Potential Jets: Jeff Backus

by John B on Feb 11, 2012 12:22 PM EST

The pickings seem to be pretty slim in the free agent market for offensive tackles. Jeff Backus might be among the best options out there. The Detroit left tackle is exceptionally durable, having started every game for his entire 11 year career. He was one of the few decent pieces during a brutal stretch in MoTown.

Backus would purely be a stopgap for the Jets, buying them some time to find or develop a long term answer at right tackle. At 34 he is near the end of his career. He is the prototypical guy who does everything well but nothing exceptionally. He is an adequate pass protector. Aroound 6.3% of his pass blocking plays resulted in a missed block that impacted the quarterback. That is neither great nor terrible. He has enough athletic ability to hold up fine but not enough to dominate. Moving to the right side where the pass rushers are usually not as dynamic and where the quarterback can see them coming would probably help improve his numbers. As a run blocker, he is technically sound, but he is not going to blow anybody away with his 6'5" 304 pound frame. The Lions averaged a solid 4.2 yard per run to the left side in 2011.

I think Backus would be a certain upgrade over Wayne Hunter and a decent stopgap. Unfortunately there are no slam dunk answers at right tackle so I think the Jets should take a look if the Lions do not lock him up before free agency begins.

Poll

Should the Jets have interest in Jeff Backus to start at right tackle?

Yes

592 votes

No

195 votes

787 votes | Poll has closed

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Might as well , though I’m sure a cinderblock would be cheaper and hold up better than hunter.

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by Noble_Lance on Feb 11, 2012 12:29 PM EST reply actions

Nail on head...

The Jets should show interest in any able bodied person or object that’s available to play RT. At this point I’d be willing to trade Hunter and Smith for a velvet rope and a scarecrow that kinda looks like Troy Polamalu (big hair and a helmet should suffice)… At least either of those would imply resistance.

I know it’s still SUPER early but with last season’s abomination of an off season (I know it was short, but we got caught with our pants down) I’d expect Tanny/Rex to chomping at the bit.

One question for you: Could/Will either Hunter or Ducasse perform better in Sparano’s run focused offense?

I know I wouldn’t be particularly happy if either of them were our starting RT but they could surprise. From what I understand Ducasse has been pretty solid in the run.

by Re1gn on Feb 11, 2012 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

Backus May Be Too Expensive

but the Jets should certainly find out.

A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations has been 200 years." Alexander Tyler

by joeklecko on Feb 11, 2012 3:21 PM EST reply actions

He was 3rd highest paid on Lions

He clocked….errr….cashed in $5,450,000 this past year. He also underwent bicep surgery after the play-off loss to New Orleans in January 2012. Expected to be ready for summer camps.

"It's only through change we learn to grow".

by Canadian Jet on Feb 12, 2012 5:09 AM EST up reply actions

I'd like him here.

He protected Stafford, who threw for 5,000+ yards this year.

by MassiveSmith on Feb 11, 2012 3:26 PM EST reply actions

Am I right in saying that Backus has had bicep surgery this off-season? sure I read that he had a torn bicep after their play-off loss.

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by David_Wyatt on Feb 11, 2012 5:55 PM EST reply actions

I thought he had back problems

by JETSFAN IN SC on Feb 11, 2012 6:20 PM EST up reply actions

Honestly, I'd be happy with a stopgap right now

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by Bro Namath on Feb 11, 2012 6:06 PM EST reply actions

On twitter, Jake Steinberg (writer for thejetsblog) suggested Vernon Carey of the dolphins, anyone know anything about him?

by darshv3 on Feb 11, 2012 6:41 PM EST reply actions

Absolutely not.

I have been watching him over the last four years as I have a roommate who is a Lions fan. I can remember countless times of frustration as a result of his play. I can easily point to the game against the Minnesota Vikings this past season where in overtime he had three straight false starts matching up against Jared Allen. If it had not been for a wonderful catch by Calvin Johnson they probably would not have been able to advance and win on that series. Also, he does hold a lot and that is not something we need with this offense. I’m voting no.

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by Goallinestand11 on Feb 11, 2012 6:58 PM EST reply actions

To be fair, Jared Allen does that to a lot of tackles.

I think he’d be quite serviceable at RT. I mean really if anything he’s always been a RT at heart forced to play LT given the circumstances in Detroit.

That said… No thanks. Too old, too expensive. I want more than a stop-gap.

by Exystence on Feb 11, 2012 8:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Begging and choosing and such.

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by Bro Namath on Feb 11, 2012 9:10 PM EST up reply actions

Truthfact.

I definitely wouldn’t be sad if we signed him or anything.

by Exystence on Feb 11, 2012 10:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I'd rather see a Wurlitzer Juke Box on wheels at RT than watch Hunter get beat on most plays.

A lot cheaper too with 5 plays for $1.

by Putnan Prince on Feb 11, 2012 8:17 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

This was really funny

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by Bro Namath on Feb 11, 2012 9:11 PM EST up reply actions

Totally agree with the comment on Jared Allen

Three straight false starts though is a bit excessive regardless of who the opposing player is. Also, he has been a solid nfl player (anybody who has played the game this long must be considered successful) but he was supposed to be amazing considering he was great at Michigan..but he had one of the best guards of the decades in Hutchinson playing beside him. That being said, he would not be an awful signing any depth is necessary but not someone you hope to rely on coming off of last seasons struggles.

WNPC-TV..its yours?!

by Goallinestand11 on Feb 11, 2012 8:23 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Sorry this is my first time posting

I do not know what to add and what not to add. I don’t want to make my posts seem excessive in detail or in quantity!

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by Goallinestand11 on Feb 11, 2012 8:27 PM EST reply actions

it can be however long or short you want it to be

and welcome!

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by Bro Namath on Feb 11, 2012 9:10 PM EST up reply actions

While we're deciding how about....

aa couple of those real sturdy card board cut outs…have one madeup for Home games and one for Road Games. Ok….a Third if we’re doing a Throwback game this year.

Seriously, any word back on the lobotomy result on Tanny for guaranteeing Hunter’s contract for this year? I mean if he is going to do crazy shit like that what is he or isn’t he going to do at Free Agency and the Draft?

"It's only through change we learn to grow".

by Canadian Jet on Feb 12, 2012 5:15 AM EST reply actions

My best guess is that given how shallow the FA pool this year is

the Jets FO decided to retain Hunter as insurance against a bad signing or draft pick. I also think the addition of Sparano makes extra lineman plays much more likely and frequent, which would make sense.

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by Bro Namath on Feb 12, 2012 12:21 PM EST up reply actions