Patriots OT Riley Reiff has one goal in debut season with New England
FOXBORO — In free agency, the Patriots turned to Riley Reiff to address one of their most glaring roster holes at offensive tackle.
Entering his 12th NFL season, Reiff turned to New England for a surprising reason: a ring.
The 34-year-old veteran said Tuesday a championship is what keeps him motivated at this late stage of his career. Two years ago, Reiff came close to a title with the Bengals after an ankle injury sidelined him for the end of Cincinnati’s Super Bowl run. But instead of joining his teammates on the sideline for an eventual 23-20 loss to the Rams in Super Bowl LVI, he was stuck in the stands.
“I was there – up in the press box,” he told reporters. “Not a nice press box, either.”
That year, Reiff started 12 games at right tackle — a position he may soon play with the Patriots. Prior to playing in Cincinnati, he was the Vikings’ left tackle from 2017-2020. That stint followed a five-year run with the Lions, when he played both tackle positions after Detroit selected him in the first round of the 2012 draft.
Last season, Reiff started 10 games for the Bears as an injury replacement at right tackle.
Reiff’s transition to New England has been helped by a few familiar faces, including backup offensive lineman James Ferentz. The two were college roommates at Iowa, and have remained close. While Ferentz’s future with the Patriots is in doubt after the front office drafted three interior offensive linemen last month, Reiff’s contract should guarantee at least a swing tackle job for him this season.
The Pats inked Reiff to a 1-year, $5 million contract with $4.15 million guaranteed. They also signed former Broncos offensive tackle Calvin Anderson to a 2-year, $7 million. Between those two and incumbent left tackle Trent Brown, the Patriots are hoping to have two starters ready for Week 1.
As for Reiff, his focus remains on the day-to-day; the meetings, workouts and on-field drills that comprise the team’s ongoing offseason program.
“Right now, I’m just worried about learning the playbook and stuff,” he said. “I just want to keep playing. Simple as that.”
If the Patriots fulfill Reiff’s dreams of winning the Super Bowl, they’ll do so as a long shot. Vegas oddsmakers currently project them to finish fourth in the AFC East and give them the 12th or 13th-best odds of winning the Lombardi Trophy, depending on the sportsbook.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/Wegdqy7
Post a Comment