Grading the Deal: Bengals Sign Veteran Offensive Tackle Riley Reiff

 

RUSS HELTMAN

UPDATED: MAR 20, 2021

ORIGINAL: MAR 20, 2021

https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/grading-riley-reiff-deal-cincinnati-bengals?jwsource=cl

CINCINNATI — Protecting Joe Burrow is the number one priority for the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason. They took the first step in achieving that goal on Friday by signing offensive tackle Riley Reiff. Cincinnati wined and dined the mauler, who many pegged as the best offensive lineman remaining on the market. 

Reiff appears ready to help this franchise anyway he can, citing Burrow as a big reason why he chose the Bengals. 

"I walked away from eating that steak and was like I wanna play and block for this guy," Reiff said during his introductory press conference. "Just the way he conducts himself. Carries himself. Seems like a down-to-Earth Cincinnati-type guy. We just sat there crapped around a little bit. But really impressed with him."

The former-Vikings stalwart at left tackle gives fans hope that outside protection issues are in the rear-view mirror after dragging the team down for so long.

Grade: A

Positional Impact: Reiff is penciled in as the starting right tackle. Bobby Hart has held that job for three seasons, but was released after the Bengals closed the deal with Reiff. The Iowa-product is a massive positional upgrade. Reiff is very durable, having played 800-plus snaps in four of the past five seasons. The 32-year-old has earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 69 or better in all but one of his nine seasons. Hart’s career-best is 66.3 overall, which he achieved last season.

Reiff allowed 21 pressures and one sack in 2020, while Hart gave up 44 pressures and four sacks.

The Bengals had to establish a baseline of competence at both tackle spots, and signing Reiff achieved that. According to Sports Info Solutions, he earned the 17th-most total points among offensive linemen (min. 950 snaps). 

Reiff with textbook work against the stunt.#Bengals pic.twitter.com/JQxopkfCM4

— Russ Heltman (@russheltman11) March 19, 2021

Reiff's versatility and willingness to move to guard is another benefit. 

"I told them I would play wherever. I am open to anything," Reiff said. "I am just here to protect Joe and win a lot of football games. I played guard in college. Wherever they ask me to play I will step in and play."

Stat To Know: Reiff earned 20 pass-blocking points in 2020, 13th-most among all offensive linemen (min. 520 snaps).

Value: This is my highest grade of free agency so far because Reiff not only fills a need but his contract leaves flexibility for Cincinnati. Reiff reportedly inked a one-year deal worth $7.5M, with $5.5M guaranteed. Hart was paid an average of $6.85 million the past two seasons with Cincinnati. By cutting Hart, the Bengals freed up $5.8 million in cap space, which the team immediately used on Reiff.

That is a sound way to stay cap compliant while upgrading the talent on the team. Reiff gets the chance to continue his solid play and cash in when the market rebounds next offseason. The Bengals had to take advantage of this unusual financial climate, and signing Reiff got the ball rolling. 

Report: Chiefs re-sign linebacker Ben Niemann to 1-year deal

 

The 2018 undrafted free agent is back on the Chiefs’ 90-man roster.

By Pete Sweeney  Mar 17, 2021, 3:57pm CDT 

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

 

The Kansas City Chiefs have re-signed linebacker Ben Niemann to a one-year contract, as confirmed by Nate Taylor of The Athletic. Niemann had been a restricted free agent.

Niemann, 25, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent for the Chiefs in 2018, the final year former defensive coordinator Bob Sutton spent with the club. Niemann made the team under Steve Spagnuolo in 2019 and in 2020 — and his role has grown in each season. Niemann saw 5% of defensive snaps in 2018, 36% in 2019 and 43% in 2020.

He is also a key player for special teams coordinator Dave Toub.

Niemann registered 44 tackles (29 solo), three tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and three quarterback hits in 2020. He also forced a fumble and recovered two.

He played his collegiate ball at Iowa, where his father, Jay Niemann, serves as assistant defensive line coach and defensive recruiting coordinator.

Giants re-sign long snapper Casey Kreiter

 

Dan Benton 

March 17, 2021 12:18 pm

The New York Giants made several important announcements on Wednesday, including a contract restructure for offensive tackle Nate Solder which will save the team $6 million in salary cap space.

Additionally, the Giants also announced that long snapper Casey Kreiter had been re-signed.

Kreiter, who originally signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Iowa following the 2014 NFL Draft, spent the first two seasons of his career in Texas. After that, he joined the Denver Broncos from 2016-2019, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2018.

The Giants signed Kreiter last April and he went on to replace long-time long snapper Zak DeOssie, who opted to retire.

Kreiter appeared in 16 games for the Giants last year despite a brief stay on the reserve/COVID-19 list, recording one tackle and a 66.0 Pro Football Focus grade.

Along with Kreiter, the Giants also signed long snapper Carson Tinker to a substantial reserve/futures deal earlier this year.

Finally, the Giants also officially announced the re-signing of defensive tackle Austin Johnson and wide receiver C.J. Board.