Lomas Brown Thinks Jeff Backus Has A Future At Guard

by Sean Yuille on Jun 20, 2011 2:30 PM EDT in Detroit Lions News

Detroit Lions left tackle Jeff Backus has played at a much higher level in recent years than he had in the first part of his career, allowing the team to wait another year or two before absolutely having to search for his future replacement at the position. Backus isn't getting any younger, so the search will have to take place at some point.

Many believed the Lions were going to draft an offensive tackle in the first round of this year's draft. The mindset that Backus absolutely had to be replaced was obviously incorrect, but perhaps the idea of someday moving Backus to offensive guard isn't. Had the Lions drafted a left tackle, some "experts" said that Backus could be moved inside to open up a starting spot at left tackle. I personally didn't see the point of doing anything like that this year, but perhaps in a few years that will be something to consider to extend Backus' career as a starter.

Former Lions offensive lineman Lomas Brown is certainly on board with the idea of moving Backus inside in the future, and he thinks Backus would play quite well as a guard.

"I've always said that I thought if Jeff played the inside position, played the guard position, I feel that the guy's an All-Pro guy," former Lion Lomas Brown said recently at the Derrick Williams-Charlie Villanueva celebrity softball game. "I really do. I think he's a very good tackle, but I think he could be an All-Pro interior lineman."

Brown went on to explain that Backus is built more like a guard than a tackle. Brown also said that Backus deserves credit for "what he's been able to do throughout the years playing with a disadvantage like that at that position." Backus has been getting better and better in Brown's mind, but once Backus starts slowing down, Brown thinks a move to guard "could extend his career a lot longer for him."

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Backus has never played guard

In the Nfl. Nor has he at U of M as far as I know yet I keep seeing remarks from folks wanting to move him inside. Kinda makes me wonder if all his previous coaches have been too dumb to realize that guard would be a better position for him. More likely though it’s that they haven’t had anyone better to play LT/ At any rate if Jeff does move inside it seems his height may be a detriment. 1 inside guy at 6’5" or above is probably all that would be considered.

Ah but I was so much older then and younger than right now

by Justan Oldfart on Jun 20, 2011 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

I always thought he was a RT playing the role of a LT

But I do have to give it up to Jeff. He has been solid at LT. Not great, not shitty. He has put together a pretty nice career for himself. And I agree with your point about Backus never playing guard before. Disagee about the height issue.

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by JCruize on Jun 20, 2011 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

backus was a LG at UofM i am like 90% sure

RIP KURTIS CHAIVRE

by det32 on Jun 20, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

nope

that was Steve Hutchinson at LG

by JazzyBBP on Jun 20, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

swing and miss, once again : )

by msivits on Jun 21, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure where Backus would fit at guard for us

Rob Sims is only 27 and is playing quite well at LG.
Stephen Peterman is a bigger, stronger mauler than Backus, is 5 years younger, and plays on the opposite side of where Backus has been his whole career.

I think Backus will stay at LT for another year or two or three, and eventually be replaced by a young guy they’re developing (Fox? Culbreath? a 2012 mid-rounder?).

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by n4ry4 on Jun 20, 2011 3:28 PM EDT reply actions

Stephen "Yellow Flag" Peterman?

Bigger, Stronger, Younger, More Irresponsible, Worse at blocking, Worse at pass protection….

Yep, sounds like just the guy to keep over Backus.

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by NobodySpecial on Jun 20, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

And good ole, not say a bad word about anyone Lomas would say.....

Scott Mitchell had the makings of a hall of fame QB.

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by delusional on Jun 20, 2011 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

in fairness to Lomas

He did not play QB in the NFL.

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by joshsun on Jun 20, 2011 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

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by Eddie Apoc on Jun 20, 2011 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Lomas has to be the nicest guy in sports.

He’d stay smiling if a seagull flew by and shit on the “Q” he was savoring.

.Does your momma have a Big Ass like your head?

by delusional on Jun 20, 2011 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Backus turns 34 this year.

Why would anyone talk about his future prospects at a new position?

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by Elfuego51 on Jun 20, 2011 4:36 PM EDT reply actions

Right

That guys got a solid future in retirement.

by fiendishdr.wu on Jun 20, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

A future as a backup guard maybe

We better not resign him for anything resembling starting money in any way. Because we’re going to lose out big time on that. Backus is no Jonathan Ogden or Walter Jones who will be elite until whichever day he decides to hang it up.

by WestsideLionsFan on Jun 20, 2011 5:36 PM EDT reply actions

I agree

It doesnt really make sense to move him to guard, because the only guard spot you could move him to is left guard, and sims is doing a pretty good job at left guard. I say leave him where he is and let him mentor an understudy that can hopefully take over left tackle and dominate.

by big smoove on Jun 20, 2011 6:29 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

has anyone stopped to think of his age

he’s not gonna be playing for another 8 years ya know. It’s time to think replacement soon.

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by The Profiler on Jun 20, 2011 9:00 PM EDT reply actions

I would love to Jason or Johnny get some PT at LT this year...

Backus has played in alot of games for us…160 straight or some crazy # he is a true ironman but nearing his time. Maybe

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by SmittyJ on Jun 21, 2011 1:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

It's not unheard of for O-lineman to play near the 40 age range.

Now maybe he is not going to stay at LT for that long but he may just flip sides with Gos and play RT for a few years we never know. i don’t see him lasting that long but he could be our version of Bruce Mathews who in his later days just keeps moving positions, From T to G, to maybe even Center, how hard can it be for a guy who has been blocking for over 2 decades to move to an inside position?

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by davis0169 on Jun 20, 2011 10:31 PM EDT reply actions

I think we'll see Backus finish his career at LT

I don’t see us replacing him unless his play really drops off.

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by Hyperion Ecta on Jun 21, 2011 7:03 AM EDT reply actions

I am not a Backus hater

I do believe he is a servicable LT, sure there are better tackles in the league, but we can’t have all the best players. I think Backus performance the last two years, can be directly associated with his pairing up of Rob Sims…. no question!

by Rob fisher on Jun 21, 2011 8:33 AM EDT reply actions

I think Backus is in the last year of his contract

I hope the Lions can resign him and keep him as a back-up for a few more years.

by JazzyBBP on Jun 21, 2011 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

He strikes me as a player that would...

take a pay cut not to leave Detroit. I dunno… could be wrong about that, but he seems to know his place somewhat. He’s not elite and he knows it. But he has value and Detroit knows that too. If they resign him, it won’t be a blockbuster by any means and they will do it with a firm succession plan in place.

by DrewsLions on Jun 21, 2011 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions