Just a little over a month ago that name was barely even waiver wire fodder in Madden 2017 Franchise Mode. Fast forward to now—not only did Riley Jr. show up 5 days after signing only to lead the team in tackles, he went three consecutive weeks as our highest rated defender according to PFF.

Grades (team rank):

Week 5 – 89.2 (1)

Week 6 – 82.4 (1)

Week 7 – 85.4 (1)

Week 8 – 82.3 (3)

Week 9 – Unknown (didn’t make the top 5 therefore > 77.8)

Production like that is no small feat whatsoever for someone coming off of the unemployment line, let alone well over a year of dealing with injuries that saw him become expendable in Washington. It’s also no secret the moment he stepped foot on the field for the Silver and Black our defensive unit has improved gradually every week for the most part. In no way am I implying that Riley Jr. is solely responsible for a resurging defense which trotted out several replaced spokes in the wheel to begin the year. We watched a porous defense the first half of last season come together as games were played and end the year with what appeared to be the makings of a solid unit. But there is no doubting that Riley Jr’s acquisition has certainly made an impact while helping solidify our defense by vastly improving our weakest and most glaring hole at MLB. His versatility to play both outside positions is icing on the cake. That is why I chose to focus on him in my first installment ofThe Truth Booth and would now like to look at what I will refer to as ‘The Four R’s of Riley’s Jr’s Resurgence’ (I dare you to even attempt saying that five times fast).

R espected

Riley Jr. joined this team as a 6-year veteran who had notched 63 career starts at all three LB positions with the Redskins, showing both versatility and a knack for discipline. During the 2011 season, his 2nd in the league, the former 4th round pick out of LSU ascended to starter status as the season went on and proceeded to start 45 consecutive games, for a total of 54/56 leading up until 2015. While missing only two games in those four years due to injury, Perry led the Redskins in tackles for two seasons and compiled 411 total stops, 9.5 sacks, 1 INT, 26 passes defended and 2 forced fumbles in the process. The 2015 season started off rocky for Riley as he battled a strained calf suffered in week 2 versus the Rams, then struggled to stay healthy the rest of the season, conceding his starter duty to a rebounding Mason Foster on the inside (a player I heavily pined for last offseason upon him leaving TB) as well as 2014 2nd rounder, and future incumbent, OLB Trent Murphy.

Fast forward several months to the most recent offseason – where what was originally pegged as a several week foot related injury back in December of last year – instead turned out to require a pin in the 5th metatarsal and lingered well into July. This of course caused Riley to fall even further behind on the depth chart where he struggled to come back from the injury quick enough for the Redskins liking. Unfortunately for him, the Redskins released him on August 30th and he spent just over a month unemployed until Reggie came calling. Fortunately for The Nation, one teams junk is another teams treasure for a second year straight, and Riley stepped in immediately for us as both a leader and field general, earning the confidence of his teammates as well as coaches while donning the green dot ever since. Respect.

R elaxed

A rather quick descent and downward spiral similar to what Riley endured can take its toll on a player’s composure in a heartbeat. Being a member of a “what have you done for me lately” environment, Riley never showed an appetite for sour grapes in a business driven league where loyalty is largely a thing of the past. A month removed from football completely, and just under eleven months from playing in a live game, Riley was called upon to play EVERY snap of his first game with the Raiders. Not only did he respond to the call while leading the team in downs played, he also led the team in tackles as well with very limited knowledge of the playboo—only a mere five days after signing on the dotted line. Not a lot of veterans fill them shoes on such short notice, yet Riley did so without blinking and hasn’t looked back sense. Relaxed.

R ejuvenated

Any player who endures the pinnacle of their career being marred by injuries surely looks to rebound with resounding force when jogging back onto the gridiron. Some make a triumphant return, exceeding expectations and showing no signs of the injury that set them back temporarily. Others fail to rebound and ever resemble a fraction of their former selves, going on tour around the league for a season or two before drifting off into obscurity. Thus far, Riley definitely falls under the first category. Playing alongside his childhood friend, Bruce Irvin (as well as a player with the caliber of Mack), has surely rekindled a bit of his burning desire to continue playing the game he loves at a high level. Having the faith of a coaching staff, who elevates you to the sideline-to-sideline sergeant upon arrival, undoubtedly helps catapult that enthusiasm and motivation. Rejuvenated.

R ectified

As fans, we watched in the offseason as the team made what many considered to be no real effort to upgrade the MLB position. There were rumors we were showing interest in former Colts ILB Jerrell Freeman (PFF’s #2 rated ILB last season), and even the Bay Area’s own Vic Tafur reported we were interested in the Jets ILB Erin Henderson (PFF’s #14 ranked ILB last year). Although neither of those rumors came to fruition (let alone team visits), it did appear we were putting some irons in the fire to gauge heat about upgrading the position. As the draft came and passed, the offseason progressed, and week one’s kickoff commenced, Ben Heeney, Malcolm Smith and 6th round rookie Corey James were what we decided to roll with to begin the year. While the former undoubtedly looked overwhelmed out there a majority of the time, the young rookie James more than held his own the two weeks he saw relevant action in starting duty. However, a 6th round rookie should never have such a burden placed upon his shoulders amid a defense that has such high expectations going into the season. Enter Perry Riley Jr., a soldier in need… a lieutenant INDEED!

“I’m a football player,” Riley said Tuesday in the Raiders’ locker room (the day he signed with the team). “You ask me, I think I can do everything — cover, tackle, play the run and pass. But playing the run is definitely something that outside people have told me I do well. I’m a physical player; I come downhill, taking on blocks, making plays in the gap, backfield, whatever.

“But I think a lot of people underestimate my athleticism or speed outside in pass coverage. I think I got a lot of scrutiny in Washington about a couple of pass coverages I gave up. But at the same time, a lot of people don’t know everything that’s supposed to go on. You don’t know assignments. You don’t know leverage and stuff, so a lot of stuff I got blamed for wasn’t always my fault, but I think a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised with the way I cover.”

If his leadership and play on the field since his acquisition has reflected anything in regards to our defense, it surely has been… rectified!

Maybe I should have put this piece off for a few more weeks until it was decided if I needed to add a potentially, well-deserved fifth “R” to the equation – RE-SIGN the man! Only time will tell. What are your thoughts Nation?

As always, thanks for reading. Stay tuned for next week’s edition in which I will focus on arguably the best WR tandem in the league today – Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders…Just kidding…or am I? Keep the pitchforks hidden until next week, ladies. Cheers!

Written by: Sir Truth