Saturday,  April 28, 2012 • Vol. 12--No. 289 • 27 of 48 •  Other Editions

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place a 100-year-old barn, in Parkston, S.D., when Detroit general manager Martin Mayhew called to say the team was taking him No. 23 overall Thursday night. About five minutes later, he joined the rest of his family, when the pick was announced on TV.
• "It means a lot that Riley decided he'd rather be home with family and friends," Jo Reiff said while her son was surrounded by Detroit-area reporters. "He's pretty close with his grandpa and grandma Reiff. His grandpa has been in and out of the hospital the past two years. Every time, he told the doctors that he had to get out in time to see where his grandson was going to be drafted. A couple times last night he nodded off, but he was wide awake when Riley was drafted."
• The former Iowa standout acknowledged being nervous on the day of the draft and while serving as the center of attention the next day during a news conference

at Lions headquarters.
• Reiff, though, is comfortable playing multiple positions on the offensive line.
• "We see him as a guy that has a possibility of playing pretty soon for us," Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said.
• Reiff briefly talked with 34-year-old left tackle Jeff Backus, whom he might eventually replace.
• "He was a great guy, very welcoming," he said. "I'm looking forward to learning under him."
• The Lions may also give Reiff a shot

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