Jeff

Backus

“We met at the Combine and had a positive discussion,” said agent Pat Dye. “We’ll probably be reconvening here in the near future and we’ll see where it goes.” The Lions want Backus back despite his age (35 before the season) and increasingly broken-down body. Backus may be targeting a late-career Chad Clifton kind of deal ($20 million over three years).

Backus could even get in some work at post-draft OTAs. While the 34-year-old may have one more season left as a starter, the Lions need to start thinking about the future of their tackle position sooner rather than later. RT Gosder Cherilus is in a contract year, and Backus isn’t long for the league.

Backus was a necessary re-signing for the Lions, who didn’t have any in-house options to replace him. The 35-year-old has made a franchise-record 176 consecutive starts, but will head into next season coming off post season surgery and an increasingly broken-down body. The Lions are certainly still a threat to use their first-round pick on a left offensive tackle.

The Lions believe Reiff can play either tackle or guard position, and were “surprised” the draft’s second offensive lineman fell to them at No. 23. Reiff’s best chance to start may be at right tackle, though the Lions view him as a successor to LT Jeff Backus down the road.

Backus is 34 and recovering from a torn biceps, but could draw two- to three-year offers in a thin market for tackles. With no in-house replacement at the ready, the Lions are unlikely to let a player who’s made a franchise-record 176 consecutive starts get away.

Backus says he’s right on schedule in his recovery from January surgery. He’s expected to be on the field for OTAs, even if his participation level is scaled back to next to nothing. Owner of a 177 consecutive games streak, Backus is a good bet to be ready to go by training camp.

Coach Jim Schwartz confirmed Backus will miss “a significant portion of time,” and at age 34 he’s no lock to be recovered before the start of training camp. The Lions would like to re-sign Backus, but this might finally give the front office enough incentive to pursue a long-term replacement in the draft.

Backus compared the feeling to his partially torn chest muscle over the summer. The 34-year-old has never missed a game in his 11-year career. There’s no reason to believe the injury will keep him out into training camp, but Backus’ Detroit future is up in the air as an impending free agent.

The Lions have no in-house replacement to protect Matthew Stafford’s blind side. Although his play has been uneven at times, Backus has started 176 straight games for the Lions. A short-term deal makes sense for both sides as long as the 34-year-old’s biceps injury checks out.

Tulloch will certainly be seeking a long-term deal, but the inside linebacker market is flooded this year, increasing his chances of re-signing. While it’s time for the Lions to find a long-term answer at left tackle, Backus is a good bet to return as the 2012 starter.