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Third-year left tackle from Michigan says unit has no weaknesses
ALLEN PARK--Jeff Backus, like many Americans, is on a diet. The left tackle who has started every game since joining the Lions in 2001, however, is gradually dropping weight to increase his quickness, not for washboard abs.
The 6-foot-5 Backus, drafted in the first round out of Michigan, has lost about 17 pounds in four months on a low-fat, 3,800-calorie-a-day diet prepared by the Lions' chef. Backus now weighs 303 pounds.
"I thought I was a little heavy last year, so I've been working on losing some weight so I can be quicker because I face the quicker defensive end," Backus said.
Backus has not yet had a chance to put what he anticipates will be an increase in quickness to the test, however. He had his left knee scoped two months ago to reattach loose cartilage, and while Backus said the knee feels good, he is not yet in running shape. At the most recent mini-camp, Backus, under supervision of the Lions' trainers, wore a protective brace and refrained from much activity....
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ALLEN PARK--Jeff Backus, like many Americans, is on a diet. The left tackle who has started every game since joining the Lions in 2001, however, is gradually dropping weight to increase his quickness, not for washboard abs.
The 6-foot-5 Backus, drafted in the first round out of Michigan, has lost about 17 pounds in four months on a low-fat, 3,800-calorie-a-day diet prepared by the Lions' chef. Backus now weighs 303 pounds.
"I thought I was a little heavy last year, so I've been working on losing some weight so I can be quicker because I face the quicker defensive end," Backus said.
Backus has not yet had a chance to put what he anticipates will be an increase in quickness to the test, however. He had his left knee scoped two months ago to reattach loose cartilage, and while Backus said the knee feels good, he is not yet in running shape. At the most recent mini-camp, Backus, under supervision of the Lions' trainers, wore a protective brace and refrained from much activity....
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