Lions Want To Bring Back Jeff Backus
by Sean Yuille on Jan 12, 2012 3:28 PM EST
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Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew put all speculation about what will happen with offensive tackle Jeff Backus this offseason to rest today when he met with the media. Despite his injury and free agent status, it is likely that Backus will return to the Lions for his 12th season as the team's starting left tackle. Although it's unclear what a new deal will look like or when one will be worked out, Mayhew made it clear he wants Backus to stay in Detroit.
Mayhew also said he talked to left tackle Jeff Backus on Wednesday inquiring about his biceps surgery on Monday. The surgery went well and Backus, who is an unrestricted free agent, wants to return for his 12th season. Mayhew said they want him back too.
Assuming Backus is in fact re-signed, the projected starters on the offensive line will be the same as the last two seasons: LT Backus, LG Rob Sims, C Dominic Raiola, RG Stephen Peterman and RT Gosder Cherilus. It is worth noting that the Lions took a look at offensive guard Leonard Davis during the latter half of the season, but he is set to become a free agent, so Peterman is projected to retain the starting right guard job.
Of course, the NFL Draft needs to happen, Backus needs to be re-signed and free agency needs to open before any of these projections are locked in. I think it's unlikely that any changes will be made to the starters on the O-line for next season, but things could always change due to an injury, trade or draft pick.
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I find it hard to believe all 5 will be starters going in to the season
I actually like the talk of Backus being back, even tho I’d rather see an upgrade even if a rookie at the position as a starter. I also have every hope they upgrade at least one of the interior positions even if with a rookie.
Individuals should protect themselves. Governments can't protect individuals from themselves, it's just impossible, otherwise they become a tyranical state. -Ron Paul
what rookie would be an upgrade?
thats a pretty tall order for a rookie LT.
I would like an upgrade at C and RG..Gosder can be good at times and hes still relatively young.
Matt Kalil, probably.
Who wants to send the farm to Minnesota for the pick? :)
"You've got to respect your opponent, no matter who it is. You respect him best by going out there and beating him up." - Calvin Johnson
by Mavyrk on Jan 12, 2012 9:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I wouldn't be opposed
It cost Atlanta their first, second, and fourth plus next year’s (2012’s) first and fourth to move from 27 to 6 for Julio Jones.
To move from 23 to 3 for Kalil (assuming Luck goes # 1 and St Louis trades # 2 to someone who wants RG3), we’d probably be looking at something similar: our first, second and fourth, plus first and fourth next year.
But if the scouting reports are true, we could know that Stafford’s blindside is covered by an elite pass protector until he’s 36 years old or so.
Hey that's a timeout, I can play right? yeah, get me--get the F-- Help me up...I can throw the ball if you need me to throw the ball...
Hm.
I’m sure we could just trade Calvin Johnson for Percy Harvin, the 3rd pick, their second, and next year’s first. Then we could get Kalil and whatever interior lineman’s at 23rd, and we’d be all set!
Hehehehe…
"You've got to respect your opponent, no matter who it is. You respect him best by going out there and beating him up." - Calvin Johnson
I wouldn't trade Calvin for anything less than four first-round picks and then some
or maybe three firsts and four seconds If anybody had that kind of value.
Trading draft picks I think is different from trading proven players.
If Mayhew thought it was worth an upper-mid first (# 13) plus an upper-mid second and an upper-mid fourth for Patrick Peterson (“the best cornerback prospect in several years” according to a lot of reports), is it really that far-fetched that it would be worth two lower-mid firsts (assuming we’re a playoff team again next year) plus a lower-mid second and two lower-mid fourths for the best left tackle prospect in several years?
Hey that's a timeout, I can play right? yeah, get me--get the F-- Help me up...I can throw the ball if you need me to throw the ball...
good question
I don’t have the answer.
It may be the rookie is better suited to ride the pine a season and learn. It may be better for his growth to take the lumps and learn on the go. What may be a step back in results for a season might be overall the best thing for the player and therefore the team. Tough to tell that to Stafford if he’s getting creamed but..
Individuals should protect themselves. Governments can't protect individuals from themselves, it's just impossible, otherwise they become a tyranical state. -Ron Paul
or perhaps that 'rookie" is Fox
he’s had plenty of time to season on the bench, and in the hospital, and in the film room and…
Individuals should protect themselves. Governments can't protect individuals from themselves, it's just impossible, otherwise they become a tyranical state. -Ron Paul
I think that Jason Fox is the guy they will try to groom as well.
He has one more season to see if he can stay healthy, I think. He played well and was really coming on when he was subbing for Backus in the preseason, before he was injured again.
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kind of hard to groom a guy
when he has had an injury for 3 straight seasons dating back to his senior season at Miami.
Charles Aaron "Bubba" Smith 1945 - 2011 R.I.P.
I, for one, am thrilled.
This guy brings his lunch pail to work every day. Even if he doesn’t start for us next year, he is an asset to the team. Get that contract signed Jeff, so I can officially welcome you back.
It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.
Twitter is for pussies. I follow people in real life.
"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy
huh?
Noooooooooooooo! I guess cb is where they are drafting in the first round! So good news/bad news for a lot of us! Good news to me cause I want a cb.
by hostage42 on Jan 12, 2012 3:41 PM EST via mobile reply actions
They still have Fox, and that kid they took in the 7th round last year
Johhny somthing, forget his last name.
Positives- He will be cheap, he played well this year
Negitives- He can always give up that one big mistake that get’s Stafford killed
But Yes CB seems to be where there going
the negative could happen to anyone
Especially a rookie or a free agent in a new scheme.
by yamahawarrior89 on Jan 12, 2012 6:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Most definitely.
Especially when you consider that he only usually really has issues against the same guys that every LT has issues with, those being dudes like Jared Allen and Julius Peppers.
I hope Backus comes back
For right now he is the best option. Plus he is durable and endured the worse with the Lions.
by hasselhoff on Jan 12, 2012 3:56 PM EST via mobile reply actions
exactly.
The whole “Backus sucks” thing is turning into a cliche` …. and its really starting to show the ignorance of Detroit’s fanbase.
http://twitter.com/#!/rumbulls
by CLF on Jan 12, 2012 7:32 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
+76
Personally, I’ve always liked Backus. He’s been a consistent (but not GREAT) player. I would rather have a guy that’s good and consistent then risk it on a rookie or somebody coming into a new scheme. I slow work in…yeah, that’s fine. Just straight up replacing him. No.
LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! GO STEFAN LOGAN!
That's the truth!
Just because he’s not great doesn’t mean he’s not good! Good left tackles are hard to find.
by coolbreeze42 on Jan 12, 2012 9:06 PM EST up reply actions
I am just fine with Backus coming back for another year or two
Sure he has struggled a bit with injury over the past two years, but I feel the exact same way about him as I do Jason Hanson. Sure it would be nice to have a young stud at those positions, hell at all positions. But the truth is that you cannot afford that. Both Backus and Hanson are good solid performers and you would be hard pressed to find 3 guys in the NFL better than them let alone five. Now compound that with the fact that they are likely to have home town friendly contracts and this is a no brainier if you ask me.
Keep Backus in place until Jason Fox or someone else can take the job. If I was a general manager I would never let go of a competent starter if I could keep them until someone on the roster emerged to take their job. At that point I would try my best to trade them rather than just cut or release them. However your not going to trade an aging vet like Backs for anything. That was more to speak of younger guys like oh say Cliff Avril ;)
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Agree with maintaining with Backus
I still think the Lions will try to pick up some OL depth in the draft. Maybe a LT that they can groom to replace Backus in a year or two.
by Parrothead Mike on Jan 12, 2012 4:48 PM EST up reply actions
Fox kills me
He’s been hurt every year, but hey maybe he’ll pull a Stafford on us and go crazy next year : )
Backus is the most infuriating player.
Most of the time he is above average but there are a few games a season where he gets completely abused. Watching Stafford get plastered by Julius Peppers or Jared Allen is tough to watch.
That said, the fact that he does well most of the time means that he clearly has value at LT, even if he will never be an elite player. He’s earned some grudging respect from me this year.
Watching Stafford get plastered by Julius Peppers or Jared Allen is tough to watch.
You realize, of course, that these two guys abuse just about every damn LT they play right?
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Of course I do.
Hence, I said he has value even if he’ll never be elite.
He did, however, have a great game against Demarcus Ware, who is among the elite pass rushers. Then the following week he sucked vs SF.
He played very well this season
better than the last two years. Hope Fox can come in and take over his spot after this season. They need to draft two O linemen though. Injuries will happen.
He did have trouble for a few games while recovering from a torn pectoral.
Though he was better than anyone else we had for LT.
by coolbreeze42 on Jan 12, 2012 9:10 PM EST up reply actions
I'm not impressed with our linebackers at all, Tulloch seems to be serviceable.
They’re so undersized compared to linebackers for the Bears, Steelers, or 49ers. Hell, the 49ers backup MLB is possibly better than all 3 of our guys. I’m sorry to say it but it’s true, if you don’t think so take off your Honolulu Blue lens glasses.
What's so funny 2011 Lions? Gordon Bombay doesn't think losing is funny.
Leshoure = 2012 Beastmode
Draft Konz!!
Tulloch is more than serviceable, he's regarded as one of the best MLBs in the NFL.
Durant is good against the run. Levy has played below average.
By the way — the 49ers don’t have a MLB. They run a 3-4.
No slogans. Just win!!!
by drgarnett on Jan 12, 2012 7:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
+1
I’ve seen MORE than a few fans of other teams hoping Tulloch doesn’t re-sign with us. He’s a pro bowl caliber talent at worst.
"You've got to respect your opponent, no matter who it is. You respect him best by going out there and beating him up." - Calvin Johnson
by Mavyrk on Jan 12, 2012 9:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Tulloch is really good
We do need upgrades on linebacker though.
by coolbreeze42 on Jan 12, 2012 9:12 PM EST up reply actions
I'd be content with grabbing an OLB if one's there.
But I don’t consider it high priority. Remember we’ve still got Hogue developing back there. If we grab an OLB in the first two rounds, they better be a damn first day stud and ST ace to boot.
"You've got to respect your opponent, no matter who it is. You respect him best by going out there and beating him up." - Calvin Johnson
by Mavyrk on Jan 12, 2012 9:16 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Your right.
We have bigger needs. I’m hoping a better LB coach would do it.
by coolbreeze42 on Jan 12, 2012 9:26 PM EST up reply actions
that's nitpicking my post
Willis is widely considered an MLB even though that isn’t the scheme he plays in. I was talking about his back up Larry Grant. I’m not sure how good Tulloch really is, I openly recall many missed tackles by him this year including one in the saints game where he whiffed on a tackle for a loss and the play went about 20 yards. Durant I don’t mind I think he’s very fast and athletic. Levy has to go, he has been piss poor this season, or at least he can stay on as a backup… then Carpenter would go.
What's so funny 2011 Lions? Gordon Bombay doesn't think losing is funny.
Leshoure = 2012 Beastmode
Draft Konz!!
Larry Grant? A career backup who's never played the Mike position in the NFL?
No slogans. Just win!!!
Larry Grant??? You got to be joking
A 7th round pick in 2008 that has 4 years to break the starting line-up in a 3-4 defensive scheme and can not.
Charles Aaron "Bubba" Smith 1945 - 2011 R.I.P.
watch film from the 49ers vs steelers game.
What's so funny 2011 Lions? Gordon Bombay doesn't think losing is funny.
Leshoure = 2012 Beastmode
Draft Konz!!
One game
I live in SF. I have been to many Niner games. First the guy can not stay healthy. Second, they tried him out on the outside at first. He sucked there, so they miove him inside. And he is alittle undersized to play the Mike in a 4-3 scheme. He is a special teamer, nothing more.
Charles Aaron "Bubba" Smith 1945 - 2011 R.I.P.
I'm a Tulloch fan
I like Durant alot too. Levy I believe had a bad year. I also like our depth with Carpenter, Palmer. These guys are still young.
I believe they all have some talent. Of course if you can improve and get better players you do it. As long as we get good value.
I don’t miss the Paris Lennon days, but sure do miss Speilman, Boyd.
by hasselhoff on Jan 13, 2012 8:44 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
In a bind Hillard or Fox can fill in nicely. Maybe not for the whole season, so Backus is a needed re-sign until we can draft for the future. It’s almost like some of these guys are ‘owed’ a chance to be on a perennial winner. At least give him and Dom a chance In Training camp for the spot, if they don’t make the cut then drop them. I also see a need to upgrade at RG. Peterman hasn’t been commiting the dumb penalties the last half of the season, but he is still a weak run blocking guard.
by nekweb1 on Jan 12, 2012 9:30 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I'd be happy with Backus returning, but I'd like to see them provide extra blocking support sometimes.
They really depend on the O-line to protect Stafford without help too much. Nothing makes me more nervous than to see them going empty backfield again. Given Jeff’s recent injuries it makes sense to me to provide extra blockers more often.
And of course, this is where the lack of a consistent running game contributes to the problem.
No slogans. Just win!!!
Back and Cherilus have both been a liability. This year less than others but are we forgetting what happened to stafford before this season, i’d blame the tackles. Millen took Cherilus remember, but he also took calvin too. All of this said what are the options for a replacement? short of signing a big name, for the money backus and cherilus are our best options, unless you think a rookie can step in and contribute immediately. I will say this is the first season I’ve actually been impressed with backus and cherilus
cherlus should play a lot more licke the player the lions draft next year he just came off majioer knee suergery lastyear and did not have whole camp to get ready this year .as for backus only if the price is right his body is starting to go still had a good year this year but you have to ? how long he can hould up . if he want a big payday next year the lions might try two upgrade ot with demetrius bell ot from the billss or jared gaitherof the chargers both our fa next year and might be a upgrade at ot for the lions .
I will be very disapointed if we don't have atleast ONE new offensive lineman this year
I’m good with bringing Backus back. He certainly is no excuse to avoid drafting a new LT if available. He gives us something if we don’t get an upgrade it could be much worse than Jeff. His years are numbered though it’s time to start looking.
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