Jason Fox plans to fill void with flair

Allen Park— Left tackles not named Jeff Backus haven't seen much of the field for the Lions the last 10 seasons.

That's because Backus has started 160 consecutive games since entering the NFL in 2001, all at left tackle.

So, seeing a number other than 76 starting there during camp takes some getting used to.

"You don't want to see people get hurt, but it's allowed me to get some first-team reps and it's a good opportunity for me," said Jason Fox, filling in for Backus, who suffered a left pectoral injury during the offseason. "I just have to take advantage of it and get better every day."

Coach Jim Schwartz said at the beginning of camp the team had no immediate plans to acquire veteran help to guard against Backus' injury.
So, that means Fox, in his second season, is being relied on.

It's a stark contrast from where Fox was at this point last season. He wasn't competing for much because a right knee injury that bothered him his entire senior year at Miami lingered into his rookie season, limiting him during camp.

This year, it turns out the lockout was a blessing for Fox, in the sense it allowed him to rest his knee and get 100 percent healthy heading into camp.

"I'm just really fortunate this year that the knee isn't bothering me," he said.

Fox, a fourth-round pick, says it's amazing how better prepared players are heading into their second camp.

"Year 1, you are just trying to figure out how everything goes and the schedules and what practice is going to be like," he said. "This year, you know what to expect and you can totally focus on the task at hand."

And it's a large task at that.

With Backus' injury, Corey Hilliard unable to practice until the new league year begins this week and starting right tackle Gosder Cherilus coming off microfracture knee surgery and not practicing much, Fox is being counted on to be ready earlier this season.

"I'm trying to be the most efficient I can at every position," said Fox, who wasn't on the active 45-man roster until the final four games last season. "If they want me to play tackle on the left or the right or even if they want to stick me inside, I'm trying to learn every position and just become the best I can so I can help this team wherever they put me."

Getting to know … Jason Fox
Position: Offensive tackle
Ht./wt.: 6-foot-7/303
Age: 23
College: Miami
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Experience: Second year


(detnews.com)