Jeff Backus

It seems every spring, right around NFL draft time, Lions fans ratchet up their desire for the team to select an "elite" left tackle to take the place of nine-year incumbent Jeff Backus. But every year for the last nine years, those fans are left disappointed on draft day. Theres an explanation for that -- Backus isnt the problem and the Lions know it.  

LB Ernie Sims, DE DeWayne White, and LT Jeff Backus?  I am asking mainly about draft picks, but players could work too.  I tried this trade on Madden 10, and got the 2nd overall pick, and the 2nd pick of the 3rd round.  Is this realistic?  Or would you give up more?  If you want stats, Sims got over 100 tackles in '06, '07, and '08, but was injured a bit this year.  White had 5 sacks in both '07 and '08, but has been injured this year.  Backus...  

Jeff Backus is a rock for LionsThe Detroit NewsIf that solid play continues, the Lions can turn their attention to other needs. "I am very pleased with Jeff Backus. He is one of the best players we have ...Football fans getting more than enough of Matt MillenThe Detroit Newsall 2 news articles »  

Defensive linemen Jason Hunter and Dewayne White were inactive for Detroit's game against Cincinnati on Sunday, a setback to their chances of stopping the Bengals' highly ranked running game. The Lions also were missing linebacker Ernie Sims and right guard Daniel Loper. Loper (back), Sims (hamstring) and White (toe) had been listed as questionable.  

Detroit Lions rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew left Thursday's game against Green Bay with a left knee injury. Pettigrew was engaged with Packers linebacker Clay Matthews in the second minute of the game when his knee buckled. The injury was severe enough that several Green Bay defenders started waving the Detroit training staff onto the field.  

Lions coach Jim Schwartz says there's no feud between Calvin Johnson and Matt Stafford. During Sunday's game against Seattle, television cameras caught what appeared to be uncomfortable exchanges between the receiver and quarterback. Stafford threw five interceptions in the 32-20 loss. Johnson had two catches for 27 yards after missing the previous two games because of a knee injury.  

Detroit Lions outside linebacker Ernie Sims left in the third quarter against Seattle with a hamstring injury suffered trying to track down Seattle running back Julius Jones. Sims appeared to injure his right leg, although the Lions didn't specify which leg. The team said his return was questionable.  

Detroit Lions starting free safety Louis Delmas was held out of the lineup due to an infected tooth and jaw, and right guard Stephen Peterman was taken to the locker room on a cart with a leg injury in the third quarter against Minnesota. Delmas felt increasing discomfort during warmups before Sunday's game and was replaced by Marquand Manuel, who left in the third quarter with a shoulder...  

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was in the starting lineup Thursday against Green Bay, less than a week after separating his non-throwing shoulder. The rookie passer and receiver Calvin Johnson (knee) each missed three days of practice after suffering injuries in Sunday's dramatic win over Cleveland.  

Will Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford make another rousing return from a left shoulder injury Sunday at Baltimore? Coach Jim Schwartz said Monday he already had a "pretty good idea," but he was keeping his cards close to the vest for competitive reasons. Stafford suffered an AC joint separation Nov. 22 against Cleveland, then hopped up and threw the winning touchdown with no time left. He came back four days later and played on Thanksgiving...  

Middle linebacker Larry Foote is in the lineup for the Detroit Lions at Minnesota. Foote was listed as questionable this week because of a knee injury, but he has started every game since the beginning of the 2004 season, 89 straight. Starting outside linebacker Ernie Sims is out with a hamstring injury.  

The Detroit Lions came out of the 27-10 loss at Minnesota with several injuries. Rookie quarterback Matt Stafford wasn't one of them. Stafford was sacked three times and hit several more times Sunday as Minnesota's highly rated defensive line overran Detroit's pass protection. Lions coach Jim Schwartz said it is a concern.  

Even when Sidney Rice is tightly covered, Brett Favre isn't afraid to fire a pass downfield. Favre's new favorite receiver just keeps fighting through the contact and coming up with the ball, perhaps finally making Minnesota fans forget Randy Moss. Favre passed for a season-high 344 yards, 201 to Rice, and the Vikings overcame several self-inflicted setbacks to beat the Detroit Lions 27-10...  

The Detroit Lions have sold out the Thanksgiving game against Green Bay, avoiding a local TV blackout. Lions spokesman Bill Keenist confirmed the sellout Monday, one day after Detroit won its second game of the season on the final play for a 38-37 victory over the Browns. The thriller was not shown on local TV and drew 43,170 fans to Ford Field.  

Matthew Stafford was flat on his back, getting his left shoulder evaluated on the sideline by the Detroit Lions medical staff. The Cleveland Browns called a timeout and gave the rookie a chance to get back in the game. Stafford threw his fifth touchdown pass from 1 yard to Brandon Pettigrew and Jason Hanson's extra point with no time on the clock gave Detroit a thrilling 38-37 win over...  

Charles Woodson wants to be known as more than a football player. Donating $2 million to the new University of Michigan Mott Children's Hospital and Women's Hospital gives him a chance to do that. The school announced Woodson's gift on Thanksgiving before he played for the Green Bay Packers against the Detroit Lions.  

The Detroit Lions plan to rest Matthew Stafford's banged-up, non-throwing shoulder for at least one game. They don't expect to shut him down for the rest of the season. Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Wednesday that Daunte Culpepper will start at Baltimore and Stafford likely will be the No. 3 quarterback.  

Mike Singletary helped keep his job as coach in San Francisco with a strong finish a year ago after the 49ers had been eliminated from playoff contention. Alex Smith is looking to do the same to solidify his role as starting quarterback heading into the 2010 season. With San Francisco's playoff dreams shattered in snowy Philadelphia a week ago, the focus for these final two weeks, beginning...  

The Detroit Lions say an interception returned for a touchdown by safety Louis Delmas has been changed to a 101-yard score, the longest in team history by a rookie. Delmas' touchdown Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals had been recorded as a 100-yard score, but a yard has been added following a review by the Elias Sports Bureau, keeper of NFL statistics.  

Washington PostJay Cutler, Man AloneRealGM.comInstead, they have no shot at a division that's increasingly becoming the Vikings' to rule, and they are only two games up on the Lions, who went 0-16 last ...Favre Versus Rodgers: Week 12Bleacher ReportVikings Destroy Bears, Improve To 10-1 (NO VIDEO)KEYCFantasy Clicks: Favre, Gates lead Week 12 RevelationsCNNChicagoistall 874 news articles »  

Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz says it will be game-day decisions on whether quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson's play against the St. Louis Rams. Schwartz said Friday that Stafford and Johnson have made "a lot of progress" in recent weeks after injuring their right knees.  

Somebody's got to win, right? Detroit, which has one victory since enduring the NFL's first 0-16 season, is hosting the winless St. Louis Rams, who might have their best shot to avoid joining the Lions in league infamy, in an oddly intriguing game. "Both of us are hungry for a win," Lions linebacker Julian Peterson said.  

Seattle Post IntelligencerCedric Benson: Expected to Start Next GameRotowireCoach Marvin Lewis announced during his Monday news conference that he expects Benson (hip) to start Sunday's game against the Lions, NFL.com reports. ...Passan: How to Strangle a QuarterbackThe Orange and Brown Report (subscription)Monday update: Benson starts vs. Lions; Sellout in jeopardy; Mickens signs ...Bengals.comBengals RB Cedric Benson will start vs...  

Lions blanked in prime time; Cowboys lead the wayDetroit Free PressWe all know the Lions aren't ready for prime time. Turns out they aren't wanted on prime time, either. The Lions have been shut out when it comes to nbc's ...Cowboys' star shines in prime timeSports Business Journal (subscription)all 12 news articles »  

The Detroit Lions finally won a game this season, pushing their plight out of the national spotlight. Quietly, though, they're still pretty bad. The team looks radically different than it did during its infamous 0-16 season, but Matt Millen's missteps and the front office's inability to make magical moves since he was fired a year ago leaves the franchise with a 1-5 record and a lot...  

Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz is optimistic his team will be at full strength after this week's bye. Quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Calvin Johnson did not play in the Lions' latest loss because of their injured right knees. Daunte Culpepper couldn't finish the game because he hurt his right hamstring.  

Jim Schwartz doesn't want his Detroit Lions to play an overly conservative offense. Without Calvin Johnson, he doesn't think he has much of a choice. Even with a bye week to prepare and the return of rookie quarterback Matt Stafford, the Lions (1-6) couldn't move the ball consistently against the hapless St.  

MLive.comShould the Lions be removed from Thanksgiving football?Daily American OnlineThe Lions had no business playing the Packers during prime-time television on Thanksgiving. So why do NFL fans have to sit through a ritualistic Lions ...Lions made right decision starting Stafford on ThankgivingDetroit Free PressIs putting an injured Matthew Stafford on the field worth the risk for Lions?MLive.comWeek 10 power rankings: Comeback win against...  

Hot-Shooting Valpo Holds Off LionsFort Smith Times RecordThat, however, didn't dampen the Lions' intensity against Valparaiso. The Crusaders needed a 57 percent shooting effort from the field Sunday afternoon to ...Johnson leads VU to 2-1 mark at tournamentGary Post Tribuneall 178 news articles »  

Bwog (blog)Monday Sports RoundupBwog (blog)With only 10 minutes left in the game, the Lions were trailing 51-43, but thanks to sophomore Noruwa Agho, making five seven three-pointers in total in the ...Light Blue downs Bucknell, falls to SyracuseCU Columbia SpectatorColumbia Set to Take on Sacred Heart on Monday NightColumbia University AthleticsSacred Heart beats Columbia 60-55The Associated PressCNYLink from Eagle Newspapers -IvyLeagueSports...  

Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed and wide receiver Mark Clayton are inactive against the Detroit Lines. Reed missed his second straight game Sunday with a hip injury, while Clayton sat out with a knee problem. Offensive tackle Jared Gaither was also inactive after missing practice for much of the week with a foot injury.  

Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz began a conference call with Baltimore writers this week by turning things around and posing the opening question. "I want to know who the Orioles are going to pick up to play third base," Schwartz asked. Born and raised in Baltimore, Schwartz still has deep ties to Maryland.  

Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz wasn't able to get his message across in the third quarter of Sunday's 48-3 loss to Baltimore. By giving the team Monday off, he has given himself 48 hours before he has to try again. Schwartz's first attempt came with Baltimore leading 34-3 and driving again.  

Detroit Lions Vice Chairman Bill Ford Jr. said Monday that his role with the NFL team has taken a back seat to his duties as Ford Motor Co. chairman. It may be just as well. Ford was in Washington to meet with President Barack Obama and submit to the Commerce Department a list of recommendations on ways to revitalize the economy developed at a Detroit business summit.  

Kurt Warner has been at his best when the Arizona Cardinals needed to bounce back. That's not good news for the Detroit Lions. Warner has completed 73 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns and no interceptions in four games after losses this season. "You hate to think that you get more focused after a loss," he said.  

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Matthew Stafford watched the Detroit Lions practice Wednesday with his left shoulder wrapped in ice and he will probably miss Sunday's home game against the Arizona Cardinals. Coach Jim Schwartz says Stafford is "not likely" to play. The Lions, who have won just twice after a winless 2008, are closing the season banged up.  

A cold, driving rain couldn't prevent the Baltimore Ravens and Ray Rice from enjoying a record-setting day. Rice ran for a career-high 166 yards and a touchdown, and the Ravens enhanced their playoff hopes Sunday with a 48-3 victory over the hapless Detroit Lions. Baltimore (7-6) built a 20-3 halftime lead behind the play of Rice, who had 155 yards rushing on only nine carries and four catches...  

The Arizona Cardinals blew a 17-point lead to the lowly Detroit Lions and needed to make a pressure-packed play in the closing minutes to avoid an embarrassing defeat. Kurt Warner threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin with 1:54 left, lifting Arizona to a 31-24 win over Detroit Lions on Sunday.  

Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith left Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens with a left knee injury. Smith caught a 15-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper, but crumpled to the ground in the open field after his left knee gave out. His leg twisted awkwardly just before he fell to the turf. Trainers attended to Smith, who was helped from the field and onto a cart.  

UA Fort Smith NewsThe Lions' Chronicle Debuts in DecemberUA Fort Smith NewsDecember will mark the arrival of a new student publication at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith when The Lions' Chronicle makes its debut on the Web. ...and more »  

Should the Lions be removed from Thanksgiving football?Daily American OnlineWatching the Lions after the big meal is a great chaser. No heartburn or indigestion with this team (unless, of course, you happen to root for them). ...  

PONTIAC, Mich. - A judge cleared the way Monday for a Canadian company to pay $583,000 for the Pontiac Silverdome, built for $55.7 million in 1975 to house the NFL's Detroit Lions.  

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - The season is over for Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has been placed on injured reserve ahead of what the team calls minor right knee surgery.  

DETROIT - The Arizona Cardinals blew a 17-point lead to the lowly Detroit Lions and needed to make a pressure-packed play in the closing minutes to avoid an embarrassing defeat.  

Bengals RB Benson to start against LionsDetroit Free PressThe Lions' defense looks like it will have its hands full facing the return of Cincinnati running back Cedric ...  

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz says the team plans to rest Matthew Stafford's injured shoulder against Baltimore and Daunte Culpepper will start.  

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - The Detroit Lions put safety Marquand Manuel on injured reserve Wednesday because of a shoulder injury and signed defensive back DeAngelo Smith.  

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Of all the big plays Clay Matthews III made Sunday, one in particular stood out to first-year Green Bay Packers defensive co-ordinator Dom Capers.  

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Adrian Peterson bulled through four Detroit Lions tacklers and hit the open field, nothing but green turf and the end zone in front of him.  

The season is over for Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has been placed on injured reserve ahead of what the team calls minor right knee surgery.  

BALTIMORE - Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz began a conference call with Baltimore writers this week by turning things around and posing the opening question.  

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz wasn't able to get his message across in the third quarter of Sunday's 48-3 loss to Baltimore.  

BEREA, Ohio - Browns coach Eric Mangini says he was frustrated at losing when he suggested the Detroit Lions faked injuries in Sunday's game.  

BEREA, Ohio - Browns coach Eric Mangini is questioning whether the Detroit Lions faked injuries to slow down Cleveland's no-huddle offence.  

DETROIT - Matthew Stafford was flat on his back, getting his left shoulder evaluated on the sideline by the Detroit Lions medical staff.  

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson played the game Sunday that Detroit Lions fans had been waiting all season to see.  

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz wasn't about to tip his hand about the recovery of quarterback Matt Stafford.  

BALTIMORE - Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith left Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens with a left knee injury.  

DETROIT - Detroit Lions rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew left Thursday's game against Green Bay with a left knee injury.  

BALTIMORE - A cold, driving rain couldn't prevent the Baltimore Ravens and Ray Rice from enjoying a record-setting day.  

It was hidden beneath the pure organizational debaclizations of the St. Louis Rams and the Detroit Lions, but a...  

Detroit Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew will miss the rest of the season after what appears to be a torn ACL,...  

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz isn't second-guessing his decision to start Matthew Stafford.  

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz never wants to share injury information with his opponents.  

Detroit Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford will start their Thanksgiving Day game against the Packers,...  

This is how things go for the Detroit Lions: Being the main course for the opponent's Thanksgiving Day feast...  

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was heckled and jeered as he left the field after the Lions' loss...  

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Lions coach Jim Schwartz says there's no feud between Calvin Johnson and Matt Stafford.  

This is an update of a post that first appeared on Shutdown Corner in 2008. The Detroit Lions playing on...  

MINNEAPOLIS - Even when Sidney Rice is tightly covered, Brett Favre isn't afraid to fire a pass downfield.  

Looks like Daunte Culpepper isn't starting quarterback material. The Detroit Lions announced Wednesday...  

Over the past decade, the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns have been the two worst teams in the NFL.  

The Detroit Lions have followed up an 0-16 “history-making” year with two wins (so far) this...  

The Detroit Lions have lost their last four games to help contribute to a 2-12 record so far.