Backus is the Cal Ripken Jr. of Football... Linemen that is...

Detroitnews.com:- Jeff Backus has piled up some pretty incredible numbers.

150; 3,325; 4,788,000; 287,280,000. Not bad for an offensive lineman.

But those numbers aren't statistics he's compiled. They're the consecutive games he will have played come Sunday (150), which translate into the days (3,325), minutes (4,788,000) and seconds (287,280,000) since he started his first game, Sept. 9, 2001, as a rookie against the Packers.

"I've been fortunate to avoid any major injuries," said Backus, the starting tackle for the Lions. "I've played a long time. I'm not sitting here patting myself on the back about it. Obviously, it's a cool thing, but more than anything I've been very fortunate to stay as healthy as I have and, hopefully, it continues."

Backus' 149 consecutive starts are the most among active linemen in the NFL, and are tied for fifth overall. Only Hall of Fame cornerback Dick LeBeau (171) has started more consecutive games in Lions history.

"He's not flashy; he doesn't get a lot of attention," said Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, who'll oppose Backus on Sunday. "But he's a guy that just gets the job done. He's kind of like one of those lunch-pail guys that go to work everyday regardless of fame or fortune. He goes and does his work and that's definitely what you want."

Backus has been consistent. Spectacular, probably not. There aren't any Pro Bowl selections on Backus' resume. But he's consistent, and reliable. And, he's playing some of his better football this season. "I think it says a lot about not only the player's physical ability and talent, but it says a lot about his perseverance and his ability to deal," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said of Backus, the only player drafted in 2001 who has started every game as a pro. "One-hundred fifty straight starts at any position is significant. This is a tough, physical league, and to be able to make it through that long, there's no coincidence the guy's able to do that. They are serious about what they do and they have bodies that can handle it."

Starting 150 games is really impressive, but a little less if its for the Lion's right? I mean, its not like the Lion's have been drafting linemen every year and he's been beating people out for spots. The article even says he's not spectacular (you may need a new PR guy Backus...). So as happy that I am that Lion's are getting positive press for once, I'm going to take this with a grain of salt. The rest of the article goes on to say how tough this season has been for him with his wife overdue with their second child and his father needing a heart transplant. It's called Life dude. In fact this may or may not have been an episode of Modern Family for all I know, I still don't watch that show.