Patrick Hruby is doing God's work.
Jeff Backus retires
March 14th, 2013 at 4:22 PM | 
Waahooo, cap space.
Waahooo, cap space.
March 14th, 2013 at 4:26 PM |
Jake Long?
Jake Long?
Are the Lions too late to the party?
March 14th, 2013 at 4:37 PM |
Space
Space
With the flurry of FA pickups and the draftees in mind, I'm not sure we have the space, unfortunately.
I love Greg Mattison
March 14th, 2013 at 4:43 PM |
If Stafford were to restructure/extend,
If Stafford were to restructure/extend,
we might be able to afford him. However, I think talks are too far along with StL on top of it already being unlikely that we don't have much of a chance. Maybe Reggie can work some magic though?
March 14th, 2013 at 5:27 PM |
What do you mean
What do you mean
regarding Reggie?
I say draft Millner if we can or a top 5 OT.
Long is a quick fix, and the Lions need to build up their base. (Since like 1997--good god).
I love Greg Mattison
March 14th, 2013 at 5:30 PM |
I mean Long blocked for Reggie the last two years.
I mean Long blocked for Reggie the last two years.
He might be able to do some convincing to get him to come join him in Detroit.
March 14th, 2013 at 11:24 PM |
Ah sorry
Ah sorry
Ah, sorry about that. Should have been able to understand that the first time. I'm not sure he will be able to convince him because the NFL is technically a business and Long will probably go where he can get the most for his services.
I love Greg Mattison
March 14th, 2013 at 5:39 PM |
Jarvis Jones
Jarvis Jones
Suh and Fairley are a fearsome combo. You can only double team one of them. You put a playmaker like Jones on the outside, that gives three young dynamic playmakers on the D-line.
There's so many holes on D. I'd rather build a strong D and see if Jason Fox can finally live up to the hype.
March 14th, 2013 at 10:23 PM |
They could trade down about
They could trade down about
They could trade down about 10 spots and probably still get him. I would love to get this kid..or any defensive player for that matter. The Lions still need help everywhere on D and on the O-line so Stafford stays off his ass
"I think Hoke has changed the tide on the rivalry. Hell people in Ohio are starting to believe him. Never in a million years I would have thought that. Selling Michigan jerseys is a good start."
March 15th, 2013 at 8:51 AM |
I'd rather go for
I'd rather go for
a franchise OT or a solid DB we can sign for 5 years. We've drafted these talented LB's before only to trade them away after a year or two to "invest in our future."
Also, Fairley's been "fairley" underwhelming thus far. Suh is a nice DT, but I wouldn't call Fairley's addition fearsome.
I'm so funny!
I love Greg Mattison
March 15th, 2013 at 12:53 PM |
Nick Fairley has been great last season
Nick Fairley has been great last season
According to Pro Football Focus, he outplayed Suh last year: https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/12/19/pro-bowl-roster-2012-nfc/2/
Fairley have been a huge force and was very disruptive. He's even better as a run defender than Suh. Look at the Saints game 2 years ago, he dominated 1st quarter and make Evans and Nicks look like a scrub which is amazing considering both Saints OG are two of the best in the country. He is getting a chance to start next season and the Lions will have the best DT duos in the league.
March 14th, 2013 at 4:24 PM |
wow. Didn't see that coming.
wow. Didn't see that coming.
wow. Didn't see that coming. Good for Backus - great collegate career and put in a lot of work, a lot of years, and went through a lot of pain with Detroit.
Glad you were a Lion. You probably aren't so glad.
Streaming UM games early Sunday morning from Korea, since 2007
March 14th, 2013 at 4:26 PM |
And then there were 3 from '97 left.
And then there were 3 from '97 left.
Brady, Woodson, and Feely.
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
March 14th, 2013 at 4:26 PM |
Offensive tackles. We need
Offensive tackles. We need
Offensive tackles. We need them.
"Michigan Defense" is dominating everything, in every aspect of life. That's a rough definition.
-Craig Roh 10/29/2011
March 14th, 2013 at 5:25 PM |
and a guard (Peterman cut).
and a guard (Peterman cut).
and a guard (Peterman cut). And our center is gone after this year.
That leaves us with Sims and Reiff and 3 empty spots next season.
Here's hoping for some Green Bay magic: We need a undrafted free agent to start on the OL immediately!
Class of '97: 4 Years -- 4 Four-loss seasons
March 14th, 2013 at 4:27 PM |
So Eric Fisher has to be the
So Eric Fisher has to be the
So Eric Fisher has to be the pick if he falls to 5 yes?
Blank.....Blank......You're not looking at the big picture here.
March 14th, 2013 at 4:29 PM |
I still want milliner... did
I still want milliner... did
I still want milliner... did we just lose both of our tackles???
The state pays for it, it is
March 14th, 2013 at 4:33 PM |
I don't think they "lost"
I don't think they "lost"
I don't think they "lost" Cherilus. I think it was a mutual parting of the ways. I think I've read, or heard that they were not confident in the health of his knees.
March 14th, 2013 at 4:29 PM |
Yes
Yes
I saw a few mock drafts that have Fisher going 1 and Joekel (sp?) falling, but I'd love either one.
March 15th, 2013 at 1:16 AM |
What? How?! Nothing against
What? How?! Nothing against
What? How?! Nothing against Fisher but I'll never understand how a guy that 95% of people never heard of the last 3 years (be honest) from the MAC can get selected above defensive studs from the SEC.
March 15th, 2013 at 1:20 AM |
Doesn't matter which conference you play in
Doesn't matter which conference you play in
as long as you can play in the next level. Eric Fisher has the skill, athleticism and size to be an elite OT in the NFL. Plus, he's a LT which boost his value more than all but QB and maybe DE.
NFL scouts don't care where you're from as long as you can play. Would you draft Jerry Rice at #1 overall if you know that he would be the best WR ever to play in the NFL? He came from a very small school, Mississippi Valley State.
March 15th, 2013 at 1:26 AM |
I really like Fisher, but
I really like Fisher, but
I really like Fisher, but you're telling me that steam rolling DE's from Akron is the same as Jarvis Jones blowing up the best O-line in college football in the SEC Championship game?
March 15th, 2013 at 12:56 PM |
IMO Jarvis Jones is overrated
IMO Jarvis Jones is overrated
He is a one speed player who have no moves. He only has speed rush and he feast on slower feet OT like Fluker. Throw in that he's undersized and lacks the length and strength to be stout against the POA or set the edge. Against quicker feet OT, he gets stonewalled. Xavier Nixon ate him for lunch which is interesting because Xavier Nixon is a model of inconsistencies.
March 14th, 2013 at 4:32 PM |
Another hole for the Lions to fill
Another hole for the Lions to fill
I can't imagine their starting tackles being Reiff and Fox next year. As nice of a start to the offseason as Mayhew has had there is still way too many holes to consider this a play-off team. Off the top of my head they still need to fill the following spots:
1) Starting OT
2) Starting CB
3) Starting S
4) Starting DE
5) Starting WR
6) Starting LB
7) Starting G
8) Backup WR
9) Backup DT
10) Backup S
March 15th, 2013 at 9:16 AM |
This team is solid
This team is solid
I mean, we have a starting Safety now. We're totally good!
/hangshead
I love Greg Mattison
March 14th, 2013 at 4:30 PM |
Next, the Lions will
Next, the Lions will
Next, the Lions will sign/draft another 3 RB's and sign a LT from the waiver wire.
March 14th, 2013 at 4:36 PM |
Good riddance. I hated
Good riddance. I hated
Good riddance. I hated watching this guy play. I have vivid of any above average defensive end destroying our qb after walking by backus. That injury to stafford when Peppers jogged past him was the worst. I know y'all are gonna get upset because he was a michigan grad and some GM probably said backus was very solid but the guy sucked on the Lions and was a huge weakness for us. I don't remember his college career so I can't base my emotions on anythings besides his professional performance.
March 14th, 2013 at 4:57 PM |
He also started every single
He also started every single
He also started every single game of his Lions career except the Houston game this year. I also believe he was thought of by many to be a better guard than tackle, and probably should have played there instead of LT. He may not have been an all-pro or anything but he was on some of the most awful Lions teams ever assembled.
March 14th, 2013 at 5:15 PM |
Backus is underrated
Backus is underrated
Last year, he allowed 1 sacks and 5 pressure with 1 penalty called against him. That's on about over 680 pass dropbacks. that is an amazing stats.
Two years ago, I believe he allowed 2 sacks with 4 pressure on over 700 pass drop backs. Another impressive stats.
He may not be a great athlete or technican, but he is a warrior. He fits the blue collar mentality of Detroit and is the toughest player I've seen. He played through ton of injuries including torn biceps which most player would sit out for a month to heal up. He missed one game out of 193 games which is an amazing stats for a OT. He had a great career for the Lions and will be missed on the field as well as the locker room.
His retirement will pretty much tells me that Fisher will be the pick at #5 overall.
March 14th, 2013 at 5:22 PM |
He definitely played much
He definitely played much
He definitely played much better his last two years but the damage was already done. He inflated the stats of guys like Jared Allen, Peppers, Kabeer BG (packers DE) and our qbs were always running for their lives from the left side or getting blind sided. In his defense, he was on the Lions and we seem to make every talented player worse or more injury prone (with the exceptions of Calvin, Barry, Dre Bly, and a few others).
He has been extremely durable which is his most redeemable quality but he put us in a lot of bad situations with sacks and penalties and I think the vast majority of Detroit fans hold a negative opinion of him so I'm sure I'm not alone in this.
March 14th, 2013 at 6:20 PM |
To be fair
To be fair
Backus had a revolving door at LG and had to cover for LG so much that he couldn't do 2 jobs at once. Once Lions traded for Sims, Backus suddenly looked much better in 3 years with him on the team. You finally see the true Backus in the last 2 years, although he was on a decline. It is one of the what if for Backus. What if he had a competent LG next to him for the duration of his career, he would have looked much better for the entire career. Plus it didn't help that he played on a shitty team for years including the one that went 0-16.
Last season, look who he faced:
Chris Long
Aldon Smith/Justin Smith
Jared Allen (2x)
Trent Cole
Julius Peppers (2x)
Bruce Irvin
Jason Babin
Clay Mathews
Dwight Freeney
John Abraham
All of the good DE/OLB, he gave up 1 sack for the entire season on over 680 pass drop backs. Amazing season for a guy who has been bashed by Lions fans in his whole career.
March 14th, 2013 at 9:47 PM |
Backus was a tough SOB. He
Backus was a tough SOB. He
Backus was a tough SOB. He had major surgery in maybe his RS freshman year @ Michigan - I think it was adbominal surgery - and came back strong after a major scare. The dude may not have been an All Pro, but to start as many UM and NFL games for such a long stretch says something good about his skill set. Sure, I wish the Lions could have drafted Hutchinson one spot ahead of Backus, but he was a legit 1st round caliber NFL tackle coming out of Michigan. Backus was the least of our worries during the 2000's. I don't understand the hate.
March 15th, 2013 at 12:01 AM |
You do know the season Peppers got Stafford
You do know the season Peppers got Stafford
That was one of two sacks Backus gave up?
The Lions continue to sell out because they have a lot of not very bright fans. I attributed most of that kind of fan being Spartan fans too.
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
March 14th, 2013 at 4:42 PM |
It's easier to rebuild an
It's easier to rebuild an
It's easier to rebuild an offensive line in free agency on the cheap. You can spend all your top draft picks on potential starters, or you can trade late round picks for established decent ones. They're generally the best value pickups you can get for a team.
How many times have you been on the freeway and had someone fly by you at 100 mph then end up 2 cars ahead of you at the off ramp? What's the point? -Mark Harmon
March 14th, 2013 at 4:47 PM |
Sucks
Sucks
Always liked Backus. One of many offensive line greats from UM.
Best of luck to him transitioning to the next phase of his life.
March 14th, 2013 at 5:37 PM |
Him and hutch same hall of
Him and hutch same hall of
Him and hutch same hall of fame class?!?!?
There is god, there is family, and then there is MICHIGAN FOOTBALL
March 14th, 2013 at 7:06 PM |
I hope...
I hope...
This is a joke. Dude was an average nfl ol. Very durable, though.
March 14th, 2013 at 9:53 PM |
Obviously. Hutch likely.
Obviously. Hutch likely.
Obviously. Hutch likely. Backus, no way.
There is god, there is family, and then there is MICHIGAN FOOTBALL
March 14th, 2013 at 5:42 PM |
Hey Lions, remember when you
Hey Lions, remember when you
Hey Lions, remember when you signed Reggie Bush? Now there is no one left to block for him, or your QB that is made of glass.
March 14th, 2013 at 10:41 PM |
I googled 'qb made of glass'
I googled 'qb made of glass'
I googled 'qb made of glass' and hit images. I hoped to find a humorous photo/image.
Instead, the very first image the search turned up was the following:
I do not endorse this google image search, as I recall MS running the ball in for a TD with a dislocated shoulder vs the Browns way back in ... '10? '09?
5 4 3 2 1 Touchdown!
Touchdown Billy Taylor!
Touchdown Billy Taylor!
March 14th, 2013 at 5:46 PM |
If Darrell Funk ever gets
If Darrell Funk ever gets
If Darrell Funk ever gets offered a coordinator position, Backus for OL coach?
Full-on Decatur Clan. Whatever happens, GO BLUE!
March 14th, 2013 at 5:47 PM |
I think
I think
Backus had at least one false start and hold in each game he ever played in the Honolulu blue and silver.
Oh how I hate ohio state...
March 14th, 2013 at 7:16 PM |
Last year...backus cost the
Last year...backus cost the
Last year...backus cost the lions a win.
Remember the Tennessee game? Hail Mary? OT? The 4th down where he snapped it early...
What every longshot, come from behind, underdog will tell ya is this... The other guy, may in fact, be the favorite. The odds may be stacked against you, fair enough. But what the odds don't know is...this isn't a math test.
March 14th, 2013 at 7:54 PM |
Right because Backus the LT
Right because Backus the LT
Right because Backus the LT was the Center on that play, yep that's exactly how it happened, no other way that was another player....
Seriously?
Blank.....Blank......You're not looking at the big picture here.
March 14th, 2013 at 7:54 PM |
That was Dominic Raiola
That was Dominic Raiola
Backus was a tackle.
Remember Backus? The left tackle? LT? Started every game since his rookie year? The position where you NEVER snap the ball.
March 14th, 2013 at 9:27 PM |
That was Raiola.
That was Raiola.
That was Raiola.
"A Michigan Man will coach a Michigan Team"
March 14th, 2013 at 6:41 PM |
Last season
Last season
he allowed 1 penalty called against him. So you're wrong.
March 14th, 2013 at 8:41 PM |
I get these criticisms
I get these criticisms
But if he owns the bad he owns the good as well. Jeff has been solid. HOF? No. Solid? All the fucking way.
Its called a royale with cheese
March 14th, 2013 at 10:43 PM |
HOF? No. Solid? Yes.
Can we
HOF? No. Solid? Yes.
Can we
HOF? No. Solid? Yes.
Can we compromise on Holid?
5 4 3 2 1 Touchdown!
Touchdown Billy Taylor!
Touchdown Billy Taylor!
March 15th, 2013 at 5:28 AM |
Well, I've been saying the
Well, I've been saying the
Well, I've been saying the Lions seriously need to address their offensive line issues, and that was before our best offensive lineman retired.
As of right now, 3 of our 5 starters are gone from last year's line. Stafford is going to die unless we get him some help. I'm not talking about quick fixes either. I want to see them draft a couple of guys who will protect Stafford for the rest of his lengthy career in Detroit (fingers crossed).
HOKEAMANIA RUNNIN' WILD
Formerly, TheLastProphet
Waahooo, cap space.