DENVER, Colo. — Moral victory? The Broncos lost their ninth game in 10 tries on Sunday, this time falling 34-28 to the Kansas City Chiefs. At one point, though, the Chiefs were up 27-0. The comeback was impressive. Denver is now 3-10 and sitting second-to-last in the NFL. Here’s how the Broncos graded out: Offense QB Russell Wilson – B…...
In one of his first moves as CU’s latest head coach, Coach Prime hired Sean Lewis to be the Buffs’ offensive coordinator.
Lewis was the head coach of Kent State from 2018-2022 when Coach Prime and Colorado came calling. The Buffs were willing to buy out Lewis from his head coaching contract for $750,000 to lead the offense in Boulder.
In his five years at Kent State, the Golden Flashes only went 24-31. With Dustin Krum as Lewis’ starting quarterback from 2019-2021, despite the record, Kent State was one of the most dynamic and explosive offenses in the country.
In Krum’s final year with Lewis in 2021, Kent State ranked 5th in the country in yards per game (494.6), 10th in plays per game (75.1) and 30th in points per game (33.0).
In this edition of Buffs Film Room, we take a deep dive into Lewis’ offense and how his scheme is an even more modern take on current college-football trends.
RPOs, read options, pre-snap motion and misdirection have become commonplace in college football but Sean Lewis cranks it up another 10 notches.
Nearly every single play Lewis calls has an option attached to it, sometimes multiple options. Lewis had good success at Kent State with Dustin Krum at quarterback but as Krum got wiser and more experienced, the Golden Flash offense began to soar.
As I noted in the Shedeur Sanders film room, Sanders is a smart and cerebral quarterback but don’t be surprised if there are some growing pains as he settles into Lewis’ offense.
This play has three options for the quarterback: a shovel pass to the h-back, tucking and running or throwing downfield. Watch how this play affects Buffalo’s second level. No matter what those linebackers decide to do, Lewis has a counter.
Later on against Buffalo, Lewis adds another wrinkle to this shovel option. Kent State flows heavily into the boundary with the shovel and speed option aspect we saw before but now the slot player comes back around on an end around with two linemen leading the way.
Pre-snap, this look screams QB sneak. But Lewis is one step ahead and calls a perfectly timed speed option out of this formation.
This clip is from 2022 with Collin Schlee at quarterback. The play starts off like most zone-read options do but Kent State lines up their h-back to the boundary and then run him underneath the line to the field side flat.
Here is another variation of that same RPO flat option.
Lewis also has these funky, outside zone, read options that almost look like inverted veer. Instead, Lewis’ wrinkle is having the left tackle wrap around for an iso/insert block. The left tackle creates a massive lane for Krum to run through on the read-option pull.
Here we have a power RPO to the field with a slant flat concept attached to the backside. This is a more convenient RPO but as you’ll begin to notice, Lewis loves pulling his backside linemen at nearly every opportunity.
Now we have a jet sweep read option that plays out beautifully. The sideline-to-sideline action of the jet sweep in conjunction with the left tackle and guard pulling upfield and kicking out create a natural crease for Schlee to run into. The left tackle has a free run up to the safety!
As previously mentioned, Lewis loves pulling linemen across the formation to gain a numbers advantage in the run game. Guard/tackle (GT) power and counter are the base plays that make most of this offense work and make sense.
But as we will get into, the h-back and center are also utilized to pull across and make big blocks in Lewis’ offense.
There is jet motion and an h-back lead across the formation but this is essentially a power read. Lewis also has the weakside receiver tagged to run a curl on this play also.
Here is the play in its most bare form, GT counter-read. Krum reads the strongside end, pulls the ball and
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1. If there is one reason to have faith in the Denver Nuggets championship aspirations this season it is the perfect synergy of the Nikola Jokic - Jamal Murray two man game. The duo took a 500 day hiatus yet picked up immediately where they left off as if they never stopped playing. The two of them are so perfectly in sync at all times, especially at the close of each half when the other three players seem content to get out of the way and watch as the two dance back and forth en route to the exact outcome that they seem fit. The term pick your poison seems to undersell the conundrum presented by those. Often times, the duo will gladly make that choice for you.
https://youtu.be/Xev9bufPT58
2. One of my favorite things about Jokic is that he has a counter for every read the defense makes. Here, rookie Walker Kessler clearly studied his scouting report to note that these rub screens send Jokic to one of his favorite spots on the left block. But Jokic sees him jump the action and decides to pop out to the three point line, taking advantage of Kessler's early work.
After the game, Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy said of Kessler, "Walker came to the bench at one point and said like 'I'm trying really hard.' I said, 'Dude, I get it. You are trying really hard. And keep trying hard. This is part of your growth."
SAN DIEGO – The Manchester Grand Hyatt has been abuzz for the past three days as the entirety of the baseball world has descended upon San Diego for the annual Winter Meetings. Yasiel Puig, recently charged with being involved in an illegal gambling operation, came by in hopes of repairing his soiled reputation. Nelson Cruz, general manager of the Dominican…...
The Broncos dropped another game on Sunday, this time losing a 10-9 nail-biter to the Ravens in Baltimore. Denver has lost eight of its last nine games and is sitting second-to-last in the AFC with a 3-9 record. Here’s how the Broncos graded out on Sunday: Offense QB Russell Wilson – C+ Russell Wilson posted the second-best quarterback rating of…...
When Gavin Hollowell made the jump from Double-A to the big leagues, he became the first to skip Triple-A for the Colorado Rockies since Ryan Feltner just a year prior. Before that, one would have to go back to Chad Bettis in 2013. As far as relief pitchers are concerned, it’s an ever more rare occurrence. Hollowell also became the…...
The commitments of Cody Williams and Assane Diop to Boulder and head coach Tad Boyle have Colorado’s basketball program riding a massive wave of momentum.
Even with the 2022-2023 team’s inconsistency so far, it’s tantalizing to imagine how all these pieces are going to fit together for 2023-2024.
Duvalier “Dev” Johnson, Content Specialist for Prep Hoods, has offered his analysis and insight to break down exactly what CU is getting from Cody Williams and Assane Diop.
Dev: Assane Diop checks off every single box that you want in a basketball player. He is a smooth and agile 6'10 player that puts the team first and truly loves the game. He is capable of stepping out and knocking down the 3-ball, is an athletic defender and is an excellent passer. You don't typically get playmakers at 6'10 that you can put the ball in their hands and they can make things happen and that is what separates Diop. He uses his long and slender frame to defend positions 1 through 4 and he moves his feet well to stay in front of defenders. Diop is an intriguing athlete with the right tools and he is going to benefit greatly from a program that allows players with his size to explore his game a bit.
Dev: In Cody Williams, Colorado is getting a humble competitor and winner. Williams led Perry to their 1st state championship. He is a balanced player that has all of the tools and with his size and ability to take over, Colorado is getting a player that they will be able to run an offense through. Williams is a hard worker that competes at a high level and is able to knock down the 3-ball but also gets into the open court to show off his athleticism.
He has the tools to be an elite defender who can stay in front of his defender, can guard multiple positions, and challenges himself on that end of the floor. What you don't see in the stat books but really pops is that you can tell that Williams is big on family as he spoke about the connectedness and togetherness of the Colorado men's basketball team and he wants to add and build on that culture. Colorado getting their first 5-star recruit that truly seems to be into what it is they are building is a tell-tale sign of great things to come. The future looks bright in Boulder.
Dev: The ceiling for Williams is...
It was a short, perfect summer. The Colorado Avalanche hoisted the Stanley Cup and before they knew it, they were staring down the start of a new season. After a career year, the departure of Nazem Kadri promised an 87-point-sized loss that was sure to be felt. The loss of Kadri’s production and the search for a second-line centerman prompted…...
1. The Clippers didn't let Ivica Zubac guard Nikola Jokic for more than a few possessions on Friday night and it's easy to see why. Zubac started out guarding Aaron Gordon but was forced to cover Jokic for a few possessions to end the first half. It did not go well.
https://youtu.be/4zh14sOqFTY
Patrick Lyons and Suzie Hunter answer questions from the DNVR Diehards about Brent Suter, the likelihood of trading C.J. Cron and which Rockies’ top prospect ends up with the best career. If you want to hear your question or comment, drop a line in the Diehards Only Discord or comment on this post and we will respond in our next…...
DENVER, Colo. — Another Sunday to forget. The Broncos lost for the seventh time in their last eight games this week, this time against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Broncos are now 3-7 this season and have been swept by the Raiders. Here’s how the Broncos graded out: OFFENSE QB Russell Wilson – C+ Russell Wilson’s first half may have…...
This is a compilation of common plays and actions in the Denver Nuggets playbook. I will update this list throughout the season with over 200 unique examples of plays from the Denver Nuggets playbook. This can act a a companion for THE LIST, WHAT MAKES THIS PLAY GREAT, or just as a resource for anyone trying to learn and recognize…...
It’s that time of year again for another crop of Colorado Rockies’ prospects to take one step closer towards their Major League debut. On Tuesday, five minor leaguers were added to the 40-man roster to bring the total up to 38: right-handed pitchers Riley Pint and Blair Calvo, outfielder Brenton Doyle and infielders Warming Bernabel and Julio Carreras. Soon after…
Andrew Cogliano – B- Another perfectly fine game and another game where he heads to the bench looking like he might be hurt, only to be completely fine. That line is grinding away but the skill to finish just isn’t always going to be there. Nice drop to Kaut on the penalty kill for a good chance. J.T. Compher -…...
Nikola Jokić – A+ Nikola Jokić loves to play in Chicago. Averaging nearly a triple-double in the Windy City entering play Sunday night, Jokić put up a light 12 assists in the first half. He was in such complete control of the game his dominance might’ve gone unnoticed, but those in Denver have trained their eyes. Jokić was nearly flawless…...
The Broncos lost 17-10 to the Titans in Nashville on Sunday. Denver scored the first 10 points of the game but wasn’t able to score in the second half. Russell Wilson led a drive at the end of the game that could have tied it up, but heavy pressure just outside the end zone ended the game. The Broncos are…...
Andrew Cogliano – B Not much done at even strength by anyone tonight, but the penalty kill was tremendous and Cogliano is a big part of that. Had a really good shorthanded look early in the game as well. Took a tough hit along the wall, as everyone seems determined to take this guy out. J.T. Compher – B- Much…...
Colorado State fell 28-16 to San Jose State in a frustrating game that ultimately got away from the Rams Saturday night. CSU racked up penalties, failed to execute in the Red Zone, and at times struggled to protect the quarterback as the Spartans produced nine sacks and 14 tackles for loss on the night. We already covered all of that…...
Through the first five games of 2022, the Buffs had the worse defense in the CFB. Defensive coordinator Chris Wilson was let go alongside Karl Dorrell and the keys to the defense were handed over to interim defensive coordinator Gerald Chatman. Chatman had his work cut out for him over the bye week to make the defense serviceable and he…...
Adam Mares dives into the Nuggets' playbook to break down one of Denver's most common offensive actions.
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