38: Clinton Portis 3-yard run out of shotgun, which helped end the game.
Miami Dolphins
» Second quarter, fourth-and-1 at San Diego 22: Ronnie Brown 3-yard run, which led to a touchdown.
