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Martin Mayhew Says Riley Reiff 'Could Probably Play Guard If He Needed To'

May 21, 2012; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions tackle Riley Reiff (71) during organized team activities at Detroit Lions training facility. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE
May 21, 2012; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions tackle Riley Reiff (71) during organized team activities at Detroit Lions training facility. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

During the Detroit Lions' rookie minicamp, OTAs and mandatory minicamp, first-round pick Riley Reiff saw action only at offensive tackle. He did shift back and forth from the left side to the right side and vice versa, but he didn't move inside to play any offensive guard. The Lions wanted him focused on learning the tackle positions, so they decided against testing him out at guard.

General manager Martin Mayhew said this week that he sees Reiff playing tackle for the Lions, but because Reiff is versatile, it's possible he could move inside if he needed to.

"The great thing about him is his versatility," Mayhew said. "He's played primarily tackle out here, but I think he could probably play guard if he needed to."

Lions offensive guard Rob Sims talked this week about how it's "easier for the tackles to become guards than it is for the guards to become tackles" since they have a "smaller space that they would have to defend." In other words, if Reiff needed to shift inside for whatever reason, Sims doesn't think there would be a big adjustment period, especially since Reiff has shown him that "there's definitely a reason he got picked in the first round."

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