PRESEASON EditiON - Detroit Lions
PRESEASON EditiON - Detroit Lions
PRESEASON EditiON - Detroit Lions
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Jeff BaCkus<br />
Tackle<br />
Michigan<br />
12th Year<br />
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 305<br />
Born: 9/21/77<br />
Norcross, Ga.<br />
Draft: ‘01, R1 (18)-Det<br />
PLayer ProfiLes<br />
<strong>Detroit</strong>lions.com<br />
Media.<strong>Detroit</strong>lions.com<br />
Complete biographical information available on <strong>Detroit</strong>lions.com.<br />
MANE FACTS<br />
‣ Named lions 2009 ed Block Courage award winner.<br />
‣ Backus is only second player out of the University of Michigan to be<br />
taken in the first round by the lions, and the first since <strong>Detroit</strong> selected<br />
Bob Westfall in 1942 with its first pick.<br />
‣ although he spent most of his childhood in suburban atlanta, Backus<br />
was born in Midland, Mich.<br />
‣ Donated lions’ tickets for each home game to C.s. Mott’s Children’s<br />
Hospital through the lions CaTs (Caring athletes Ticket service) for<br />
Kids program.<br />
‣ Took part in a special wall-raising ceremony to begin the building of the<br />
first Habitat for Humanity home sponsored by the lions.<br />
‣ Works with Mott Children’s Hospital on numerous fundraisers<br />
throughout the season.<br />
TRANSACTIONS<br />
‣ re-signed with the lions March 20, 2012.<br />
‣ re-signed by the lions July 14, 2006 to a long-term contract extension<br />
(six-year deal).<br />
‣ Designated by the <strong>Detroit</strong> lions as the team’s franchise Player february<br />
23, 2006 and signed one-year tender May 15, 2006.<br />
‣ Drafted by the <strong>Detroit</strong> lions in the first round (18th overall) of the<br />
2001 Nfl Draft.<br />
PRO<br />
Backus has been the lions’ mainstay at left tackle since being drafted in<br />
the first round (18th overall) in the 2001 Nfl Draft, and has never missed<br />
a game or start (176 consecutive starts; 177 including postseason) in his<br />
career. He has the most consecutive starts in franchise history.<br />
‣ He has the longest streak among active interior (offense and defense)<br />
linemen in the league, the most among offensive players and his streak<br />
is the third longest in the Nfl among active players.<br />
‣ With a franchise record 176 consecutive start, he broke Hall of fame<br />
CB Dick leBeau’s previous team record of 171.<br />
‣ He is the only player drafted in 2001 who has started every game<br />
as a pro.<br />
‣ according to the elias sports Bureau, with a start vs. Minnesota in the<br />
2010 season finale, Backus became the 10th offensive lineman since<br />
1970 to start 160 consecutive games.<br />
‣ among offensive linemen who started their career since 1970, Backus<br />
is the first to begin their career starting their first 160 games. Backus<br />
is seventh among offensive linemen in consecutive starts since 1970.<br />
2011: Team’s starting left tackle. Has started in 176 consecutive games,<br />
currently the most consecutive starts by any lineman (offense or defense)<br />
in the Nfl. offense finished 10th in Nfl in sacks per pass play (5.1 pct)<br />
yielding 36 sacks on 702 pass plays.<br />
‣ The lions’ season opener at Tampa Bay (9/11) marked the first time<br />
since 1981-82 that the lions have started the same offensive line (same<br />
personnel at same positions) in consecutive years on opening day.<br />
Backus, lG rob sims, C Dominic raiola, rG stephen Peterman and rT<br />
Gosder Cherilus was the team’s regular starting offensive line last year<br />
for the lions, including on opening day. The last offensive group to start<br />
in consecutive years was lT Karl Baldischeiler, lG Homer elias, C amos<br />
fowler, rG russ Bolinger and rT Keith Dorne. That group started on<br />
opening day in that lineup three consecutive years (1980-92).<br />
‣ in the opening-day win at Tampa Bay, the offensive line yielded no sacks<br />
and helped the lions gain 126 yards on the ground.<br />
‣ in the home opener vs. Kansas City (9/18), was part of an offensive line<br />
that allowed no sacks for the second consecutive game. The lions offense<br />
generated 48 points in the victory over the Chiefs, the most points<br />
scored by the lions since they garnered 55 points in a Thanksgiving<br />
Day 55-20 win over Chicago (11/27/97). That game was also the last<br />
time the team scored 6 offensive touchdowns (rushing and receiving) in<br />
a single game. The last time the lions scored 6 offensive touchdowns<br />
in a game of which at least 4 were via the pass was a 48-17 win over<br />
Chicago (10/19/81).<br />
‣ against the Chiefs, moved past G steve Wisniewski for sole possession<br />
of ninth place on the list of most consecutive starts by an offensive<br />
linemen since 1970.<br />
‣ Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the team’s 34-30<br />
come-from-behind (24-point deficit) win at Dallas (10/2).<br />
‣ offensive line opened holes in the second half during the team’s 24-<br />
13 win over the Chicago Bears as rB Jahvid Best ran for an 88-yard<br />
touchdown (second longest in team history) and another 43-yarder<br />
that helped seal the win. The team chewed up 181 yards on 20 carries<br />
(9.1 avg) against the Bears. The team also allowed just one sack on<br />
27 pass plays.<br />
‣ in the lions win vs. Chicago, Backus tied Hall of fame G Gene Upshaw<br />
for the eighth-most consecutive games started by an offensive lineman<br />
since 1970 (Upshaw actually started 207-straight games dating<br />
back to 1967).<br />
‣ With his 166th start vs. san francisco (10/16), Backus passed Upshaw<br />
for eighth-most consecutive starts by an offensive lineman since 1970.<br />
Upshaw started 207-straight games dating back to 1967.<br />
‣ Helped allow 104 yards rushing vs. atlanta (10/23) who’s defense was<br />
ranked sixth in the league in rushing yards per game. Maurice Morris<br />
finished with 9 carries for 50 yards (5.6 avg.) and Keiland Williams<br />
finished with 9 carries for 44 yards (4.9 avg.).<br />
‣ Part of an offensive line that rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown<br />
at Denver (10/30). Maurice Morris finished with 58 yards on 13 carries<br />
(4.5 avg.) and a touchdown. also helped protect Matthew stafford, who<br />
threw for 267 yards and 3 touchdowns.<br />
‣ Helped protect Matthew stafford in order for him to set a new franchise<br />
record 63 passing attempts vs. Chicago (11/13).<br />
‣ He started his 170th consecutive game vs. Carolina (11/20) tying him<br />
with C Dermotti Dawson for the seventh-most consecutive starts by<br />
an offensive lineman since 1970. offensively, the line helped produce<br />
169 total rushing yards (second-highest of season) and 495 total yards<br />
(most since 1997 for lions).<br />
‣ started his 171st consecutive start of his career vs. Green Bay (11/24).<br />
He tied lions Hall of fame CB Dick leBeau for the most consecutive<br />
starts in team history. He has started every game since he was drafted<br />
by the lions in 2001.<br />
‣ With a start at New orleans (12/4), Backus established a new franchise<br />
record for consecutive starts with 172. Backus broke the team’s record<br />
previously set by Hall of fame CB Dick leBeau (171).<br />
COLLEGE<br />
starter for the Wolverines at left tackle from 1997-2000. finished his career<br />
with 49 consecutive starts, one shy of the school record of 50 by current<br />
<strong>Detroit</strong> lions’ right tackle, Jon Jansen (1995-98).<br />
‣ Teamed with seattle seahawks 2001 first-round pick, guard steve<br />
Hutchinson, to man the left side of Michigan’s offensive line in every<br />
campaign since their freshman year.<br />
‣ earned all-Big Ten honors four straight years and was an all-american<br />
second-team selection by College football News and aBC sports.<br />
Honorable mention from CNN/sports illustrated. Consensus all-Big<br />
Ten first-team pick as a senior.<br />
‣ Co-recipient of the Hugh H. rader award for his junior and senior years,<br />
given to the team’s top offensive lineman.<br />
‣ in 1999, he was an all-Big Ten first-team selection by the media, and<br />
earned University of Michigan athletic academic achievement honors<br />
after starting every game at left tackle.<br />
‣ started at left tackle during Michigan’s march to 1997 rose Bowl and<br />
had a hand in Wolverines winning a.P. National Championship.<br />
‣ earned general studies degree in Dec. 2000.<br />
PERSONAL<br />
selected to the first-team all-Usa squad by Usa Today at Norcross (Ga.)<br />
High. Was picked to atlanta Journal-Constitution super 11 and super seven<br />
of the Macon Touchdown Club and Chosen as the Gwinnett Touchdown<br />
Club lineman of the year.<br />
‣ selected to play in florida-Georgia all-star Game following senior<br />
season.<br />
‣ Named all-american by scholastic Coach, schutt sports, reebok,<br />
Prep football report, super Prep and was a member of Blue Chip<br />
illustrated’s Dream Team.<br />
‣ started four years of high school baseball, playing first base and pitcher.<br />
‣ His mother, uncle and grandfather all graduated from Michigan.<br />
‣ Born Jeffrey Carl Backus on sept. 21, 1977 in Midland, Mich.<br />
BACKUS' GAMES/STARTS<br />
Year Tm G S<br />
2001 Det 16 16<br />
2002 Det 16 16<br />
2003 Det 16 16<br />
2004 Det 16 16<br />
2005 Det 16 16<br />
2006 Det 16 16<br />
2007 Det 16 16<br />
2008 Det 16 16<br />
2009 Det 16 16<br />
2010 Det 16 16<br />
2011 Det 16 16<br />
Totals 176 176<br />
POSTSEASON<br />
Year Tm G S<br />
2011 Det 1 1<br />
Total 1 1
Change language