Lions Activate Jeff Backus, Release Isaac Sowells, Place Randy Phillips On Injured Reserve

by Sean Yuille on Aug 21, 2011 5:25 PM EDT in Detroit Lions News

The Detroit Lions have gotten their starting left tackle back. After missing all of training camp so far because of a pectoral injury, Jeff Backus returned to practice today and was activated from the active/non-football injury list. This is great news, as the Lions finally have their starting offensive line all healthy at the same time.

According to the Lions' official website, the team released offensive tackle Isaac Sowells today to make room on the roster for Backus. That doesn't make much sense to me, though. I was under the impression that Backus counted against the roster even though he was on the active/non-football injury list. What's more, even if Backus and Sowells were both on the roster now, the Lions would have 90 players. They weren't over the maximum, so I'm confused over why Sowells had to be let go for Backus to be taken off the active/non-football injury list.

In any case, Sowells is gone, and the Lions also placed safety Randy Phillips on injured reserve. Phillips was waived/injured last week after dealing with a shoulder problem, and it wasn't clear at the time if the Lions were going to hang on to him or if he was going to clear waivers. As it turns out, he did in fact clear waivers and his rights have been reverted back to the Lions since they placed him on IR.

UPDATE: The official word from the Lions is that Sowells was waived/injured. Contrary to what the Lions' website says, I don't think this move was related to Backus being activated.

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Roster Space

They’re freeing up a spot for Davis fingers crossed

by mcivor on Aug 21, 2011 5:35 PM EDT reply actions

I'd rather just cut DWILL

and had Davis than cut an O-lineman. Maybe Mayhews got somethin still up his sleeve

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"In Mayhew we trust"

Thank you Kris Draper and Chris Osgood for all the memories

by Bballkid-22 on Aug 21, 2011 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

If you mean James Davis, the RB

He was just released by the Redskins. Drafted by the Browns in 2009 out of Clemson, he was the thunder to CJ Spiller’s lightning. Maybe the Lions sign him.

by Forward Down The Field on Aug 21, 2011 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Seriously...another former Brown?

LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! GO STEFAN LOGAN!

by BBlades on Aug 21, 2011 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Wait

Are you talking Rashied Davis or Leneard Davis?

"Lakers in 4, Pistons cant score" - NBA Analysis. Jokes on you!

"In Mayhew we trust"

Thank you Kris Draper and Chris Osgood for all the memories

by Bballkid-22 on Aug 21, 2011 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions

What the hell is the fascination with L. Davis??

No other team in the NFL seems to be interested in him, why are Lions fans? The O Line is looking good IMO, and will only get better with Backus back at LT. Hilliard was the weak link out there on the first team.

"Filling a need doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a good player," said Schwartz. "It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that best fits; it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that’s better than what you have already."

by NorthLeft12 on Aug 21, 2011 5:52 PM EDT reply actions

Have you seen the running game

It’s not any better than it was last year. Leonard is the best run blocker on the market and had he hit durning the prime of free agency he’d have been already I’m sure. Our Oline gets to much credit around here IMO. Everyone is so high on there pass blocking skills they forget we can’t run the ball up the middle. This problem had nothing to do with Backus being gone it had to do with the inside lineman. More specificaly the right side.

Very glad to hear Randy Phillips is still Lions property. Coaches seem to love him and he was great last preseason. Whatever his injury is it must be more serious than originally thought I guess.

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by The Profiler on Aug 21, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree...

The o-line looks great at pass blocking, but pretty poor at run blocking. I have no idea how to fix this issue without getting entirely new o-lineman, so perhaps we just have to admit that running will not be a huge part of the 2011 Lions.

by MjrChnHzrd on Aug 21, 2011 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions

After seeing Peterman still getting driven back

I think our injury excuses may have only been partially correct. We’re in for a long year if we cant do something about that interior.

The Dis-Assembly Line - The unofficial, official name for the next best D-line in football.

by rames on Aug 21, 2011 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Run blocking is about attitude

And we just don’t have those kinds of players up front.

How many lumps you want Doc?

by davis0169 on Aug 21, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow, you guys are surprising me here.

They have something figured out with the run game IMO, let’s see if they can build upon it against the PATS.

There was flashes of getting between the tackle rushes to work against CLE.

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

by delusional on Aug 21, 2011 7:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 2 recs

Recked you del.

I think our O Line was creating some running lanes against Cleveland. Sometimes our backs did not take advantage of the work they did [see Killer’s tape review articles on MLive].

by NorthLeft12 on Aug 21, 2011 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Thank you kindly NL.

Yessir, Ian, Felton, and to some extent Harrison looked to be finding the gaps with some success.

It could of been a one game illusion so that’s why I was telling Josh in another thread to hold off a bit, and I’ll say it here.

Mirage? Or real deal? Not sure yet.

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

by delusional on Aug 21, 2011 7:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

which O line tho?

The good results in the middle were when Peterman, Sims, and the umpaloompah were out.

Individuals should protect themselves. Governments can't protect individuals from themselves, it's just impossible, otherwise they become a tyranical state. -Ron Paul

by Ee Oulo on Aug 21, 2011 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Same problem last year, too.

Best and K Smith didn’t trust the blocking and kept getting cut down. Morris took advantage and did well when he had the chance. Best still doesn’t seem to get it.

by drgarnett on Aug 21, 2011 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

i agree

I think the oline was opening holes, backs had opps up the middle and with a bit of vision had opps to bounce outside on a few too. The run game is a lot about timing and adapting your speed to the holes, the bursting through – I think this was night and day better than week 1 and now with backus working back over the coming two weeks in practice I am eager to see how this timing and blocking hopefully continues to develop

by londonlion on Aug 21, 2011 7:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I agree alot of the times harrison was just trying to make to much out of a run instead of just goin’ north so to speak. I definitely say wait til the pat’s game that’ll be a fair assesment.

by Michael21 on Aug 22, 2011 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Big Leonard is not the answer.

I would prefer for the Lions to develop some young players to take that spot if they need to put someone in there.

by NorthLeft12 on Aug 21, 2011 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I think we have a fundmental differing viewpoint on how the Oline should of been built NL.

But were past the point of changing how I thought it should of been done…..so….

I just hope some of these camp bodies comes through and shows something, and it looked like a couple of them were getting it.

I thought Thomas was okay, the rookie, and the other tall white dude, I forget his name, he’s been around some and a recent addition.

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

by delusional on Aug 21, 2011 7:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I hope come regular season

we see the holes we did during the Chi, GB, and TB games last year. But I wouldn’t bet on it. I do agree it’s not all on the line, we need to have smarter RBs – that’s why I think MoMo will get a lot of touches. If there are holes where the play is supposed to go, he will hit them. Hopefully Best will wake the F up and get his vision back…

The Dis-Assembly Line - The unofficial, official name for the next best D-line in football.

by rames on Aug 21, 2011 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions

that's right

Thomas has looked alright but I’m skeptical he’d be better than any starter we have.
With Backus back I’m curious if Culbreath gets some inside looks this week. That might be his ticket to making the 53.

Individuals should protect themselves. Governments can't protect individuals from themselves, it's just impossible, otherwise they become a tyranical state. -Ron Paul

by Ee Oulo on Aug 21, 2011 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Glad we still have Phillips, he still may turn into something

Check out this video about how Schwartz laid into the team at halftime.

The Dis-Assembly Line - The unofficial, official name for the next best D-line in football.

by rames on Aug 21, 2011 6:28 PM EDT reply actions

broke linky

I like Wins, Cheese and I also Like Cookies. If you don't. Wow. :P
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by joshsun on Aug 21, 2011 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions

damn

try again: LINK

The Dis-Assembly Line - The unofficial, official name for the next best D-line in football.

by rames on Aug 21, 2011 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions

One of these days

Gunny is going to break loose in that locker room. That guy is borderline insane when he goes off. To be a fly on the wall for that day.

by joshsun on Aug 21, 2011 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions

haha

no kidding. Maybe it will be how he goes out (his “F U! I’m out” speech if you will).

Long gone are the days of Mooch…

The Dis-Assembly Line - The unofficial, official name for the next best D-line in football.

by rames on Aug 21, 2011 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Much like Joey Blue Skies

I never thought Mooch was given a fair shake here. His exit was appropriate for the situation, looking back now. Then I thought he was a quitter.

by joshsun on Aug 22, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

off topic, but just finifhed watching the replay of fridays game...

What do you all think of ian johnson? Seemed very effective, hitting holes with patience – yet with burst and vision. I get it was against fourth string but running behind fourth string too.

Alternatively, thoughts on a little mayhewing for frank gore?

by londonlion on Aug 21, 2011 6:37 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Don't see it. Gore is too high profile.

Just from what I’ve seen so far, I think it’ll be Harrison or nothing.

Besides, I don’t want them to keep sacrificing future draft picks for trades. Save them to get the future O-line.

by drgarnett on Aug 21, 2011 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

fair, but i almost rather johnson over harrison

And both over bell!

Keep 4 rbs – best, morris, and two of brown/harrison/johnson

by londonlion on Aug 21, 2011 6:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I feel like I can't make a real conclusion right now on the new RBs

maybe this next one will be more definitive, given the nature of the 3rd game and that the RBs will have had a couple weeks to assimilate. But, really – it might not be before the Bills game that we should be rushing to judgement.

The Dis-Assembly Line - The unofficial, official name for the next best D-line in football.

by rames on Aug 21, 2011 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions

very true, lots of gametime left before final cuts are due

I should have qualified by saying if decisions were tomorrow type of thing. And much could change as I am sure it will. None the less, was impressed with johnson. Playing time will get tougher to come by with morris back in practice.

by londonlion on Aug 21, 2011 7:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

there ya go

I’m not convinced anyone has shown bad enough we could safely say they’re out let alone safely saying their in (besides Best). As much as I knock Felton I really would like to see him given an honest chance to put something together.

Individuals should protect themselves. Governments can't protect individuals from themselves, it's just impossible, otherwise they become a tyranical state. -Ron Paul

by Ee Oulo on Aug 21, 2011 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions

me too

I don’t know why Linny hasn’t given him the rock more often to have a better bases for making a final decision. Either play the guy or cut him already! He was great as a half back in college and has shown some nice runs (when it’s not up the middle on 3rd and 1)… Either he has a roll or he doesn’t… Get to it!

The Dis-Assembly Line - The unofficial, official name for the next best D-line in football.

by rames on Aug 22, 2011 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions

How'd you watch the replay? On tv?

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by Bighaircut on Aug 21, 2011 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

taped off of nfln

It was on this am

by londonlion on Aug 21, 2011 7:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

it also played on fox at 3 for me..

RIP KURTIS CHAIVRE

by det32 on Aug 21, 2011 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions

He played fairly well

Enough to make the team? Not sure.

by Hyperion Ecta on Aug 22, 2011 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions

screw that haha

Dude..,it’s pretty freakin obvious that Aaron Brown is the runningback who we should really be talking about right now, not Ian “Who?” Johnson. The Lions are too stacked at RB to have him make the team. You got Jahvid Best, Jerome Harrison, Maurice Morris, Aaron Brown, Mike Bell, and Ian Brown. If they keep 4, I’d cut off Mike Bell and Ian Brown. I think they keep three, so they’ll probably have to choose between Morris and Harrison. IMO Aaron Brown is actually the most proven out of them all. He didn’t get much playing time in the season last year, but when he did he got a lot of yards per carry…and in pre- season he is the freakin man.

by Ryan Hart on Aug 22, 2011 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions

WHOOPS!

I said Ian Brown once instead of Ian Johnson haha

by Ryan Hart on Aug 22, 2011 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions

given our history

I think we’ll have 4 RBs (Best, Morris, Harrison, & a player who was cut on Sept 3rd) – 5RBs if we count Logan.

The Dis-Assembly Line - The unofficial, official name for the next best D-line in football.

by rames on Aug 22, 2011 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

as Mayhew has shown, he likely still has a move or two trade wise before cuts get too deep

Most likely by creating value out of guys that were to be cut. Who do you all think could be a candidate to use in a late preseason mayhewing?

I think the list includes or could include one of our three backup qb’s, one of the backup rbs and maybe even felton with heller/finley playin fb with their diversity

by londonlion on Aug 21, 2011 7:15 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I agree Mayhew isn't likely done making moves

I’m not sure we could get takers for any of our backups though (outside of Stanton or Hill)

The Dis-Assembly Line - The unofficial, official name for the next best D-line in football.

by rames on Aug 21, 2011 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Are you telling me the entire league isn't salivating

at the prospect of trading for Zac Robinson??

That goddamn Okra and beans got you Oprah in jeans. Seems to me a little lean cuisine, wouldn't hurt much- Agh don't touch! -Obie Trice

by Skylar on Aug 21, 2011 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions

they are

and that’s why we aren’t seeing any QB moves right now. They’re just waiting to get in on the Zac Robinson sweepstakes.

Individuals should protect themselves. Governments can't protect individuals from themselves, it's just impossible, otherwise they become a tyranical state. -Ron Paul

by Ee Oulo on Aug 21, 2011 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions

that's a good question

and worthy of a fan post! I think I’ll put one together

Individuals should protect themselves. Governments can't protect individuals from themselves, it's just impossible, otherwise they become a tyranical state. -Ron Paul

by Ee Oulo on Aug 21, 2011 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions