Chargers Hire McCoy and Chicago Looks to Canada

A couple more coaching vacancies have been filled in the NFL.

First, the San Diego Chargers hired the offensive coordinator of the Denver Broncs Mike McCoy. This is McCoy's first head coaching job and should thank Peyton Manning for getting him the job. McCoy certainly has his work cut out for him having to try and figure out what's wrong with Phillip Rivers and that offense, and also having to deal with the Broncos and Manning for the foreseeable future. He will definitely get some leeway considering he is taking over for an unpopular coach in Norv Turner.

The 2nd coaching vacancy filled was in Chicago where the Bears hired Marc Trestman, head coach of the Montreal Alouettes since 2008 in the CFL. This is Trestman first NFL head coaching job but has previous coaching experience in the league mainly as an offensive coordinator and/or quarterback's coach. The leash will not likely be as long for Trestman, however, as he takes over for a fairly successful head coach in Lovie Smith who got the Bears to a Super Bowl and finished the 2012 season with a 10-6 record. The Bears, however, did not make the playoffs and Lovie was dismissed after the season.

These couple of hires should be interesting to watch heading into next year, especially considering both coaches enter their new teams with proven quarterbacks. The trick for both of them, however, is trying to figure out how to get their QB's from "good" to "elite."

Saints Finally Win a Game, Pats Beats Broncos, Bad Luck for Packers and More

Week 5 is here no thanks to that boring display on Thursday night. Made it easier to change over to Big Bang Theory. (I'M ON THE WEST COAST, OKAY!!!)

The Saints have struggled to find a win this year most likely because of the year long suspension of their head coach, Sean Peyton. The one week, however, he's allowed to come and watch the team play, they win the game. The Chargers came into town to face the Saints on the Sunday Night Football stage. Drew Brees had another monster game with 4 TD passes and 370 passing yards with only one pick. With that first TD pass to Devery Henderson for 40 yards in the 1st quarter, Brees passed Johnny Unitas for consecutive games with a TD pass. Brees has sole possession of the record at 48. Big picture, the Saints are able to hold off the Chargers late in the game and get their first win of the year 31-24.

Another good match up was earlier in the day featuring another chapter of Brady v. Manning with Peyton Manning now on the Denver Broncos. Manning had a huge day with 345 passing yards along with 3 TD passes. Meanwhile, Tom Brady's numbers had lesser numbers with 223 passing yards and 1 TD pass. The Patriots still win the game, though, 31-21. (What?) They have a running game now (Oh). Steven Ridley had 151 yards on the ground with a TD run. 3 Rushing TD's on the day for the Pats and 251 yards on the ground.

The rest of the days games interest me less (excluding the 49ers of course). Andrew Luck and the Colts come back from a 21-3 half time deficit to the Packers and win it 30-27. Luck was 31/55 with 362 passing yards, 2 TD passes, and one INT. Game ball went to Chuck Pagano. Get well soon. The Steelers managed to squeak by the Eagles, 16-14. Shaun Suisham hit the game winning 34 yd FG as time expired. No picks for Vick but he fumbled it to the other team twice. Cam Newton and the Panthers fall to another team, this time being the Seahawks, 16-12. Can we start questioning just how good Cam Newton is already? Last one I'll mention is that the Falcons stay undefeated as they beat the Redskins 24-17. RG3 sustained a concussion in the game after getting hit hard by Sean Weatherspoon. Where's the fine Goodell?

More football over except for tomorrow night's blowout win for the Texans. Thank goodness the Saints finally got a win. The team and the fans needed it.

P.S. For my complete take on the 49ers record day, click here. Check out the 49ers section at Prosportsblogging.com for my scoop on the team before and after the game.

P.P.S. Also check me out on Twitter @TheSportsKhanSF. "Does this uniform make me look fat?"

2012 AFC West Preview: AH S**T, MANNING!!!

This division was so chaotic last year with the Raiders somehow getting worse with Carson Palmer, the Chiefs falling flat on their faces, the Chargers' Phillip Rivers unable to throw much like Tebow, and then actual Tebow leading the Broncos to the playoffs. It might be chaotic again this year... that is until Peyton Manning joined the Broncos and ruined the fun.

The biggest off-season move was The Bachelor Peyton Manning choosing for looks (John Elway and the Broncos) rather than quality, stability and personality (49ers). Elway then couldn't wait to kick the Jesus freak (Tebow) out of the house. With Manning on the team, their offense is stable and can actually move the ball before the 4th quarter arrives. If the defense can play like it did under Tebow, watch out AFC West.

As for contenders outside of Denver, they could all possibly contend for the division or for a Wild Card spot. I would keep my eye on the Chiefs the most as they get Jamaal Charles back from injury and are looking forward to having a running attack again. Also Romeo Crennel had the team doing better when he took over towards the end of last season.

I'm not quite sure what to think of the Chargers or the Raiders. One team has a QB that had a lost season last year and the other team wanted to mirror that. Unless Rivers can actually prove that he still has it, the Raiders might have the edge. Their running is better led by Darren McFadden and Carson Palmer at QB could be better considering that he actually had a off-season to work with the team.

My pick is going to the Broncos but mainly because of Manning. Overall, I think the Chiefs are better but Manning is that good.