Gone Baby Gone: Riley Reiff Leaves Early for the NFL
by Patrick Vint on Jan 4, 2012 8:00 AM CST
in Iowa Hawkeyes News
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PrintNo surprises here: Riley Reiff, a three-year starter at left tackle, has decided to forego his fifth-year senior season and enter the pros. Reiff has already completed four years of school, will turn 24 before next season begins, and is projected as a potential top 10 draft pick. The decision's kind of a no-brainer.
The Plankton from Yankton was arguably the best player signed to the Class of 2008, a three-star defensive end who had previously given a verbal commitment to Nebraska but left when Bill Callahan was fired. He was notorious before even starting practice his redshirt season, picking up an arrest for public intox and interference with official acts after being caught half-naked behind the downtown Pita Pit and making a run for it. Reiff responded as we hoped: He shut up, kept his head down, and turned into a wildebeest in the weight room. He emerged in 2009 at 285 pounds and converted to the offensive line. On a line with Bryan Bulaga, Kyle Calloway, and a veritable cornucopia of upperclassmen in the interior line, Reiff forced himself into the starting lineup. First, he replaced an injured Bulaga at left tackle. Then, he replaced incumbent left guard Julian Vandervelde. By the time Iowa played Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl, he had usurped a three-year senior starter at right tackle and staked his claim as the best offensive lineman on a team with five experienced starters and a first round draft pick-to-be at left tackle.
When Bulaga left, Reiff moved to the coveted left tackle position and never left again. The 2009 offensive line, where Reiff was a Swiss Army Knife, was one of the best of the Ferentz era; Iowa's 2010 and 2011 lines have been nowhere near as solid, and Reiff's stature has suffered slightly as a result. He was a second-team all-conference selection in 2010, and a first-team selection this year, but the on-field results didn't look as impressive. It obviously hasn't changed the opinions of the NFL scouts, though, and in the end, their opinion is what matters.
We'll get to the implications of Reiff's departure later this offseason. For now, our thanks and best wishes go to Riley Reiff, the next great Iowa offensive lineman in the League.
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Good luck Reiff
Thanks for the time spent in Iowa City. I can’t fault you at all for taking off a year early. Some NFL team will be getting a good one.
DRUNJIFORNICATION
by SaturdayMorningKegStanzis on Jan 4, 2012 8:03 AM CST reply actions
He made the right choice
for my sake, I hope he ends up in Chicago. For his sake, I hope he doesn’t.
"If you need a rah-rah speech at halftime, you’re playing the wrong sport." - Pat Angerer
You know...
… it’s always bothered me that (former) Bears GM Jerry Angelo never valued the Iowa Hawkeyes as an NFL developmental program. Thank goodness he’s “gone baby gone” too!
Carmini and Reiff would be excellent anchors to build around. Now sign Forte!
Here's the first 20 picks/draft order
and first five projected selections by Sporting News’s Russ Lande. You can click the link for the others.
(* — denotes underclassman; ** — Coin toss at NFL Scouting Combine will determine order)
1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14)
Andrew Luck*, QB, Stanford. The real question: Will Luck get to learn under Peyton Manning for a season or two, or will he take over the team as a rookie because Manning is no longer there?
2. St. Louis Rams (2-14)
Matt Kalil*, OT, Southern Cal. The Rams will most likely trade this pick to a team that wants Robert Griffin III. If they keep the pick, they will grab Kalil to shore up their offensive line and get blindside protection for Sam Bradford.
3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13)
Jonathan Martin*, OT, Stanford. Martin is not an aggressive blocker, but he is a top athlete with the feet and technique to protect Christian Ponder’s blind side for the next decade.
4. Cleveland Browns (4-12)
Robert Griffin III*, QB, Baylor. The Browns might have to trade up to get Griffin, but there is little doubt they want to find their quarterback of the future. Griffin will be the most athletically gifted quarterback to enter the NFL since Michael Vick—and he also has great touch on his deep throws.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)
Riley Reiff*, OT, Iowa. Josh Freeman struggled with inconsistency. For him to improve, the offensive line must do a better job. Reiff flashes greatness, though he doesn’t play at a high level consistently.
6. Washington Redskins (5-11)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)
8t. Carolina Panthers (6-10) **
8t. Miami Dolphins (6-10) **
10. Buffalo Bills (6-10)
11t. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) **
11t. Seattle Seahawks (7-9) **
13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)
14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)
16. New York Jets (8-8)
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders) (8-8)
18. San Diego Chargers (8-8)
19. Chicago Bears (8-8)
20. Tennessee Titans (9-7)
Picks 21 thru 32 will be determined by when playoff teams lose. Note: The Browns hold the Atlanta Falcons’ first-round pick. The New England Patriots hold the New Orleans Saints’ first-round pick.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Jan 4, 2012 8:42 AM CST up reply actions
Hey, Reiff would be reunited with Clayborn in Tampa at least.
I really hope RG3 doesn’t land in Cleveland. As football fans, we should all hope he doesn’t land in that quagmire.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
I wouldnt worry about it
Lande is awful, and somebody will trade up to 2 to take Griffin
"There are few things graven in stone, except that you have to squat or you're a pussy." -Mark Rippetoe
by Brock8144 on Jan 4, 2012 11:11 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Wow, that's the highest I'd seen him projected
I’d seen just inside the top 10, but top 5? With his age and his stock likely to not get any higher than that, he had to go.
Congrats to him and good luck at the next level.
Comedy is where the mind goes to tickle itself.
I thought they had a recently Pro Bowl-caliber LT in Tampa (Penn)?
I remember reading training camp stories about how he was impressed with Clayborn’s moves. (I just really would like Reiff or any competent Iowa footballer to end up in Chicago)
"Let me finish or I will hammerpunch your clavicle." -Steve Youngblood
by SomeJerkPoster on Jan 4, 2012 11:42 AM CST up reply actions
Reiff will probably end up on the right side
or at least to start out. Which makes me extremely hopeful he ends up in Miami.
"There are few things graven in stone, except that you have to squat or you're a pussy." -Mark Rippetoe
No kidding
I prefer to think this is why Angelo was fired.
Though its going to be a stretch that Reiff falls to pick 19 for the Bears, unfortunately.
They say you're a pitcher, you're sure not much of a dresser. We wear caps and sleeves on this level, son.
Good luck Riley.
It’s a great move for him, as he is going to get paid. It’s great for the program because he continues a tradition of NFL preparation that you can only get a a handful of places in CFB. It’s good for next year because… well…
"Woody Orne with the one-handed grab!"
"the next great Iowa offensive lineman in the League."
And unfortunately maybe the last for some time. I could be wrong. Maybe Ferentz steps it up, and maybe Zusevicks goes late round this year. However, I think the next Iowa offensive lineman in the League is going to be Scherff and/or Donnal, but not for a few years, I hope.
I may love the Steelers, but I live and die by my Hawkeyes.
I don't think it's a stretch
That Zus gets drafted this year. I’m almost sure he does.
They say you're a pitcher, you're sure not much of a dresser. We wear caps and sleeves on this level, son.
Agreed, and I think Gettis gets in a camp.
I also think someone drafts Ferentz late next year (his lack of size is really the only big negative about his game).
"Let me finish or I will hammerpunch your clavicle." -Steve Youngblood
by SomeJerkPoster on Jan 4, 2012 11:44 AM CST up reply actions
I'm fine if we don't have another 1st round offensive linemen
for 2-3 years if that means until Donnal/Blythe/Walsh go pro. Largely because I’d rather they were protecting our QB and opening lanes for us than in the pros
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
The Reiff streaking incident was before I had discovered BHGP
oh how I wish I would have seen what was made of that…
"He lowballed us and said: 'Take it or leave it. If you don't take our offer, you are rolling the dice.' I said: 'Consider them rolled.' " - Jim "Huge Brass Balls" Delaney
Honestly, not that much
It was in the midst of the Everson/Satterfield letter Armageddon thing, and we were a little verklempt over it all back then.
Before you respond, let me remind you: Brian Cook called me smug, which makes me the Obama of smugness. I'm basically Smugbama.
by Patrick Vint on Jan 4, 2012 10:02 AM CST up reply actions
Oh yeah
I guess I blocked that period from my mind. Too bad – I would have liked to have gone back through the archives to see
"He lowballed us and said: 'Take it or leave it. If you don't take our offer, you are rolling the dice.' I said: 'Consider them rolled.' " - Jim "Huge Brass Balls" Delaney
by ClaybornSmash on Jan 4, 2012 10:23 AM CST up reply actions
http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2008/7/28/580885/i-think-we-can-talk-about
Before you respond, let me remind you: Brian Cook called me smug, which makes me the Obama of smugness. I'm basically Smugbama.
by Patrick Vint on Jan 4, 2012 10:44 AM CST up reply actions
It was in the midst of the Everson/Satterfield letter Armageddon thing, and we were a little verklempt over it all back then.
WE WERE JUST REALLY BUSY THAT DAY.
"Let me finish or I will hammerpunch your clavicle." -Steve Youngblood
by SomeJerkPoster on Jan 4, 2012 11:45 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Possibly 3 first rounders in a row?
Not a bad record there. Good Luck RR – can’t blame you a bit; make millions and remember us when that first booster envelope comes in the mail.
"40 MINUTES OF MEH!" - djwoody
by The Bacon Explosion on Jan 4, 2012 10:01 AM CST reply actions
When I read "booster envelope comes in the mail."
I knew a guy who played for Iowa in the mid 70’s. He told me that a couple of their star players got cash mailed to them on a regular basis.
"If you need a rah-rah speech at halftime, you’re playing the wrong sport." - Pat Angerer
“Star players” and “mid 70s” are utterly incongruent.
by txhawkeye on Jan 4, 2012 10:51 AM CST up reply actions 4 recs
Fine, the NCAA can have all our wins in the '70s.
They can even have the bowl games, all none of them.
Those that complain that Inception was confusing have never seen Videodrome.
by hkobb7 on Jan 4, 2012 6:00 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
The line could have some potential next year
if Scherff, Donnal, Walsh, and Blythe progress. Having Nolan McMillan healthy would be great as well. OLine is one area where my outlook is neither doom or gloom.
Proud Husband, Father, and PESSIMIST
Great protection and blocking only works
if you have someone to run the ball and a quarterback who doesn’t panic when he has to look past the first read.
Proud Husband, Father, and PESSIMIST
by Feelin' Orney on Jan 4, 2012 10:05 AM CST up reply actions
That line will be young
a LOT of potential there, but it is just that, potential. I hope Scherff really steps it up in the off season, he has some experience, he just really needs to improve. And I really hope the Canadia Hun MacMillan makes it back to the level he was showing last year prior to his injury, he was solid.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
Is that like "No whammies"?
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
In the wild, the whammy is naturally translucent.
Press Your Luck whammies are full of rhabdo urine.
"Let me finish or I will hammerpunch your clavicle." -Steve Youngblood
by SomeJerkPoster on Jan 4, 2012 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I saw this earlier today on my phone, I'm upset I'm the only one to rec it.
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
by therealCatnuts on Jan 4, 2012 6:15 PM CST up reply actions
Van Slotan is probably set in stone at one of the tackles.
He did fine replacing Zus in the Insight.
This will be the third year in a row
for a first round draft pick from Iowa
10-Bulaga
11- Clayborn
12- Reiff
seriously?
NFL factory indeed
"He lowballed us and said: 'Take it or leave it. If you don't take our offer, you are rolling the dice.' I said: 'Consider them rolled.' " - Jim "Huge Brass Balls" Delaney
by ClaybornSmash on Jan 4, 2012 10:24 AM CST up reply actions
Almost had it from 04-06 also
04 – Gallery
05 – Roth was projected late 1st, slid into the 2nd
06 – Greenway
"There are few things graven in stone, except that you have to squat or you're a pussy." -Mark Rippetoe
by Brock8144 on Jan 4, 2012 11:15 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
In hindsight, it seems like Babs probably should have been a late 1st rd pick in 2005.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
Wasn't Dallas Clark a first rounder in the 03 draft too?
Just checked, and yes he was.
by Captain n Diet Coker on Jan 4, 2012 12:49 PM CST up reply actions
Almost as impressive as our three-year string of second picks in the third round
2008 – Charles Godfrey
2009 – Bradley Fletcher
2010 – Amari Spievey
Seriously, that’s weird.
Before you respond, let me remind you: Brian Cook called me smug, which makes me the Obama of smugness. I'm basically Smugbama.
by Patrick Vint on Jan 4, 2012 11:35 AM CST up reply actions
One of the most random bits of trivia out there
Pretty sure that has never happened before and will never happen again. Didn’t we almost make it a 4-peat?
"He lowballed us and said: 'Take it or leave it. If you don't take our offer, you are rolling the dice.' I said: 'Consider them rolled.' " - Jim "Huge Brass Balls" Delaney
by ClaybornSmash on Jan 4, 2012 11:36 AM CST up reply actions
Sash would have been the only option last year (sorry, EPIC) and I don't think anyone had him as high as a 4th rounder.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
Yanda was picked in the lower third round 2007
I thought he was a high third rounder, but guess not.
Sidenote: Yanda was a steal
"He lowballed us and said: 'Take it or leave it. If you don't take our offer, you are rolling the dice.' I said: 'Consider them rolled.' " - Jim "Huge Brass Balls" Delaney
by ClaybornSmash on Jan 4, 2012 11:40 AM CST up reply actions
Serious question – is Spievey not so good on the NFL level, or do the talking heads just copy each other? He seems to get a reasonable amount of commenter abuse.
He's playing safety instead of corner now and his play has been kind of up and down, it sounds like.
I think Godfrey’s been the best of the recent crop of Iowa DBs in the NFL.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
His play has been up-and-down, yes.
But he has company. Detroit’s secondary is pretty weak as a whole. That team has talent, but they’re probably another good draft or two away from being a consistent contender.
Comedy is where the mind goes to tickle itself.
Shonn Greene was the first pick in round three, but the same year as Fletcher.
That might be what you’re thinking of.
Before you respond, let me remind you: Brian Cook called me smug, which makes me the Obama of smugness. I'm basically Smugbama.
Ah, yeah
That has to be it. Thanks
"He lowballed us and said: 'Take it or leave it. If you don't take our offer, you are rolling the dice.' I said: 'Consider them rolled.' " - Jim "Huge Brass Balls" Delaney
by ClaybornSmash on Jan 4, 2012 2:30 PM CST up reply actions
I always got
the naked pita pit and drunken scooter o-linemen mixed up.
jtothetweet
Make sure this dead horse doesn't move while I go get my beatin' stick.
Former is Reiff, latter is Kyle Calloway
"Let me finish or I will hammerpunch your clavicle." -Steve Youngblood
by SomeJerkPoster on Jan 4, 2012 1:23 PM CST up reply actions
Luckily they got to stay on the team. Everybody gets one.
Or a couple, if your last name rhymes with “parents”
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
by therealCatnuts on Jan 4, 2012 6:16 PM CST up reply actions
This is by far the best kind of Gone Baby Gone
Congrats and good luck, Mr. Reiff.
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
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