Dump Backus or Raiola for a rookie......REALLY?

by UgottaBkiddinMe on Jan 21, 2012 2:49 AM EST

Ok I know that most of us would really like an upgrade on the Oline. However, consider this for a moment. We have possibly the next great QB of the league behind center right now. So what some are considering is dumping Backus or Raiola or both for rookies at those positions (hopefully noone in Detroits front office). If we had Drew Stanton starting...maybe. But you dont take a chance with a future pro bowl, all pro or even possibly hall of fame type of QB with rookies in front of him without at least having someone to replace them with if they fail. Im all for drafting players at OT, OG and C. But the need to re-sign both Backus to at least a one year contract and possibly even restructure Raiola's contract for an additional year or two to get his cap number down this year is vital to keeping Staffords body intact for another season or two. Its very rare when a first round OT drafted at the no. 23 spot is good enough to start in front of a player as good as Stafford. Now if they find a good enough replacement in free agency to replace those two then im all for it as long as the continuity of the Oline is there by the time the first game starts next year. But under no circumstances would I want to take a chance with a rookie protecting our great quarterback.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit or its writers. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.

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Baker for Matt Ryan Oher for Joe Flacco

It’s been done before, it’s definitely not unheard of. What it’s going to boil down to is who is better pound for pound. If we draft an upgrade over Backus, he is going to start. You’re not supposed to start a rookie QB over a seasoned veteran right? Where is Dante Culpepper nowadays again?

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Jan 21, 2012 3:38 AM EST reply actions

except

Baker only started 5 games and Oher played RT.

Charles Aaron "Bubba" Smith 1945 - 2011 R.I.P.

by JCruize on Jan 21, 2012 6:46 AM EST up reply actions

I don't think the plan for anyone thinking of overhauling the line...

Was to dump Raiola or Backus this year. But if we wind up drafting a rookie who can start, there’s no issue with making Raiola/Backus back them up.

"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 21, 2012 4:34 AM EST reply actions

^This.

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by Bighaircut on Jan 21, 2012 10:09 AM EST up reply actions

+1

and with the leadership thing being cited so much, I think they’re staying

by BillySimsMadeMeDo on Jan 21, 2012 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

My Thoughts

First is I like that Center from Wisconsin. I think he would be a great selection for the Lions to dump some salary for next year. What that does is allow us another year to look at Jason Fox and Culbreath before deciding to cut them loose. Then Gandy and the other guy whose name escapes me. Those guys are making more than what a rookie will cost us. Since word on the street is he can also play Guard it will allow us to have a solid backup at that position as well. I do not think we need to keep Dom after his contract is up. Since he is signed up thru 2013 he will be 35 at the end of the season. That would be the start of the end of his career. So if he goes with a 2 year deal after that and retires but moves to a backup role would work IMHO.

by MisterEK on Jan 21, 2012 4:38 AM EST reply actions

If the Lions do draft O Linemen early, I would be surprised if they start right away.

But I don’t think I would be shocked. The Lions would evaluate the player through the training camps and preseason and decide then if starting the rookie would be best for the team. Just like they did with Matthew Stafford.

I have a lot of faith in the judgement of Mayhew, Schwartz, and the Lions coaching staff in general.

"I’m sorry for all the people who want us to run the ball 40 times a game, but we’re going to put the ball in No. 9’s hands and he’s going to make plays for us like he did today," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. Amen to that Jim!

by NorthLeft12 on Jan 21, 2012 7:23 AM EST reply actions

I JUST GOTTA SICK IDEA...

if we traded Peterman, next years 1st, and this years or 3rd… we could pick up Stanford’s Jonathan Martin and Konz. Would remind me of our 2000 draft class

"If you don't invest very much, then defeat doesn't hurt very much and winning is not very exciting." ~Dick Vermeil

"Some people watch adult videos on their computer. I go to YouTube and watch Jahvid Best highlight clips. That's what gets me aroused." ~Jim Schwartz

by DylanD on Jan 21, 2012 9:12 AM EST reply actions

konz backs up

backus to RG Martin to LT

by DylanD on Jan 24, 2012 6:33 AM EST up reply actions

I don't hate this idea

I’d almost rather have DeCastro though, who would probably be cheaper.

"There's something out there, beyond the horizon in the corner of your eye. I'm going to find out what it is."
-Thomas Solomon, Gentleman Adventurer.

by TheLoneDavid on Jan 24, 2012 8:03 AM EST up reply actions

This is the year to draft OL in the first round

The bust factor on guys like Kalil, Reiff, Martin, DeCastro, and Konz are HISTORICALLY LOW. There are other first round talent out there that I wouldn’t touch with a 10 foot pole (i.e. Adams, Sanders, and Glenn) because their bust factors are much much higher. But all 5 of the guys I previously mentioned are strong leaders, very athletic, and very smart. If any one of these guys is available at #23, you pull that trigger without even thinking about it.

by LibertineDream on Jan 21, 2012 12:37 PM EST reply actions

Not sure how you know this.

Nobody comes to the NFL without the possibility of busting. Even on the O Line: ie. Robert Gallery, Tony Mandarich, Jason Smith, Levi Brown, and Mike Williams were all chosen in the top five and I am sure they came with similar “can’t bust” guarantees.

Rieff and Martin come with considerable question marks from some scouting reports that I have read.

by NorthLeft12 on Jan 22, 2012 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

konz is a big center who would add size to the line also would give the starting center someone to push him to pick up his play or get cut . that why late last year the lions pickup a gured last year who pushed peterman topick up his game and he did forthe lions .
now as for backus he had soild year last year but is strarting to get old and he got hurt last year so drafting ot to replace him or be ready in year to tacke his spot is the way they might go .but they also might try to upgrade in fa if afew ot they licke our thier for the right price .i could se them trying to save some money this year at that spot .also it would not shock me if we drafted a wr or rb in the 1rst of the draft if thier the bpa when we pick 23in the frist rouand of this year draft .

by kwfords on Jan 21, 2012 1:24 PM EST reply actions

Raiola is okay for now

But Backus has definitely lost a step. It was very evident this year. A position like LT requires an incredible athlete. Backus would have been pro bowl material if he had an offense at all over most of his career, however he’s just not fast enough anymore. Move him to RT or inside to Guard. I’ll take a rookie over him right now for sure. Raiola is fine at Center. That’s a position where you can really last in the NFL.

My name is Suh! How do you do?! Now You GONNA DIE!

by rmatheny on Jan 23, 2012 4:43 PM EST reply actions

Konz in the first Adams in the second.

. I would love to get Konz and put him as a starting guard to learn from Raiola for a year and also add some beef to our line. Also get someone who could be our LT of the future. Possibly Mike Adams or even Auburns LT Mosley who looks to have some talent and might be available in rounds 4-5

I would like to see Fox get a shot at LT next year. But with him going to IR each year without even playing we def need Backus here to step in once he goes down.

by Northern Lite on Jan 24, 2012 2:00 PM EST reply actions