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Calvin Johnson News & Rumors

Lions' Calvin Johnson a mega hit at bocce benefit
"Lions receiver Calvin Johnson was the star attraction Wednesday at the team's annual bocce ball tournament at Palazzo di Bocce in Orion Township. Johnson was swarmed by fans the minute he stepped into the stadium. Cheryl Angelelli, 43, of Clinton Township was one of the first to get Johnson's signature on a Lions cap. "There were so many people around him, I was just happy to get an autograph," she said. "It was amazing to see him up close because he's so big. It's nice to see him with the pads off.""
NBA players think Lions' Calvin Johnson could play pro basketball
"This week's question in the SI Players poll -- posed to 146 NBA players: "Which athlete from another sport could play in the NBA today?" The winner, with 16% of the vote, is Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, below. And he probably would like it, too, especially since he can touch the ball to the ground and not have it called an incomplete pass. On the other hand, he wouldn't be the tallest guy in the game anymore. Rounding out the top five on the list are four more NFL players: Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (10%), receiver Terrell Owens (7%), Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (7%) and Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (6%)."
Receiver Calvin Johnson hopes for boost in Lions' run game
"Coming off a career-best season, Lions receiver Calvin Johnson isn't necessarily looking to improve on his statistics. In fact, he'd like to see the Lions spread the ball around a little more. Last season, Johnson had career-highs in receptions (96), yards (1,681) and touchdowns (16), but he would prefer that the Lions get the running backs more involved in the offense. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has his best season, as well, throwing for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns. But the Lions were a pass-first team, which made the offense a bit predictable. "Last year, the running game wasn't really there and we threw the ball all day," Johnson said Tuesday. "Matt had a heck of a year, throwing"
Lions' Calvin Johnson doesn't fear the 'Madden curse'
"Lions receiver Calvin Johnson doesn't fear many things. He's not afraid to go across the middle of a defense with ferocious linebackers bearing down him. He has no fear of a safety running with a full head of steam toward him as he leaps for a pass between two defensive backs. And he's not afraid of the "Madden curse." Johnson will find out Wednesday if he'll grace the cover of EA Sports' new "Madden 13" video game. The winner of the week-long fan voting will be announced at 5 p.m. on ESPN2's "SportsNation" show. Johnson is a finalist, along with Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, to have his likeness on the game's cover — and to challenge the perceived curse, which many fans believe has led"
Calvin Johnson's financial plan: Take care of family, then say no
"We routinely write about NFL players who go bankrupt after making tens of millions of dollars in their NFL careers, men who made a fortune in their 20s and 30s and blew it all quickly. Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, who just signed the biggest contract in the history of the league, has a simple plan for avoiding that trap. Johnson said on SportsCenter today that his plan consists of two elements: His family gets taken care of. All the hangers-on, self-promoting financial advisers and others who ask for his money get told no. "Sometimes the hardest thing is saying no, but definitely have to take care of my family," Johnson said."
Lions' Calvin Johnson makes semifinals of 'Madden 13' competition
"Lions receiver Calvin Johnson has advanced to the Final Four. Fan voting is complete in the third round of the bracket-style competition to determine the NFL player who will grace the cover of the "Madden 13" video game. Johnson received 63 percent of the vote to defeat Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski."
Calvin Johnson and The Detroit Lions
"The Detroit Lions signing of superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson to an eight-year $132 million contract extension has certainly heated up America's ongoing conversation about the salaries of professional athletes. After all, Johnson's contract averages out to $16.5 million per season. That figure may be a bit misleading, as $60 million of Johnson's contract is being called "guaranteed." Still, that comes out to roughly $7.5 million per year, which is a nice chunk of change to take home in a single year - unless you happen to be a chief executive officer at one of America's top corporations. An annual salary offer of $7.5 million would be a slap in the face to John H. Hammergen, CEO of"
Lions had no choice but to bite an expensive bullet
"The Lions had no choice but acquiescing to Calvin Johnson's ransom demands. He had leverage, and had his mother working the phones during the final stages of negotiations, assisting in making sure her son was properly taken care of. And you know the old refrain: "If Momma ain't happy, nobody's going to be happy." She should be happy. Her son is now the highest-paid nonquarterback in NFL history."
Lions give WR Calvin Johnson new 8-year deal worth $132 million
"Megatron's megadeal is done. The Detroit Lions reached agreement on a new eight-year deal with Calvin Johnson to make him the highest paid receiver in the game. He was entering the final season of his contract. Johnson's deal will keep him a Lion through 2019 and tops the eight-year, $120-million deal the Arizona Cardinals gave Larry Fitzgerald last fall. According to ESPN, Johnson's deal is worth $132 million and includes $60 million in guarantees. That makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Johnson is coming off a career season in which he caught 96 passes for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns."
Matthew Stafford vs. Calvin Johnson in 'Madden' cover battle
"Online voting has started at "SportsNation's" Facebook page to pick this year's Madden cover athlete. Apparently they're satisfied with the process that selected Peyton Hillis last year. This time they're starting with a play-in round: Two players from each of the 32 teams face off. The Lions' candidates are Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford."
Lions' Ndamukong Suh 'very likable and lovable,' he tells radio station
"Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh endorses Subway products, and Suh is the grand marshal for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 — Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Avondale, Ariz. Suh was interviewed by KTAR in Phoenix to promote the race. Here are some excerpts: Are you the best defensive tackle in the NFL? "No. I think I have a lot of work ahead of myself to even be considered in that group. … One that I definitely consider a top defensive tackle is Haloti Ngata (Ravens). He's consistently doing it year-in and year-out, and I look to kind of follow in those footsteps.""
Deals for Cliff Avril and Calvin Johnson doable, Lions GM says
"The surprise wasn't hearing general manager Martin Mayhew say he was loathe to use the franchise tag on free agent-to-be defensive end Cliff Avril. The surprise was him saying he didn't necessarily need to restructure Calvin Johnson's contract in order to facilitate long-term deals for Avril and other key free agents. "No, we can handle Calvin's (salary cap) number if we have to," he said in an early morning breakfast meeting with beat writers Friday. "Obviously, we would have a lot more flexibility if we have more cap room. So we have a desire to get that done, but we have a way to handle his number." Johnson, who enters the final year of his rookie contract this season, will be on the"
Calvin Johnson's agent to meet with Lions on Saturday
"Bus Cook, the agent for Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, said it's possible his client could have a new deal in place by the time free agency opens next month. The Lions are expected to meet with Cook on Saturday to discuss making Johnson the highest-paid receiver in the league. Johnson is entering the final season of his rookie contract, with a salary-cap number of about $22.5 million. The Lions would like to extend his contract to keep him in Detroit for the long term and free up valuable cap space they can use to help retain their own free agents and add veteran depth on the open market. "We'll see where it goes, but we'll certainly work toward trying to get it done and get it"
Randy Moss announces comeback, wonders if he's better deep threat than Lions' Calvin Johnson
"Randy Moss, the former and perhaps soon-to-be-again NFL receiver, made a couple of entertaining appearances on the live video site Ustream Monday, announcing his plans to return to football and on least one occasion comparing himself to Calvin Johnson. "Am I better deep threat than Calvin Johnson? I don't know," Moss said in a Monday night video, according to MassLive.com. "That's going to be interesting to see this year.""
Calvin Johnson, Justin Verlander make list of most powerful athletes
"So who's the king of Detroit sports? Bloomberg Businessweek, the Horrow Sports Ventures and CSE, a marketing agency, have combined to compile and interesting list. They've come up with the 100 most powerful athletes in sports. Now, what does powerful mean? The panel took into account not just the prowess on the field of play, but an athlete's ability appeal, influence and popularity. So, with that in mind, the highest-ranking local athlete is Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson at No. 10. He's just ahead of golfers Luke Donald (11) and some guy named Tiger Woods (12). A further down the list is Tigers first, er, third baseman Miguel Cabrera at 38th. Lions QB Matthew Stafford is at No. 43."
Lions WR Calvin Johnson expects to have extension talks 'soon'
"Lions receiver Calvin Johnson has a year left on his contract, but sounded Monday night in an ESPN interview that he's interested in signing an extension with the team this offseason. "Yeah, definitely, we're going to see here — soon," Johnson told ESPN's Jim Rome during an appearance on "Rome is Burning." "We're going to have some talks soon, and hopefully get things rolling." Johnson declined to say in the interview if he would prefer to resign with the Lions or go elsewhere. But Johnson didn't look or sound like he's eager to leave Detroit when Rome asked about his future."
Lions' Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford earn Pro Football Weekly honors
"Lions receiver Calvin Johnson has been named to the All-NFL Team by Pro Football Weekly and the Professional Football Writers of America. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was named Comeback Player of the Year. Johnson was named to the Pro Bowl after catching 96 passes for 1,681 yards and 16 TDs. Stafford, limited to just 13 games during his first two seasons, started all 16 games in 2011. He completed 421 of 663 passes for 5,038 yards and 41 TDs. Johnson and Stafford led the Lions to 10 regular-season wins and their first playoff appearance since 1999."
Fears of losing Calvin Johnson compelled Lions to stop losing
"Maybe Calvin Johnson deserves more credit for the Lions' turnaround than anyone realizes. After all, it was the Lions' superstar receiver whose saber rattling 13 months ago apparently spurred the Lions to a nine-game winning streak and the playoffs this season. On Dec. 9, 2010, fresh off the Lions' fifth straight defeat of the '10 season, Johnson went on his weekly radio appearance on WXYT-FM (97.1) and said: "I've been used to winning. And if this thing can't get turned around, man, like I said -- I'm just going to leave it at I can't get used to it. I want to win." The Lions must have felt like Metropolis residents hearing Superman was packing his bags. Johnson downplayed his comments a"
Calvin Johnson is great; his salary shouldn't be as great
"It doesn't make fiscal sense paying a wide receiver $50 million guaranteed with an annual salary-cap hit in the neighborhood of $20 million. Show me a consistently winning team in which the wide receiver is the highest-paid -- or next-highest-paid -- player on the team. It doesn't happen, because wide receiver remains the most easily interchangeable position in football. But the Lions have no choice but caving to Calvin Johnson's demands on a contract extension this summer. And he will demand plenty. Johnson, with one year left on his contract, coyly demurred this week when asked about his profound negotiating leverage. He became the NFL's top receiver this season, becoming the weekly"
Lions working on extensions for Calvin Johnson, Jim Schwartz
"General manager Martin Mayhew gave his annual post-season report to the media Thursday, and, as he typically does, he dropped a couple of news items. He said that all three coordinators, whose contracts were up after the season, have been re-signed. Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham and special teams coordinator Danny Crossman will be back at their posts for 2012. Mayhew said he was also working on an extension for head coach Jim Schwartz, whose contract would expire after next season."
Mayhew on re-signing Johnson: 'It's workable'
"General manager Martin Mayhew has eased the panic that Calvin Johnson's contract might be too rich for the Detroit Lions to keep their superstar receiver. Johnson will be in the last year of his contract during the 2012 season, with a base salary of $14 million and a salary-cap number of more than $20 million. There has been media speculation that the impact of Johnson's contract on the team's salary cap for 2012 might be so great that the Lions would consider parting ways with him unless they can renegotiate his contract. Mayhew joked about Johnson's status at the start of his annual post-season meeting with Lions beat writers Thursday morning at the team's headquarters. "You think he's"
Lions' Calvin Johnson to skip Pro Bowl due to injury
"Lions receiver Calvin Johnson will be replaced in the Pro Bowl by Roddy White of the Falcons due to Johnson's Achilles injury. In the week leading up to the Lions' playoff game in New Orleans on Saturday night, Johnson sat out practice on Wednesday and was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday. Johnson still had 211 yards receiving and two touchdowns in the Lions' 45-28 loss to the Saints."
Saints have task of stopping Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson again
"Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson might have had a pretty strong MVP argument this year, if not for the prolific seasons produced by quarterbacks Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. Johnson, a dynamic 6-foot-5, 236-pound receiver, caught 96 passes for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns while helping lead Detroit to its first playoff appearance since 1999."
Saints safety says they'll combine coverage on Calvin Johnson
"Saints Pro Bowl safety Roman Harper was asked to play a little word association Tuesday. First word: Megatron. "Decepticons," Harper shot back. Second words: Calvin Johnson. "A beast," Harper said. And he should know. Harper got an up-close look at the Lions' star receiver when both played in last year's Pro Bowl. "When I worked with him in the Pro Bowl with him last year, I got to see this guy do work," Harper said. "He's humongous. He's 6-4, 6-5, he can jump out of the gym. He's fast and he has amazing hands. That's really when I started to appreciate how good and how talented this guy was.""
Calvin Johnson roasts Packers' defense
"After eight of the 11 receptions, Tramon Williams had enough. He wanted Calvin Johnson one on one. "When it came down to the fourth quarter, it didn't matter to me what we were in," the Green Bay Packers cornerback said. "I was just looking to make a play. So I tightened down my coverage whether I was supposed to be there or not." Not much worked. In Green Bay's 45-41 win, Detroit's receiver burned the Packers deep, on crossing routes, wherever. It didn't matter. The Packers struggled covering him and struggled tackling him. No opposing receiver has ever had more yards against the Packers. Johnson's 244 receiving yards shattered Gene "Choo-Choo" Roberts' 62-year mark of 212. On"
'Lurch' helps Chargers prepare for Megatron
"The portable basketball goal was culled from Craigslist at a cost of $30. The padding wrapped around the pole was plucked from the Chargers' surplus goal post supplies. The outstretched arms were appropriated from defensive line dummies. The towering practice-field tool assembled last summer was designed to approximate a jumbo-sized receiver with jaw-dropping jumping ability. The crude prototype was put together by Chris Smith, the Chargers' assistant equipment manager, from a concept by Steve Wilks, the team's assistant head coach/secondary."
Gunther Cunningham: Calvin Johnson would destroy Megatron
"Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham joked about just that topic Thursday, saying the man dubbed "Megatron" could use a new moniker. "I've been doing this for a while now," Cunningham said. "I don't think I've ever seen one like this. That Megatron or whatever, they need to change that name into something different because he probably could kick the crap out of Megatron. "I just admire him. And Chan Gailey (who coached Johnson at Georgia Tech) told me, he said, 'Gun, when you meet him you're going to not believe what kind of person he is.' And to have the humility that he has and be the player that he is, that is so unusual in this league and I'm so proud of watching him."
Lions WR Calvin Johnson finishes fourth in fan Pro Bowl voting
"Fans cast more than 100 million votes for the NFL's Pro Bowl. And Lions receiver Calvin Johnson received a good chunk of those. Johnson, coming off a career day against the Raiders on Sunday, received 1,180,777 votes, most in the league among non-quarterbacks. He's fourth overall, behind Aaron Rodgers of the Packers (1,581,982), Tom Brady of the Patriots (1,454,311) and Drew Brees of the Saints (1,188,893)."
Lions' Calvin Johnson named NFC offensive player of the week
"Why wouldn't he be? The NFL has honored Calvin Johnson as the NFC offensive player of the week. Johnson had a career day against the Raiders on Sunday, catching nine passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns. The second touchdown was a game-winning 6-yarder. Johnson has 81 catches for 1,335 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. Meanwhile, seven players were not on the practice field Wednesday morning. On the defensive side, defensive tackles Nick Fairley (foot) and Corey Williams (hip), defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (unspecified), safeties Louis Delmas (knee) and Chris Harris (concussion) and cornerback Don Carey (believed to be a concussion) were out."
Calvin Johnson gives performance for ages in Lions' win
"Don't ask a boy to do a man's job. Hell, don't even ask a man. Ask a man-plus, supersized freak, a guy who is taller and faster than everybody else. Ask Calvin Johnson. You can talk about defending Johnson, and you can game-plan for him and bump him at the line and try to pressure Matthew Stafford so he can't get the ball to him, but at the end of the day, or the end of the game, the math never changes: taller + faster > smaller + slower. Johnson finished with nine catches for 214 yards, and he deserves nine game balls. This was a performance for the ages, the kind that should shut up Johnson's three remaining doubters, two of whom just moved to a cave in South America."
Lions' Calvin Johnson 'not a decoy' for other receivers
"Receiver Calvin Johnson has one touchdown catch in the past five games, and he caught one pass for 6 yards in the first half against Minnesota on Sunday, when the Lions scored 31 points. Johnson faced stifling double and triple coverage most of the game. He was blanketed even when he moved into the slot to help free up Titus Young and Brandon Pettigrew on their touchdown receptions. But coach Jim Schwartz insisted Thursday that Johnson has not merely been playing the role of decoy to allow quarterback Matthew Stafford to look elsewhere for open receivers."
Involving Calvin Johnson in Lions offense is harder than it looks
"Lions receiver Calvin Johnson's production lately has been low. Johnson's 29 receiving yards Sunday against Minnesota matched a season low, and he has only one touchdown catch in the past five games. Coach Jim Schwartz said Monday that quarterback Matthew Stafford could have been more aggressive in targeting Johnson more than four times Sunday. "Yeah, maybe," Schwartz said. "I mean, we didn't do a very good job of protecting, and a lot of those times with Calvin, to get him shaken free, the quarterback would have had to hold the ball for a long time."
Lions' Calvin Johnson has opponents attention
"Double coverage is nothing new to Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, but even he had to laugh at the lengths the Saints went to keep him out of the end zone Sunday. On first-and-goal at the 2-yard line late in the second quarter, Johnson split wide left and found defensive backs Patrick Robinson and Malcolm Jenkins waiting for him across the line of scrimmage like he was a gunner on the punt team. It was a coverage Johnson had never seen, though Lions receivers coach Shawn Jefferson joked earlier this year that's how he would stop Johnson if he was a defensive coordinator and coach Jim Schwartz had his team simulate the look in practice last week."
Lions must counter the focus on Calvin Johnson
"He'd seen it before in practice. Just last week, in fact. But in a game? Never. So when the Lions broke the huddle and receiver Calvin Johnson trotted out wide left, with Detroit facing a first-and-goal from the 2-yard line in the second quarter of Sunday night's game at New Orleans, Johnson couldn't help but laugh at what he saw. Here came two Saints defensive backs to greet him right at the line of scrimmage, as if he were the gunner on punt coverage. Cornerback Patrick Robinson was on Johnson's right shoulder and safety Malcolm Jenkins was on his left, and their double-vice intentions were clear. Both were going to jam him at the line as soon as the ball was snapped, as Saints defensive"
Vikings' Jared Allen proposes call to arms to cover Calvin Johnson
"Jared Allen, 29 now, playing in his eighth season, says he's a little quieter than he used to be. "I used to run my mouth pretty good," he said. "As I get older, I've got to save as much energy as I can to put toward the plays. I used to talk a lot more." He may be quieter on the field, but, mercifully, he still has plenty to say off it. For example, he was asked how much attention the Vikings defense should give to Lions receiver Calvin Johnson on Sunday? "I would put it all on him," he said. "If a guy's national nickname is Megatron, unless you got Optimus Prime on your team, let's double him up." And so it went for the better part of an entertaining 12-minute teleconference Wednesday,"
Lions' Calvin Johnson poses problems for any secondary, as the New Orleans Saints soon will find out
"Coach Sean Payton minced no words this week when asked about the threat posed this Sunday night by Detroit wide receiver Calvin Johnson. "I think he's the best receiver in football," Payton said. "And I say that in a very honest and unbiased way as you watch the tape." The smart set never disses an opponent before kickoff, and Payton and the Saints pride themselves on their intelligence as much as their bench press. But he made it clear the praise for Johnson wasn't simply a locker room post-it dodge, but the real thing."
Packers' defense knows it must neutralize Lions' Johnson
"Get in his head. If you can't stop him, annoy him. Pester him. Jermichael Finley has been there. The Green Bay Packers tight end is no fan of press coverage. Constant muggings add up. So Finley - built like Calvin Johnson - knows what he'll tell defensive backs before Thursday's NFC North showdown. "You have to do something," Finley said. "Rip his jersey off. Hold him. You have to take a couple penalties against him. You have to eat him up." Emotions will run high Thursday. Thanksgiving Day features the undefeated defending champions against the upstart, outspoken, bring-on-the-flags Detroit Lions. For the Packers' defense - still getting gashed for yards yet making the big play late -"
Rivera mum on 'Megatron' match
"The Panthers openly said before their first game that veteran cornerback Chris Gamble would be matched up with Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona's Pro Bowl receiver. But Ron Rivera wouldn't divulge his coverage plans this week for Detroit's Calvin Johnson, the 6-5 wideout nicknamed "Megatron" who leads the NFL with 11 touchdown catches."
Lions' Calvin Johnson has 'something' for TD celebration today in Chicago
"Calvin Johnson isn't usually the celebrating type. After most of his NFL-leading 11 receiving touchdowns this year, Johnson either has flipped the ball to an official or fired it off the back wall of the end zone. But if he scores against the Chicago Bears today at Soldier Field, look out. "I got to have something for this one," Johnson said as he sat at his locker this past week. "If I get in the zone, I'll have something." Though most of the buildup for today's Lions-Bears game has focused on the monstrous playoff implications for two teams chasing the undefeated Packers in the NFC North, Johnson and others are still haunted by the touchdown that wasn't in last year's opener."
Calvin Johnson, Ndamukong Suh make ESPN's top 50
"The Lions' Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh are ranked among Scouts Inc.'s top 50 players in the NFL at midseason at ESPN.com. They're the same two Lions who were in the preseason top 50, but one is trending up and one is trending down (slightly). Can you guess which is which? With 11 TD catches in the first eight games, Johnson leaped 21 spots, all the way to No. 13. He's the third receiver listed, behind Houston's Andre Johnson and Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald, because he's still not as consistent as those two, Matt Williamson writes."
Calvin Johnson is Lions' first-half MVP
"There are about 50 different explanations as to why the Lions have turned from laughing stock into legit contender for the title of "Second-best team in the NFC." (Green Bay seems to have wrapped up the top spot.) For this, you can point to the health and overall strong play of Matthew Stafford. You can mention how well the long-maligned secondary has performed. And you can't discuss the Lions marked improvement without discussing the outstanding performance by head coach Jim Schwartz and his staff."
Lions' Calvin Johnson on Sports Illustrated midseason All-Pro team
"Lions receiver Calvin Johnson has been named to Sports Illustrated's midseason All-Pro team, compiled by Peter King. He is the only Lion on the team. Johnson has 804 yards (third in the NFL), 47 catches (fourth), and 11 TDs (first). Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' is King's midseason MVP."
Lions' Calvin Johnson on torrid TD pace
"Calvin Johnson is good. Real good. But this season, the Lions' star receiver has been better than ever. In fact, Johnson is off to one of the best all-time starts among NFL receivers. His 11 touchdown catches through eight games tie for fourth most. Johnson and Randy Moss, with New England in 2007, are the only players to catch 11 TD passes in eight games since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. "Like I said when I got here ... Calvin Johnson is the best receiver in the game," receiver Nate Burleson said. "And he's going out there and proving it week in and week out.""
Broncos will pay special attention to Lions' Calvin Johnson
"Calvin Johnson played in his first Pro Bowl last year. On Sunday against the Broncos, he'll be facing two players with a combined 18 Pro Bowls who'll be trying to keep the ball out of his hands. Johnson is likely to see a lot of 10-time Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey with help from eight-time Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins over the top. "Everybody knows those are good players with all the Pro Bowls between them. That's enough said," Johnson said. "I get amped up for every game but it's just about me doing my job and executing. That's all I worry about." The Lions played the Broncos in 2007 when Johnson was a rookie, but he said Friday he never was matched one-on-one with Bailey in the"
Broncos' Demaryius Thomas wants to become an elite receiver like Lions' Calvin Johnson
"By now, Calvin Johnson has earned a long list of admirers. Demaryius Thomas? considers himself among the first. The two were teammates in 2006 at Georgia Tech, and though Thomas didn't play that year, the time he spent in practice alongside Johnson was valuable. "He taught me how to get off 'press,' how to read defenses," Thomas said. "Coming from high school, I hadn't played receiver much, so I got with him and I learned a lot from him." The two have remained friends and talked Wednesday about their respective seasons and Sunday's game between Johnson's Lions and Thomas' Broncos. Johnson leads the NFL with 10 touchdowns. Thomas caught his first in his season debut last week."
Broncos' Champ Bailey knows he'll have hands full with Lions' Calvin Johnson
"Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey has watched Calvin Johnson's ascension to elite wide receiver from afar. On Sunday, he will get a firsthand look at the explosive Detroit Lions receiver for the first time since a 2007 matchup, when Johnson was a raw but talented rookie. "Back then, he was a young pup," Bailey said. "He wasn't polished yet, but he's figured that thing out real fast. He has no issues now. He's using everything he has — size, strength, all his speed. You see all the different parts of his game coming out.""
Broncos' Champ Bailey vs. Lions' Calvin Johnson will be matchup to watch Sunday
"With all of the situational football that is the hallmark of the NFL these days, and with so many substitutions after virtually every snap, the smaller one-on-one battles in the game aren't always as prominent as they once were. But in Sunday's Broncos-Lions game, there will be two spots in particular that will bear more than a little attention before the day is done. The Broncos have matched Bailey, almost exclusively, against the opponent's top receiver for much of the past two games."
Falcons keep Stafford, Johnson under control
"The Falcons defensive plan was simple. They wanted to disrupt Detroit's Georgia-Georgia Tech connection. They didn't want Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford, a former Bulldog, and wide receiver Calvin Johnson, a former Yellow Jacket, to have a field day on Sunday at Ford Field. "We missed opportunities," Stafford said. "I missed Calvin on a touchdown pass. There were some other opportunities in the game where we just didn't connect.""
Giants coach Tom Coughlin looking for 'consistency' with 'Calvin Johnson rule'
"Tom Coughlin had a feeling he would lose his replay challenge on Mario Manningham's near-touchdown against the Bills on Sunday. He realized Manningham didn't hold the ball through the act of falling and he knows the "Calvin Johnson rule," as it's come to be known since the Lions' wide receiver was ruled to not have held the ball long enough in a game against the Bears last year. But later on Sunday, the Giants' coach also saw how Detroit wide receiver Nate Burleson was given a touchdown on a similar play. So like many fans, he's confused about the rule."