Jeff Backus
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Career Summary
Jeff Backus was a Detroit Lions left tackle who spent his entire 12-season NFL career with the franchise.
NFL.com records 191 games for Backus from 2001 through 2012, all with Detroit.
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High School
Backus played high-school football at left tackle before continuing at Michigan.
A Detroit Lions profile quotes Backus describing left tackle as the position he played in high school, college, and the NFL.
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College Career
Backus was a durable left tackle and four-time All-Big Ten honoree at Michigan.
Michigan reported that he made 48 consecutive starts in his collegiate career and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from coaches and media in 2000. The Big Ten media guide lists him as a first-team All-Big Ten tackle in both 1999 and 2000.
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Path to the NFL
Detroit selected Backus 18th overall in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
NFL.com identifies him as the Lions' 18th overall selection and notes that he made an immediate contribution in Detroit.
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NFL Career
Backus started at left tackle for Detroit from 2001 through 2012.
NFL.com lists 191 games in his Lions career. The Lions' media guide records his 191 career games as the franchise total for his 2001-12 tenure.
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Career Accomplishments
Backus' career was distinguished by availability and continuity as Detroit's starting left tackle.
NFL.com reported that he started the first 186 games of his career, and the Lions' 2020 profile describes his 12-year run as the club's starting left tackle.
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Playing Style
Backus was a disciplined blind-side protector at left tackle.
In a Lions profile, he described regularly facing an opponent's best defensive lineman at left tackle, and former teammates characterized his preparation and reliability in the huddle.
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Legacy
Backus is remembered as a long-serving, durable Lions tackle.
His 191 games over 12 seasons place him in the Lions' career-games records, all for one franchise.
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Post-Career
Backus briefly explored coaching after retiring before pursuing other interests.
Detroit reported that he assisted offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn in the 2013 offseason but concluded that coaching was not the right fit.
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19308, 00-0020444, 1977-09-21, Jeff Backus, Jeff, Backus
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