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Keith Rivers doing MMA training

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COB

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It seems Keith Rivers was so nice that it took 3 weeks of MMA training before any killer instinct showed itself.

This is exactly what this player needed. He just needs to get meaner.


/>http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100601/SPT02/6020372/1062/SPT/MMA-training-boosts-Rivers-confidence

Last year Keith Rivers finished second on the Bengals in tackles with 101, but it was a quiet season for the second-year linebacker. There weren't many highlights and he missed three games due to a calf injury.

With a six-week stint in mixed martial arts (MMA) training and solid workouts during the on-field coaching sessions, Rivers hopes to make more noise on the field this season.

The biggest change in Rivers' offseason program was the MMA training. After former Southern Cal teammate Brian Cushing did it, Rivers enrolled in the program at MMAthletics, which is run by Jay Glazer and Randy Couture. He trained four times a week in 90-minute sessions.

Although true hitting won't happen until training camp, some people have already noticed a change.

"The physical aspect, as far as his body when he came in, has been tremendous," Bengals linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald said. "He's gained good weight without losing speed. He also seems more confident at this point."

Rivers was enthusiastic about the training. "It improved my mental focus and taught me to let things roll off my shoulder more. It helped me out a lot."

Glazer, who is the NFL insider for Fox Sports, said this program is not for everyone. He has had players come in, pay the fee for the six-week workout, take part in a couple of them, then never return.

At first, Rivers could not get through one of the physical drills for two minutes. Two weeks later, he was still going at eight minutes.

The other focus was to find a mental breaking point, which took three weeks.

"When that (cage) door shuts it's my job to break your will," Glazer said. "I try to instill that same mindset in them. That game starts, the cage door shuts. Own your space and break that man's door across the way.

"Keith is a nice guy and it took me three weeks to get under his skin and finally he turned around and tackled him. Once that happened he became a better Keith Rivers. He became more fluid with violence."

Glazer's program is modeled after the sport and position, meaning that what works for linebackers doesn't work for quarterbacks. Among the tasks Rivers worked on with Glazer and former UFC fighter Karo Parisyan were double-leg takedowns, which would help with explosion in the hips and improve open-field tackling. He also studied hand-fighting techniques, like using the forearm more forcibly to shed blocks.

"We teach them to pick a spot and keep attacking that. That will make someone think twice before putting their hands on them," Glazer said.

The training helped Rivers gain eight pounds of muscle. If Rivers can improve as much as Minnesota defensive lineman Jared Allen and San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis did after their training, it will be worthwhile.

Three years ago Allen went from 7½ sacks to leading the league with 15½. Willis saw his numbers improve in tackles, sacks and interceptions.

Glazer compared Rivers to Willis, saying both are nice guys but that there is room for nastiness within the rules.

Rivers, who didn't know much about MMA before training, has gained a new appreciation for the sport.

"What they're doing on the ground, the moves and how they're trying to get in position makes it easier for me to understand," he said.

As far as what Rivers is working on during the on-field coaching sessions, he said he is focusing on improving his pass coverage as well as improving his pass rush.

If Rivers can continue his progression during the final three weeks of offseason work, including the June 15-17 minicamp, FitzGerald sees big things ahead.

"There were some plays quietly left on the field last year but that is part of the maturation process," FitzGerald said. "I'm really optimistic about seeing so much more. I'm encouraged about that and that he has a chance to stand out and be noticed."

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Ickey44 Newbie

Ickey44

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Exactly what I was thinking of. Hines Ward getting jacked in the face would add a lot to my season.

If he did that, and we lost every game, I'd still consider the season a success.

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COB

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And now 8 more pounds of muscle?

Wow.

No homo. B)

Um, I couldn't help but notice that as well. 8 pounds of muscle added to an already rocked-up frame, simply by doing martial arts?

Fitz said Rivers, "gained good weight without losing speed."

And finally, I was listening to an mma fighter on Sirius a couple months ago laughing about Randy Couture's incredible physique. He answered a question on whether he'd fight Couture by saying, "I don't know what he's taking to look like that. If I can find out, I'll start taking it and then I'll fight him."

Finally, Jared Allen had a breakout season after attending this "training." In case anyone hasn't noticed, Jared Allen has the brow and jaw of an obvious PED/'roid user.

All this points to one thing - Keith Rivers is going to have a hell of a season!

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