Tag: Greg Lewis

Ravens’ WR coach Greg Lewis is poised to become a hot coaching commodity

If the Ravens passing game goes next level this upcoming season, we can expect more teams to come calling for Greg Lewis. 

This season will be critical for the Baltimore Ravens wide receiving corps and their position coach, Greg Lewis. You can’t ask for much better than what Baltimore has at the quarterback and running back positions, so the wide receivers are the most significant question mark among the offensive skill positions.

There is a lot of depth and potential, but this group will only go as far as Lewis can lead them. If the receivers have a big season, the Ravens may have trouble holding on to Lewis long-term.

They signed the 44-year-old Richton Park, IL native in March of last season after his very successful stint with the Kansas City Chiefs. Lewis led the Chiefs’ running backs in 2021 and 2022 after serving as WRs coach the three previous seasons. While Lewis was on staff, Kansas City went to five conference championship games and three Super Bowls (winning two).

This past January, the New Orleans Saints interviewed Lewis for their offensive coordinator position. While he stayed put in Baltimore this time, it may not be long before he lands an OC job elsewhere. He’s an ambitious guy who is destined to climb the ladder.

A star at Rich South High School in the far south suburbs of Chicago, Lewis was still just a walk-on at the University of Illinois. He defied expectations and became integral to a passing attack as prolific as the program had ever seen. Lewis was the No. 2 receiver on the Illini team that won the 2001 Big Ten title.

However, Lewis went undrafted after college, so he would once again have to defy the odds to make it in the NFL. He most certainly did, as he went on to play in the league for eight seasons, six with Philadelphia and two with Minnesota.

Lewis caught over 150 passes for nearly 2,000 yards during his pro career. His coaching career has included stops with the Saints and Eagles.

If the Ravens’ passing game improves this upcoming season, more teams will likely call for Lewis.

Ravens assistant coach Greg Lewis shares what he’d like to see from Zay Flowers in Year 2

Ravens wide receivers coach Greg Lewis shared what he’d like to see from wide receiver Zay Flowers in Year 2

The Baltimore Ravens selected wide receiver Zay Flowers with the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. He had a phenomenal rookie season in Baltimore, quickly establishing himself as the team’s No. 1 wideout while working as a three-level wideout.

There is plenty of hope that Flowers can put together an even better season in 2024, especially with a full NFL offseason under his belt. When wide receivers coach Greg Lewis was asked about what he’d like to see from Flowers in his second season, he mentioned that he wants to see growth around, both on the field and as a leader.

“[I hope to see] just growth, growth all around. As a leader, he’s doing a great job of taking [in] some of the youngers guys and showing them the ropes. Obviously, he went through it last year and just cleaning up little small details of route running, technique, staying in treatment and doing all the little things that help you be able to have a long career and get better. So, he’s doing all of the little things, and it’s showing up out here in practice, and it’s going to show up in game situations.”

Lewis gave Flowers plenty of credit for doing all of the little things to get better so far. Now it’s on the former Boston college star to continue his momentum from last season and turn it into another great year.

Ravens’ Greg Lewis says the football hasn’t found WR Rashod Bateman in key situations

Ravens wide receivers coach Greg Lewis says the ball hasn’t found wide receiver Rashod Bateman in situations

The Baltimore Ravens are hoping for a massive fourth-year from wide receiver Rashod Bateman. The 27th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft hasn’t lived up to his lofty expectations coming out of college, but an increased role could help change that this year.

When asked about Bateman, Baltimore wide receivers coach Greg Lewis shared that he didn’t think the ball was finding Bateman in situations instead of a common notion that he has untapped potential. He said that the former Minnesota star has shown what he’s capable of doing, whether it be in practice or in games.

“I wouldn’t say it’s untapped potential. The ball just hasn’t found [Rashod Bateman] in situations. He comes out here every day and shows what he’s capable of doing, whether it’s [in] practice [or games]. When he gets his opportunities in the game, he does that. It’s just about [getting] more and more opportunities, and then more and more production will come from him. I think he’s doing a great job with what we’re giving him and what we’re giving everybody to try and take advantage of the best of his ability.”

Barring any other additions, Bateman will enter the 2024 season as the team’s unquestioned No. 2 wide receiver. He will need to execute at a consistent level and show his true potential, especially coming off of a contract extension.

Are the Saints waiting on the 49ers’ Super Bowl to hire a new offensive coordinator?

Are the Saints waiting on the 49ers’ Super Bowl to hire a new offensive coordinator? A couple of popular candidates are tied up until Feb. 12:

The San Francisco 49ers are headed to Super Bowl LVIII, and they’re taking some popular offensive coordinator candidates with them. Passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak and quarterbacks coach Brian Griese have both interviewed with the New Orleans Saints at least once. But they cannot be hired as offensive coordinator — with New Orleans or any other team — until after the Super Bowl.

With the Saints’ search for an offensive coordinator dragging out longer than fans may have anticipated, it’s fair to wonder if New Orleans is waiting for Kubiak or Griese to become available.

Earlier this week NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reported that the search “has narrowed considerably” and that the Saints “are adhering to league rules as they go through the process.”

That report came just before the Saints interviewed Baltimore Ravens wide receivers coach Greg Lewis and met with ex-Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy for the second time, but it’s still noteworthy. It would suggest that the Saints are abiding by the NFL anti-tampering policy for assistants coaching in the Super Bowl, which states the following:

No Coordinator interviews can be requested, granted, or occur after the Saturday of Conference Championship weekend (Saturday, January 27) for any assistant coach whose club is still participating in the postseason.

So we’re in a dead period. If the Saints have identified Kubiak or Griese as their top candidate (or if they simply want to interview them again and go over the job more thoroughly), they must wait until Feb. 12 to take action. The NFL wants its coaches in the Super Bowl focusing on, well, the Super Bowl. Interviewing with other teams is seen as a distraction.

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Jerrod Johnson pulls out of Saints OC search, will return to Houston

Breaking: Jerrod Johnson pulls out of Saints offensive coordinator search, will return to Texans

The New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator search has lost another candidate, but this time it wasn’t someone getting hired by a different team. Top candidate Jerrod Johnson has told teams that he will be returning to the Houston Texans as their quarterbacks coach for another season, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He’ll have an opportunity to gain experience and improve his standing after another year working with C.J. Stroud and Bobby Slowik.

New Orleans wasn’t the only team in pursuit of Johnson, but they made him a priority. The Saints had interviewed Johnson twice, with him being near the top of their list as well as multiple other teams. They have a second interview planned with former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy  on Wednesday, who will be the only other candidate to meet with the Saints twice.

As for the rest of their list (that are still available), it is as follows: Greg Lewis, Klint Kubiak, Brian Griese, Ronald Curry, Mike Sullivan and Brian Johnson. Others may have met with the team but not been reported, as was the case for Getsy, so stay tuned.

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Ravens wide receivers coach Greg Lewis will interview for the Saints OC job

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Greg Lewis will interview for the New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator job

The New Orleans Saints need an offensive coordinator for Dennis Allen’s team, and Ravens wide receiver Greg Lewis is next up on the list.

The former Eagles wide receiver won two Super Bowls on Andy Reid’s staff in Kansas City, spending six seasons with the Chiefs, and his first NFL coaching job came as an offensive assistant to Sean Payton in 2015.

Saints to interview a tenth OC candidate in Ravens WR coach Greg Lewis

The Saints will interview a tenth offensive coordinator candidate in Ravens wide receivers coach Greg Lewis, formerly of the Chiefs:

The New Orleans Saints are still combing through their list of offensive coordinator candidates before hiring a new play caller for the 2024 season, and they’re interviewing a tenth option for the job, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero: Baltimore Ravens wide receivers coach Greg Lewis.

Lewis, 43, started his NFL coaching career with the Saints as an offensive assistant in 2015, but he’s worked with some very successful coaches in the years since: he coached wide receivers on the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016 (under Doug Pederson) and the Kansas City Chiefs from 2017 to 2022 (under Andy Reid) before joining Todd Monken’s staff on the Ravens this season. Before that, he enjoyed an eight-year playing career with the Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, and New England Patriots.

So while he hasn’t called plays before, Lewis has been around the NFL a long time and he’s earned valuable experience in some successful systems. The Saints are considering all options before naming their new offensive coordinator to replace Pete Carmichael. We’ll just have to wait and see who emerges out in front.

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Zulgad: Joshua Dobbs joins list of other Vikings who made memorable impressions

Josh Dobbs wasn’t the first new Vikings player to make a massive impression. Judd Zulgad helps us relive four other memorable performances

Joshua Dobbs’ performance in the Minnesota Vikings’ victory Sunday in Atlanta long will be remembered by fans because of its improbability.

Acquired only five days earlier from the Arizona Cardinals, and with no practice reps, the veteran quarterback came on in relief of rookie Jaren Hall in the first quarter and ended up leading a late-game drive that gave Minnesota its fourth consecutive win.

But Dobbs isn’t the first player to seemingly come out of nowhere and leave an impression (some favorable, some not) on Vikings fans.

Here are four others.

Ravens WR coach Greg Lewis shares early thoughts on WR Zay Flowers

Ravens wide receivers coach Greg Lewis talked about his early impressions of wide receiver Zay Flowers

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When the Baltimore Ravens drafted wide receiver Zay Flowers in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, they knew they were getting a potentially very special player.  So far, he’s impressed during every offseason program that’s he’s participated in, making a name for himself early on.

Flowers has the ability to be a three-level player at the NFL level, and is electric with the ball in his hands as well as running routes. New wide receivers coach Greg Lewis was asked what his first impressions of the rookie wide receiver, calling him “fantastic” while praising his abilities.

“Zay [Flowers] has been fantastic. He’s an eager player, eager learner. [He] wants to be great – wants to be great at everything he does – and it’s been fantastic to see him out here getting the opportunity to make some plays. His quickness and explosion show up daily, and how he catches the ball – the [focus] he takes with the ball … It’s been fantastic to get him out here and get him going.”

Ravens WR coach Greg Lewis describes bond with HC John Harbaugh

Baltimore Ravens wide receivers coach Greg Lewis about his familiarity with John Harbaugh.

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The Baltimore Ravens made a lot of changes this offseason when it came to their coaching staff, one of which included hiring Greg Lewis to be their new wide receivers coach.  Lewis was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles when Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh was a coach in Philadelphia, so the two have familiarity working together.

Lewis was brought in to help the Ravens’ wide receiver group flourish, including young players such as Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers. He was asked about what it’s like to be reunited with Harbaugh after the second week of voluntary organized team activities, and said it’s been exciting getting back to working with Harbaugh and how he operates.

“What made it [Baltimore] a good fit is just being around Coach [John] Harbaugh in Philadelphia and just knowing how he operates and the expectation that he has for the organization and the team that he’s in front of. It was exciting to get back and be a part of something like that. And Baltimore has been fantastic thus far for me. I haven’t gotten out that much, but ‘The Castle’ [Under Armour Performance Center] is sweet, so I’ve seen that pretty much every day. But I’ve heard about Baltimore. My aunt is from Baltimore, so I know a little bit about it, and I’m going to get around and see the city and see what it has.”