Calvin Johnson - the best player nobody wants or future Falcon?

by James on April 27th, 2007

NFL Football at its best. NFL Football at its craziest.

Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions.

Your gallivanting author likes the ring of that, being a Lions fan and all.

Let’s say it again, Gaines Adams of the Detroit Lions!

Wait a minute. Err, thought it was Calvin Johnson. Please, let’s try it again.

Ok, Brady Quinn of the Detroit Lions!

That does sound good, but, you know, we were kind of sticking with Calvin Johnson.

Rumor Mill

The hot rumor has Calvin going to the Falcons.

Detroit owns the second overall selection on Saturday and has been desperately attempting to trade down in hopes of acquiring more picks. A possible deal with Atlanta would give the Lions the eighth overall pick in the first round, one acquired from Houston in the Matt Schaub trade. The Lions would also receive the Falcons’ two second-round picks, 39th and 44th overall in the draft, plus a third-rounder, 75th overall. source

The Lions would end up with LaRon Landry, a safety, and, of course, a position of need for the Lions.

Back to Calvin

But let’s get back to Calvin Johnson. Nate Davis of USA Today tries to tailor players, just like you would buy a good suit.

So does Calvin fit the Lions?

Good fit Mike Furrey was a revelation. He’d also be a devastating third option on a unit that becomes special with Johnson and Roy Williams. source

You know, you would think he fits everywhere, but not really.

Take Oakland.

Bad fit His talent will help any team, but until the Raiders fix their quarterback woes, a wideout’s impact is limited.

Cleveland.

Bad fit As with Oakland, Johnson could help, but the Browns’ other problems should take priority. Braylon Edwards is already in the fold.

Arizona?

Bad fit Johnson is often compared to Larry Fitzgerald, but he’d be a luxury item on a squad that already boasts Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.

So, he is the number one rated player, but 3 out of the top 5 teams would be a bad fit? That is a little bizarre.

Back to the Lions

Now hold on, didn’t the Lions draft a million (pronounced Millen) receivers in a row?

That should not matter, argues Mike O’Hara of the Detroit News. Mike claims it could be a devastating offense with Roy Williams, Mike Furrey, and Calvin Johnson all to catch the ball and Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz to coach the offense.

Whoa, isn’t the head coach some kind of defensive line coach?

“I am a defensive coach, but I want to be a winning coach,” Marinelli said.

Drafting one player can’t solve all the Lions’ problems, even one as good as Johnson. He is 6 feet 5, 239 pounds and has been timed in 4.35 seconds for the 40-yard dash. source

The Art of the Deal

But the GM, Matt Millen has to realize that Calvin can be dangled as trade bait. Can he do that?

Being only two picks below the Lions could make the Bucs think Millen will pass on Johnson and draft another player.

If the Bucs want to play draft-day roulette, then Millen must stare them down until one second is left on the 15-minute draft clock, then draft Johnson if he hasn’t gotten the right offer.

So the Lions could get stuck with Johnson, which wouldn’t be all bad?

Mike does not think so, besides:

After that, the game continues, with the same high stakes. The Lions would have Johnson, and the Bucs — or any other team — would be on the clock to put together a trade package to get Johnson before they made their next pick. And the right player has to be on the board before the Lions agreed to a deal.

Deal or no deal, the Lions win. The booby prize is Johnson — the best player in the draft.

Calvin Johnson, the booby prize? Now that is not such a bad draft!

NFL Football Fan Question Would you be happy to get Johnson as a booby prize?

As always, any NFL Football related comments are welcome.

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