Lions retain OT Backus

Texan4Lions · #1 03-08-2010, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Lions retain OT Backus — 4:14 p.m.
And it appears a key member of their offensive line will return for his 10th season with the club.

A league source told Scout.com that the team has picked up a $1 million roster bonus on starting OLT Jeff Backus. Backus, who was selected in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Lions, will also earn $4.95 million in base salary for 2010.

Let the gunshots commence!

Sanders97 · #2 03-09-2010, 12:38 AM

Why would this garner any reaction??? We all knew Schwartz was in love with the fukkin' loser.

He's our best O-lineman!!! We can't replace him.....or even try, for that matter. LOL.

goldenlions · #3 03-09-2010, 06:21 AM

Believe me, I can't stand that Backus has been on the team this long more than anyone on this board.

BUT.....

He seemed to have what I thought was his best year under the new coaches. His false starts were down and his sacks given up were low or on par with the OT around the league.

Sanders97 · #4 03-09-2010, 06:25 AM

I did notice his false starts (and penalties overall, I think) were down from previous years. I can give him that much. Still....I see nothing special and certainly not good enough to have on board for ten years without a challenger for the position.

Being the negative Nancy that I am, I'm gonna go ahead and call "his best season" a fluke and expect to see him return to form this year.

Hey....don't flame me just because I have to convince myself of the worst so not to implode when it happens.

goldenlions · #5 03-09-2010, 06:28 AM

That's cool by me about Backus. But I don't see much in FA right now and it would take a lot for the Lions to go after a guy like Okung.

Sanders97 · #6 03-09-2010, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenlions

That's cool by me about Backus. But I don't see much in FA right now and it would take a lot for the Lions to go after a guy like Okung.

Just curious why you feel it would take so much for them to select Okung.....

I've pretty much already resigned myself to the fact that Backus will be the starting LT and Raiola will be the starting OC. I don't like it....it's been years since they should have shown both of them the door and it's the same damn excuses every friggin' year......but it looks like I gotta deal with it again (and you guys will have to deal with me saying TIME AND AGAIN how right I've been about the O-line sucking ass because our best players are mediocre at best).

The thing that's got me worked up at the moment is the fact that they've completely stripped down the CB position....bare cupboard.....but they couldn't risk replacing either Backus or Raiola over all these years??? Hell....not even bring in a reasonable challenger for them in all this time???

C'mon!!! Tell me I'm crazy for seeing the hypocrisy in this.

goldenlions · #7 03-09-2010, 06:44 AM

Because they already have a starting tackles. Why is that hard to understand.

By your reason, Stafford didn't have a good year last year, so we should bring someone in to compete for his position?

The CB sucked ass. Plain and simple. Backus and Raiola were not that bad, they played decent enough for their position.

I don't understand why you don't see the weakness on the line is OG. That is what I don't understand. Why haven't they addressed that position. THat is more important right now than the LT and C.

Vic Turner · #8 03-09-2010, 12:48 PM

He did play his best football last year. ProBowl? Not even close but was decent. I am not too upset as long as they add a LG this year and beef up the D.

Felix · #9 03-09-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic Turner

He did play his best football last year. ProBowl? Not even close but was decent. I am not too upset as long as they add a LG this year and beef up the D.

And Cherilus needs to step up!

Vic Turner · #10 03-09-2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by felix

And cherilus needs to step up!

bigtime!

Vic Turner · #11 03-09-2010, 02:10 PM

Think practicing versus Vanden Bosch every day will make Backus better?

Felix · #12 03-09-2010, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic Turner

Think practicing versus Vanden Bosch every day will make Backus better?

Cherilus...I believe KVB is strictly a LDE

Sanders97 · #13 03-09-2010, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenlions

Because they already have a starting tackles. Why is that hard to understand.

Because neither of their starters are proving to be anything special. Backus has been here for ten years, getting paid like a top notch LT, and performing like an average one.....on his best days. Cherilus has two full seasons under his belt. If he doesn't soon become worthy of his draft position, I'll be including him in these conversations.

I thought the point of each and every off season was to try to get better at all positions. I know that's impossible, but in the case of the Lions, you'd think they'd eventually get to the O-line after ranking last or near last for an entire decade.

Quote:

By your reason, Stafford didn't have a good year last year, so we should bring someone in to compete for his position?

That's assinine and you know it. That's not what I'm saying at all. However, I will say this. If he's here for four or five years and can't get any better than what he did last year, then it's time to move on. So why is backus and Raiola still here???

If anything, I'd say they're partially responsible for a couple of QB's having their careers cut short.....and in much less time than they've been afforded.

Quote:

The CB sucked ass. Plain and simple. Backus and Raiola were not that bad, they played decent enough for their position.

Sorry. I just can't see it that way. Every year they've been on the roster, the O-line has either given up the most sacks in the NFL or ranked at or near the bottom of the league. There's been a million OG's through here in that time, but the one constant (or two in this case) is Backus and Raiola. And yet, no effort to improve???

Quote:

I don't understand why you don't see the weakness on the line is OG. That is what I don't understand. Why haven't they addressed that position. THat is more important right now than the LT and C.

I don't disagree that OG is a more pressing need. However, they have tried to address those positions.....NUMEROUS times, in fact. So, they've failed. At least they're trying, instead of settling for mediocre production like they are with Backus and Raiola.

I just have trouble trying to rationalize the idea that the OG's are that much more of a need than the LT and OC positions. Just because those two are the best of a bad bunch doesn't mean they don't stink as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felix

And Cherilus needs to step up!

Yup....starting this year, he'll garner my criticism if he doesn't start to stand out like they expected him to. We have enough players just barely producing up to snuff. We need some to step up and become true professionals.

Felix · #14 03-09-2010, 03:39 PM

Paid like a top notch LT? I wasnt aware he was making 12 mil +?

Canadian Fan · #15 03-09-2010, 04:27 PM

Sanders

I agree with you Backus needs to be replaced but no this year. He played OK last year, like others said ProBowl no but he played OK

If the Lions were to draft Okung they would be passing up on Suh. Okung is the best LT in the draft this year but there will be a LT next year of equal talent.

Suh on the other hand appears to be that one in every 10 years type of player. You just can't pass on that

Vic Turner · #16 03-09-2010, 04:29 PM

You need to fix the worst Defense statistically in NFL history first

But there's nothing saying LG and RB can't be addressed as well.

bigdogchris · #17 03-09-2010, 05:13 PM

Argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not that I had any hope that he would be released because I know there are much worse issues to deal with but seriously ...

Argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

imdaryl · #18 03-09-2010, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenlions

Because they already have a starting tackles. Why is that hard to understand.

By your reason, Stafford didn't have a good year last year, so we should bring someone in to compete for his position?

The CB sucked ass. Plain and simple. Backus and Raiola were not that bad, they played decent enough for their position.

I don't understand why you don't see the weakness on the line is OG. That is what I don't understand. Why haven't they addressed that position. THat is more important right now than the LT and C.

I agree 100%. There are more gaping holes on the Lions team that need to be addressed first. Backus and Riola may not be pro-bowl caliber, however they are durable and servicable. We have more pressing needs at other positions that are more of a priority. If we were contenders for the SB, than we could be looking at replacing Backus and Riola, however we are a minimum of 3-4 years from that, so we upgrade areas of need that cannot wait if we intend to be contender in the near future.
IMO we get Suh or McCoy with the 2nd pick, if there is a LG or CB we cannot pass on in the 2nd round and follow with RB than depth at just about any position.
My ideal draft would be to have the Rams pick Bradford and have the Lions drop 1-2 spots and still pick 1 of the stud DT's (Suh or McCoy) and pick up an extra 2nd round pick.

MaverickApprenticePimp · #19 03-09-2010, 07:21 PM

Unless someone with knowledge of the game, and the Detroit Lions as an Organization explain to the Backus haters the ramification of not having a sustainable running-game, and how this ineptitude has hindred Jeff Backus' performance as a NFL caliber Left Tackle... I'll remain mute on this discussion.

Vic Turner · #20 03-09-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaverickApprenticePimp

Unless someone with knowledge of the game, and the Detroit Lions as an Organization; explain to the Backus haters the effects of not having a sustainable running-game and how it has impacted Jeff Backus' performance as a NFL caliber Left Tackle... I'll remain mute on this discussion.

I don't see Backus as a liability in the run game. More times then none he gets in his guys face and at least gets the stalemate. His pass protection under Linehan has been much better since he is not left on the island with no help and the QB isn't always taking those deep drops. Now Raiola on the otherhand...is a liability in the run game, but he often has OG help in pass protection. If Raiola has to stay home based on the DT alignment and not go downfield...there's where the problem is in the run blocking, compounded by just horrible OG play after Peterman went down. Backus isn't a stud, but I think he is good enough to be a starter elsewhere unlike Raiola.

MaverickApprenticePimp · #21 03-09-2010, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic Turner

I don't see Backus as a liability in the run game. More times then none he gets in his guys face and at least gets the stalemate. His pass protection under Linehan has been much better since he is not left on the island with no help and the QB isn't always taking those deep drops. Now Raiola on the otherhand...is a liability in the run game, but he often has OG help in pass protection. If Raiola has to stay home based on the DT alignment and not go downfield...there's where the problem is in the run blocking, compounded by just horrible OG play after Peterman went down. Backus isn't a stud, but I think he is good enough to be a starter elsewhere unlike Raiola.

What I was trying to say was... Backus isn't as effective in the passing game as we would like to see; for the reason that we don't have a running-game and it's a well documented fact that we DONT have a running-game.

If that wasn't the case; our passing-game and Jeff Backus' pass-blocking aptitude wouldn't be hindered by our ineptive ( is that even a word?) ability to run the ball.

Vic Turner · #22 03-09-2010, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaverickApprenticePimp

What I was trying to say was... Backus isn't as effective in the passing game as we would like to see; for the reason that we don't have a running-game and it's a well documented fact that we DONT have a running-game.

If that wasn't the case; our passing-game and Jeff Backus' pass-blocking aptitude wouldn't be hindered by our ineptive ( is that even a word?) ability to run the ball.

Not sure what you are trying to say, Backus's struggles in pass protection is the reason why we cannot run the ball?

I would say Backus is the new system faired MUCH better in both pass and run blocking. He's not a stud like I said but each dicipline stands on it;s own IMO when it comes to run or pass blocking. Backus is not going to blow a guy off the line, but he will get in his face and seal him off most of the time and I will take that versus what we have seen in the past.

Felix · #23 03-09-2010, 10:15 PM

What he is saying, Vic, is that between Martzs 7 step drop O and the complete lack of a rush game, that DEs had teed off against him in the past knowing it was more than likely the Lions were passing....He is saying that if the Lions had a balanced attack and could actually rush the ball that DEs wouldnt just be able to play pass and speed rush him. This makes him a more well rounded LT than he has looked in the past...at least I think thats what he's saying...

Basically, you said the same thing, just a different way....

MaverickApprenticePimp · #24 03-09-2010, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felix

What he is saying, Vic, is that between Martzs 7 step drop O and the complete lack of a rush game, that DEs had teed off against him in the past knowing it was more than likely the Lions were passing....He is saying that if the Lions had a balanced attack and could actually rush the ball that DEs wouldnt just be able to play pass and speed rush him. This makes him a more well rounded LT than he has looked in the past...at least I think thats what he's saying...

Basically, you said the same thing, just a different way....

Correct brotha!! If your offense is passing the ball 60-70% of the time, the opposing defense will key on that 85% of the time by rushing the passer.

It's not fair, but Lions fans want to put the brunt of the blame on the shoulders of Jeff Backus for the amount of sacks that we surrender every year. However, no-one ever stop and think about our inability to run the ball week end and week out and how it has affected the offensive-line as a whole.

I believe that If we had a running-game, the offensive-line and Jeff Backus' production on the field will improve drastically. Think of this way; If we had a running-game, the offensive-line will become the aggressor by pancaking Defensive-lineman and creating holes for the running-back to run down field ( this is rewarding to Offensive-lineman and it builds morality). Where-as, if we're constantly in the passing formation, the opposing Defensive front-four becomes the aggressor and the offensive-line has takes the role of the protector. This explains why I don't understand the reason behind Fans that wants to blame Jeff Backus for our woes.

Some believe that Okung will come right in here as a rookie and improve our pass-blocking. But truth of the matter is, it doesn't how good the guy is, he's going to give up a sack or back-field penetration when your offense is forced to passing the ball 70% of the time.

Sanders97 · #25 03-10-2010, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canadian Fan

Sanders

I agree with you Backus needs to be replaced but no this year. He played OK last year, like others said ProBowl no but he played OK

If the Lions were to draft Okung they would be passing up on Suh. Okung is the best LT in the draft this year but there will be a LT next year of equal talent.

Suh on the other hand appears to be that one in every 10 years type of player. You just can't pass on that

Tech.....If yer worth anything, come to my aide, here.....

Please show how this has been the very same excuse for Backus for thge last five years.

I'm sure the same is said for Raiola, but I'm just curious.....

.....How can the Lions organization move forward with their free agent acquisitions and their draft picks without getting rid of the pure shit players that they currently have???

Hey!!! Let's bring LG's in here to learn the scheme from our JV OT andOC....Hey. that's a winning formula!!!

WEEEEEE!!!!!!