DC: Scouting Report: Grading Tape On Newly Signed Linebacker Keith Rivers

[iceberg]

Does this impact McClain or Durant?

McRant

 

[Dave_in-NC]

I watch a lot of Bills games and the guy seems competent. He's never lived up to his draft spot status but he seems to be a little better than "just a guy" linebacker. Won't ever be as good as Sean Lee but he's not going to be someone on defense you have to "hide" either.

On Purpose? Buddy of mine is a Bills fan, said healthy he's pretty good. But he was let go by the defensive guru of the NFL so who knows.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

On Purpose? Buddy of mine is a Bills fan, said healthy he's pretty good. But he was let go by the defensive guru of the NFL so who knows.

LOL!

Living in WNY... remember?

Usually watch to hope they lose, but watch none-the-less.

Rivers isn't a 3-4 LBer type IMO.

 

[xwalker]

I watch a lot of Bills games and the guy seems competent. He's never lived up to his draft spot status but he seems to be a little better than "just a guy" linebacker. Won't ever be as good as Sean Lee but he's not going to be someone on defense you have to "hide" either.

I had a very similar feeling watching him that I had when I reviewed Durant after the Cowboys signed him.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I had a very similar feeling watching him that I had when I reviewed Durant after the Cowboys signed him.

Durant is a pretty good comparison.

The Cowboys could do better than a Rivers-Lee-Durant LB corps... they could do a lot worse too IMO.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

LOL!

Living in WNY... remember?

Usually watch to hope they lose, but watch none-the-less.

Rivers isn't a 3-4 LBer type IMO.

One reason I don't miss Rochester. Bills fans. I'm pretty sure my buddy is the only one in Eastern NC. The looks he gets sporting an OJ jersey is priceless. I never even heard of Rivers till yesterday.

 

[xwalker]

Durant is a pretty good comparison.

The Cowboys could do better than a Rivers-Lee-Durant LB corps... they could do a lot worse too IMO.

I would make Hitchens a starter in that scenario.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

One reason I don't miss Rochester. Bills fans. I'm pretty sure my buddy is the only one in Eastern NC. The looks he gets sporting an OJ jersey is priceless. I never even heard of Rivers till yesterday.

Ewww... OJ.

You know I can remember... gosh it must have been 6th grade, during one class they made us watch OJ's 2000 yard season tape. Ugh. Hated the Bills even then.

 

[speedkilz88]

One reason I don't miss Rochester. Bills fans. I'm pretty sure my buddy is the only one in Eastern NC. The looks he gets sporting an OJ jersey is priceless. I never even heard of Rivers till yesterday.

He's dressed to kill.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Ewww... OJ.

You know I can remember... gosh it must have been 6th grade, during one class they made us watch OJ's 2000 yard season tape. Ugh. Hated the Bills even then.

He's from Rochester to. Needs no more explanation.lol

 

[Szczepanik]

New philosophy around here is the constant roster churning for depth. Which this move surely is.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Amazing the bungles thought he was worthy of the 9th overall pick.

I think injuries robbed him out of alot of his physical ability

 

[LatinMind]

Scouting Report: Grading Tape On Newly Signed Linebacker Keith Rivers
Thursday, March 05, 2015 2:20 PM CST

By Bryan Broaddus
Football Analyst/Scout

@BryanBroaddus

https://encrypted-tbn3.***NOT-ALLOWED***/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRuhEp5sodme5UdqRGhH9rONfGiOXOxWLh5QN6jD1dVVoltz2gK


IRVING, Texas – A brief film study of veteran linebacker Keith Rivers, who the Cowboys signed to a one-year contract on Wednesday evening.

Name: Keith Rivers
Age: 28
Height/Weight: 6-2/236

College: USC

Experience: 7 seasons

Games Studied: Buffalo 'Bills '14 vs. Chicago, Houston, New England

Showed the ability to line up at both a Sam and Will linebacker. Thought his best position was when he played over the tight end on the strong side. Really good football intelligence in his assignments and where he needed to fit in the scheme. Has some short area quickness more than a long extended burst. Made the effort to play with some range, but I would say that he is limited in his overall speed.

Doesn’t cover the ground like he once did. Good reactions to what is happening to him – but I would not call him a fluid, moving athlete. Would have liked to seen better change of direction but most likely because of that lack of quickness. Felt like his upper body strength was good along with that ability to play with his hands. When stood up over the tight ends against the Texans, he was able to control them off the line.

I didn’t see many explosive plays from him. Tackling was in and out. Thought I would have seen a more consistent player in this area from the number of times that he was in position to finish. Would wrap up one-on-one then the very next play would just flat miss. Liked what I saw from the coverage aspect. Showed good discipline in zone to make his drop, then work to the ball. Only bust I saw in coverage was in man where he whiffed on the back out of the backfield against the Texans when he missed on the jam. Overall showed awareness to key and diagnose. Not out of place.

He played in more third down situations against the Bears than he did against the Texans and Patriots. Didn’t give the scheme anything as a blitzer. Did see him attack the line one time, but he lacked counter moves to really make anything happen. Was stuck along the line. His best trait is his intelligence, while his worst one is his ability to play with a burst and speed. Studied the New England and Green Bay special teams tape and only played in the Packers game as the left tackle on the kickoff return.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...ing-tape-newly-signed-linebacker-keith-rivers

Sounds like a 1st and 2nd down SAM to me. Good against the run, strong enough to handle the blocks. Reads the play and can cover the flat and crossing routes. Thats what the SAM does. On third down he comes off the field, and durant enters.

 

[jobberone]

Sounds like a 1st and 2nd down SAM to me. Good against the run, strong enough to handle the blocks. Reads the play and can cover the flat and crossing routes. Thats what the SAM does. On third down he comes off the field, and durant enters.

Perhaps. We'll see from TC and preseason.

 

[CCBoy]

Question: Any inside info on why the Cowboys were quick to sign Rivers? He doesn't have a particularly strong resume and has had groin injuries the past couple seasons.

Goerge: It's a veteran minimum deal for a former first-round draft pick. So, it's no risk. You bring him in and see what he has left. You might hit on the signing, such as Rolando McClain from a year ago. Same kind of deal, though Rivers doesn't bring the red flags off the field like McClain did.
http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sports/...-so-quick-to-sign-linebacker-keith-rivers.ece

 

[AmishCowboy]

hope we bring back Durant

 

[Gridiron Man]

 

[AsthmaField]

I will withhold judgement on Rivers until I have read Floatyworm's review of him.

Anybody that can spot LB talent like Phil Dawson in the first round, will be able to analyze Rivers.

 

[Future]

I didn't watch him on ST, but it appears that he does play on ST.

• Vs. MIN (10/19): Saw action on defense and special teams.
• At NYJ (10/26): Saw action on defense and special teams.
• Vs. KC (11/9): Added one tackle on defense and saw action on special teams.
• Vs. NYJ (11/24): Saw action on defense and special teams.
• At DEN (12/7): Saw action on special teams.
• Vs. GB (12/14): Saw action defensively and on special teams.
• At OAK (12/21): Saw action on defense and special teams.

In Broaddus' report it said he just played a bit on KR.

 

[xwalker]

In Broaddus' report it said he just played a bit on KR.

39% of ST in a game log that I reviewed.