January 6
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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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."
January 2
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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"
December 19
Detroit Free Press
columnist Michael Rosenberg
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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."
December 16
Detroit Free Press
columnist Carlos Monarrez
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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."
December 2
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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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."
November 22
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 -"
November 8
Detroit Free Press
columnist Jamie Samuelson
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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."
October 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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.""