Bedard's Breakdown: Does Riley Reiff have enough left to hold down the right tackle spot?

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PLAYER STRENGTHS

Well, let's see. He's smart, tough and disciplined. Let's start there. He's never had double-digit penalties in a season. He's well put together. Big guy, good weight distribution. ... Knows his job on every play, and just aims to do the simple things well — like making sure he's between the defender and the ball. ... Does a reasonable job on angle blocks. Gets decent push on drive blocks. Really good in short yardage because he stays low. ... Good playing strength. Has largely been very durable, although more injuries have popped up more frequently as he ages. ... Logged over 7,000 career snaps at left tackle, and 2,000 at right tackle (mostly in the last two seasons). ... Does a decent job of pulling, and getting to the next level if uncovered. ... Total pro in all aspects.

WEAKNESSES

He's really slow overall and has very little athletic ability left to adjust to opponent counter moves. ... It's like every deep pass set is a chore at this point, but he's big and long enough still to do a fairly good job protecting in the dropback pass game. ... Lacks any type of snap or explosiveness in his pass or run blocks. Just kind of is there, leaning on the opponent. ... Not much of a punch so longer edge defenders like to long-arm him, and he's on skates at that point. .... Doesn't sustain anything in the running game. Good for a second or two and that's it. 

INJURY HISTORY (via FoxSports.com)

WHERE DOES HE FIT?

Only a right tackle. Can play left only in an emergency. Should be a veteran backup.

FILM ANALYSIS

Vs. Dolphins (sixth-best game via PFF)

Vs. Bills (third-worst game via PFF)

BOTTOM LINE

Reiff looks straight out of central casting for the 1990s Washington Hogs. He's big, slow and strong. Part of me wonders if Bill Belichick forgot what year this was when watching Reiff film and was taken back to his Giants days. 

Hard to believe they gave him $4.15 million in guaranteed money for one year, with a cap of $5 million. But OverTheCap.com has his valuation at $4.9 million. 

Look, if Reiff is your starting RT for a dropback pass team (the Bears offense with Justin Fields did not fit him) and there's a good LT on the other side who doesn't need help, you could probably do worse. But with LT an issue, Reiff will be an issue. He needs some help, but not a ton because he has veteran savvy (he loves to pull/hold the arm when he gets beat but gets away with it).

I think the plan for Reiff was for him to start until a rookie was ready. I'm sure Belichick thought he would get a real tackle earlier, but maybe Sidy Sow can get there in time and replace Reiff. I'm guessing that's the plan right now. Not sure why you need Conor McDermott and Reiff. They're like the same players. 

Would be just fine with Reiff as a veteran backup. That it looks like he'll have to start — he even got reps at second team LT — gives me a lot of pause.