Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan impressed with rookie OT Riley Reiff - NFL News
The Detroit Lions expected big things from offensive tackle, Riley Reiff, after they drafted the Iowa graduate in the first round with their 23rd overall pick in this year’s drafts.
During the Lions organised team activities (OTAs) Reiff is consistently impressing coaches with his talent and is pushing for a starting role in the upcoming 2012-13 season.
The offensive tackle is currently practicing with the second team and is likely to replace starting right tackle, Gosder Cherilus, in the new season and will go on to replace starting left tackle and veteran, Jeff Backus, in the near future.
Detroit Lions, offensive coordinator, Scott Linehan is highly impressed with the way Reiff is coming around and in an interview with the
Detroit Free Press on Monday praised the youngster’s talent and work attitude on the field.
"It's still early to say who's going to play where,"
Adding further he said.
"But Riley's on track to play a lot of football for us really early. He's an exceptional talent, and he's a great kid. He's going to really help us on our offensive line. Where he ends up this year really hasn't been determined yet. But we're just happy
with what we've seen so far. We think he's going to be a heck of a player."
This was the first time that Detroit picked a player outside of the top 20 in the first round in a long time and Reiff was high on the Lions draft board.
Linehan is still not confirming which players might line up in offence for the upcoming season and only said that he will look to balance out consistency over competition.
"There's a lot of competition there and the group that played for us last year, they've really been together now we're going on our fourth season, but with that added depth and competition, we're just going to be a better football team”
The Lions ended up in the playoffs for the first time since 1999 last season after ending the regular season with a 10-6 record.
This year they are looking to repeat that feat and talented youngsters like Reiff will play a big role in that success.
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