Riley Reiff Bulked Up In Order To Protect Matt Stafford’s Blind Side

Aug 30, 2012; Detroit, MN, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Kellen Moore (17) celebrates with tackle Riley Reiff (71) after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills in a preseason game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US Presswire

Detroit Lions Tackle Riley Reiff is getting prepped to take hold of the starting left tackle position this season. He has the task of protecting Matt Stafford’s blind side and in participation of that move, he has put on an extra 10 pounds of muscle. That puts him at 315 pounds and ready to push defensive ends and linebackers aside.

Reiff was a first round draft pick by the Lions last year out of Iowa and started 8 games. He only started one game at left tackle.

"“The reason we drafted him is we thought he was a long term left tackle,” Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said.“Whether he can hold that position, whether he can be productive for us there, that will be determined (in) training camp and preseason games and things like that. That’s where he’s going to settle in.” – Detroit Lions"

Reiff will have to prove his worth in training camp and preseason. He has a tough task in front of him, but it sounds like he has put in the work to take hold of the job.