(Nikon D2X, Nikon 500mm f/4, 1/1600th sec. @ f/4, ISO 320)

The football was not the best of the day. The weather was nearly perfect. And within this dichotomy I came to realize I love the Nikon 500mm f/4. It is a great lens and sharper than anything I can remember using -- past or present.

The light in the stadium was very good for much of the game. The omnipresent Southern California sun disappeared, at times, behind the hazy clouds. Sometimes it stayed hidden for longer periods. Mostly it stayed out.

As the game lengthened so did the sun-dial shadows thrown by the lights and the columns supporting them. The dark shapes slowly edged their way onto the field, the fuzzy penumbra reaching out to the players, embracing them at times but loosing grip and allowing the sun to wash across them again. Thus was the case when Willis McGahee was upended during a short run.

(Nikon D2X, Nikon 500mm f/4, 1/1000th sec. @ f/4, ISO 200)

(Nikon D2X, Nikon 500mm f/4, 1/2000th sec. @ f/4, ISO 250)

The only apparent problem is the focal length is a little long for many situations. During the next daylight game when I plan on using this lens, it would probably be best to also bring a 300mm of some sort. The difference between the 500mm and 200mm focal lengths was too great for some instances. Not that I do not like the challenge, bus as is my wont, I shoot too tight too often. "Tight is Right" may be the personal motto stamped on my forehead, but it can be the instant kiss of death if the action alters quickly and unpredictably.

(Nikon D2X, Nikon 500mm f/4, 1/800th sec. @ f/4, ISO 800)

One of the oldest dictums I have heard throughout my career, older even than "Tight is Right," is to stay ready even after the action has ended. That is when emotion can boil through the surface and erupt. This is what happened late in the game, as all hope faded for the Ravens, after a punt. Gary Stills and Marques Harris started trading blows as they grappled as the play ended. The referees separated the two, with the help of a couple of players. Surprisingly neither was flagged.

(Nikon D2X, Nikon 500mm f/4, 1/800th sec. @ f/4, ISO 800)

The action on the field turned for the worse in the second half as the lines crumbled and the Chargers defense slammed quarterback Kyle Boller many times. One of the more brutal happened deep in Ravens territory. Boller took a blow to the face after losing his helmet. He seemed to be dazed as he stayed on the ground for a few moments reaching for his face. After getting to his feet he still appeared to be reeling from the hard hit -- one of many he took that day.

The team did not emote one way or the other after the game. The expected dejection did not materiaize at any time. The photos of Boller down and Stills swinging had to be the visual representation of the defeat. Not the best way to end the day, but a must considering the lack of feeling after the fifth-straight loss for the team.