What to make of Calvin's targets today (1 Viewer)

[PantherPower]

First, this is not a thread to talk about what Calvin has or hasn't done prior to today. There are plenty of threads from the haters that say he's a bust, and homers like me who say he's still the best WR prospect in the last few decades. Let's try and stick to the facts of what we say today.

Coming into today's game, Calvin had very few targets per game. Don't have the numbers off hand, but I'm gonna guess between 3-5 per game. Then, today, he gets 15 targets!!! And perhaps most significant, even though he struggled pretty bad in the first half (hard to debate that) they kept going to him, throughout the entire game.

IF Calvin starts to get anywhere NEAR that type of targets, could we be looking at a top 5 or 10 WR for the rest of the season? Based on his college play, and percentage of catches per targets before today's game, I think its likely he would have more catches, and less drops. So with 10-15 targets, we could be looking at 7-12 catches, and in that offense, a boat load of yards and possible TDs right?

So will this trend continue??

 

[Max Power]

I think it was just Kitna being scared of Al Harris...

 

[PantherPower]

When Roy Williams had to leave for a few plays, Al was defending Calvin, and he still threw to him. I'll try and find it on the play by play on NFL.com. But i remember seeing that.

 

[Loopdog]

i think Kitna just had in his head today that he had to get Calvin Johnson more involved in the game, so he just KEPT ON FORCING IT IN THERE, no matter the coverage. I would be shocked if they went to him this much next week. It was due to the fact that the local and national media have been questioning Calvin's use in the offense that most likely caused the spike in targets. I own Calvin so I hope I'm wrong, but to think he's gonna get more than 10 targets a game is silly at this point, when he was getting like 3 a game before this afternoon

 

[CorteztheKiller]

Define "trend". The trend with Det this year has been to spread the ball to numerous targets, effectively reducing the FF value of any one target. I drafted Calvin and dropped him earlier in the week because I needed help elsewhere. Love or hate, the reality is he hasn't generated impactful numbers for my lineup. I don't question the decision based on what I saw today. One game does not a trend make...

 

[PantherPower]

I guess we'll have to see what happens next week. But I think its absolutely possible that the owner, Martz, or head coach decided to actually utilize their #1 pick. Its not like that would be the first time a team changes personnel or its play calling philosophy mid or late season.

 

[Futeki]

I think it was just Kitna being scared of Al Harris...

Al Harris is the answer.

 

[PantherPower]

was Al Harris covering McDonald, Furrey, and Roy Williams at the same time? I think Kitna had several options...

 

[steviey]

Seems like they were reacting to the public criticism today. Ran Jones 20 times and threw the ball to Calvin Johnson 15 times. Result wasn't much better though

 

[3nOut]

And perhaps most significant, even though he struggled pretty bad in the first half (hard to debate that) they kept going to him, throughout the entire game.

I didn't watch the game. How did he struggle? Drops? Running his routes? Or was Kitna just unable to get him the ball?

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

Mike Martz is an effective but simple play-caller. His game plan was to run the ball and throw to Calvin. That's pretty much it. If they were up by 24, that's the plan. If they're down by 24, that's the plan. Next week it could be a new plan, but today that's what you got for four quarters.

Not that big of a deal. They're still looking good for a playoff berth (though it's tightening) and any NFC team can make it to the second round. That would be a huge sucess for Detroit. They just aren't able to beat the league's best. No surprise there.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

And perhaps most significant, even though he struggled pretty bad in the first half (hard to debate that) they kept going to him, throughout the entire game.

I didn't watch the game. How did he struggle? Drops? Running his routes? Or was Kitna just unable to get him the ball?

Calvin had some bad drops in the first half, but played a lot better after. Kitna wasn't very sharp either. I expect him to be a major part of the offense going forward.

 

[bez18]

I actually read that Lions owner, Parker, made a mandate to throw to Calvin Johnson more... below is the article with link:

Link

Friday, November 23, 2007

Rob Parker

Ford calls Johnson's number

DETROIT -- It should come as no surprise that the Lions finally decided to throw the ball to Calvin Johnson.

The directive to do so came from the top.

Lions owner William Clay Ford instructed the coaching staff this past week to throw more to Johnson, a source told The Detroit News.

Lions officials Thursday would not confirm or deny that the coaches were asked to get the ball to Johnson, the second overall pick in April's NFL draft, though it was clear he was more involved than he had been in any other game this season.

In the Lions' 37-26 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field, it was obvious from the start that something had changed.

Now, all Johnson has to do is catch the ball. He didn't do a great job in the first half, but was stellar in the second.

"I let a few get away in the first half," said Johnson, whose rookie season has been slowed because of an injured back. "It's something you have to take responsibility for."

Johnson only had one catch for 13 yards in the first half. But quarterback Jon Kitna was looking for him. Johnson had three other balls thrown his way and dropped two of them.

Getting the spotlight

Going into the game, Johnson had 24 catches for 402 yards and three touchdowns. Three Lions receivers had more receptions -- Roy Williams (55), Shaun McDonald (51) and Mike Furrey (39).

But on Thursday, Johnson led all Lions receivers with seven catches for 83 yards and one touchdown.

Still, it seems at times that Johnson is missing something. Big and strong, Johnson often looks unstoppable, but he doesn't have the moxie or swagger a top-notch receiver should possess.

Johnson, the former Georgia Tech star, never has complained about not getting the ball. He should have, though. When asked if he was happy that he's finally on the radar screen, he said, "It's whatever coach calls for."

Kitna said there hasn't been a philosophy change in the Lions' offense.

"We liked our matchup with him on their second or third corner," Kitna said. "But their second and third corner played good. They made plays and we just didn't."

Public notice

The only surprising thing about the change in the offensive game plan is that fans and the media have been calling for Johnson to have a bigger role.

Nobody wants to hear that an owner is coaching the team. But sometimes an owner has to step in and speak up.

The last thing Lions fans want to see is another flop by a receiver taken high in the draft. Charles Rogers, the Michigan State star, was drafted with the second overall pick in 2003.

Rogers lasted just three seasons because of injuries, inconsistency and drug problems. Mike Williams, out of Southern California, was drafted with the 10th overall pick in 2005. He never was productive and was traded after just two seasons.

But Johnson seems to make good things happen when he touches the ball. He's a playmaker. Johnson must get the ball.

Ford has made a lot of mistakes during his ownership of this team. But the call on Johnson was right on the money.

You can reach Rob Parker at rob.parker@detnews.com.

 

[FavreCo]

I guess we'll have to see what happens next week. But I think its absolutely possible that the owner, Martz, or head coach decided to actually utilize their #1 pick. Its not like that would be the first time a team changes personnel or its play calling philosophy mid or late season.

That would be nice if someone punched Martz in the head and actually got his brain to start functioning correctly.

 

[FavreCo]

And perhaps most significant, even though he struggled pretty bad in the first half (hard to debate that) they kept going to him, throughout the entire game.

I didn't watch the game. How did he struggle? Drops? Running his routes? Or was Kitna just unable to get him the ball?

He dropped a couple but Kitna has not pocket presence and is wildly innacurate. The difference between him and Favre as NFL QB's is like night and day in the pocket. When Favre sees it break down around him, he steps up and fires. When it breaks down for Kitna, he prepares by getting in the fetal position and waiting for the sack.

 

[FavreCo]

I actually read that Lions owner, Parker, made a mandate to throw to Calvin Johnson more... below is the article with link:

Link

Friday, November 23, 2007

Rob Parker

Ford calls Johnson's number

DETROIT -- It should come as no surprise that the Lions finally decided to throw the ball to Calvin Johnson.

The directive to do so came from the top.

Lions owner William Clay Ford instructed the coaching staff this past week to throw more to Johnson, a source told The Detroit News.

Lions officials Thursday would not confirm or deny that the coaches were asked to get the ball to Johnson, the second overall pick in April's NFL draft, though it was clear he was more involved than he had been in any other game this season.

In the Lions' 37-26 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field, it was obvious from the start that something had changed.

Now, all Johnson has to do is catch the ball. He didn't do a great job in the first half, but was stellar in the second.

"I let a few get away in the first half," said Johnson, whose rookie season has been slowed because of an injured back. "It's something you have to take responsibility for."

Johnson only had one catch for 13 yards in the first half. But quarterback Jon Kitna was looking for him. Johnson had three other balls thrown his way and dropped two of them.

Getting the spotlight

Going into the game, Johnson had 24 catches for 402 yards and three touchdowns. Three Lions receivers had more receptions -- Roy Williams (55), Shaun McDonald (51) and Mike Furrey (39).

But on Thursday, Johnson led all Lions receivers with seven catches for 83 yards and one touchdown.

Still, it seems at times that Johnson is missing something. Big and strong, Johnson often looks unstoppable, but he doesn't have the moxie or swagger a top-notch receiver should possess.

Johnson, the former Georgia Tech star, never has complained about not getting the ball. He should have, though. When asked if he was happy that he's finally on the radar screen, he said, "It's whatever coach calls for."

Kitna said there hasn't been a philosophy change in the Lions' offense.

"We liked our matchup with him on their second or third corner," Kitna said. "But their second and third corner played good. They made plays and we just didn't."

Public notice

The only surprising thing about the change in the offensive game plan is that fans and the media have been calling for Johnson to have a bigger role.

Nobody wants to hear that an owner is coaching the team. But sometimes an owner has to step in and speak up.

The last thing Lions fans want to see is another flop by a receiver taken high in the draft. Charles Rogers, the Michigan State star, was drafted with the second overall pick in 2003.

Rogers lasted just three seasons because of injuries, inconsistency and drug problems. Mike Williams, out of Southern California, was drafted with the 10th overall pick in 2005. He never was productive and was traded after just two seasons.

But Johnson seems to make good things happen when he touches the ball. He's a playmaker. Johnson must get the ball.

Ford has made a lot of mistakes during his ownership of this team. But the call on Johnson was right on the money.

You can reach Rob Parker at rob.parker@detnews.com.

Simply beautiful....brings a tear to my eye. to owners.Amazing that an owner is smarter than the coaching staff but I love the fact that he ordered this clownass staff to start utilizing what he is paying for.

 

[PantherPower]

definitely good news for us Calvin owners. As i said, it was clear someone up top mandated this. And it should have been done weeks ago. Megatron!!!

 

[detroitwhat]

I actually read that Lions owner, Parker, made a mandate to throw to Calvin Johnson more... below is the article with link:

Link

Friday, November 23, 2007

Rob Parker

Ford calls Johnson's number

DETROIT -- It should come as no surprise that the Lions finally decided to throw the ball to Calvin Johnson.

The directive to do so came from the top.

Lions owner William Clay Ford instructed the coaching staff this past week to throw more to Johnson, a source told The Detroit News.

Lions officials Thursday would not confirm or deny that the coaches were asked to get the ball to Johnson, the second overall pick in April's NFL draft, though it was clear he was more involved than he had been in any other game this season.

In the Lions' 37-26 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field, it was obvious from the start that something had changed.

Now, all Johnson has to do is catch the ball. He didn't do a great job in the first half, but was stellar in the second.

"I let a few get away in the first half," said Johnson, whose rookie season has been slowed because of an injured back. "It's something you have to take responsibility for."

Johnson only had one catch for 13 yards in the first half. But quarterback Jon Kitna was looking for him. Johnson had three other balls thrown his way and dropped two of them.

Getting the spotlight

Going into the game, Johnson had 24 catches for 402 yards and three touchdowns. Three Lions receivers had more receptions -- Roy Williams (55), Shaun McDonald (51) and Mike Furrey (39).

But on Thursday, Johnson led all Lions receivers with seven catches for 83 yards and one touchdown.

Still, it seems at times that Johnson is missing something. Big and strong, Johnson often looks unstoppable, but he doesn't have the moxie or swagger a top-notch receiver should possess.

Johnson, the former Georgia Tech star, never has complained about not getting the ball. He should have, though. When asked if he was happy that he's finally on the radar screen, he said, "It's whatever coach calls for."

Kitna said there hasn't been a philosophy change in the Lions' offense.

"We liked our matchup with him on their second or third corner," Kitna said. "But their second and third corner played good. They made plays and we just didn't."

Public notice

The only surprising thing about the change in the offensive game plan is that fans and the media have been calling for Johnson to have a bigger role.

Nobody wants to hear that an owner is coaching the team. But sometimes an owner has to step in and speak up.

The last thing Lions fans want to see is another flop by a receiver taken high in the draft. Charles Rogers, the Michigan State star, was drafted with the second overall pick in 2003.

Rogers lasted just three seasons because of injuries, inconsistency and drug problems. Mike Williams, out of Southern California, was drafted with the 10th overall pick in 2005. He never was productive and was traded after just two seasons.

But Johnson seems to make good things happen when he touches the ball. He's a playmaker. Johnson must get the ball.

Ford has made a lot of mistakes during his ownership of this team. But the call on Johnson was right on the money.

You can reach Rob Parker at rob.parker@detnews.com.

Wow this after i traded him. At least i have in 2 of my other leagues.

 

[Liquid Tension]

I actually read that Lions owner, Parker, made a mandate to throw to Calvin Johnson more... below is the article with link:

Link

Friday, November 23, 2007

Rob Parker

Ford calls Johnson's number

DETROIT -- It should come as no surprise that the Lions finally decided to throw the ball to Calvin Johnson.

The directive to do so came from the top.

Lions owner William Clay Ford instructed the coaching staff this past week to throw more to Johnson, a source told The Detroit News.

Lions officials Thursday would not confirm or deny that the coaches were asked to get the ball to Johnson, the second overall pick in April's NFL draft, though it was clear he was more involved than he had been in any other game this season.

In the Lions' 37-26 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field, it was obvious from the start that something had changed.

Now, all Johnson has to do is catch the ball. He didn't do a great job in the first half, but was stellar in the second.

"I let a few get away in the first half," said Johnson, whose rookie season has been slowed because of an injured back. "It's something you have to take responsibility for."

Johnson only had one catch for 13 yards in the first half. But quarterback Jon Kitna was looking for him. Johnson had three other balls thrown his way and dropped two of them.

Getting the spotlight

Going into the game, Johnson had 24 catches for 402 yards and three touchdowns. Three Lions receivers had more receptions -- Roy Williams (55), Shaun McDonald (51) and Mike Furrey (39).

But on Thursday, Johnson led all Lions receivers with seven catches for 83 yards and one touchdown.

Still, it seems at times that Johnson is missing something. Big and strong, Johnson often looks unstoppable, but he doesn't have the moxie or swagger a top-notch receiver should possess.

Johnson, the former Georgia Tech star, never has complained about not getting the ball. He should have, though. When asked if he was happy that he's finally on the radar screen, he said, "It's whatever coach calls for."

Kitna said there hasn't been a philosophy change in the Lions' offense.

"We liked our matchup with him on their second or third corner," Kitna said. "But their second and third corner played good. They made plays and we just didn't."

Public notice

The only surprising thing about the change in the offensive game plan is that fans and the media have been calling for Johnson to have a bigger role.

Nobody wants to hear that an owner is coaching the team. But sometimes an owner has to step in and speak up.

The last thing Lions fans want to see is another flop by a receiver taken high in the draft. Charles Rogers, the Michigan State star, was drafted with the second overall pick in 2003.

Rogers lasted just three seasons because of injuries, inconsistency and drug problems. Mike Williams, out of Southern California, was drafted with the 10th overall pick in 2005. He never was productive and was traded after just two seasons.

But Johnson seems to make good things happen when he touches the ball. He's a playmaker. Johnson must get the ball.

Ford has made a lot of mistakes during his ownership of this team. But the call on Johnson was right on the money.

You can reach Rob Parker at rob.parker@detnews.com.

If this is true then the Lions have trouble when an owner is telling the football guys what to do

 

[J R]

I love all these stupid conspiracy theories about owners instructing coaches on play-calling - especially one that can't even handle hiring a GM - and even better coaches deciding gameplans based on "pressure" from the media. I may be naive but I doubt many coaches change their gameplan based on what sportswriters or fans think. I think the simple answer here is just that Johnson has been hurt, as has been reported, and is perhaps just getting fully healthy now. Combine that with the fact that it can take rookies a little while to make an impact.

For comparison's sake, look at Torry Holt's rookie season. A highly drafted WR playing in Martz's offense who had a good season and didn't have an injury holding him back, he didn't put up big stats right away either. About half of his catches came in the last 6 weeks of the season.

+----------+--------+-------------+----+

| WK OPP | RSHYD | REC YD | TD |

+----------+--------+-------------+----+

| 1 bal | 0 | 3 36 | 1 |

| 3 atl | 0 | 2 47 | 1 |

| 4 cin | 14 | 4 58 | 0 |

| 5 sfo | 0 | 3 67 | 0 |

| 7 cle | 5 | 2 24 | 0 |

| 8 ten | 0 | 5 55 | 0 |

| 9 det | 0 | 3 31 | 0 |

| 10 car | 0 | 2 16 | 0 |

| 11 sfo | 6 | 3 25 | 0 |

| 12 nor | 0 | 5 87 | 2 |

| 13 car | 0 | 1 4 | 0 |

| 14 nor | 0 | 6 113 | 0 |

| 15 nyg | 0 | 5 70 | 0 |

| 16 chi | 0 | 3 33 | 0 |

| 17 phi | 0 | 5 122 | 2 |

+----------+--------+-------------+----+

| TOTAL | 25 | 52 788 | 6 |

I think that, as long as Johnson is healthy, he's going to get plenty of targets (not 15 though), and it won't have anything to do with instructions from the owner or pressure from sportswriters or messageboards.

 

[az_prof]

Considering how many dropped passes CJ had (I counted seven at one point) and the fact that they lost and could have won if he had caught a few more of those I would be surprised to see him get targeted this much again anytime soon.

 

[Phurfur]

I guess we'll have to see what happens next week. But I think its absolutely possible that the owner, Martz, or head coach decided to actually utilize their #1 pick. Its not like that would be the first time a team changes personnel or its play calling philosophy mid or late season.

Not when you're fighting to make the playoffs.

 

[DropKick]

Looks like he landed hard on his back and came up gingerly a couple times. I doubt he is 100% and he is tough to rely on at this point in his rookie season.

 

[BobbyLayne]

I actually read that Lions owner, Parker, made a mandate to throw to Calvin Johnson more... below is the article with link:

Link

Friday, November 23, 2007

Rob Parker

You can stop reading it as soon as you see the byline.Both Detroiters and New Yorkers can back me up - Parker is loose, reckless, sensationalist, etc.

No cred.

 

[W1cked]

Considering how many dropped passes CJ had (I counted seven at one point) and the fact that they lost and could have won if he had caught a few more of those I would be surprised to see him get targeted this much again anytime soon.

He didn't drop 7 passes... and not all of them were easy. He dropped a few he should have had. He was targeted 15 times so you are claiming he dropped 7 out of the 8 inc passes to him?

 

[FavreCo]

Considering how many dropped passes CJ had (I counted seven at one point) and the fact that they lost and could have won if he had caught a few more of those I would be surprised to see him get targeted this much again anytime soon.

Not in a million years was Detroit going to win this game. 5 wide and let it fly can't be stopped by a hack D like the Lions have.

 

[W1cked]

1) Rob Parker is a idiot. Majority of the stuff he writes he makes up.

2) I'm pretty sure in week #3, Calvin Johnson was named a started... then he hurt his back. Since then he hasn't really had a ton of snaps. He was shuffled in and out of the lineup. Yesterday, it seems he was starting and wasn't the 3rd or 4th WR. Does that mean the owner voiced his opinion on wanting to see hm more on the field? I dunno but he was out there for much more snaps than in recent games.

3) The owner William Clay Ford has told coaches in the past to play a guy more. Andre Ware for one of them...

This theory that it was Al Harris who made Kitna not throw to Roy Williams would be great, if Fox didn't hype up prior to the game Calvin Johnson is going to be seeing the ball more. Calvin didn't get increased snaps.

In there little Txt poll for the gobbler award. Roy Williams wasn't even a option, but Calvin Johnson who had only 13 targets the last 3 weeks was. Obviously they bought into the whole spew from the Lions that Calvin would be seeing the ball more.

 

[KellysHeroes]

I don't care what his stats were yesterday... he looked terrible. Some of it maybe that hes hurt / overrated / bad QB or whatever... Man; if det didn't have 6 wins right now.. that city would be screaming to fire the managment again.

 

[Cheesedawg]

The answer is way simpler and less sinister than virtually every poster in this thread has suggested. Kitna himself gave you the answer after the game.

"We liked our matchup with him on their second or third corner," Kitna said. "But their second and third corner played good. They made plays and we just didn't."

It was simply a matter of Calvin Johnson vs. Jarrett Bush being the biggest mismatch on paper in the game for the Lions' offense. So when Johnson was matched up with Bush or another CB who wasn't named Woodson or Harris, Kitna went after it. Virtually every time.

As a Johnson owner I was pleased to see them exploiting the matchup. However Johnson failed to take advantage of the opportunities for the most part and looked like a very average WR unfortunately. The fact that he was consistently covered well by Jarrett Bush is a very bad omen for the future IMO. I hope Johnson progresses rapidly in the future because he showed me nothing yesterday. The silver lining is that other teams will look at the film and see that there is no need to put their top corners on Johnson in future games so he may be similarly targeted again. I am a big Packer fan who has seen all their games and knows their personnel well and I was very disappointed by Johnson's performance. If my trading deadline hadn't passed I would deal him without a second thought. I was patient with Johnson because I understand how debilitating a back injury can be, but he is healthy now and couldn't beat Jarrett Bush. That is not good.

 

[jaana1us]

i hope they keep throwing to him so i can use him in the playoffs- i like most people did not have him in the line up yesterday-

 

[PantherPower]

The answer is way simpler and less sinister than virtually every poster in this thread has suggested. Kitna himself gave you the answer after the game. "We liked our matchup with him on their second or third corner," Kitna said. "But their second and third corner played good. They made plays and we just didn't." It was simply a matter of Calvin Johnson vs. Jarrett Bush being the biggest mismatch on paper in the game for the Lions' offense. So when Johnson was matched up with Bush or another CB who wasn't named Woodson or Harris, Kitna went after it. Virtually every time. As a Johnson owner I was pleased to see them exploiting the matchup. However Johnson failed to take advantage of the opportunities for the most part and looked like a very average WR unfortunately. The fact that he was consistently covered well by Jarrett Bush is a very bad omen for the future IMO. I hope Johnson progresses rapidly in the future because he showed me nothing yesterday. The silver lining is that other teams will look at the film and see that there is no need to put their top corners on Johnson in future games so he may be similarly targeted again. I am a big Packer fan who has seen all their games and knows their personnel well and I was very disappointed by Johnson's performance. If my trading deadline hadn't passed I would deal him without a second thought. I was patient with Johnson because I understand how debilitating a back injury can be, but he is healthy now and couldn't beat Jarrett Bush. That is not good.

So yesterday was the first time the Lions played a team with a weak #2 or #3 CB?

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

i think Kitna just had in his head today that he had to get Calvin Johnson more involved in the game, so he just KEPT ON FORCING IT IN THERE, no matter the coverage. I would be shocked if they went to him this much next week. It was due to the fact that the local and national media have been questioning Calvin's use in the offense that most likely caused the spike in targets. I own Calvin so I hope I'm wrong, but to think he's gonna get more than 10 targets a game is silly at this point, when he was getting like 3 a game before this afternoon

Was this widely known, or just local speculation?Coming into this week I would have expected CJ with the 4th most targets after Roy W, SMac and Furrey.

I'm usually on top of the info, but I didn't hear that Calvin and his utilization was questioned nationally.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

1) Rob Parker is a idiot. Majority of the stuff he writes he makes up. 2) I'm pretty sure in week #3, Calvin Johnson was named a started... then he hurt his back. Since then he hasn't really had a ton of snaps. He was shuffled in and out of the lineup. Yesterday, it seems he was starting and wasn't the 3rd or 4th WR. Does that mean the owner voiced his opinion on wanting to see hm more on the field? I dunno but he was out there for much more snaps than in recent games. 3) The owner William Clay Ford has told coaches in the past to play a guy more. Andre Ware for one of them... This theory that it was Al Harris who made Kitna not throw to Roy Williams would be great, if Fox didn't hype up prior to the game Calvin Johnson is going to be seeing the ball more. Calvin didn't get increased snaps. In there little Txt poll for the gobbler award. Roy Williams wasn't even a option, but Calvin Johnson who had only 13 targets the last 3 weeks was. Obviously they bought into the whole spew from the Lions that Calvin would be seeing the ball more.

This sounds pretty spot on, especially point #2.

 

[SteelerMurf]

When Roy Williams had to leave for a few plays, Al was defending Calvin, and he still threw to him. I'll try and find it on the play by play on NFL.com. But i remember seeing that.

me too, Kitna hated Roy this week and it will probably cost me a spot in the playoffs

 

[Cheesedawg]

The answer is way simpler and less sinister than virtually every poster in this thread has suggested. Kitna himself gave you the answer after the game. "We liked our matchup with him on their second or third corner," Kitna said. "But their second and third corner played good. They made plays and we just didn't." It was simply a matter of Calvin Johnson vs. Jarrett Bush being the biggest mismatch on paper in the game for the Lions' offense. So when Johnson was matched up with Bush or another CB who wasn't named Woodson or Harris, Kitna went after it. Virtually every time. As a Johnson owner I was pleased to see them exploiting the matchup. However Johnson failed to take advantage of the opportunities for the most part and looked like a very average WR unfortunately. The fact that he was consistently covered well by Jarrett Bush is a very bad omen for the future IMO. I hope Johnson progresses rapidly in the future because he showed me nothing yesterday. The silver lining is that other teams will look at the film and see that there is no need to put their top corners on Johnson in future games so he may be similarly targeted again. I am a big Packer fan who has seen all their games and knows their personnel well and I was very disappointed by Johnson's performance. If my trading deadline hadn't passed I would deal him without a second thought. I was patient with Johnson because I understand how debilitating a back injury can be, but he is healthy now and couldn't beat Jarrett Bush. That is not good.

So yesterday was the first time the Lions played a team with a weak #2 or #3 CB?

There are few teams in the NFL with a better 1-2 corner tandem than GB. If you are a team that has more than two good options at WR, which Detroit is, you are wise to game plan for your #3 WR vs. Jarrett Bush or your #4 vs. Frank Walker.