Detroit Lions Off-Season Moves Part 1: OL

by MotownMayhem on Feb 12, 2012 9:33 PM EST

While the Lion's OL proved to hold their own in the pass game this season, the run game was lackluster to say the least. Here are three offseason moves that would help rebuild an aging Lions OL:

1. Acquire Jared Gaither in the free agency.

2. Resign Jeff Backus to a two year deal at guard.

3. Draft Peter Konz with the 2012 first round pick.

Let me know what you think.

Part 2: CB.

#RestoreTheRoar

Poll

Can the Lions run the ball in 2012 without replacing Raiola?

Yes

60 votes

No

66 votes

126 votes | Poll has closed

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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Comments

Backus at Guard?

I dont think he has ever played that in his career? Why would he all of a sudden be a good guard?

by Joel Korson on Feb 12, 2012 10:39 PM EST reply actions

1. Guard is an easier position, especially with a veteran LT moving to LG.

2. Loss of speed (not needed so much for guard)

The biggest issues I have is… Sims is a great OG… and once you start shuffling a line that has developed continuity… where do you stop? How long before they ‘sync’ back up again?

I don’t care for the “move this guy here” that guy there approach.

The Lions can’t replace Backus, until they find a player that can actually REPLACE backus.

http://twitter.com/#!/rumbulls

by CLF on Feb 13, 2012 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

We ran the ball last year for 4.3 YPC.

And we pass the ball pretty well the last I looked. Yes, our run game could be more efficient, but what will we give up in our passing offence?

I really don’t like Gaither. He has serious back issues that leave him unlikely to play a whole season. The Ravens let him go and then the Chiefs let him go. He did well with the Chargers[in five games], but I do not have any faith in him after he is signed to a hefty contract. And it will be hefty.

"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 Feb 13, 2012 7:56 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

For once...

I liked the Oline this year.

Just no consistency at RB.

http://twitter.com/#!/rumbulls

by CLF on Feb 13, 2012 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

sigh Madden-ism strikes again

our interior line is good. Backus has never,ever, never played guard in the NFL. But now he is to replace Sims or Peterman? Gaither is a nut job.

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

by JCruize on Feb 13, 2012 9:32 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

I agree JC.

I did not want to get into the mental part of Gaither’s game. There was a lot of talk from the Ravens over whether Gaither was really all that interested in playing.

His release by the Ravens, and then the signing of Bryant Mckinnie by the Ravens, tells me all I need to know about their evaluation of Gaither. And Ozzie Newsome has proven himself to be a pretty good judge of football players IMO.

by NorthLeft12 on Feb 13, 2012 10:14 AM EST up reply actions

he was also released by the Chiefs mid-season

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

by JCruize on Feb 13, 2012 11:31 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, but how much of that decision was by Haley?

For whatever reason, Haley refused to play Gaither. I trust the decision making of Ozzie a lot more than Pioli/Haley.

by NorthLeft12 on Feb 13, 2012 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

Response

Backus certainly has the ability to replace Peterman—transitions of OT to OG are not as uncommon as you presuppose.

The 4.3 YPC is misleading. The more important number is the ratio of passes to runs. i.e. if we pass 90 out of a hundred times the defense will adjust into pass coverage. Stafford cannot risk another season with this level of unbalance in the play calling. Had there been a more equitable distribution of passes and runs, the Lions would have been lucky to get 3 YPC.

This is no Madden-ism, Backus is aging, Peterman is not good and Raiola is undersized and in the twilight of his career.

Gaither has pro bowl talent under the right guidance. Playing beside Backus for two years would be a great educational experience.

by MotownMayhem on Feb 13, 2012 10:12 AM EST reply actions

Sorry, your comment makes little sense to me.

Had there been a more equitable distribution of passes and runs

The goal of an offence is not to be able to both run and pass effectively or to have a “balanced” attack. The goal is to move the football down the field and to score points.

The Lions strength on offence is passing the ball, right? The O Line are much better pass blockers than run blockers, our QB is not very mobile and has a rocket launcher for an arm, we have the best WR in the NFL and some pretty good other receiving options like Nate, Titus, Grew, Scheffler, and Best. Hell, even Kevin Smith is a very good pass catching RB. Why the hell would we want to run the ball half the time?

NOTE: The Lions ran the ball 33.6% of the time on offence. Here is the per cent of plays running the ball from the 2011 season for the top three offences [GB, NO, and NE] and the Super Bowl champs [Giants]:
40%, 39%, 40.5%, and 40%.

The Lions would reach that ballpark by running the ball twice a game more instead of passing. It is just not important IMO.

by NorthLeft12 on Feb 13, 2012 10:37 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Sorry bud...

But Gaither has had a severe injury and his time is limited. Backus has had none and never missed a game.

To replace Peterman, Backus would go from LT to RG…. that’s not as simple or smooth for a player that has played to his left side, without missing a game… EVER.

What you are suggesting is PURE MADDENISM…lol… you are taking a proven player, at a proven position and taking him out of his element…lol.. DOH!

It just isn’t going to happen.

http://twitter.com/#!/rumbulls

by CLF on Feb 13, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions

Solution to running game:

A brand new head of Jahvid Best and a new leg for Mikel Leshoure, and please Mayhew please sign a competent third stringer…

Of all the moves up there, I think Konz is the only one that makes sense

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by Latif Masud on Feb 13, 2012 11:41 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

I agree.

Konz would be a great upgrade to the Oline… anywhere in the middle.

I hope K smooth will resign with an ‘incentive’ cap friendly deal….

http://twitter.com/#!/rumbulls

by CLF on Feb 13, 2012 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

I agree!

I nominate you to spearhead the Frankenstein for Team doctor 2012 campaign

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 Feb 13, 2012 3:12 PM EST up reply actions

Konz is a good pick

Plan all together is horrible sorry. Especially when you say Backus at gaurd.

"People ask is winning really the only thing? My answer to them is my answer to you. Ask Yourself The Damn Question! Is winning the only thing that matters to you? Is it what you want ? Do you want to be remembered as a winner...Or something else? ~ (Dan Lauria as Vince Lombardi)

PCP 4 LIFE

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by The Profiler on Feb 13, 2012 7:13 PM EST reply actions

You have to think long term for O line solutions

Konz is a good long term solution for center but even if we draft him, he is more than likely going to play guard for his first year and be Dom’s backup.

Even if Backus could play guard, his days are numbered so that’s not a go.Gaither isn’t a long term solution either.

by rekar on Feb 16, 2012 2:44 AM EST reply actions