Monterey County Weekly Now - Staff Blog

Monday Night Football: San Diego Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders

2009-09-15T16:58:00.000-07:00

San Diego Charger's quarterback Philip Rivers (17) gets close with his offensive line.

San Diego Charger's quarterback Philip Rivers (17) throws a pass.

I had an opportunity of a lifetime last night to shoot an NFL game. It was the season opener for the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers at the Oakland Coliseum.

I made the accommodations after our deputy editor Mark Anderson wrote a story about San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera who played and coached for Seaside High School, then went to play for the 1985 Chicago Bears where he earned a Super Bowl ring.

Needless to say, shooting professional football was mind blowing (and hard on the knees...). The energy of the fans in the stands easily matched that of the action on the field.

The San Diego Charger's defense gangs up on an Oakland ball carrier.

Oakland Raider's quarterback JaMarcus Russell (2) hands the ball to running back Darren McFadden (20).

San Diego Charger's Steve Gregory (28) attempts to hold down Oakland Raider's wide receiver Louis Murphy (18) as he caught a touchdown pass. Referees called he wasn't in possession long enough. The Raider's scored a field goal on the next play.

(photo by Mark C. Anderson)
Me all geared up (note: red NFL photo vest) at my car prior to the game.

I equipped myself with:

Nikon D700 with either a 28-70 f/2.8 or a 70-200 f/2.8 for "shooting wide(r)" and a cropped-body Nikon D300 that had a 300 f/2.8 sometimes with a 1.4 teleconverter.

Most of my photos were shot tight and 70mm on a full-frame body is fairly wide when shooting football. I never took my wide-angle out during the actual field action.

This is the first thing I saw when I entered the field from the press elevator.

It was wild. Screaming fans and photographers all over the place. You never really know how big sports stadiums really are until you see them from the field level. A lot of history on that Oakland field where the Raiders and A's have both played some pretty incredible games.

Oakland Raider's running back Michael Bush (29) high-fives a fan as he runs out to the field.

Oakland fans are some intense folks.

Oakland Raider's quarterback JaMarcus Russell launches a pass.

Oakland Raider's defensive tackle Gerard Warren (61) pressures San Diego Charger's quarterback Philip Rivers (17).

Rivers launches a pass to a receiver.

Oakland Raider's quarterback JaMarcus Russell throws.

Oakland Raider's wide receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins (15) runs the ball down field.

San Diego Charger's wide receiver Vincent Jackson runs out of the way of the oncoming Oakland Raider's linebacker Ricky Brown (57).

Brown closes in...

Oakland Raider's cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (21) grabs the jersey of San Diego Charger's running back Darren Sproles (43) for the tackle.

San Diego Charger's running back Darren Sproles (43) runs the ball downfield.

San Diego Charger's quarterback Philip Rivers (17) dodges Oakland Raider's defensive end Jay Richardson (98).

A San Diego Charger leaves the field at halftime.

My NFL field photo press credential in front of one of my cameras on my office desk.

Hopefully I'll get another chance to shoot the NFL. That was fun.

~ nic

2009-08-20T21:38:00.001-07:00

Well hello. Can I borrow your car?

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2009-08-18T11:48:00.001-07:00

This is Paris, a car chaser who made several appearances over the course of Car Week with an amazing blue Delahaye that matched her collar.

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2009-08-17T07:54:00.001-07:00

Silver 1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet takes gold: Best in Show 2009. Cue confetti.

2009-08-16T15:52:00.001-07:00

In the Automotive Fine Arts Society tent, this brass-and-copper car is going for $6,000.

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2009-08-16T15:44:00.001-07:00

Gov in the game on the 18th fairway.

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2009-08-16T15:25:00.001-07:00

1941 Chrysler LeBaron Thunderbolt. With chrome zap of lightening on the door.

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2009-08-16T15:17:00.001-07:00

1941 Chrysler LeBaron Newport. With fresh flowers.

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2009-08-16T15:14:00.001-07:00

"This Barchetta was sold new to Dominican diplomat, sportsman and playboy Porfirio Rubirosa, who drove it in the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans," reads the tag on this Ferrari, "but failed to finish."

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2009-08-16T14:41:00.001-07:00

1947 Delahaye. Fly ride.

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2009-08-16T14:25:00.001-07:00

1953 Siata. Goes vroom.

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2009-08-16T14:21:00.001-07:00

1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet. Whoah.

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2009-08-16T14:14:00.001-07:00

Rumble seats rule.

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2009-08-16T14:12:00.001-07:00

These old Bentleys are as mezmerizing as the flourishing female headwear patrolling the edge of the Pacific.

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2009-08-16T14:07:00.001-07:00

Bentleys (like this 1934 Drophead coupe with a Pebble Beach best in class under its belt) and Bugattis featured this year.

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2009-08-16T13:59:00.001-07:00

Nice tail on the Infiniti.

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2009-08-16T13:57:00.001-07:00

The most striking collection of modern cars all week coalesces the putting greens at Pebble. This year the carmakers' latest concepts include this Infiniti high performance hybrid - with cameras instead of mirrors and a tinted window as a roof.

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2009-08-16T13:36:00.001-07:00

The 59th Concours d' Elegance. There's a yacht in Stillwater Cove the size of Del Rey Oaks.

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2009-08-15T22:32:00.001-07:00

Casual up-upper-class Cobra on the Monterey streets.

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2009-08-15T21:56:00.001-07:00

Meanwhile people cling to the temporary fence across the street hoping to scope what's shaking at RM Sports & Classic auction at Portola/Conference Center.

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2009-08-15T21:45:00.001-07:00

This would be the scene from Calle Principal...spectators watching the auction on big screen and deluxe autos lining up for their moment on the block.

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2009-08-15T21:41:00.001-07:00

Feisty bidding war for Selby Cobra lept from $90Kish to $130,000 final.

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2009-08-15T21:35:00.001-07:00

1935 Auburn 851S/C...$115 grand - sold.

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2009-08-15T21:26:00.001-07:00

People watching often surpasses the crome and custom paint observation.

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2009-08-15T21:23:00.001-07:00

I do belive this rig just went for $140 pure at Russo & Steele at Monterey Marriott.

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