The Lions filled two holes this offseason by bringing back some familiar faces.
According to DetroitLions.com, the Lions have re-signed backup quarterback Shaun Hill and offensive tackle Jeff Backus to two-year deals.
The terms of the deals have not yet been announced.
Backus who is entering his 12th season with the Lions was drafted by the team back in 2001 and has been extremely durable starting 176 consecutive games all for Detroit.
There was some uncertainty however surrounding Backus and his return to Detroit.
At the end of last season Backus tore his right bicep in a playoff loss to the Saints. He has been rehabing the injury at the Allen Park facility.
The Lions were also taking a look at San Diego Charger offensive tackle Marcus McNeill, but he left Allen Park without a contract.
Meanwhile Shaun Hill has been the backup quarterback behind Matthew Stafford the past two season.
Hill started 10 games in 2010 for an injured Stafford and looked pretty impressive. The veteran QB threw for 2,686 yards and 16 touchdowns with 17 interceptions winning three of those games.
Hill was recently entertained by the St. Louis Rams late this past week but left without signing a contract.
Both are nice signings by Detroit who can now continue to put more focus on getting defensive end Cliff Avril locked up long-term and getting linebacker Stephen Tulloch back in the fold.
Backus has been very undervalued mostly by Lions fans who simply cannot seem to live down the Julius Peppers hit on Matthew Stafford a couple of years ago. The reality however is Backus has been very reliable for Detroit as the Lions offensive line has been very good at keeping their quarterbacks upright.
The run blocking though is a different story.
Hill has also been one of the better backups in the league. His signing was even more significant with third stringer Drew Stanton signing a deal with the New York Jets this past week.
UPDATE: Backus’ deal is worth a reported $10 million dollars over the next two years.
Ref: DetroitLions.com, Freep.com (image)
