thedenverpost--2020-05-01--CU Buffs position overview: Inside linebackers

At the conclusion of the 2019 football season , Nate Landman took some time to contemplate his future .
Colorado ’ s standout inside linebacker considered entering the NFL Draft , but ultimately elected to stay in Boulder for his senior season .
“ At the end of the day , we thought that the best option for me was to come back and improve my draft stock this year , ” Landman said this winter .
“ I kind of feel like I have some unfinished business at CU , too.
” Concerns about the spread of the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football season , but if and when the Buffaloes get back on the field this year , Landman ’ s decision to return will be monumental for the defense .
Although sports have been shut down for the time being and stay-at-home orders have been issued around the country , CU continues to prepare for the season and Buffzone is previewing each position group for the Buffs .
In this installment , we look at the inside linebackers – a position loaded with experience and talent .
Led by Landman , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Buffaloes return all of their inside linebackers .
Landman has started all 24 games over the past two years and he ’ s led the Buffs in tackles both seasons .
One of the best inside linebackers in the Pac-12 , if not the country , Landman has also stepped up as a team leader and is arguably the heart and soul of CU ’ s defense .
After posting 123 tackles in 2018 , Landman racked up 137 last season – 68 more than anyone else on the team .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which ranks as the second-best single-season total in CU history .
Getting Landman back for his senior year was significant for the Buffs , but it ’ s not a one-man show at inside linebacker .
Fellow senior Akil Jones finally got an opportunity to make an impact last year and he took advantage .
After playing a total of 18 defensive snaps during his first three years in Boulder , Jones became a starter midway through the 2019 season and finished fourth on the team with 61 tackles .
As the Buffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half of the season , it was the tandem of Landman and Jones in the middle .
Jones had seven tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage and he was effective in putting some pressure on the quarterback .
Now that both are seniors , Landman and Jones project to return as starters , giving CU arguably one of the best duos in the Pac-12 .
Junior Jonathan Van Diest will make a push for the starting lineup , though .
He began the 2019 season as a starter next to Landman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game-sealing strip sack in the final minutes of a 52-31 victory against Colorado State .
He had 19 tackles on the season .
Van Diest started the first five games , but a nagging ankle injury limited his effectiveness and paved the way for Jones to get on the field .
Van Diest played 174 defensive snaps , but only two in the final seven games .
He played only on special teams during the second half of the season .
Van Diest has dealt with injuries dating back to high school , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compete for a starting role .
None of the other inside linebackers got on the field last year , at least defensively , but there is good talent in the group .
Junior Quinn Perry , a junior college transfer last year , could compete for a top backup spot now that he ’ s acclimated to Division I football .
Veterans Chase Newman and Ray Robinson have played on special teams , but will hope to compete for time on defense .
There are also high hopes for redshirt freshmen Marvin Ham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got a chance to get their feet wet with four games played on special teams last year , allowing them to preserve their redshirt seasons .
True freshman Mister Williams will join the mix when the Buffs return to campus .
Although he may have to wait his turn , Williams had an exceptional prep career and comes to CU as a three-star recruit .
With good , young talent waiting in the wings , the Buffs might be in good shape at inside linebacker for years to come .
For now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the best linebackers in the conference leading the group and some veteran experience to anchor the defense .
Here ’ s an initial look at the projected inside linebackers for the 2020 season :

At the conclusion of the 2019 football season, Nate Landman took some time to contemplate his future.
Colorado’s standout inside linebacker considered entering the NFL Draft, but ultimately elected to stay in Boulder for his senior season.
“At the end of the day, we thought that the best option for me was to come back and improve my draft stock this year,” Landman said this winter. “I kind of feel like I have some unfinished business at CU, too.”
Concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus have created uncertainty about the 2020 football season, but if and when the Buffaloes get back on the field this year, Landman’s decision to return will be monumental for the defense.
Although sports have been shut down for the time being and stay-at-home orders have been issued around the country, CU continues to prepare for the season and Buffzone is previewing each position group for the Buffs. In this installment, we look at the inside linebackers – a position loaded with experience and talent.
Led by Landman, who was voted first-team All-Pac-12 by coaches last season, the Buffaloes return all of their inside linebackers.
Landman has started all 24 games over the past two years and he’s led the Buffs in tackles both seasons. One of the best inside linebackers in the Pac-12, if not the country, Landman has also stepped up as a team leader and is arguably the heart and soul of CU’s defense.
After posting 123 tackles in 2018, Landman racked up 137 last season – 68 more than anyone else on the team. He finished with 112 solo tackles, which ranks as the second-best single-season total in CU history.
Getting Landman back for his senior year was significant for the Buffs, but it’s not a one-man show at inside linebacker.
Fellow senior Akil Jones finally got an opportunity to make an impact last year and he took advantage. After playing a total of 18 defensive snaps during his first three years in Boulder, Jones became a starter midway through the 2019 season and finished fourth on the team with 61 tackles.
As the Buffs got better on defense in the second half of the season, it was the tandem of Landman and Jones in the middle. Jones had seven tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage and he was effective in putting some pressure on the quarterback.
Now that both are seniors, Landman and Jones project to return as starters, giving CU arguably one of the best duos in the Pac-12.
Junior Jonathan Van Diest will make a push for the starting lineup, though. He began the 2019 season as a starter next to Landman and opened with seven tackles and a game-sealing strip sack in the final minutes of a 52-31 victory against Colorado State. He had 19 tackles on the season.
Van Diest started the first five games, but a nagging ankle injury limited his effectiveness and paved the way for Jones to get on the field. Van Diest played 174 defensive snaps, but only two in the final seven games. He played only on special teams during the second half of the season. Van Diest has dealt with injuries dating back to high school, but is fully healthy and hopes to compete for a starting role.
None of the other inside linebackers got on the field last year, at least defensively, but there is good talent in the group.
Junior Quinn Perry, a junior college transfer last year, could compete for a top backup spot now that he’s acclimated to Division I football. Veterans Chase Newman and Ray Robinson have played on special teams, but will hope to compete for time on defense.
There are also high hopes for redshirt freshmen Marvin Ham II and Alec Pell, who both got a chance to get their feet wet with four games played on special teams last year, allowing them to preserve their redshirt seasons.
True freshman Mister Williams will join the mix when the Buffs return to campus. Although he may have to wait his turn, Williams had an exceptional prep career and comes to CU as a three-star recruit.
With good, young talent waiting in the wings, the Buffs might be in good shape at inside linebacker for years to come. For now, however, they’ve got one of the best linebackers in the conference leading the group and some veteran experience to anchor the defense.
Here’s an initial look at the projected inside linebackers for the 2020 season:
Position: Inside linebackers
Seniors (2019 statistics): Akil Jones, 6-feet, 230 pounds (6 starts, 429 snaps, 61 tackles, 3 TFL, 4 QB pressures); Nate Landman, 6-3, 230 (12 starts, 785 snaps, 137 tackles, 2 sacks, 8 TFL, 4 QB pressures).
Juniors: Chase Newman, 6-2, 220 (9 games played on special teams); Quinn Perry, 6-2, 240 (1 game played on special teams); Jonathan Van Diest, 6-1, 235 (5 starts, 174 snaps, 19 tackles, 1 sack); Devin Lynch, 6-0, 220 (walk-on).
Sophomores: Ray Robinson, 6-2, 225 (11 games played on special teams).
Redshirt freshmen: Marvin Ham II, 6-1, 225 (4 games played on special teams); Alec Pell, 6-4, 240 (4 games played on special teams); Steele Dubar, 6-0, 205 (walk-on); Hayden Waters, 6-0, 220 (walk-on).
True freshmen: Mister Williams, 6-0, 230
Players lost: None.


thedenverpost--2020-05-01--CU Buffs position overview: Running backs

Just one year ago , the Colorado football team was counting on potential to carry the football , but the Buffaloes had almost no experience at running back .
Now , they have experience to go along with what is becoming a fairly deep pool of talent in the backfield .
“ I think right now that we have multiple guys that can play and I ’ m going to do my best to develop them all so they all can get out there and show what they can do , ” running backs coach Darian Hagan said in February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
Although concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus have created uncertainty about the 2020 football season , CU continues to prepare .
BuffZone is previewing each position group for the Buffs .
In this installment , we look at the running backs .
When CU signed Ashaad Clayton from Warren Easton ( La . )
High School and Jayle Stacks from Cherry Creek High School , that was done when previous head coach Mel Tucker was still leading the program .
Just a few days later , Tucker bolted for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having talented running backs hasn ’ t changed for new head coach Karl Dorrell .
Although Dorrell and offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini are both former receivers who want a high-powered passing attack , Dorrell said , “ We definitely want to have a run threat and be able to run the football.
” The tools are there to do just that .
In his first season as the starter , Alex Fontenot rushed for 874 yards and five touchdowns .
His 79.5 yards per game ranked sixth in the Pac-12 and is second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he averaged 4.72 yards per attempt last season .
As a true freshman , Jaren Mangham added 441 yards and three touchdowns , ranking 16th in the conference in rushing yards .
CU and Oregon are the only schools in the conference returning two 400-yard rushers .
The Buffs , in fact , didn ’ t lose any scholarship running backs from last season .
Rising sophomore Deion Smith also returns after showing flashes of his talent , with 23 carries for 68 yards .
Two other sophomores are back , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skill set but has yet to get on the field ; he missed the 2019 season with a knee injury .
Joe Davis played special teams as a true freshman last season , but impressed Hagan with his all-around ability .
While Fontenot and Mangham were the top two backs last year , the talent of Smith , Broussard and Davis will force them to battle for their spots .
“ I feel like the competition makes everyone better around us , ” Mangham said during the winter .
“ And I feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room.
” What makes the running back room even more intriguing is the additions of Clayton and Stacks .
Clayton comes to CU as a four-star recruit and his .9284 rating on 247Sports is the highest in CU ’ s class .
In the last eight years , offensive lineman Jake Moretti ( 2017 class ) is the only CU signee with a higher rating .
The 6-foot , 200-pound Clayton rushed for 2,264 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior , including 1,186 yards and 18 touchdowns in five playoff games .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he will instantly become the Buffs ’ biggest running back , at 5-11 , 230 pounds .
In helping Cherry Creek to the Class 5A state title last year , Stacks rushed for 1,155 yards and 15 touchdowns , while catching 14 passes for 196 yards and five touchdowns .
Hagan acknowledges that if everyone stays healthy , it will be tough to get more than three or four backs on the field , but he also believes the competition for playing time is going to be intense .
“ They all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to have competition , ” Hagan said .
“ I always tell them the best people are going to play , but don ’ t shy away from competition .
You ’ re going to always have competition in your life .
Why run from it ?
” With a strong group of returners and exceptional young talent joining the mix , CU has perhaps its deepest stable of running backs in at least a decade .
“ If we do what we ’ re supposed to do ( at running back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think that we can have a very special year.
” Here ’ s an initial look at the projected running backs for the 2020 season :

Just one year ago, the Colorado football team was counting on potential to carry the football, but the Buffaloes had almost no experience at running back.
Now, they have experience to go along with what is becoming a fairly deep pool of talent in the backfield.
“I think right now that we have multiple guys that can play and I’m going to do my best to develop them all so they all can get out there and show what they can do,” running backs coach Darian Hagan said in February after CU added two backs on signing day.
Although concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus have created uncertainty about the 2020 football season, CU continues to prepare. BuffZone is previewing each position group for the Buffs. In this installment, we look at the running backs.
When CU signed Ashaad Clayton from Warren Easton (La.) High School and Jayle Stacks from Cherry Creek High School, that was done when previous head coach Mel Tucker was still leading the program. Just a few days later, Tucker bolted for Michigan State, but the emphasis on having talented running backs hasn’t changed for new head coach Karl Dorrell.
Although Dorrell and offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini are both former receivers who want a high-powered passing attack, Dorrell said, “We definitely want to have a run threat and be able to run the football.”
The tools are there to do just that.
In his first season as the starter, Alex Fontenot rushed for 874 yards and five touchdowns. His 79.5 yards per game ranked sixth in the Pac-12 and is second among returning players. Now a junior, he averaged 4.72 yards per attempt last season.
As a true freshman, Jaren Mangham added 441 yards and three touchdowns, ranking 16th in the conference in rushing yards.
CU and Oregon are the only schools in the conference returning two 400-yard rushers.
The Buffs, in fact, didn’t lose any scholarship running backs from last season. Rising sophomore Deion Smith also returns after showing flashes of his talent, with 23 carries for 68 yards.
Two other sophomores are back, as well. Jarek Broussard has a versatile skill set but has yet to get on the field; he missed the 2019 season with a knee injury. Joe Davis played special teams as a true freshman last season, but impressed Hagan with his all-around ability.
While Fontenot and Mangham were the top two backs last year, the talent of Smith, Broussard and Davis will force them to battle for their spots.
“I feel like the competition makes everyone better around us,” Mangham said during the winter. “And I feel like we’ve got a solid room.”
What makes the running back room even more intriguing is the additions of Clayton and Stacks.
Clayton comes to CU as a four-star recruit and his .9284 rating on 247Sports is the highest in CU’s class. In the last eight years, offensive lineman Jake Moretti (2017 class) is the only CU signee with a higher rating.
The 6-foot, 200-pound Clayton rushed for 2,264 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior, including 1,186 yards and 18 touchdowns in five playoff games.
Stacks will join CU as a blueshirt and he will instantly become the Buffs’ biggest running back, at 5-11, 230 pounds. In helping Cherry Creek to the Class 5A state title last year, Stacks rushed for 1,155 yards and 15 touchdowns, while catching 14 passes for 196 yards and five touchdowns.
Hagan acknowledges that if everyone stays healthy, it will be tough to get more than three or four backs on the field, but he also believes the competition for playing time is going to be intense.
“They all say the same stuff, that they want to have competition,” Hagan said. “I always tell them the best people are going to play, but don’t shy away from competition. You’re going to always have competition in your life. Why run from it?”
With a strong group of returners and exceptional young talent joining the mix, CU has perhaps its deepest stable of running backs in at least a decade.
“If we do what we’re supposed to do (at running back),” Hagan said, “I think that we can have a very special year.”
Here’s an initial look at the projected running backs for the 2020 season:
Position: Running backs
Seniors: None
Juniors (2019 statistics): Alex Fontenot, 6-feet, 195 pounds (11 starts, 185 att., 874 yards, 5 TD; 27 catches, 122 yards).
Sophomores: Jarek Broussard, 5-9, 180 (redshirted; injured); Joe Davis, 5-11, 210 (6 att., 13 yards); Jaren Mangham, 6-2, 215 (1 start, 107 att., 441 yards, 3 TD; 10 catches, 41 yards); Deion Smith, 6-0, 190 (23 att., 88 yards; 4 catches, 28 yards).
Redshirt freshmen: None.
True freshmen: Ashaad Clayton, 6-0, 200; Jayle Stacks, 5-11, 230.
Players lost: Chase Sanders, 6-0, 195 (walk-on).


thedenverpost--2020-05-02--Tech Pals provides free support to older adults so they can stay connected during pandemic

Two months ago , Joshua Merriman and Leah Baum were paving a path to tech education for seniors with their start-up , nonprofit organization Tech Pals .
When retirement homes closed their doors in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus , Tech Pals shifted its workshops to virtual .
Tech Pals is pairing volunteers with seniors who want to learn more about technology , giving them someone to talk to and a chance to learn something new for free .
Seniors who don ’ t know much about a specific area of technology — such as how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ iPhone — are matched with a millennial who is well-versed in that area .
Tech Pals is looking for tech-savvy volunteers along the Front Range to tutor seniors over the phone and via video chat services .
“ People that don ’ t know how to get access to video chat may feel isolated or bored , ” Baum said .
“ Showing them how to get groceries delivered is something we can do to help them stay safe.
” Tech Pals also is selling Chromebooks to low-income seniors that may have outdated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-installed , and Tech Pals uses them in the workshops to introduce seniors to Zoom and a variety of library books .
“ We want to give people access to as much tech as possible , ” Baum said .
Tech Pals teamed up with Blaine Matlock , a local 3D-printing hobbyist , to make face shields for at-risk individuals and healthcare workers .
For every three face shields sold , the company will donate one to a local hospital , Baum said .
In addition to the printer he built for Tech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and donating all of them to local hospitals .
By using multiple printers and large nozzles , Matlock said he is able to print one face shield in 53 minutes , when it takes all the other printers with small nozzles three and a half hours to make one .
“ Once I found out how slowly everyone else was doing it , I had a lightbulb moment .
I can do something that nobody else can do , ” Matlock said .
Matlock hopes to buy more 3D printers so he can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in funding his efforts can make a donation on his website .
Matlock is also making mask buckles and shields for Make4Covid , a Colorado coalition that is 3D printing much-needed equipment for medical workers and first responders .
Anyone interested in donating or volunteering can do so on their website .
For Merriman and Baum , the chance to offer another layer of protection to medical workers and to offer some companionship to isolated seniors has been gratifying , Merriman said .
Anyone interested in helping their efforts can visit their website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Two months ago, Joshua Merriman and Leah Baum were paving a path to tech education for seniors with their start-up, nonprofit organization Tech Pals. When retirement homes closed their doors in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus, Tech Pals shifted its workshops to virtual.
Tech Pals is pairing volunteers with seniors who want to learn more about technology, giving them someone to talk to and a chance to learn something new for free. Seniors who don’t know much about a specific area of technology — such as how to use Zoom, a Macbook or an iPhone — are matched with a millennial who is well-versed in that area. Tech Pals is looking for tech-savvy volunteers along the Front Range to tutor seniors over the phone and via video chat services.
“People that don’t know how to get access to video chat may feel isolated or bored,” Baum said. “Showing them how to get groceries delivered is something we can do to help them stay safe.”
Tech Pals also is selling Chromebooks to low-income seniors that may have outdated devices. The Chromebooks come with GoogleDuo pre-installed, and Tech Pals uses them in the workshops to introduce seniors to Zoom and a variety of library books.
“We want to give people access to as much tech as possible,” Baum said.
Tech Pals teamed up with Blaine Matlock, a local 3D-printing hobbyist, to make face shields for at-risk individuals and healthcare workers. For every three face shields sold, the company will donate one to a local hospital, Baum said.
In addition to the printer he built for Tech Pals, Matlock is printing face shields and donating all of them to local hospitals. By using multiple printers and large nozzles, Matlock said he is able to print one face shield in 53 minutes, when it takes all the other printers with small nozzles three and a half hours to make one.
“Once I found out how slowly everyone else was doing it, I had a lightbulb moment. I can do something that nobody else can do,” Matlock said.
Matlock hopes to buy more 3D printers so he can make face shields faster. Anyone interested in funding his efforts can make a donation on his website. Matlock is also making mask buckles and shields for Make4Covid, a Colorado coalition that is 3D printing much-needed equipment for medical workers and first responders. Anyone interested in donating or volunteering can do so on their website.
For Merriman and Baum, the chance to offer another layer of protection to medical workers and to offer some companionship to isolated seniors has been gratifying, Merriman said. Anyone interested in helping their efforts can visit their website or email them at info@thetechpals.org.


thedenverpost--2020-05-02--Data shows coronavirus creates higher death toll in Colorado than seasonal flu

More Coloradans have died from COVID-19 in less than two months than died in any of the recent flu seasons – which last almost two-thirds of the year .
As of Friday afternoon , 820 people had died of complications from the new coronavirus since the state confirmed its first case on March 5 .
That ’ s the equivalent of 14 deaths every day — four to five times as many the average daily deaths in any of the last four flu seasons with available data .
If the virus lingers into the fall , as expected , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it could mean 2,500 or more deaths in Colorado .
Whether that happens depends on many factors , including how much social distancing people observe , said Ryan Malosh , an infectious disease epidemiologist at University of Michigan School of Public Health .
But there ’ s no reason to believe it ’ s going to moderate on its own , he said .
“ You bring the number of infections per day down , and you bring the rate of hospitalizations ( and deaths ) down , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it would slow down without interventions.
” While it can be difficult to compare data directly , it ’ s clear the new virus is more contagious and more deadly than seasonal flu , said Glen Mays , chair of health systems , management and policy at the Colorado School of Public Health .
It ’ s possible to protect the most vulnerable people from the flu through vaccination , and most people who get the flu feel sick enough that they end up staying in bed before they ’ ve infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is true of the new coronavirus , which some people spread for a week or more before developing symptoms .
“ That ’ s why we never talk about shutting down the economy ” during flu season , he said .
“ No pharmaceutical prevention , plus being more infectious , plus a much higher death rate are why we had to pull out all the stops.
” The projections for Colorado show cases plateauing if people continue practicing social distancing because many of the cases are coming from long-term care facilities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be fewer hospitalizations and deaths if we get better at using testing to stop spread in those facilities , he said , or there could be more if the virus starts spreading more widely in the general population .
As of Friday , 2,747 people have been hospitalized in Colorado because of complications of the new coronavirus .
While the state hasn ’ t passed the 3,832 hospitalizations from flu in the most recent year , it could before long .
More than twice as many people are hospitalized on average day for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some other states have seen the same pattern as Colorado , with COVID-19 hospitalizations still below ones for the flu , but rapidly gaining , Malosh said .
Others , including Michigan , already have passed their flu totals in about two months , he said .
Each person with the new virus spreads it to about twice as many people as they would give the flu , on average , and there ’ s no vaccine or existing immunity to slow the virus ’ spread , Malosh said .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people faster than most respiratory diseases .
“ It moves through the population very quickly , ” he said .
It ’ s difficult to directly compare COVID-19 and flu because Colorado collects data for the two diseases differently , but state officials said they believe the new virus has a higher probability of sending an infected person to the hospital .
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment estimates people who get COVID-19 are about 10 times as likely as those who get the seasonal flu to require hospital-level care .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimates about 1.4 % of people who get a typical seasonal flu need hospital care , but it appears 10 % or more of those who get COVID-19 may .
“ Unfortunately , we know that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over , and we will see more hospitalizations , ” CDPHE spokesman Ian Dicksonsaid .
The difficulty in drawing comparison is obvious when looking at the oldest age groups .
Colorado counts those who died of COVID-19 separately from those who were hospitalized , even though many of them likely spent time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could make the hospitalization rate for people in their 80s , for example , look low — because more have died of the virus , in the hospital or out of it , than have been discharged alive .
It ’ s also possible that some of the oldest victims , particularly those in nursing homes , had advanced directives requesting to avoid invasive measures like ventilators , so they weren ’ t taken to a hospital and died where they lived , Mays said .
It ’ s easier to make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CDPHE data , analyzed by The Denver Post , yielded the following daily hospitalization rates : It ’ s less certain , however , whether COVID-19 is any less deadly for children .
One minor , a teenager from Denver , is confirmed to have died of the new virus in the roughly two months it ’ s been circulating in Colorado , and three children died in about eight months in the 2018-2019 flu season .
The flu typically has a “ U-shaped ” pattern , meaning it ’ s most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Malosh said .
COVID-19 has more of a “ linear ” pattern , with the risk of hospitalization and death rising with each decade a person has lived , and it ’ s not clear why that ’ s the case , he said .
“ We need more data on what ’ s happening with kids , ” he said .
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More Coloradans have died from COVID-19 in less than two months than died in any of the recent flu seasons – which last almost two-thirds of the year.
As of Friday afternoon, 820 people had died of complications from the new coronavirus since the state confirmed its first case on March 5. That’s the equivalent of 14 deaths every day — four to five times as many the average daily deaths in any of the last four flu seasons with available data.
If the virus lingers into the fall, as expected, and continues to kill at that rate, it could mean 2,500 or more deaths in Colorado.
Whether that happens depends on many factors, including how much social distancing people observe, said Ryan Malosh, an infectious disease epidemiologist at University of Michigan School of Public Health. But there’s no reason to believe it’s going to moderate on its own, he said.
“You bring the number of infections per day down, and you bring the rate of hospitalizations (and deaths) down,” he said. “I haven’t seen any indications that it would slow down without interventions.”
While it can be difficult to compare data directly, it’s clear the new virus is more contagious and more deadly than seasonal flu, said Glen Mays, chair of health systems, management and policy at the Colorado School of Public Health. It’s possible to protect the most vulnerable people from the flu through vaccination, and most people who get the flu feel sick enough that they end up staying in bed before they’ve infected many others, he said. Neither is true of the new coronavirus, which some people spread for a week or more before developing symptoms.
“That’s why we never talk about shutting down the economy” during flu season, he said. “No pharmaceutical prevention, plus being more infectious, plus a much higher death rate are why we had to pull out all the stops.”
The projections for Colorado show cases plateauing if people continue practicing social distancing because many of the cases are coming from long-term care facilities and prisons, Mays said. There could be fewer hospitalizations and deaths if we get better at using testing to stop spread in those facilities, he said, or there could be more if the virus starts spreading more widely in the general population.
Hospitalizations on track to exceed flu
As of Friday, 2,747 people have been hospitalized in Colorado because of complications of the new coronavirus. While the state hasn’t passed the 3,832 hospitalizations from flu in the most recent year, it could before long. More than twice as many people are hospitalized on average day for COVID-19 than were with seasonal flu.
Some other states have seen the same pattern as Colorado, with COVID-19 hospitalizations still below ones for the flu, but rapidly gaining, Malosh said. Others, including Michigan, already have passed their flu totals in about two months, he said.
Each person with the new virus spreads it to about twice as many people as they would give the flu, on average, and there’s no vaccine or existing immunity to slow the virus’ spread, Malosh said. That’s enabled the virus to sicken and kill people faster than most respiratory diseases.
“It moves through the population very quickly,” he said.
It’s difficult to directly compare COVID-19 and flu because Colorado collects data for the two diseases differently, but state officials said they believe the new virus has a higher probability of sending an infected person to the hospital. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment estimates people who get COVID-19 are about 10 times as likely as those who get the seasonal flu to require hospital-level care.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 1.4% of people who get a typical seasonal flu need hospital care, but it appears 10% or more of those who get COVID-19 may.
“Unfortunately, we know that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and we will see more hospitalizations,” CDPHE spokesman Ian Dicksonsaid.
The difficulty in drawing comparison is obvious when looking at the oldest age groups. Colorado counts those who died of COVID-19 separately from those who were hospitalized, even though many of them likely spent time in a hospital before succumbing. That could make the hospitalization rate for people in their 80s, for example, look low — because more have died of the virus, in the hospital or out of it, than have been discharged alive.
It’s also possible that some of the oldest victims, particularly those in nursing homes, had advanced directives requesting to avoid invasive measures like ventilators, so they weren’t taken to a hospital and died where they lived, Mays said.
It’s easier to make a comparison for working age people and children. CDPHE data, analyzed by The Denver Post, yielded the following daily hospitalization rates:
3.3 flu hospitalizations among adults, 18-49
11.5 COVID-19 hospitalizations among adults, 20-49
3.3 flu hospitalizations among kids, 0-17
0.6 COVID-19 hospitalizations among kids, 0-20
It’s less certain, however, whether COVID-19 is any less deadly for children. One minor, a teenager from Denver, is confirmed to have died of the new virus in the roughly two months it’s been circulating in Colorado, and three children died in about eight months in the 2018-2019 flu season.
The flu typically has a “U-shaped” pattern, meaning it’s most severe for young children and older adults, Malosh said. COVID-19 has more of a “linear” pattern, with the risk of hospitalization and death rising with each decade a person has lived, and it’s not clear why that’s the case, he said.
“We need more data on what’s happening with kids,” he said.
Annual flu deaths in Colorado
2017-2018: 577
2016-2017: 533
2015-2016: 659
2014-2015: 701
Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
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thedenverpost--2020-05-02--Tenants at Acacia Apartments in Denver strike on rent

Members of the Acacia Tenants Union in Denver have posted banners saying “ Don ’ t Pay May ” and “ Rent Relief Now ” after failing to reach terms for rent relief with their landlord , Olive Bark LLC .
“ The union officially started actively mobilizing a rent strike .
We sent out a four-page packet this weekend .
Everyone in our building got it on their doors , ” said Ryan Leach , a tenant and strike organizer at the building located at 429 E. 14th Ave. in Denver .
The apartment has 55 units and about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union , which formed years ago to deal with prior tenant-landlord disputes .
The goal is to have at least 40 % of tenants strike on May rent , Leach said .
Olive Bark and landlords across the country have urged tenants to apply for unemployment benefits and other public assistance so they can make the rent .
But some renters are pushing back , arguing that landlords should also take advantage of the relief provided them under the CARES Act .
Borrowers with a government-backed mortgage , which represents the large majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 180 days .
About 7.3 % of U.S. mortgages are now in forbearance , according to Black Knight .
Missed mortgage payments can be repaid in a lump sum or applied in the regular installments to the end of the loan term , with no penalties or lowering of credit scores .
Acacia tenants , after learning the building had a qualifying mortgage , urged Olive Bark to seek mortgage relief and apply the 40 % savings in operating costs towards lower rents .
Leach said that is different than what some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on all rent , mortgage , and utility payments .
Vicky Pelton , operations manager at Olive Bark , said in an email that one way or the other the mortgage payments would have to be made up .
They aren ’ t being forgiven , just postponed .
Any rent forgiveness offered would need to be made up somehow , she said , adding that “ the math doesn ’ t add up.
” “ We know that this is a scary time for many people , and we are willing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
“ There are financial resources available ; however , if people who can afford to pay rent don ’ t , they are taking these resources from people who need them .
Our goal is to keep as many residents in their homes as possible.
” Acacia residents facing hardship can pay half of May ’ s rent and any utility fees upfront , and defer the remaining payments over the following six months .
She said many of the tenants who sought relief in April came back a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Leach said a payment plan might work for a month or two , but over time it will crush tenants .
Someone who takes three months of payment relief could end up paying 150 % of the usual rent in month four and beyond .
They will be digging a hole they can ’ t get out of .
Gov .
Jared Polis on Thursday evening extended a ban on evictions for nonpayment and minor violations that he put into place in April through the end of May .
Courts will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not enforce orders , he said at a press conference on Friday .
“ This order will not change rental housing providers ’ actions because nearly all rental housing providers had already adopted halting executing on evictions .
In fact , the governor , in his press conference today , noted that no evictions related to COVID-19 job or income loss happened last month , ” Mark Williams , executive vice president of the Colorado Apartment Association , said in a statement .
Despite pleas from progressive groups , Polis , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rent pause , instead urging landlords and tenants to negotiate payment terms .
Rent strikers may have some room to maneuver , but they are at risk once evictions resume .
“ All renters need to pay their rent , ” Polis said Friday .
About 5 % of apartment renters in the state failed to make April rent or payment arrangements , according to the apartment association , which acknowledged that making May ’ s rent could prove even more of a struggle for households .
A survey of 600 U.S. adults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 % expect to skip their May rent or mortgage payments .

Members of the Acacia Tenants Union in Denver have posted banners saying “Don’t Pay May” and “Rent Relief Now” after failing to reach terms for rent relief with their landlord, Olive Bark LLC.
“The union officially started actively mobilizing a rent strike. We sent out a four-page packet this weekend. Everyone in our building got it on their doors,” said Ryan Leach, a tenant and strike organizer at the building located at 429 E. 14th Ave. in Denver.
The apartment has 55 units and about 30 percent of tenants participate in the union, which formed years ago to deal with prior tenant-landlord disputes. The goal is to have at least 40% of tenants strike on May rent, Leach said.
Olive Bark and landlords across the country have urged tenants to apply for unemployment benefits and other public assistance so they can make the rent. But some renters are pushing back, arguing that landlords should also take advantage of the relief provided them under the CARES Act.
Borrowers with a government-backed mortgage, which represents the large majority, can seek forbearance on monthly payments for 180 days. About 7.3% of U.S. mortgages are now in forbearance, according to Black Knight. Missed mortgage payments can be repaid in a lump sum or applied in the regular installments to the end of the loan term, with no penalties or lowering of credit scores.
Acacia tenants, after learning the building had a qualifying mortgage, urged Olive Bark to seek mortgage relief and apply the 40% savings in operating costs towards lower rents. Leach said that is different than what some rent strikers want — a temporary halt on all rent, mortgage, and utility payments.
Vicky Pelton, operations manager at Olive Bark, said in an email that one way or the other the mortgage payments would have to be made up. They aren’t being forgiven, just postponed. Any rent forgiveness offered would need to be made up somehow, she said, adding that “the math doesn’t add up.”
“We know that this is a scary time for many people, and we are willing to do what we can to help,” she said. “There are financial resources available; however, if people who can afford to pay rent don’t, they are taking these resources from people who need them. Our goal is to keep as many residents in their homes as possible.”
Acacia residents facing hardship can pay half of May’s rent and any utility fees upfront, and defer the remaining payments over the following six months. She said many of the tenants who sought relief in April came back a few weeks later and paid the rest.
Leach said a payment plan might work for a month or two, but over time it will crush tenants. Someone who takes three months of payment relief could end up paying 150% of the usual rent in month four and beyond. They will be digging a hole they can’t get out of.
Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday evening extended a ban on evictions for nonpayment and minor violations that he put into place in April through the end of May. Courts will not process eviction requests and law enforcement will not enforce orders, he said at a press conference on Friday.
“This order will not change rental housing providers’ actions because nearly all rental housing providers had already adopted halting executing on evictions. In fact, the governor, in his press conference today, noted that no evictions related to COVID-19 job or income loss happened last month,” Mark Williams, executive vice president of the Colorado Apartment Association, said in a statement.
Despite pleas from progressive groups, Polis, however, has not endorsed rent forgiveness or a rent pause, instead urging landlords and tenants to negotiate payment terms. Rent strikers may have some room to maneuver, but they are at risk once evictions resume.
“All renters need to pay their rent,” Polis said Friday.
About 5% of apartment renters in the state failed to make April rent or payment arrangements, according to the apartment association, which acknowledged that making May’s rent could prove even more of a struggle for households.
A survey of 600 U.S. adults by market research platform 1Q found that 10% expect to skip their May rent or mortgage payments.


thedenverpost--2020-05-02--Denver-metro student lunch program reshaped by coronavirus shutdown of schools

A local student meal program that typically serves kids at schools has reshaped its service in response to school shutdowns because of the coronavirus .
My Kid ’ s Lunch , based out of Arvada , is serving students about 12,000 meals — breakfast , lunch , and a snack — a day at multiple locations around the greater Denver area , said Michael Sudak , founder of the program that has been dishing out nutritious eats to students for more than two decades .
Serving lunches to private schools , charter schools , day care sites , head start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My Kid ’ s Lunch is currently distributing free breakfasts and lunches in qualifying , low-income areas , serving kids whose families are struggling because of the pandemic and its negative impact on the economy and job markets .
Qualifying children who received free lunches at school are still getting essential meals .
“ In a way I ’ m proud , and in a way I ’ m brokenhearted , that our meal is possibly the best meal they ’ ll get all week , ” Sudak said .
“ It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is so elementary and important.
” The program , a division of Michael ’ s Catering of Denver , employs about 60 people and meals are prepared in two commercial-grade kitchens , one in Arvada and the other in Colorado Springs .
Current meal distribution is at more than a dozen metro area sites including in Denver , Aurora , Federal Heights , Thornton , Commerce City , Arvada , Wheat Ridge and Lakewood .
For specific site addresses , times and days , go to the My Kid ’ s Lunch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s volume was cut by about 50 % when concerns about the spread of the coronavirus shut down schools across the state in March .
My Kid ’ s Lunch , which is funded by the USDA through a partnership with a nonprofit sponsor Equal Heart , will run in its current emergency through June 30 .
Its summer program starts on June 1 , so there will be an overlap .
Meals , hot and cold made mostly from scratch , include pasta with meatballs , ginger chicken and veggie stir fry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fresh vegetables and fruits .
Drinks include a ginger berry fruit smoothie and immune-boosting ginger tea .
Social distancing and other CDC guidelines are followed at program distribution sites and in the kitchens .
“ We ’ re all so sad we can ’ t go and sit at our favorite restaurant , it ’ s part of what makes us who we are , ” Sudak said .
“ We ’ re trying to keep the tradition of dinning , and letting young kids learn what it is to dine and share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrilled to be part of it .
”

A local student meal program that typically serves kids at schools has reshaped its service in response to school shutdowns because of the coronavirus.
My Kid’s Lunch, based out of Arvada, is serving students about 12,000 meals — breakfast, lunch, and a snack — a day at multiple locations around the greater Denver area, said Michael Sudak, founder of the program that has been dishing out nutritious eats to students for more than two decades.
Serving lunches to private schools, charter schools, day care sites, head start programs and day camps since 1996, My Kid’s Lunch is currently distributing free breakfasts and lunches in qualifying, low-income areas, serving kids whose families are struggling because of the pandemic and its negative impact on the economy and job markets. Qualifying children who received free lunches at school are still getting essential meals.
“In a way I’m proud, and in a way I’m brokenhearted, that our meal is possibly the best meal they’ll get all week,” Sudak said. “It is fabulous to know we are providing something that is so elementary and important.”
The program, a division of Michael’s Catering of Denver, employs about 60 people and meals are prepared in two commercial-grade kitchens, one in Arvada and the other in Colorado Springs.
Current meal distribution is at more than a dozen metro area sites including in Denver, Aurora, Federal Heights, Thornton, Commerce City, Arvada, Wheat Ridge and Lakewood. For specific site addresses, times and days, go to the My Kid’s Lunch page on Facebook.
The program’s volume was cut by about 50% when concerns about the spread of the coronavirus shut down schools across the state in March. My Kid’s Lunch, which is funded by the USDA through a partnership with a nonprofit sponsor Equal Heart, will run in its current emergency through June 30. Its summer program starts on June 1, so there will be an overlap.
Meals, hot and cold made mostly from scratch, include pasta with meatballs, ginger chicken and veggie stir fry, wraps and sandwiches; along with fresh vegetables and fruits. Drinks include a ginger berry fruit smoothie and immune-boosting ginger tea. Social distancing and other CDC guidelines are followed at program distribution sites and in the kitchens.
“We’re all so sad we can’t go and sit at our favorite restaurant, it’s part of what makes us who we are,” Sudak said. “We’re trying to keep the tradition of dinning, and letting young kids learn what it is to dine and share foods, alive. I’m thrilled to be part of it.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-02--PHOTOS: Denver’s Collegiate Prep Academy organizes Senior Caravan Celebration

Faculty and staff at Collegiate Prep Academy in Denver organized a Senior Caravan Celebration on Friday , May , 1 @ @ @ @ @ faculty drove by the homes of 84 graduating seniors to cheer and present them with @ @ @ @ @ To have all of those celebratory moments snatched away has been heart-breaking for our community @ @ @ @ @ Lynch said .
“ This is our way of acknowledging students ’ hard work , @ @ @ @ @ of joy and happiness during these hard times.
” By Daniel Brenner , Special to @ @ @

Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
A ballon that was used as decoration on a car starts to drift away during a Senior Caravan Celebration Friday, May, 1, 2020 on East 53rd Avenue. Teachers and faculty drove by the homes of 84 graduating seniors to cheer and present them with a lawn sign. “To have all of those celebratory moments snatched away has been heart-breaking for our community," CPA principal Neisa Lynch said. "This is our way of acknowledging students’ hard work, and hopefully bring a bit of joy and happiness during these hard times.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-02--Saunders: MLB still has more questions than answers in age of coronavirus

I don ’ t have a crystal ball , so I can ’ t predict what will happen to baseball in the age of the coronavirus pandemic .
No one can .
There are a lot of reports and theories out there , the lastest being that Major League Baseball was closing in on a plan that would have hubs in Florida , Texas and Arizona , with three divisions of 10 teams each .
From what I have been told , MLB is far from sold on that plan .
In truth , MLB is fielding numerous ideas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health issues have been addressed by local , state and federal governments , as well as the players ’ union .
It ’ s a complicated process that changes by the day .
Last week , Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic summarized the situation this way : “ The longer the sport waits , the greater the number of options that might arise , provided COVID-19 numbers trend positively in states under consideration .
The most realistic time range for Opening Day — somewhere between mid-June and July 4 , in the view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an 80- to 100-game regular season , with the schedule running through October .
An expanded postseason at neutral sites might follow , with the World Series ending in late November or early December.
” That jibes with what I have been told , although opening the season by mid-June seems optimistic .
Some less-serious subjects are easier to speculate about : — The shortened season might hurt the Dodgers more than any other team .
Remember , they traded three prospects to Boston for Mookie Betts and his $ 27 million salary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a season from him before he becomes a free agent .
— A shortened season makes for a more wide-open path to a division title or the playoffs .
The Dodgers , for example , won National League West titles in each of Dave Roberts ’ four years as manager .
Overall , the Dodgers have won seven consecutive NL West titles .
But , as Sports Illustrated ’ s Tom Verducci noted recently , if each of Roberts ’ four seasons were truncated at 60 games , the Dodgers would have won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diamondbacks , Rockies and Giants each took a turn in first place after 60 games .
— This shortened season is critical to the future of two favorites of Rockies fans — Nolan Arenado and DJ LeMahieu .
Arenado , of course , can ’ t opt out of his $ 260 million contract with the Rockies until after the 2021 season .
Yet , given his rift with general manager Jeff Bridich , there was well-founded speculation that Arenado might be traded this summer or during the 2020-21 offseason .
The coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arenado scenario .
LeMahieu , the former Rockies all-star second baseman , is entering the final year of a two-year , $ 24 million contract with the Yankees .
Last season , LeMahieu was an all-star for the third time in his nine-year career , hitting .327 with a career-high 26 homers and 102 RBIs .
After this season , LeMahieu was likely to receive his career payday and reports are that the Yankees were interested in extending his deal .
LeMahieu loves playing in New York and he ’ s become a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wonder if the uncertain state of baseball is going to shake up the marriage between LeMahieu and the Yankees .

I don’t have a crystal ball, so I can’t predict what will happen to baseball in the age of the coronavirus pandemic. No one can.
There are a lot of reports and theories out there, the lastest being that Major League Baseball was closing in on a plan that would have hubs in Florida, Texas and Arizona, with three divisions of 10 teams each. From what I have been told, MLB is far from sold on that plan.
In truth, MLB is fielding numerous ideas and will not announce a plan until multiple health issues have been addressed by local, state and federal governments, as well as the players’ union. It’s a complicated process that changes by the day.
Last week, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic summarized the situation this way:
“The longer the sport waits, the greater the number of options that might arise, provided COVID-19 numbers trend positively in states under consideration. The most realistic time range for Opening Day — somewhere between mid-June and July 4, in the view of most officials — would allow for an 80- to 100-game regular season, with the schedule running through October. An expanded postseason at neutral sites might follow, with the World Series ending in late November or early December.”
That jibes with what I have been told, although opening the season by mid-June seems optimistic.
Some less-serious subjects are easier to speculate about:
— The shortened season might hurt the Dodgers more than any other team. Remember, they traded three prospects to Boston for Mookie Betts and his $27 million salary and yet might get less than half a season from him before he becomes a free agent.
— A shortened season makes for a more wide-open path to a division title or the playoffs. The Dodgers, for example, won National League West titles in each of Dave Roberts’ four years as manager. Overall, the Dodgers have won seven consecutive NL West titles. But, as Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci noted recently, if each of Roberts’ four seasons were truncated at 60 games, the Dodgers would have won only once, in 2019. The Diamondbacks, Rockies and Giants each took a turn in first place after 60 games.
— This shortened season is critical to the future of two favorites of Rockies fans — Nolan Arenado and DJ LeMahieu.
Arenado, of course, can’t opt out of his $260 million contract with the Rockies until after the 2021 season. Yet, given his rift with general manager Jeff Bridich, there was well-founded speculation that Arenado might be traded this summer or during the 2020-21 offseason. The coronavirus and the shortened season greatly complicates the Arenado scenario.
LeMahieu, the former Rockies all-star second baseman, is entering the final year of a two-year, $24 million contract with the Yankees. Last season, LeMahieu was an all-star for the third time in his nine-year career, hitting .327 with a career-high 26 homers and 102 RBIs.
After this season, LeMahieu was likely to receive his career payday and reports are that the Yankees were interested in extending his deal. LeMahieu loves playing in New York and he’s become a fan favorite there, but you have to wonder if the uncertain state of baseball is going to shake up the marriage between LeMahieu and the Yankees.


thedenverpost--2020-05-02--Ask Amy: COVID-19 crisis creates strange bedfellows

Dear Amy : Because COVID-19 has caused universities to close , my boyfriend ’ s sister , “ C , ” has moved into the house with us until further notice ( perhaps until the university reopens in the fall ) .
C is a very picky eater and eats mostly bread , cheese , and fruit .
My boyfriend and I are mostly vegetarian and vegan , but we ’ ve been able to find at least one meal a week we can all share together .
We tend to do this on Sundays .
My issue is with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More often than not , C seems to take an adult-sized portion of food ( at least a few spoonfuls , perhaps to be polite ) picks at the food we ’ ve prepared , and then declares she ’ s not interested in eating it and throws it away .
This amounts to bowls of food going into the trash over the course of the week ( we aren ’ t interested in eating it , because of the virus concerns ) .
I don ’ t want C to feel like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve offered : “ feel free to make yourself a sandwich !
” several times .
How do I prevent this food waste from happening ?
Dear Mealmates : This pandemic — and the necessity to isolate — has created unusual and unforeseen cohabiting groups , strange ( and stranger ) bedfellows , and occasional discomfort around the dining table .
In my household , this discomfort is caused by various family members experimenting with new dishes , and serving up the occasional dud ( I plead guilty ) .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealt with ( and perhaps solved ) through simple communication .
You say that you don ’ t want for “ C ” to feel like she has to appease you – but she should feel that she has to appease you , by making an effort to be a responsible member of the household .
You are making the effort to appease her by providing housing for the foreseeable future , and by not passing judgment on her limited diet .
“ Feel free to make yourself a sandwich ” is obviously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discern what you are really getting at .
You and your boyfriend ( C ’ s brother ) should have a “ family meeting ” once a week .
You should all review various aspects of your cohabitation , especially your experiences at mealtime .
Say to her , “ We all like to eat different things , and that ’ s fine .
But you often serve yourself a larger portion of the food we prepare , even when it seems that you won ’ t like it – or wouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we end up throwing it away .
If you want to try something , it would be helpful if you served yourself a small spoonful or two , and if you like it , dive in !
We just can ’ t afford to dispose of leftover food.
” Dear Amy : Due to the COVID crisis , both my spouse and teen have been idle at home , but I have been working full time ( from home ) .
I had to have a talk with them .
I said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to your job/school but I am , you must step up .
DO NOT expect me to work and then plan and make dinner and do the laundry and , etc .
They got the message .
Women , especially , have the expectation of managing the family , the house , and their job .
I hope this situation will be the event that helps those who don ’ t manage the household see and step into full partnerships with the “ house manager.
” Dear Optimistic : In my household @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealt with this issue by asking each family member ( four currently at home ) to “ take a night.
” This seems to have worked out well ( so far ) , and has been something of a relief for all of us .
Dear Amy : “ Overworked ” complained about the state of her house with her adult children quarantined at home .
This mom obviously raised these kids to be dependent and to act helpless when at home .
It is absolutely unacceptable that any young adult would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now parents get a second chance at successful parenting .
One of the parents of one of my sixth-grade students confided in me that , in preparation for going in for cancer surgery , she took her school-age boys aside and explained how to do laundry , pack a lunch , etc .
She came out of the surgery fine and the boys kept up with taking care of these chores .
She said , “ Why did it take cancer to teach me that kids can be so independent ?
” Dear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this valuable lesson .

Dear Amy: Because COVID-19 has caused universities to close, my boyfriend’s sister, “C,” has moved into the house with us until further notice (perhaps until the university reopens in the fall).
C is a very picky eater and eats mostly bread, cheese, and fruit. My boyfriend and I are mostly vegetarian and vegan, but we’ve been able to find at least one meal a week we can all share together. We tend to do this on Sundays.
My issue is with the other days of the week. More often than not, C seems to take an adult-sized portion of food (at least a few spoonfuls, perhaps to be polite) picks at the food we’ve prepared, and then declares she’s not interested in eating it and throws it away.
This amounts to bowls of food going into the trash over the course of the week (we aren’t interested in eating it, because of the virus concerns).
I don’t want C to feel like she has to appease us, and I’ve offered: “feel free to make yourself a sandwich!” several times.
How do I prevent this food waste from happening?
— Mealmates
Dear Mealmates: This pandemic — and the necessity to isolate — has created unusual and unforeseen cohabiting groups, strange (and stranger) bedfellows, and occasional discomfort around the dining table. In my household, this discomfort is caused by various family members experimenting with new dishes, and serving up the occasional dud (I plead guilty).
Most of the issues that arise can be dealt with (and perhaps solved) through simple communication.
You say that you don’t want for “C” to feel like she has to appease you – but she should feel that she has to appease you, by making an effort to be a responsible member of the household.
You are making the effort to appease her by providing housing for the foreseeable future, and by not passing judgment on her limited diet.
“Feel free to make yourself a sandwich” is obviously a way too subtle statement for C to discern what you are really getting at.
You and your boyfriend (C’s brother) should have a “family meeting” once a week. You should all review various aspects of your cohabitation, especially your experiences at mealtime. Say to her, “We all like to eat different things, and that’s fine. But you often serve yourself a larger portion of the food we prepare, even when it seems that you won’t like it – or wouldn’t eat it – and then we end up throwing it away. If you want to try something, it would be helpful if you served yourself a small spoonful or two, and if you like it, dive in! We just can’t afford to dispose of leftover food.”
Dear Amy: Due to the COVID crisis, both my spouse and teen have been idle at home, but I have been working full time (from home).
I had to have a talk with them. I said, basically, if you’re not going to your job/school but I am, you must step up. DO NOT expect me to work and then plan and make dinner and do the laundry and, etc.
They got the message.
Women, especially, have the expectation of managing the family, the house, and their job.
I hope this situation will be the event that helps those who don’t manage the household see and step into full partnerships with the “house manager.”
— Optimistic
Dear Optimistic: In my household, I finally reached my limit and dealt with this issue by asking each family member (four currently at home) to “take a night.” This seems to have worked out well (so far), and has been something of a relief for all of us.
Dear Amy: “Overworked” complained about the state of her house with her adult children quarantined at home.
This mom obviously raised these kids to be dependent and to act helpless when at home.
It is absolutely unacceptable that any young adult would not automatically pitch in and be useful.
Now parents get a second chance at successful parenting.
One of the parents of one of my sixth-grade students confided in me that, in preparation for going in for cancer surgery, she took her school-age boys aside and explained how to do laundry, pack a lunch, etc.
She came out of the surgery fine and the boys kept up with taking care of these chores.
She said, “Why did it take cancer to teach me that kids can be so independent?”
— Teacher
Dear Teacher: Some parents are late to this valuable lesson.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-05-02--Women’s soccer claim of unequal pay tossed, can argue travel

A federal judge threw out the unequal pay claim by players on the U.S. women ’ s national soccer team in a surprising loss for the defending World Cup champions but allowed their allegation of discriminatory working conditions to go to trial .
Players led by Alex Morgan sued in March 2019 , claiming they have not been paid equally under their collective bargaining agreement to what the men ’ s national team receives under its labor deal .
They asked for more than $ 66 million in damages under the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 32-page decision Friday , U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner granted in part a motion for partial summary judgment by the U.S. Soccer Federation .
He threw out the Equal Pay Act allegations but left intact the Civil Rights Act claims .
“ The history of negotiations between the parties demonstrates that the WNT rejected an offer to be paid under the same pay-to-play structure as the MNT , and the WNT was willing to forgo higher bonuses for benefits , such as greater base compensation and the guarantee of a higher number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Accordingly , plaintiffs can not now retroactively deem their CBA worse than the MNT CBA by reference to what they would have made had they been paid under the MNT ’ s pay-to-play terms structure when they themselves rejected such a structure , ” he said .
Klausner left intact claims the USSF discriminated in the money it spent on commercial airfare , hotel accommodations , and medical and training support services .
A trial is scheduled for June 16 in federal court in Los Angeles .
“ We are shocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we will not give up our hard work for equal pay , ” Molly Levinson , spokeswoman for the women ’ s players , said in a statement .
“ We are confident in our case and steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that girls and women who play this sport will not be valued as lesser just because of their gender.
” Players intend to ask the 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn Klausner ’ s decision , a move that could delay the trial into 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this team at all you know we have a lot of fight left in us .
We knew this wasn ’ t going to be easy , change never is , ” defender Becky Sauerbrunn wrote on Twitter .
While the Americans are the most successful women ’ s team , with four World Cup titles including the last two , the U.S. men did not even qualify for the 2018 World Cup .
The USSF argued the women actually made more than the men both overall and by game average , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same bonus structure as the men .
“ Merely comparing what WNT players received under their own CBA with what they would have received under the MNT CBA discounts the value that the team placed on guaranteed benefits they receive under their agreement , which they opted for at the expense of higher performance-based bonuses , ” Klausner wrote .
“ This issue is insufficient to create a genuine issue of material fact for trial , ” he added .
Klausner also said the women could not go forward with their claim that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more games on artificial turf than the men had .
He said there was not sufficient evidence to show that decisions on field surface were made for discriminatory reasons .
He rejected the USSF ’ s argument that the men had a competitive need for charter flights that the women lacked , allowing that part of the suit to go forward .
The federation has argued that the men , who have struggled in World Cup qualifying , have more need for charters than the women in order to arrive more rested for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not fully explain the gross disparity on money spent on airfare and hotels for the teams , ” Klausner wrote .
Klausner allowed other claims of discriminatory travel accommodations , such as money spent on hotels and commercial flights , to go to trial along with claims on support services such as medical and training staff .
He said the USSF ’ s lawyers waited until reply briefs to ask for those claims to be thrown out , which meant he did not have to consider them .
Seyfarth Shaw ’ s summary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical of American women ’ s players .
That filing caused an uproar and led to the resignation of USSF president Carlos Cordeiro , who was replaced by Cindy Parlow Cone , a former national team player .
Latham & Watkins took over as counsel and filed the reply brief .
Earlier Friday , the women asked that Parlow Cone be included .
Their lawyers said although the federation backed off earlier arguments saying women were inferior to their male counterparts in skill and effort , it still planned to contest differences in @ @

A federal judge threw out the unequal pay claim by players on the U.S. women’s national soccer team in a surprising loss for the defending World Cup champions but allowed their allegation of discriminatory working conditions to go to trial.
Players led by Alex Morgan sued in March 2019, claiming they have not been paid equally under their collective bargaining agreement to what the men’s national team receives under its labor deal. They asked for more than $66 million in damages under the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
In a 32-page decision Friday, U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner granted in part a motion for partial summary judgment by the U.S. Soccer Federation. He threw out the Equal Pay Act allegations but left intact the Civil Rights Act claims.
“The history of negotiations between the parties demonstrates that the WNT rejected an offer to be paid under the same pay-to-play structure as the MNT, and the WNT was willing to forgo higher bonuses for benefits, such as greater base compensation and the guarantee of a higher number of contracted players,” Klausner wrote.
“Accordingly, plaintiffs cannot now retroactively deem their CBA worse than the MNT CBA by reference to what they would have made had they been paid under the MNT’s pay-to-play terms structure when they themselves rejected such a structure,” he said.
Klausner left intact claims the USSF discriminated in the money it spent on commercial airfare, hotel accommodations, and medical and training support services.
A trial is scheduled for June 16 in federal court in Los Angeles.
“We are shocked and disappointed with today’s decision, but we will not give up our hard work for equal pay,” Molly Levinson, spokeswoman for the women’s players, said in a statement. “We are confident in our case and steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that girls and women who play this sport will not be valued as lesser just because of their gender.”
Players intend to ask the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn Klausner’s decision, a move that could delay the trial into 2021 or later.
“If you know this team at all you know we have a lot of fight left in us. We knew this wasn’t going to be easy, change never is,” defender Becky Sauerbrunn wrote on Twitter.
While the Americans are the most successful women’s team, with four World Cup titles including the last two, the U.S. men did not even qualify for the 2018 World Cup. The USSF argued the women actually made more than the men both overall and by game average, and the women claimed they should have the same bonus structure as the men.
“Merely comparing what WNT players received under their own CBA with what they would have received under the MNT CBA discounts the value that the team placed on guaranteed benefits they receive under their agreement, which they opted for at the expense of higher performance-based bonuses,” Klausner wrote.
“This issue is insufficient to create a genuine issue of material fact for trial,” he added.
Klausner also said the women could not go forward with their claim that the USSF discriminated against them by scheduling more games on artificial turf than the men had. He said there was not sufficient evidence to show that decisions on field surface were made for discriminatory reasons.
He rejected the USSF’s argument that the men had a competitive need for charter flights that the women lacked, allowing that part of the suit to go forward. The federation has argued that the men, who have struggled in World Cup qualifying, have more need for charters than the women in order to arrive more rested for their qualifiers.
“This rationale does not fully explain the gross disparity on money spent on airfare and hotels for the teams,” Klausner wrote.
Klausner allowed other claims of discriminatory travel accommodations, such as money spent on hotels and commercial flights, to go to trial along with claims on support services such as medical and training staff. He said the USSF’s lawyers waited until reply briefs to ask for those claims to be thrown out, which meant he did not have to consider them.
Seyfarth Shaw’s summary judgment motion for the USSF included arguments critical of American women’s players. That filing caused an uproar and led to the resignation of USSF president Carlos Cordeiro, who was replaced by Cindy Parlow Cone, a former national team player. Latham & Watkins took over as counsel and filed the reply brief.
Earlier Friday, the women asked that Parlow Cone be included. Their lawyers said although the federation backed off earlier arguments saying women were inferior to their male counterparts in skill and effort, it still planned to contest differences in responsibility.


thedenverpost--2020-05-03--Marcelo Balboa on World Cup, Colorado soccer and the most famous missed kick in USMNT history

Perhaps the most memorable moment of Marcelo Balboa ’ s soccer career came on a miss .
It was the 1994 World Cup , and the Americans were leading heavily favored Columbia when Balboa attempted a bicycle kick — an amazing feat of athleticism that saw the ball sail just wide of the near post .
“ If that kick would have gone in , it would have changed our life , ” said Nick Balboa , the oldest of Marcelo ’ s two sons .
“ I think I just shocked the ( crud ) out of people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing a bicycle kick at a World Cup , let alone a defender doing a bicycle and it coming that close… It ’ s kind of funny .
I will go to my grave and it ’ ll say , ‘ Yes , I missed the bicycle . '
” Nick is an intern with the Rapids communications department and a student at the University of Colorado .
He proudly talks about his trip as an infant to see his dad at the 1998 World Cup .
He was too young to remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career but he often goes through the archived footage .
“ After I understood the significance of it I would watch the highlight back more and more , ” Nick said .
“ Part of me wishes that he got the bicycle kick just because of the curiosity of what life would have been like if he got it .
Still , it ’ s one of the coolest misses ever.
” Marcelo was the first player to make 100 appearances for the USMNT , anchoring the American defense for the 1990 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Between his first two Cups , he came to Colorado to play for the Foxes and liked the state so much that when Major League Soccer was formed he wanted to make Denver home .
“ When we joined in 1996 , we were told there was money for three years and if things went well we could see where it was going to go , ” Marcelo remembers .
“ I don ’ t think people know how close MLS was to folding with three owners and a commissioner sitting at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philip Anschutz deserves a big a thank you for bringing soccer to Colorado and supporting it.
” Balboa was instrumental in the formation of MLS and one of its first stars when play began , but his contributions to the league and Colorado soccer post-career might be even more significant .
His broadcasting career started almost immediately after he stopped playing in 2002 .
He ’ s called everything from MLS to Olympics to World Cups for nearly every network in both English and Spanish .
Locally , Balboa is the soccer commentator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s still better known in Colorado for his work on the field .
He coached local youth clubs , Monarch High School for four years , and now he leads the Rapids Developmental Academy ’ s 14-year-old team .
“ When you talk about iconic players in our club history , Marcelo is someone you immediately think of .
He was part of a pioneering group of players that helped not just set the foundation of this club , but of this league and the sport of soccer in the U.S. , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He continues to be an ambassador for the Rapids and this league through his role as a broadcast analyst for Altitude TV , Univision and as a head coach in our development academy.
” One thing is certain for the Balboa family : Their life flows with the four-year cycle of World Cups .
“ I never thought I would get to play in three World Cups , ” Marcelo said .
“ And now I broadcast the Olympics , World Cups and Champions League final .
I love watching the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a World Cup here would be fantastic.
” Balboa is referencing the 2026 World Cup , which will be hosted in North America for the first time since 1994 .
Denver is one of the 23 candidate cities looking to make the final cut down to 16 , which is scheduled to happen this June .
The state ’ s soccer cachet has grown in recent years thanks to Team USA members Mallory Pugh and Lindsey Horan .
Balboa hopes a male Coloradan makes a World Cup roster , too .
“ To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Colorado Rapids and making a national team , I think it ’ d be awesome to see , ” Marcelo said .
“ Every little kid that grows up playing soccer wants to play in a World Cup .
To have a kid live that dream from Colorado , to be able to step onto the field in a World Cup , that ’ s the biggest sporting event in the world .
Nothing competes with what the World Cup has to bring , because it is the world you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his contributions to the game in Colorado .
But it is hard to deny , given the possibility one of his pupils could be on the field the next time the World Cup is played on U.S. soil — or that he helped lay the foundation for its arrival in Denver .
His son , on the other hand , is already dreaming about watching a pregame montage that includes his father ’ s missed bicycle kick on the Empower Field jumbotron .
“ It ’ d mean the entire world to him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is home .
The possibility is beyond exciting for not only the state and the sport , but for my dad .
The progression to get to the point of possibly hosting a World Cup game is a huge accomplishment .
”

Perhaps the most memorable moment of Marcelo Balboa’s soccer career came on a miss.
It was the 1994 World Cup, and the Americans were leading heavily favored Columbia when Balboa attempted a bicycle kick — an amazing feat of athleticism that saw the ball sail just wide of the near post.
“If that kick would have gone in, it would have changed our life,” said Nick Balboa, the oldest of Marcelo’s two sons.
“I think I just shocked the (crud) out of people,” Marcelo laughed. “An American doing a bicycle kick at a World Cup, let alone a defender doing a bicycle and it coming that close… It’s kind of funny. I will go to my grave and it’ll say, ‘Yes, I missed the bicycle.'”
Nick is an intern with the Rapids communications department and a student at the University of Colorado. He proudly talks about his trip as an infant to see his dad at the 1998 World Cup. He was too young to remember anything from his father’s playing career but he often goes through the archived footage.
“After I understood the significance of it I would watch the highlight back more and more,” Nick said. “Part of me wishes that he got the bicycle kick just because of the curiosity of what life would have been like if he got it. Still, it’s one of the coolest misses ever.”
Marcelo was the first player to make 100 appearances for the USMNT, anchoring the American defense for the 1990, ’94 and ’98 World Cups. Between his first two Cups, he came to Colorado to play for the Foxes and liked the state so much that when Major League Soccer was formed he wanted to make Denver home.
“When we joined in 1996, we were told there was money for three years and if things went well we could see where it was going to go,” Marcelo remembers. “I don’t think people know how close MLS was to folding with three owners and a commissioner sitting at a table trying to figure out. Philip Anschutz deserves a big a thank you for bringing soccer to Colorado and supporting it.”
Balboa was instrumental in the formation of MLS and one of its first stars when play began, but his contributions to the league and Colorado soccer post-career might be even more significant.
His broadcasting career started almost immediately after he stopped playing in 2002. He’s called everything from MLS to Olympics to World Cups for nearly every network in both English and Spanish. Locally, Balboa is the soccer commentator for Altitude TV, but he’s still better known in Colorado for his work on the field. He coached local youth clubs, Monarch High School for four years, and now he leads the Rapids Developmental Academy’s 14-year-old team.
“When you talk about iconic players in our club history, Marcelo is someone you immediately think of. He was part of a pioneering group of players that helped not just set the foundation of this club, but of this league and the sport of soccer in the U.S.,” Rapids Vice President Padraig Smith said. “He continues to be an ambassador for the Rapids and this league through his role as a broadcast analyst for Altitude TV, Univision and as a head coach in our development academy.”
One thing is certain for the Balboa family: Their life flows with the four-year cycle of World Cups.
“I never thought I would get to play in three World Cups,” Marcelo said. “And now I broadcast the Olympics, World Cups and Champions League final. I love watching the game. But to be able to bring a World Cup here would be fantastic.”
Balboa is referencing the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in North America for the first time since 1994. Denver is one of the 23 candidate cities looking to make the final cut down to 16, which is scheduled to happen this June.
The state’s soccer cachet has grown in recent years thanks to Team USA members Mallory Pugh and Lindsey Horan. Balboa hopes a male Coloradan makes a World Cup roster, too.
“To have kids from Colorado representing Colorado or the Colorado Rapids and making a national team, I think it’d be awesome to see,” Marcelo said. “Every little kid that grows up playing soccer wants to play in a World Cup. To have a kid live that dream from Colorado, to be able to step onto the field in a World Cup, that’s the biggest sporting event in the world. Nothing competes with what the World Cup has to bring, because it is the world you’re playing in front of.”
Balboa downplays his contributions to the game in Colorado. But it is hard to deny, given the possibility one of his pupils could be on the field the next time the World Cup is played on U.S. soil — or that he helped lay the foundation for its arrival in Denver.
His son, on the other hand, is already dreaming about watching a pregame montage that includes his father’s missed bicycle kick on the Empower Field jumbotron.
“It’d mean the entire world to him,” Nick said. “Colorado is home. The possibility is beyond exciting for not only the state and the sport, but for my dad. The progression to get to the point of possibly hosting a World Cup game is a huge accomplishment.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-02--CU Buffs position overview: Quarterbacks

In June of 2016 , Tyler Lytle made the journey from his home in California to Boulder so he could personally tell Colorado coaches that he wanted to play for them .
The most highly recruited quarterback at CU in nearly 20 years , Lytle had visions of playing a significant role in the turnaround of the Buffaloes ’ program .
Four years , three head coaches , four quarterbacks coaches and four offensive systems later , Lytle has that chance .
Concerns over the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 have created stay-at-home orders around the country and led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football season , but CU continues to prepare and BuffZone is previewing each position group for the Buffs .
In this final installment , we look at the quarterbacks .
Lytle committed to CU before its surprise run to the Pac-12 South title in 2016 .
Senior Sefo Liufau led the Buffs that season and then handed the keys to the offense to sophomore Steven Montez .
Lytle enrolled early and had a chance to compete for the job , but there wasn ’ t much doubt that Montez would start in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games over the past three years , setting 37 school records , including for career passing yards ( 9,649 ) and touchdown passes ( 63 ) .
Now , for the first time since 2013 , CU has a true quarterback competition on its hands .
That year , the Buffs had a first-year head coach deciding between an inexperienced veteran and a talented true freshman .
( Veteran Connor Wood won the job , but was replaced by Liufau in the fifth game ) .
This year , first-year head coach Karl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veterans ( Lytle and Sam Noyer ) and a talented true freshman ( Brendon Lewis ) .
“ Obviously it starts with a quarterback , which we don ’ t have right now , ” Dorrell said last month .
“ We had a three-year starter that graduated .
It ’ s going to be a new player ( starting next season ) , so we have to quickly assemble what are his strengths and tie that in to what we do offensively and create a package of offense that is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lytle , a redshirt junior , could be the front-runner going into the next season .
He was Montez ’ s top backup last year and has spent four seasons in the program , although he ’ s thrown just six career passes .
Last year , he threw just one pass , which fell incomplete .
Although he doesn ’ t have much game time experience , Lytle has soaked up a lot of knowledge over the years from coaches .
Dorrell is his third head coach and Danny Langsdorf , hired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s fourth quarterbacks coach in as many years .
Through all the staff change , Lytle has developed his game and his body , getting himself physically ready for the opportunity .
He has also taken on a leadership role this offseason .
“ As a backup quarterback , you do speak up to say things , but it ’ s more of a lead by example case of leadership , ” he said .
“ Now I could have people looking to me , expecting me to say things and that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with and I ’ ve been looking forward to – actually kind of taking the reins.
” It should benefit Lytle that Dorrell promoted Darrin Chiaverini to offensive coordinator .
Chiaverini was co-coordinator and play caller in 2018 , so returning to that role gives Lytle a familiar voice in his ear .
Noyer , a senior , spent three years as a backup to Liufau and then Montez .
He ’ s got the most experience in this year ’ s group , going 21-for-41 for 179 yards in his career .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tucker moved Noyer to safety .
After the season , Noyer entered the transfer portal , but recently decided to come back to CU after Dorrell and Chiaverini offered him a chance to return to quarterback .
CU coaches love Noyer ’ s size ( 6-foot-4 , 220 pounds ) and athleticism .
Even if he doesn ’ t win the starting job , coaches could find ways to get him on the field .
Lewis , meanwhile , comes to CU after a stellar career at Melissa ( Tex . )
High @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he ’ s a pass-first dual threat who threw for 8,922 yards and ran for 3,240 during his prep career .
At 6-foot-3 , 210 pounds , Lewis has good size and he ’ s already set a program record in the weight room for squat by a quarterback .
He ’ s already trying to learn a second playbook , though , after the February coaching change and the cancellation of spring football because of the coronavirus pandemic prevented him from having valuable practice time .
All three quarterbacks will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the Buffs look to improve upon three consecutive 5-7 seasons .
“ I think the ( quarterbacks ) that we have on scholarship are really talented , ” Chiaverini said in March .
“ It ’ s going to be an open competition.
” Here ’ s an initial look at the projected quarterbacks for the 2020 season : Sophomores : Matthew Ryan , 5-11 , 190 ( walk-on ; did not appear in games ) Redshirt freshmen : Grant Ciccarone , 6-2 , 205 ( walk-on ; did not appear @ @ @

In June of 2016, Tyler Lytle made the journey from his home in California to Boulder so he could personally tell Colorado coaches that he wanted to play for them.
The most highly recruited quarterback at CU in nearly 20 years, Lytle had visions of playing a significant role in the turnaround of the Buffaloes’ program.
Four years, three head coaches, four quarterbacks coaches and four offensive systems later, Lytle has that chance.
Concerns over the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 have created stay-at-home orders around the country and led to uncertainty about the fate of the 2020 football season, but CU continues to prepare and BuffZone is previewing each position group for the Buffs. In this final installment, we look at the quarterbacks.
Lytle committed to CU before its surprise run to the Pac-12 South title in 2016. Senior Sefo Liufau led the Buffs that season and then handed the keys to the offense to sophomore Steven Montez. Lytle enrolled early and had a chance to compete for the job, but there wasn’t much doubt that Montez would start in 2017.
Montez wound up starting all 36 games over the past three years, setting 37 school records, including for career passing yards (9,649) and touchdown passes (63).
Now, for the first time since 2013, CU has a true quarterback competition on its hands. That year, the Buffs had a first-year head coach deciding between an inexperienced veteran and a talented true freshman. (Veteran Connor Wood won the job, but was replaced by Liufau in the fifth game).
This year, first-year head coach Karl Dorrell has to decide between two inexperienced veterans (Lytle and Sam Noyer) and a talented true freshman (Brendon Lewis).
“Obviously it starts with a quarterback, which we don’t have right now,” Dorrell said last month. “We had a three-year starter that graduated. It’s going to be a new player (starting next season), so we have to quickly assemble what are his strengths and tie that in to what we do offensively and create a package of offense that is going to put some points on the board.”
Lytle, a redshirt junior, could be the front-runner going into the next season. He was Montez’s top backup last year and has spent four seasons in the program, although he’s thrown just six career passes. Last year, he threw just one pass, which fell incomplete.
Although he doesn’t have much game time experience, Lytle has soaked up a lot of knowledge over the years from coaches. Dorrell is his third head coach and Danny Langsdorf, hired in March, will be Lytle’s fourth quarterbacks coach in as many years.
Through all the staff change, Lytle has developed his game and his body, getting himself physically ready for the opportunity. He has also taken on a leadership role this offseason.
“As a backup quarterback, you do speak up to say things, but it’s more of a lead by example case of leadership,” he said. “Now I could have people looking to me, expecting me to say things and that’s something I’m completely comfortable with and I’ve been looking forward to – actually kind of taking the reins.”
It should benefit Lytle that Dorrell promoted Darrin Chiaverini to offensive coordinator. Chiaverini was co-coordinator and play caller in 2018, so returning to that role gives Lytle a familiar voice in his ear.
Noyer, a senior, spent three years as a backup to Liufau and then Montez. He’s got the most experience in this year’s group, going 21-for-41 for 179 yards in his career.
A year ago, then-head coach Mel Tucker moved Noyer to safety. After the season, Noyer entered the transfer portal, but recently decided to come back to CU after Dorrell and Chiaverini offered him a chance to return to quarterback. CU coaches love Noyer’s size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) and athleticism. Even if he doesn’t win the starting job, coaches could find ways to get him on the field.
Lewis, meanwhile, comes to CU after a stellar career at Melissa (Tex.) High School. An early enrollee in January, he’s a pass-first dual threat who threw for 8,922 yards and ran for 3,240 during his prep career.
At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Lewis has good size and he’s already set a program record in the weight room for squat by a quarterback. He’s already trying to learn a second playbook, though, after the February coaching change and the cancellation of spring football because of the coronavirus pandemic prevented him from having valuable practice time.
All three quarterbacks will have a shot at the job, though, as the Buffs look to improve upon three consecutive 5-7 seasons.
“I think the (quarterbacks) that we have on scholarship are really talented,” Chiaverini said in March. “It’s going to be an open competition.”
Here’s an initial look at the projected quarterbacks for the 2020 season:
Position: Quarterbacks
Seniors (2019 statistics): Sam Noyer, 6-foot-4, 220 pounds (played safety in 2019).
Juniors: Tyler Lytle, 6-5, 220 (0-for-1; 1 rush, minus-1 yard).
Sophomores: Matthew Ryan, 5-11, 190 (walk-on; did not appear in games)
Redshirt freshmen: Grant Ciccarone, 6-2, 205 (walk-on; did not appear in games)
True freshmen: Brendon Lewis, 6-3, 210
Players lost: Josh Goldin, 6-2,190 (walk-on; graduated); Steven Montez, 6-5, 230 (graduated; 12 starts; 255-of-405, 2,808 yards, 17 TD, 10 INT; 65 rushes, 153 yards, 3 TD); Blake Stenstrom, 6-4, 220 (transferred; 1-for-3, 12 yards, 1 INT; 1 rush, 27 yards).


thedenverpost--2020-05-02--Mountain top: Game of Thrones actor sets deadlift record

KOPAVOGUR , Iceland — The Mountain is at the top of the deadlift world .
“ Game of Thrones ” @ @ @ @ @ played Gregor “ The Mountain ” Clegane in the HBO series , set a deadlift @ @ @ @ @ kilograms ( 1,104 pounds ) on Saturday .
Bjornsson , the 2018 World ’ s @ @ @ @ @ successful attempt at Thor ’ s Power Gym in his native Iceland .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ ve done more , but what ’ s the point ?
” the 31-year-old Bjornsson @ @ @ @ @ ’ m happy with this.
” Eddie Hall set the previous record in 2016 at @ @ @ @ @ with the Englishman lifting 500 kilos ( 1,102 pounds ) .

KOPAVOGUR, Iceland — The Mountain is at the top of the deadlift world.
“Game of Thrones” actor Hafthor Bjornsson, who played Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane in the HBO series, set a deadlift world record by lifting 501 kilograms (1,104 pounds) on Saturday.
Bjornsson, the 2018 World’s Strongest Man, made the successful attempt at Thor’s Power Gym in his native Iceland.
“I believe today I could’ve done more, but what’s the point?” the 31-year-old Bjornsson told ESPN. “I’m happy with this.”
Eddie Hall set the previous record in 2016 at the World Deadlift Championships, with the Englishman lifting 500 kilos (1,102 pounds).