Backus signed to new six-year contract with Lions

America · 07-13-2006, 06:24 PM

Lions | Backus signed to new six-year contract
Thu, 13 Jul 2006 16:04:45 -0700

Len Pasquarelli, of ESPN.com, reports the Detroit Lions have signed their franchise player, OT Jeff Backus, to a new six-year contract. The contract is worth neary $40 million and includes about $16 million in bonuses. The deal makes Backus the sixth-highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL. The team was battling a deadline to have him signed by 4:00 p.m. Friday, July 14, or else he would have had the franchise designation to him for the rest of the deal.

That's a whole lot of money. Personally I don't think he deserves being the sixth highest paid olineman in the NFL, but he could improve his play this season with his new contract. I guess this means Joe T. to the Lions is now much less possible.

Staubach12 · 07-13-2006, 06:27 PM

Too much mulah.

07-13-2006, 06:27 PM

lol The Lions are worse than the Browns when it comes to finding good Olineman and thinking they actually have a good one when he is just ok. Man, I didn't think that was possible.

Jonathan_VIlma · 07-13-2006, 06:29 PM

Backus is alright, I can bet that the contract is structured so that they can cut him after a year or two.

Moses · 07-13-2006, 06:33 PM

When will the Lions learn...

Why spend that much money on a tackle that is average.

07-13-2006, 06:37 PM

Again I ask, why wasn't Millen fired?

07-13-2006, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarringtonSucks

Again I ask, why wasn't Millen fired?

Maybe you should change your name to MillenSucks, it worked for Joey Harrington.

draftguru151 · 07-13-2006, 07:41 PM

6th highest paid. :?

Things like this aren't good for the NFL, it makes players get too much money. Now other average linemen will get this, then the one's that actually deserve it will want more.

ny10804 · 07-13-2006, 08:17 PM

I've never even heard of the guy.

Moses · 07-13-2006, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by draftguru151

6th highest paid. :?

Things like this aren't good for the NFL, it makes players get too much money. Now other average linemen will get this, then the one's that actually deserve it will want more.

There's something called the salary cap that prevents player salary inflation.

07-13-2006, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moses

Quote:

Originally Posted by draftguru151

6th highest paid. :?

Things like this aren't good for the NFL, it makes players get too much money. Now other average linemen will get this, then the one's that actually deserve it will want more.

There's something called the salary cap that prevents player salary inflation.

You are crazy if you dont think that after this season everyone isnt going to want a contract way bigger than arch

Moses · 07-13-2006, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanTaylor21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moses

Quote:

Originally Posted by draftguru151

6th highest paid. :?

Things like this aren't good for the NFL, it makes players get too much money. Now other average linemen will get this, then the one's that actually deserve it will want more.

There's something called the salary cap that prevents player salary inflation.

You are crazy if you dont think that after this season everyone isnt going to want a contract way bigger than arch

They won't get it though because of the salary cap. Teams can only spend so much.

draftguru151 · 07-13-2006, 08:24 PM

But teams find a way to give guys more money, i.e. Washington.

Moses · 07-13-2006, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by draftguru151

But teams find a way to give guys more money, i.e. Washington.

And how would they do that? The salary cap can't just be ignored.

moc182 · 07-13-2006, 08:32 PM

If Kevin Schaeffer can almost get that much, he's worth it.

07-13-2006, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moc182

If Kevin Schaeffer can almost get that much, he's worth it.

Most of Shaffer's he is going to have to play at a very very high level to get, meaning if he does get that much money, he deserves it. Also, it's structured to where we could dump him at anytime without a big cap hit.

07-13-2006, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moses

Quote:

Originally Posted by draftguru151

But teams find a way to give guys more money, i.e. Washington.

And how would they do that? The salary cap can't just be ignored.

As Homer Simpson would say "The salary cap is a suggestion....like pants"

Jensen · 07-13-2006, 08:56 PM

Way too much money for him.

jkpigskin · 07-13-2006, 09:04 PM

Backus is an above average OT, but much more was expected from him... IMO too much money, but hey, thats professional sports

WMD · 07-13-2006, 09:16 PM

Ughhhhhhhhh.

07-14-2006, 01:30 AM

I love the fact they extended his contract.

I think they gave him 10 million too much. 6 yrs/30 million is justifiable and the kid is still getting paid. They can't get rid of their best OL, that still has 5 really good years in him, but Millen just disappoints time and time again.

How do these ex-athletes have the resume for jobs like these? Same with Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan.

smittyjs · 07-14-2006, 01:58 AM

only the lions..........

P-L · 07-14-2006, 02:08 AM

Backus is a solid LT, not good, but above average. Just because the Lions have had a bottom 5 OL for years, now doesn't mean everyone on the OL has been horrible. But I agree, it was too much money.

07-14-2006, 03:06 AM

Just thinking, if a guy like Rod Marinelli wasn't hired to give this team an attitude and a defense, the Lions would be screwed beyond belief.

Matt Millen is lucky that the Lions aren't in a division like the NFC South or East. It is amazing that the Lions have a prayer of winning their division since it is so bad.