Film Room: Examining a few concerning wrinkles Phillip Lindsay displayed in Broncos' Week 1 loss

The local fan-favorite and former Colorado Buffaloes running back Phillip Lindsay played a pretty solid game against the Oakland Raiders in Week 1. The Denver Broncos' RB finished with 43 yards on 11 rushing attempts, a 3.9 yard per carry average, and added four catches on six targets for 23 yards.

During the game, there were multiple plays that stood out in a negative manner. These were issues that weren’t there with Lindsay his rookie year, which makes them a little more concerning.

Two of the plays were run plays, where the vision he displayed last year wasn’t there as he missed open rushing lanes. The third play saw Lindsay step up in pass protection, only to fail due to horrible technique and balance.

Let's examine the coaches' film

Play 1: 13:49 | Second Quarter | Week 1

Situation: 1st-&-20

This first play under the microscope has Lindsay running off the left tackle, and sees him only pick up three yards on the rush. There were two points in this play where Lindsay had a cutback lane, and didn’t take it.

Instead, he follows the flow of the play, which, if the blocking from Ron Leary was better, could have led to a bigger run. There was also a point where he could have cut it outside and made it a race to the edge, which with Lindsay’s speed could have benefitted the Broncos' offense.

The first opportunity for a cutback was just after the handoff. Leary is pulling, which leaves a big running lane. The Raiders have Vontaze Burfict (No. 55) there to plug the hole, but it gets Lindsay in a one-on-one situation against the LB. It isn’t ideal, but Lindsay should have seen the hole and been willing to take the one-on-one.

The next cutback point was just a split second prior to where he braces for the tackle. If he planted his foot sooner and cuts inside, he has LT Garett Bolles disengaging from the double team to take on Burfict, and the angle is better for Lindsay.

It is at that same point where Lindsay could have cut it outside. If he does, it helps Leary be in a better position to take out Arden Key who already was cutting inside. This would have given Lindsay the chance for the edge. In that case, he would have had to rely on the WR maintaining a block, but would have a good shot at the open field. At that point, Lindsay would get that corner, and all he'd have to do is make one defender miss, and he'd have a chance for the touchdown.

When Lindsay does go to cut, it is already too late. Arden Key set the edge, but already cut back inside to make the ankle tackle on Lindsay. Leary just whiffs on the pull block, leading to the stop. It's hard to fault Lindsay for following the play design, but he displayed great vision a year ago, and there were multiple chances for cutting it back and making a bigger play.

Play 2: 12:42 | Third Quarter | Week 1

Situation: 3rd-&-3

On this play, the Broncos keep Lindsay in to pick up the blitzer up the middle. Lindsay doesn’t set his feet and square up the blocker. As the defender comes, he still shuffles his feet. He does a good job of getting under the defender and using leverage to slow him, but the rest was a mess from a technical standpoint.

Lindsay, due to his size, needs to use technique perfectly to win as a pass blocker, or just cut down the defender. Despite the issues, Lindsay is still able to buy enough time for Joe Flacco to hit Noah Fant for a 20-yard gain on the money down.

Play 3: 10:52 | Third Quarter | Week 1

Situation: 3rd-&-1

This play may cause some controversy, but after speaking to someone within the organization about the play, I decided to include it in this critical film piece and not a future film article I'I have planned. Many will want to lay the blame on Garett Bolles, which would be incorrect. No, Bolles doesn’t block anyone off the snap, but it was by the design of the play. Could he have chipped them? Of course, but it wasn’t called for by the play call.

Bolles slips to the second level, and lets one defender go by him, which becomes Lindsay’s responsibility to evade. The other defender in the backfield shoots through the gap left by Dalton Risner pulling to the right side. Lindsay manages to slip by the defender, and the hole outside is left wide open for him, except for a safety.

With Lindsay now gaining yards, the safety comes up to make the play. Bolles has all the defenders sealed inside, with the lone outside defender way out of the play due to the blocking of Courtland Sutton. Bolles has an angle on the safety to make the block and give Lindsay a free run to the endzone.

That is all depending on Lindsay cutting this play to the outside. Instead, he plants and cuts inside right into the safety. This decision cost the Broncos four additional points as they later came away with a field goal. After the game, Lindsay talked about this play and how he made a mistake.

This play isn’t on Bolles. He did was he was supposed to and be the lead blocker and make sure the outside lane stays open. The safety that makes the tackle would have gone directly into Bolles’ block if Lindsay just cut it outside.

What it all means

Lindsay’s vision and decision making helped him be such a stud as a rookie, but through one game so far, it just isn’t there. Is it a sophomore slump? Don't jump the gun.

With his number of touches, is Lindsay already on a decline? It's too early to say. Whatever the case may be, Denver needs better from Lindsay going forward.

Follow Erick on Twitter @ErickTrickel and @MileHighHuddle.