Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2017 21:34:59 GMT -6
Riley Reiff is the first new free agent the Vikings have signed this offseason and he fills a massive need on the OL. As you all know he’s played for the Lions for the past 5 seasons and here’s a little background info on him. He was drafted out of the OL factory Iowa in the first round out of the 2012 draft by the Detroit Lions (yes that was the Matt Kalil draft). His first year he was groomed to replace Jeff Backus and only came in as a 6th OL. His second year he took over the LT spot and played their solidly for 3 seasons. Last year after the Lions took another first round OT they moved him over to the right side. This was more a sign of their faith in Decker and less and indictment on Reiff’s play on that side. The Lions knew Reiff was going to be a FA and preferred having a rookie contract LT for the next 5 years over the expensive LT contract they would’ve had to pay Reiff if he stayed. Let’s take a look at how he can help the Vikings:
RUN GAME:
Like most Iowa OL he is a superb run blocker. He can make all the blocks necessary and excels in combo blocks to the LBs. He constantly pancakes the OL on the way to the second level. He is good at making tough reach blocks and will make the cut block on the backside of outside zone plays. Also, he does a solid job making the backside cutoff block on the DE, often locking him out and preventing him from getting in on a tackle. That’s something that sounds simple (and is) but many run plays were ruined because of our OTs inability to do this.
While the Lions didn’t run many power plays Reiff’s ability to perform combo blocks and get to the second level translate well to the power and counter plays the Vikings favour.
PASS GAME: In pass protection, he has solid feet in hands but lacks some anchoring strength and struggles with power when rushers get under his pads. Has a tendency to let rushers into his pads and lets them constrict the pocket even if they aren’t necessarily threatening for a sack. He struggled the most when players were able to knock off his hands as this is where he would lose his balance and did not show the feet to mirror and wash them out. He handled stunts and twists very well showing great recognition skills and ability to pass off and receive blitzers.
Even if Reiff was a below average pass blocker he would be a massive upgrade to the OL last year. His ability to handle stunts and twist will be is much needed as they were a major problem for the Vikings OL this year. He suffered as a pass blocker this year compared to previous ones but that could be due to him switching sides. A move back to LT should clean that up but even if Reiff plays at RT he would be a massive pass blocking upgrade.
5 PLAYS THAT SHOW WHO HE IS
He’s always looking to light people up
Able to make blocks our OL couldn’t dream of
Once his hands get knocked off it’s over
Showed consistent ability to pass of and receive twists
Let this happen vs multiple teams
Overall, Reiff was an excellent addition even if a bit pricey. He’s a good OL in a league lacking them and should immediately become the best player on our OL. The Viking OL was a mess last year and has been a mess for many years partly because of Adrian Peterson’s ability to make something out of nothing. Once he showed signs of age and missed games because of injury our running game became non-existent. Mike Zimmer had said finding run blocking OL was a priority and they picked up one of the best in the biz. His versatility to play both tackle spots is important as it allows the Vikings more flexibility in free agency and the draft instead of looking for only a RT or LT. The Vikings take full advantage of this by adding another versatile OL piece in Mike Remmers. Hopefully, continue to explore all avenues to build the OL and add more pieces to a unit that was atrocious last year.
RUN GAME:
Like most Iowa OL he is a superb run blocker. He can make all the blocks necessary and excels in combo blocks to the LBs. He constantly pancakes the OL on the way to the second level. He is good at making tough reach blocks and will make the cut block on the backside of outside zone plays. Also, he does a solid job making the backside cutoff block on the DE, often locking him out and preventing him from getting in on a tackle. That’s something that sounds simple (and is) but many run plays were ruined because of our OTs inability to do this.
While the Lions didn’t run many power plays Reiff’s ability to perform combo blocks and get to the second level translate well to the power and counter plays the Vikings favour.
PASS GAME: In pass protection, he has solid feet in hands but lacks some anchoring strength and struggles with power when rushers get under his pads. Has a tendency to let rushers into his pads and lets them constrict the pocket even if they aren’t necessarily threatening for a sack. He struggled the most when players were able to knock off his hands as this is where he would lose his balance and did not show the feet to mirror and wash them out. He handled stunts and twists very well showing great recognition skills and ability to pass off and receive blitzers.
Even if Reiff was a below average pass blocker he would be a massive upgrade to the OL last year. His ability to handle stunts and twist will be is much needed as they were a major problem for the Vikings OL this year. He suffered as a pass blocker this year compared to previous ones but that could be due to him switching sides. A move back to LT should clean that up but even if Reiff plays at RT he would be a massive pass blocking upgrade.
5 PLAYS THAT SHOW WHO HE IS
He’s always looking to light people up
Able to make blocks our OL couldn’t dream of
Once his hands get knocked off it’s over
Showed consistent ability to pass of and receive twists
Let this happen vs multiple teams
Overall, Reiff was an excellent addition even if a bit pricey. He’s a good OL in a league lacking them and should immediately become the best player on our OL. The Viking OL was a mess last year and has been a mess for many years partly because of Adrian Peterson’s ability to make something out of nothing. Once he showed signs of age and missed games because of injury our running game became non-existent. Mike Zimmer had said finding run blocking OL was a priority and they picked up one of the best in the biz. His versatility to play both tackle spots is important as it allows the Vikings more flexibility in free agency and the draft instead of looking for only a RT or LT. The Vikings take full advantage of this by adding another versatile OL piece in Mike Remmers. Hopefully, continue to explore all avenues to build the OL and add more pieces to a unit that was atrocious last year.
... and neither is this Chris guy.