Backus retires

[alanclark]

Lions have announced that longtime starting left tackle Jeff Backus has decided to retire after 12 NFL seasons.

 

[Diggler Cometh]

Hello fisher

 

[cheeno]

One of the draftable OTs look pretty good right now.

 

[dtroitlionsfan951]

the rod of hate is officially gone..not a superstar..but i think this saves us quite a bit of money doesn't it?

 

[schles192]

Dam, he couldn't have told management now and waited until after the draft to tell everyone.

 

[alanclark]

Backus played 12 seasons for Lions. Started in 99.5 pct of possible games (192-of-193) at LT.

 

[cheeno]

the rod of hate is officially gone..not a superstar..but i think this saves us quite a bit of money doesn't it?

If we draft his replacement yes. If we buy his replacement, no.

 

[Mitchrapp]

He had a nice career. He played, have to give it to him for that.

 

[dtroitlionsfan951]

are cal and raiola the only two millen picks left?

 

[alanclark]

“Today, I’ve come to the conclusion that it's time for me to hang up my cleats and retire. It’s a bittersweet moment, but I'm content knowing I gave everything I had, played as hard as I could and tried my best to live up to the standards I believe in.

“I want to thank the Ford Family and the Detroit Lions for allowing me the privilege to represent the city of Detroit and play in the National Football League for the last 12 years. I also want to thank all of my coaches and teammates for all their support over the years.

“To the fans of Detroit, I thank you for the support and loyalty you have shown the Lions and myself. You deserve a winner.

“I also want to express my sincere appreciation to Coach Carr and everyone at the University of Michigan, who all played such an important role in my development as a player and a person.

“Most importantly, I want to thank my wife, my parents, my brother, all of my family and friends, and my agent Pat Dye Jr. Your unwavering support, guidance and sacrifices allowed me to follow my dream of playing in the NFL. I could never thoroughly explain how much that has meant to me.

“To my dad, you set the standards I live by. Your support and unbelievable perseverance motivates me daily to be the best that I can be. Thanks!

“Looking forward, I wish the entire Detroit Lions organization and all Lions’ fans the best. I will always be a Lion at heart.”

 

[coel73]

On one hand i'm excited and can't wait to see how the team gets rounded out for next year. On the other hand i'm terrified at how things may come together next year.

So glad we picked up bush: safety valve watch 2013!!!

 

[Mitchrapp]

OL coach one day?

 

[LKP]

Class act Backus. You protected so many terrible QBs and then Stafford.

Lions get at least 2.75 million in space maybe 3.5 million depending how retirement works.

That could get us Durant or somebody back. Corey Williams maybe.

 

[mhughes0021]

Line is still intact if we dont replace him:

Reiff Sims Raiola Nagy Fox

...could techincally work. But if Fisher is there i think you might need to grab him now.

Fisher Sims Nagy Reiff Fox

...is stronger imo.

Backus was solid....one of the only consistent things in this organization over his tenure.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Line is still intact if we dont replace him:

Reiff Sims Raiola Nagy Fox

...could techincally work. But if Fisher is there i think you might need to grab him now.

Fisher Sims Nagy Reiff Fox

...is stronger imo.

Backus was solid....one of the only consistent things in this organization over his tenure.

I just don't see Schwartz replace Crapola.

 

[johnny2x2x]

Well, 3 out of 5 on our O line are gone, let's hope we can upgrade, shouldn't be too tough except for maybe Gosdar who played good last season. I think we try to take an OT, but what I don't like about this is now we probably wont take another O lineman in the 2nd. Was hoping to get a guard/center to play right guard this season and switch to center next.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Well, 3 out of 5 on our O line are gone, let's hope we can upgrade, shouldn't be too tough except for maybe Gosdar who played good last season. I think we try to take an OT, but what I don't like about this is now we probably wont take another O lineman in the 2nd. Was hoping to get a guard/center to play right guard this season and switch to center next.

Nagy can play G.

 

[lgolfer]

Line is still intact if we dont replace him:

Reiff Sims Raiola Nagy Fox

...could techincally work. But if Fisher is there i think you might need to grab him now.

Fisher Sims Nagy Reiff Fox

...is stronger imo.

Backus was solid....one of the only consistent things in this organization over his tenure.

Do you think Fox or Hilliard would be better at RT? Hilliard said one of the reasons he resigned was because he was told he'd be able to compete for a starting spot. I honestly don't know who I'd rather have there.

 

[inkfreq]

Makes me really wish the team would have known this two days ago and could have landed someone like Bushrod in free agency. Leaves some pretty big question marks headed into the draft.

Rumor has it Saffold is going to request a trade out of St. Louis if/when they sign Long. Might be a nice way to go if he doesn't cost an arm and a leg in picks.

 

[Slick]

solid career....OT is now must in rounds 1 or 2 now.