calvin johnson

Lions receiver Calvin Johnson and Vikings defensive end Jared Allen are the leading vote getters for The Associated Press 2011 NFL All-Pro Team, each falling one vote short of being unanimous choices.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson catches the ball as San Diego Chargers cornerback Antoine Cason defends in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Saturday, Dec.

Matthew Stafford saw his defence start wiping out a 24-point deficit with interceptions returned for touchdowns on consecutive drives midway through the third quarter, then he and Calvin Johnson took over from there, leading the Detroit Lions to a stunning 34-30 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Sometimes this feels like the story that will not go away. To recap Cris Carter, a former star NFL receiver and current member of the NFL media elite, took to the radio waves this summer to snub Detroit Lions wide receiver, Calvin Johnson, from his list of elite current NFL wide outs.

Calvin Johnson is usually covered by a cornerback and a safety when he runs a route.

In an off the radar kind of move the Detroit Lions landed a number two receiver in Nate Burleson, on the first day of free agency.

They will pair him with star WR Calvin Johnson and look to stretch the field a bit on their opponents. Having Burleson is a great move for several reasons, the most important being teams will no longer be able to double team Calvin.

*If we were to grade the Lions receiving corps on potential I think Calvin Johnson would get a very high grade, however with a rookie QB, and the problems their offensive line has in pass protection, the Lions wide out don't get a very fair shot at making an impact.

With that being said let us look at the individual grades for the 2009 Lions wide outs:

This might be considered blasphemy in and around Detroit, Michigan. However an effective argument can be made that the Detroit Lions need to trade away their best offensive weapon, WR Calvin Johnson, in order to secure additional draft picks in next April's draft.

The first part of this argument is Johnson is entering his prime, and after a 48-3 beat down by the Baltimore Ravens the Lions are no where near a place where they can effectively use a talent like this.

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was in the starting lineup Thursday against Green Bay, less than a week after separating his non-throwing shoulder.

The rookie passer and receiver Calvin Johnson (knee) each missed three days of practice after suffering injuries in Sunday's dramatic win over Cleveland.