Backus' Rep, Lions Talked At Combine

[lp4ever41]

The Lions met with the player rep for free agent LT Jeff Backus at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"We met at the Combine and had a positive discussion," said agent Pat Dye. "We

 

[lions2011]

like I said....dont expect a high pick on a OT.

this organization just does not want to pull the trigger on a LT

 

[lionsFTW]

this fuckin scares me! seriously!

 

[lp4ever41]

like I said....dont expect a high pick on a OT.

this organization just does not want to pull the trigger on a LT

I want him to come back, but thats a high price. It's pretty much what he was making, and that was on a contract signed when he was much younger. He's 35, coming off an injury, and its not like he's dominant. Almost $7 mil a year?

 

[martmay]

we sign him for $7 Mill....Tulloch isnt even going to get a call from MM........Not sure how they can pay Backus that kind of dough with our cap......wonder what MM is thinking
Backus-7Mill, Avril-$7/8, Tulloch-$6/7, Wright- $3/4...Rookies-$4.....SLH/Levy- $4($2/ea(tender))
S. Hill $2/3.....of ya, probably another 10-12 players.....

not sure they will have much more than $20 even after CJ re-structures.....I guess we shall see

 

[lions2011]

all kinds of ways to play games with the cap....the Steelers restructered 3 guys and got close to 18 million in cap savings.


if they need room they'll find it.

 

[Mitchrapp]

True and I'm not even sure I want Sackus for a year. That just means we're still aways away from drafting a LT. Get rid of him and we have to draft one.

 

[motown1958]

I am always will to give MM the benefit of the doubt because so far he has done really well. That being said I am scratching my head at a lot of his moves or lack thereof so far this offseason. Backus is ok he has been consistently middle of the road. But not getting Calvins deal done. Not getting others restructured and not resigning Avril and Tulloch. I know there is a lot that goes into it and Im sure hes working hard to better this team, but still.

 

[mhughes0021]

If youre paying a FA LT 7 mil a yr it should be Gaither. Move backus to RT and pay him 3-5 mil.

 

[cheeno]

The contract better be conditional that he is on the field. The guy has tonnes of tread and its only a matter of time before he breaks down for the season or for good. The last game he played he snapped his bicep and before that tore his pec working out. Just because he hasn't missed a game in the past doesn't mean he wont in the future the body breaks down with age eventually.

 

[martmay]

all kinds of ways to play games with the cap....the Steelers restructered 3 guys and got close to 18 million in cap savings.


if they need room they'll find it.

Like I said, If WC Ford is willing to payout SB, it isn't too bad of a situation. Pitt handed Ben a check and basically that is the only way to get relief unless someone is willing to take a pay cut

 

[Mitchrapp]

I am always will to give MM the benefit of the doubt because so far he has done really well. That being said I am scratching my head at a lot of his moves or lack thereof so far this offseason. Backus is ok he has been consistently middle of the road. But not getting Calvins deal done. Not getting others restructured and not resigning Avril and Tulloch. I know there is a lot that goes into it and Im sure hes working hard to better this team, but still.

All that is usually a 11th hour thing. It'll get done. As far as lack of moves, most NFL teams haven't done squat.

 

[lp4ever41]

all kinds of ways to play games with the cap....the Steelers restructered 3 guys and got close to 18 million in cap savings.


if they need room they'll find it.

Like I said, If WC Ford is willing to payout SB, it isn't too bad of a situation. Pitt handed Ben a check and basically that is the only way to get relief unless someone is willing to take a pay cut

Do you understand how signing bonuses work? The player gets paid immediately, but its not like that money disappears from the cap. It gets spread out over the life of the contract. The Steelers are sacrificing future cap for relief right now.

Last year, KVB got a $3.69 million signing bonus. He got all of that immediately, but the money got spread out over the three years remaining, so they saved $2.46 million last year. The problem is, he counts an extra $1.23 million this year and next. Signing bonuses are a last resort that hurt your future. Its not a loophole.

 

[lions2011]

teams like the Steelers are sacrificing future cap , because the cap is going to jump considerbly in 2013 and beyond.

if the Lions need 5 - 10 million to get something done in 2012 , they can easily find it......teams have been doing it for years in the NFL.

 

[martmay]

Like I said, If WC Ford is willing to payout SB, it isn't too bad of a situation. Pitt handed Ben a check and basically that is the only way to get relief unless someone is willing to take a pay cut

Do you understand how signing bonuses work? The player gets paid immediately, but its not like that money disappears from the cap. It gets spread out over the life of the contract. The Steelers are sacrificing future cap for relief right now.

Last year, KVB got a $3.69 million signing bonus. He got all of that immediately, but the money got spread out over the three years remaining, so they saved $2.46 million last year. The problem is, he counts an extra $1.23 million this year and next. Signing bonuses are a last resort that hurt your future. Its not a loophole.

Looking down the road...Burleson will be gone, C Williams will be gone, KVB, Raiola & Backus will be gone.......The Only way is to have SB to buy time. Tell me differently other than cutting someone

 

[lp4ever41]

Do you understand how signing bonuses work? The player gets paid immediately, but its not like that money disappears from the cap. It gets spread out over the life of the contract. The Steelers are sacrificing future cap for relief right now.

Last year, KVB got a $3.69 million signing bonus. He got all of that immediately, but the money got spread out over the three years remaining, so they saved $2.46 million last year. The problem is, he counts an extra $1.23 million this year and next. Signing bonuses are a last resort that hurt your future. Its not a loophole.

Looking down the road...Burleson will be gone, C Williams will be gone, Raiola & Backus will be gone.......The Only way is to have SB to buy time. Tell me differently other than cutting someone

I'm not saying they won't do it. But its not a great option. The reason they haven't done it a lot yet has nothing to do with the owner.

 

[martmay]

Its the only option. CJ has $21 Mill due against the cap, $18.5 is base salary and roster bonus. I large SB in his extension can easily eliminate over $10 Mill.