How does Rivers stack up?

[Smellkiperjr]

First overall LB taken in draft:

2008 Keith Rivers
2007 Patrick Willis
2006 A.J. Hawk
2005 Demarcus Ware
2004 Jonathan Vilma
2003 Terrell Suggs

Coming out of college, how do you think Rivers' play compared to the previous top 5 LB's taken?

Some people say that Rivers wasn't even the best player at his position on his own team let alone in the entire Country. Others say that if James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga had declared Rivers would have been the 3rd LB taken.

My question is, and I know it's early but, do you think Keith Rivers was the best guy in a weak/moderate LB class or does he stack up well against some of the other top LB's taken in recent years?

[striped4war]

Theres no way of knowing yet.
I hope he turns out to be like Patrick Willis his rookie year,but its to early to tell.
I think he benefited a lot by playing behind sedrick ellis,but i think he is a very smart and physical linebacker.Only time will tell.
Lets cross our fingers.

[eoxyod]

I think he will play kind of like a AJ Hawk
Very solid and possible pro-bowler if given talent around him

[Smellkiperjr]

Theres no way of knowing yet.
I hope he turns out to be like Patrick Willis his rookie year,but its to early to tell.
I think he benefited a lot by playing behind sedrick ellis,but i think he is a very smart and physical linebacker.Only time will tell.
Lets cross our fingers.

Oh I know that, and I'm not a huge fan of prediction-type threads, that's why I tried to focus on how his play in college and how his pre/post draft hype stacked up against the other top guys.

[Whodey0]

First overall LB taken in draft:

2008 Keith Rivers
2007 Patrick Willis
2006 A.J. Hawk
2005 Demarcus Ware
2004 Jonathan Vilma
2003 Terrell Suggs

Coming out of college, how do you think Rivers' play compared to the previous top 5 LB's taken?

Some people say that Rivers wasn't even the best player at his position on his own team let alone in the entire Country. Others say that if James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga had declared Rivers would have been the 3rd LB taken.


My question is, and I know it's early but, do you think Keith Rivers was the best guy in a weak/moderate LB class or does he stack up well against some of the other top LB's taken in recent years?

Rivers had Ellis drawing double teams, which helped his cause... He won't have that luxury here. He better learn how to shed blocks and chase runners down field.

[SgtCincy]

The man definitely has the "measurables" and is very football savvy, but we won't know how that translates to his first year in the NFL until later. I hope he plays up to the hype/expectations of the others on your list. The fact that he wasn't the most productive of all LBs that were eligible doesn't bother me. We got the best of the available players which was the best we could do.

[Bengal Dude]

First overall LB taken in draft:

2008 Keith Rivers
2007 Patrick Willis
2006 A.J. Hawk
2005 Demarcus Ware
2004 Jonathan Vilma
2003 Terrell Suggs

Coming out of college, how do you think Rivers' play compared to the previous top 5 LB's taken?

Some people say that Rivers wasn't even the best player at his position on his own team let alone in the entire Country. Others say that if James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga had declared Rivers would have been the 3rd LB taken.

My question is, and I know it's early but, do you think Keith Rivers was the best guy in a weak/moderate LB class or does he stack up well against some of the other top LB's taken in recent years?

I do think that Rivers was the best option in the LB class even though I wasn't a fan of him. I will agree that he would've been the 3rd best if Maualuga and Laurinaitis came out early, many of us were hoping for Laurinaitis. Now, how does he stack up against previous LBs taken? Too hard to say, many of those guys were looked at as the best defensive player on their team, Rivers wasn't looked at as the best player at the position on his own team.

However, it seems that he has a great attitude and I think he's going to adjust to the pro speed quite well. He doesn't seem like a guy who will be a "beast" like Hawk or Willis, but I think he'll be a solid contributor.

[striped4war]

I think he will play kind of like a AJ Hawk
Very solid and possible pro-bowler if given talent around him

If odell can shake the rust off,and ahmad can play like some people think [hope] he can.
Its possible he could make a pro bowl this year.
I know thats a lot of [ifs] but its possible.
Lets hope Peko,Simms and Shirley can make his job easier back there.

[BlackSunshyne]

Don't forget the Gholsten will be playing OLB for the Jets, so Rivers is really the 2nd LB taken. But as far as where he stacks up against those you listed I think he is behind in productivity at the college level. I see rivers being a player much like B. Simmons was. He just doesn't stand out, solid but not exceptional.

[Rt. 9]

Hopefully he can be what this team really needs- someone dependable that can help with energy and leadership. Do I think he'll make the impact that Pat Willis or even Odell made? I doubt it. Is 9 too early for someone like that? Probably. Perhaps that's not the correct line of thinking though- maybe he and a change in coaching will help the unit play above the sum of the parts instead of being laughed at. I hope it happens and soon.. hard to imagine the defense getting much worse.

[rkellydugan20]

As long as he is a starter for a good defense soon I will be happy with the pick.

[dust]

i agree with most that will say his college production wasnt spectacular. however, he is a solid athlete, very intellegent, and a leader of the pro style usc defense. i believe with fitz and zimmer we are creating a system in which LBs can flourish, therefore i think his career will be up in the ranks of recent top picks.

[MulishaNick]

A Linebacker I compare him to that you don't have on that list is Ernie Sims of the Detroit Lions. Keith will be in a similar situation as Ernie (on a poor defense) and they both have a similar playing style except Keith is better at covering the pass. Here are Ernie's stats-


| TKLS | SCKS | INTS | FF | Pass defended |

2007: 134 1 1 0 2

2006: 134 0.5 0 0 0


Now obviously I believe that Keith will make more SCKs, INTs, FFs, and passes defended but coming out of college Ernie and Keith are very similar.

[Bengal Dude]

A Linebacker I compare him to that you don't have on that list is Ernie Sims of the Detroit Lions. Keith will be in a similar situation as Ernie (on a poor defense) and they both have a similar playing style except Keith is better at covering the pass. Here are Ernie's stats-


| TKLS | SCKS | INTS | FF | Pass defended |

2007: 134 1 1 0 2

2006: 134 0.5 0 0 0


Now obviously I believe that Keith will make more SCKs, INTs, FFs, and passes defended but coming out of college Ernie and Keith are very similar.

This is a really good comparison. I could never think of someone to compare Rivers to, but Sims is a good example.

[rkellydugan20]

It is a good comparison aside from Rivers being a solid three inches taller and ten pounds heavier. But I do like the comparison.

Rivers seems to be very athletic and I think with some good development he can be a very good defender against the pass.

[busamboy]

I will put it like this, If Rivers is in the middle, meaning the average talent of those players, we have one **** of a football player. Point Blank! They each have some what different roles to their respective teams, and I think with Dhani next to him, he will be just fine! With Odell next to him, we may see some coverage letdowns and some simple rookie mistakes.

[rkellydugan20]

I will put it like this, If Rivers is in the middle, meaning the average talent of those players, we have one **** of a football player. Point Blank! They each have some what different roles to their respective teams, and I think with Dhani next to him, he will be just fine! With Odell next to him, we may see some coverage letdowns and some simple rookie mistakes.

Exactly! While I would love to have Rivers be a Patrick Willis type contributor during his rookie year we don't necesarily need him to be a defensive player of the year candidate year in and year out.

I just want some good defenders on our team. Oh yeah, and some guys who can stay on the field (whether that means avoiding injuries or getting into troube/suspended) and I think Rivers is that guy we need.:thumbsup:

[jimbengals]

First overall LB taken in draft:

2008 Keith Rivers
2007 Patrick Willis
2006 A.J. Hawk
2005 Demarcus Ware
2004 Jonathan Vilma
2003 Terrell Suggs

Coming out of college, how do you think Rivers' play compared to the previous top 5 LB's taken?

Some people say that Rivers wasn't even the best player at his position on his own team let alone in the entire Country. Others say that if James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga had declared Rivers would have been the 3rd LB taken.

My question is, and I know it's early but, do you think Keith Rivers was the best guy in a weak/moderate LB class or does he stack up well against some of the other top LB's taken in recent years?

I think Rivers will be a very solid LB but not a sacking machine like Willis or Hawk. I know this is an old cliche but "only time will tell" is pretty much how we will rate him. IMO if Brooks and Odell play up to their hype/potential to take some of the pressure off of him I could actually see him going to many pro bowls.

[BengalBug]

I think Rivers will be a very solid LB but not a sacking machine like Willis or Hawk. I know this is an old cliche but "only time will tell" is pretty much how we will rate him. IMO if Brooks and Odell play up to their hype/potential to take some of the pressure off of him I could actually see him going to many pro bowls.

Hawk has been in the league 2 years and has 4.5 sacks total
last year- 1
year before- 3.5

Willis only had 4 sacks last year


I hardly consider them sacking machines.

[Brick]

I think Rivers will be a very solid LB but not a sacking machine like Willis or Hawk. I know this is an old cliche but "only time will tell" is pretty much how we will rate him. IMO if Brooks and Odell play up to their hype/potential to take some of the pressure off of him I could actually see him going to many pro bowls.

Same here. He may not have the athletic ability in the other big name past rookies, but he makes it up with his intelligence. Like you said, if our DL and other backers do their job, he'll excel. Same as it was at USC, ellis took pressure off the line for him, enabling him to do his job better.

[nuthenew]

First overall LB taken in draft:

2008 Keith Rivers
2007 Patrick Willis
2006 A.J. Hawk
2005 Demarcus Ware
2004 Jonathan Vilma
2003 Terrell Suggs

Coming out of college, how do you think Rivers' play compared to the previous top 5 LB's taken?

Some people say that Rivers wasn't even the best player at his position on his own team let alone in the entire Country. Others say that if James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga had declared Rivers would have been the 3rd LB taken.

My question is, and I know it's early but, do you think Keith Rivers was the best guy in a weak/moderate LB class or does he stack up well against some of the other top LB's taken in recent years?
If a frog had wings he wouldn't bump his butt when he hopped. Its not fair to make comparisons yet. The other backers from previous drafts went into different situations. Wait at least a season then start your comparisons. I do like the mention of Laurinitis though. good kid, good backer. By the way, how did Odell stack up when he was drafted?

[BengalBug]

Same here. He may not have the athletic ability in the other big name past rookies, but he makes it up with his intelligence. Like you said, if our DL and other backers do their job, he'll excel. Same as it was at USC, ellis took pressure off the line for him, enabling him to do his job better.

You cant really compare him to terrel suggs or demarcus ware bc they are not the same position... one is a DE/OLB and and the other is a OLB in a 3-4

Name--------------weight-------40----Verticle(in)--bench (reps 225)

Keith Rivers---------241-----4.58------42-------------24
Patrick willis--------242------4.5------ 39-------------22
AJ Hawk-------------248------4.59------40-------------24
Johnathan Vilma--231------4.54------37------------23


Where is he lacking the athletic ability?

[busamboy]

You cant really compare him to terrel suggs or demarcus ware bc they are not the same position... one is a DE/OLB and and the other is a OLB in a 3-4

Name--------------weight-------40----Verticle(in)--bench (reps 225)

Keith Rivers---------241-----4.58------42-------------24
Patrick willis--------242------4.5------ 39-------------22
AJ Hawk-------------248------4.59------40-------------24
Johnathan Vilma--231------4.54------37------------23


Where is he lacking the athletic ability?

Thats why I said that they are all used perfect for their respective schemes. That is why I am loving the fact that they are keeping Rivers at weakside.

[CloeHokie]

Same here. He may not have the athletic ability in the other big name past rookies, but he makes it up with his intelligence. Like you said, if our DL and other backers do their job, he'll excel. Same as it was at USC, ellis took pressure off the line for him, enabling him to do his job better.

I disagree. He has just as much athletic ability as anyone on that list if not More. He ran a 4.54 at 6'2 240 and can play the run and the pass. We have him in just the right spot at WLB but he could play MLB too.

Edit: Someone beat me to it. Lol

[DennyG2]

First overall LB taken in draft:

2008 Keith Rivers
2007 Patrick Willis
2006 A.J. Hawk
2005 Demarcus Ware
2004 Jonathan Vilma
2003 Terrell Suggs

Coming out of college, how do you think Rivers' play compared to the previous top 5 LB's taken?

Some people say that Rivers wasn't even the best player at his position on his own team let alone in the entire Country. Others say that if James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga had declared Rivers would have been the 3rd LB taken.

My question is, and I know it's early but, do you think Keith Rivers was the best guy in a weak/moderate LB class or does he stack up well against some of the other top LB's taken in recent years?
I will let you know how Rivers stacks up after he has a season of two under his belt:thumbsup:

[Smellkiperjr]

Again, just for clarification, I'm not asking how you think he'll do in the NFL, I'm asking: Coming out of college, how do you think Rivers' play compared to the previous top 5 LB's taken?

A few things:
(1) His work-out numbers are impressive.
(2) For those of you who associate intelligence with the Wonderlik, he only scored 16
(3) For those of you touting him as a solid contributor, shouldn't a top ten pick be a 'game changer'?
(4) Aside from his measurables, the thing I love most about Rivers is his leadership and character.
(5) Personally, looking down my list of 1st LB's taken I'd say Rivers is nearer the bottom as far as collegiate impact goes. I think he will be a solid contributor but I'm not pleased with the Brian Simmons comparison. I want more of a Spikes than a Simmons!!! And I agree Denny, only time will tell there............

[BengalUSCfan]

When does a linebacker make a tackle on a running play? Only when the runner gets through or around the linemen. Playing behind Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson can be a mixed blessing for your numbers coming out of college. Ditto for playing next to Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing.

What kind of talent was making the plays all around Patrick Willis in college? How many tackles would Patrick Willis have made if he had been playing with the same cast of incredible talent all around them?

How many guys on that USC team got drafted even though their best linebacker stayed for another year? I think that USC team set a new record for draftees.

I am most excited by the fact that the Bengals have transitioned to sack-focused defensive ends with outstanding linebackers behind them. If Antwan Odom really does prove to be a better pass rusher, but weaker against the run than Justin, we'll be quite happy to have Keith Rivers over there.

[dacow21]

I will let you know how Rivers stacks up after he has a season of two under his belt:thumbsup:

Thanks Nostradamus.

I think his athleticism is underrated. He is very quick. Don't get the AL Hawk love. Lots of tackles not very much on an impact. Landon Johnson did the same. 1 sack and he is a "sack machine!" He'll be good. Will they move him in the middle if Odell screws up again? Probably.