detroit lions vs. st. louis rams the season begins consistency up front ...

Jeff BaCkus
Tackle
Michigan 12th Year
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 305
Born: 9/21/77 Norcross, Ga.
Draft: ‘01, R1 (18)-Det
Complete biographical information available on Detroit<strong>lions</strong>.com.
MANE FACTS
¾ Named <strong>lions</strong> 2009 ed Block Courage award winner.
¾ Backus is only second player out of the University of Michigan to be
taken in the first round by the <strong>lions</strong>, and the first since Detroit selected
Bob Westfall in 1942 with its first pick.
¾ although he spent most of his childhood in suburban atlanta, Backus
was born in Midland, Mich.
¾ Donated <strong>lions</strong>’ tickets for each home game to C.s. Mott’s Children’s
Hospital through the <strong>lions</strong> CaTs (Caring athletes Ticket service) for
Kids program.
¾ Took part in a special wall-raising ceremony to begin the building of the
first Habitat for Humanity home sponsored by the <strong>lions</strong>.
¾ Works with Mott Children’s Hospital on numerous fundraisers
throughout the season.
TRANSACTIONS
¾ re-signed with the <strong>lions</strong> March 20, 2012.
¾ re-signed by the <strong>lions</strong> July 14, 2006 to a long-term contract extension
(six-year deal).
¾ Designated by the Detroit <strong>lions</strong> as the team’s franchise Player february
23, 2006 and signed one-year tender May 15, 2006.
¾ Drafted by the Detroit <strong>lions</strong> in the first round (18th overall) of the
2001 Nfl Draft.
PRO
Backus has been the <strong>lions</strong>’ mainstay at left tackle since being drafted in
the first round (18th overall) in the 2001 Nfl Draft, and has never missed
a game or start (176 consecutive starts; 177 including postseason) in his
career. He has the most consecutive starts in franchise history.
¾ He has the longest streak among active interior (offense and defense)
linemen in the league, the most among offensive players and his streak
is the third longest in the Nfl among active players.
¾ With a franchise record 176 consecutive start, he broke Hall of fame
CB Dick leBeau’s previous team record of 171.
¾ He is the only player drafted in 2001 who has started every game
as a pro.
¾ according to the elias sports Bureau, with a start <strong>vs</strong>. Minnesota in the
2010 season finale, Backus became the 10th offensive lineman since
1970 to start 160 consecutive games.
¾ among offensive linemen who started their career since 1970, Backus
is the first to begin their career starting their first 160 games. Backus
is seventh among offensive linemen in consecutive starts since 1970.
2011: Team’s starting left tackle. Has started in 176 consecutive games,
currently the most consecutive starts by any lineman (offense or defense)
in the Nfl. offense finished 10th in Nfl in sacks per pass play (5.1 pct)
yielding 36 sacks on 702 pass plays.
¾ The <strong>lions</strong>’ season opener at Tampa Bay (9/11) marked the first time
since 1981-82 that the <strong>lions</strong> have started the same offensive line (same
personnel at same positions) in consecutive years on opening day.
Backus, lG rob sims, C Dominic raiola, rG stephen Peterman and rT
Gosder Cherilus was the team’s regular starting offensive line last year
for the <strong>lions</strong>, including on opening day. The last offensive group to start
in consecutive years was lT Karl Baldischeiler, lG Homer elias, C amos
fowler, rG russ Bolinger and rT Keith Dorne. That group started on
opening day in that lineup three consecutive years (1980-92).
¾ in the opening-day win at Tampa Bay, the offensive line yielded no sacks
and helped the <strong>lions</strong> gain 126 yards on the ground.
¾ in the home opener <strong>vs</strong>. Kansas City (9/18), was part of an offensive line
that allowed no sacks for the second consecutive game. The <strong>lions</strong> offense
generated 48 points in the victory over the Chiefs, the most points
scored by the <strong>lions</strong> since they garnered 55 points in a Thanksgiving
Day 55-20 win over Chicago (11/27/97). That game was also the last
time the team scored 6 offensive touchdowns (rushing and receiving) in
a single game. The last time the <strong>lions</strong> scored 6 offensive touchdowns
in a game of which at least 4 were via the pass was a 48-17 win over
Chicago (10/19/81).
¾ against the Chiefs, moved past G steve Wisniewski for sole possession
of ninth place on the list of most consecutive starts by an offensive
linemen since 1970.
¾ Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the team’s 34-30
come-from-behind (24-point deficit) win at Dallas (10/2).
¾ offensive line opened holes in the second half during the team’s 24-
13 win over the Chicago Bears as rB Jahvid Best ran for an 88-yard
touchdown (second longest in team history) and another 43-yarder
that helped seal the win. The team chewed up 181 yards on 20 carries
(9.1 avg) against the Bears. The team also allowed just one sack on
27 pass plays.
¾ in the <strong>lions</strong> win <strong>vs</strong>. Chicago, Backus tied Hall of fame G Gene Upshaw
PLayer ProfiLes
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for the eighth-most consecutive games started by an offensive lineman
since 1970 (Upshaw actually started 207-straight games dating
back to 1967).
¾ With his 166th start <strong>vs</strong>. san francisco (10/16), Backus passed Upshaw
for eighth-most consecutive starts by an offensive lineman since 1970.
Upshaw started 207-straight games dating back to 1967.
¾ Helped allow 104 yards rushing <strong>vs</strong>. atlanta (10/23) who’s defense was
ranked sixth in the league in rushing yards per game. Maurice Morris
finished with 9 carries for 50 yards (5.6 avg.) and Keiland Williams
finished with 9 carries for 44 yards (4.9 avg.).
¾ Part of an offensive line that rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown
at Denver (10/30). Maurice Morris finished with 58 yards on 13 carries
(4.5 avg.) and a touchdown. also helped protect Matthew stafford, who
threw for 267 yards and 3 touchdowns.
¾ Helped protect Matthew stafford in order for him to set a new franchise
record 63 passing attempts <strong>vs</strong>. Chicago (11/13).
¾ He started his 170th consecutive game <strong>vs</strong>. Carolina (11/20) tying him
with C Dermotti Dawson for the seventh-most consecutive starts by
an offensive lineman since 1970. offensively, the line helped produce
169 total rushing yards (second-highest of season) and 495 total yards
(most since 1997 for <strong>lions</strong>).
¾ started his 171st consecutive start of his career <strong>vs</strong>. Green Bay (11/24).
He tied <strong>lions</strong> Hall of fame CB Dick leBeau for the most consecutive
starts in team history. He has started every game since he was drafted
by the <strong>lions</strong> in 2001.
¾ With a start at New orleans (12/4), Backus established a new franchise
record for consecutive starts with 172. Backus broke the team’s record
previously set by Hall of fame CB Dick leBeau (171).
COLLEGE
starter for the Wolverines at left tackle from 1997-2000. finished his career
with 49 consecutive starts, one shy of the school record of 50 by current
Detroit <strong>lions</strong>’ right tackle, Jon Jansen (1995-98).
¾ Teamed with seattle seahawks 2001 first-round pick, guard steve
Hutchinson, to man the left side of Michigan’s offensive line in every
campaign since their freshman year.
¾ earned all-Big Ten honors four straight years and was an all-american
second-team selection by College football News and aBC sports.
Honorable mention from CNN/sports illustrated. Consensus all-Big
Ten first-team pick as a senior.
¾ Co-recipient of the Hugh H. rader award for his junior and senior years,
given to the team’s top offensive lineman.
¾ in 1999, he was an all-Big Ten first-team selection by the media, and
earned University of Michigan athletic academic achievement honors
after starting every game at left tackle.
¾ started at left tackle during Michigan’s march to 1997 rose Bowl and
had a hand in Wolverines winning a.P. National Championship.
¾ earned general studies degree in Dec. 2000.
PERSONAL
selected to the first-team all-Usa squad by Usa Today at Norcross (Ga.)
High. Was picked to atlanta Journal-Constitution super 11 and super seven
of the Macon Touchdown Club and Chosen as the Gwinnett Touchdown
Club lineman of the year.
¾ selected to play in florida-Georgia all-star Game following senior
season.
¾ Named all-american by scholastic Coach, schutt sports, reebok,
Prep football report, super Prep and was a member of Blue Chip
illustrated’s Dream Team.
¾ started four years of high school baseball, playing first base and pitcher.
¾ His mother, uncle and grandfather all graduated from Michigan.
¾ Born Jeffrey Carl Backus on sept. 21, 1977 in Midland, Mich.
BACKUS’ GAMES/STARTS
Year Tm G S
2001 Det 16 16
2002 Det 16 16
2003 Det 16 16
2004 Det 16 16
2005 Det 16 16
2006 Det 16 16
2007 Det 16 16
2008 Det 16 16
2009 Det 16 16
2010 Det 16 16
2011 Det 16 16
Totals 176 176
POSTSEASON
Year Tm G S
2011 Det 1 1
Total 1 1