http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../804100423/1126
Calvin Johnson is setting high standards for his second season.
He expects to be twice as good as last year.
Johnson arrived in Detroit with high expectations from others for his rookie season with the Lions.
They might have been unrealistic, but they were a product of being drafted second overall with a rating as one of the best prospects in a decade.
Johnson's statistics were respectable -- 48 catches, 756 yards and five touchdowns -- but he was not a dominating player.
His performance didn't meet his standard.
"Last year, I'd say I could have done twice as good," Johnson said Wednesday. "If the top is 10, I'd say I was a five last year."
What does he expect this year?
"A 10 this year," Johnson replied quickly.
On a scale of one to 10, that would be perfection. Johnson laughed at his prediction.
"I just know myself," he said. "I expect the best out of myself all the time. You know you're not perfect, but still, you expect the best."
The Lions are finishing the third week of their offseason conditioning program, and Johnson has reason to feel good about himself. He played most of last season with a back injury that restricted his movement and reduced his speed.
Johnson was hurt making a leaping catch against Philadelphia in the third game. The injury was just above the buttocks.
He missed the next game but played in the last 12, even though he was subpar physically. He took five weeks off after the season before starting his workout program.
He has had no problems with the injury, Johnson said.
"I still feel it, but I can do everything I need to do on the field," he said. "I know it's there but it doesn't hurt.
"That's what really stopped me. That's really why I couldn't run. It bothered me the whole season. I'd take a little something every week just to get through the game. When you try to push off the ball and stuff, it hurts."
The focus of the offense will change this year, with Jim Colletto replacing Mike Martz as offensive coordinator. The running game will be emphasized more. The Lions had the fewest rushing attempts in the league last year under Martz.
Coach Rod Marinelli is projecting big seasons for Johnson and Roy Williams. They give the Lions a physical, talented receiving tandem. Johnson is 6-foot-5, 235 pounds. Williams is 6-3 and 211.
Marinelli and president Matt Millen have continually denied reports that Williams is on the trading block. It has become almost a joke to Marinelli when the latest Williams-trade story pops up.
"I'm like the dad, sitting at the doorway," Marinelli said at least week's NFL meetings in Florida. "Nobody's dating my daughter. He (Williams) looks fabulous."
The effects of adjusting to a long season should have been predictable for Johnson, and the back injury hampered him further, Marinelli said. Receivers have a more difficult adjustment than players at most other positions.
"I just think it's learning the system, learning coverages -- all those things," Marinelli said. "It's the amount of running you do. It's a long season for any position. Every young player will struggle during the season, the length of the year."
Johnson has talked briefly to Williams about the trade rumors. Neither puts any stock in them, Johnson said.
"I personally don't think Roy's going anywhere," Johnson said. "It's like Rod said -- we'll have two big guys on the outside with speed who can get down and stretch the field.
"That's what we want to do. I don't think he's going anywhere. We've talked, but we really don't get into that too much. I don't think it has bothered him."
Calvin Johnson is setting high standards for his second season.
He expects to be twice as good as last year.
Johnson arrived in Detroit with high expectations from others for his rookie season with the Lions.
They might have been unrealistic, but they were a product of being drafted second overall with a rating as one of the best prospects in a decade.
Johnson's statistics were respectable -- 48 catches, 756 yards and five touchdowns -- but he was not a dominating player.
His performance didn't meet his standard.
"Last year, I'd say I could have done twice as good," Johnson said Wednesday. "If the top is 10, I'd say I was a five last year."
What does he expect this year?
"A 10 this year," Johnson replied quickly.
On a scale of one to 10, that would be perfection. Johnson laughed at his prediction.
"I just know myself," he said. "I expect the best out of myself all the time. You know you're not perfect, but still, you expect the best."
The Lions are finishing the third week of their offseason conditioning program, and Johnson has reason to feel good about himself. He played most of last season with a back injury that restricted his movement and reduced his speed.
Johnson was hurt making a leaping catch against Philadelphia in the third game. The injury was just above the buttocks.
He missed the next game but played in the last 12, even though he was subpar physically. He took five weeks off after the season before starting his workout program.
He has had no problems with the injury, Johnson said.
"I still feel it, but I can do everything I need to do on the field," he said. "I know it's there but it doesn't hurt.
"That's what really stopped me. That's really why I couldn't run. It bothered me the whole season. I'd take a little something every week just to get through the game. When you try to push off the ball and stuff, it hurts."
The focus of the offense will change this year, with Jim Colletto replacing Mike Martz as offensive coordinator. The running game will be emphasized more. The Lions had the fewest rushing attempts in the league last year under Martz.
Coach Rod Marinelli is projecting big seasons for Johnson and Roy Williams. They give the Lions a physical, talented receiving tandem. Johnson is 6-foot-5, 235 pounds. Williams is 6-3 and 211.
Marinelli and president Matt Millen have continually denied reports that Williams is on the trading block. It has become almost a joke to Marinelli when the latest Williams-trade story pops up.
"I'm like the dad, sitting at the doorway," Marinelli said at least week's NFL meetings in Florida. "Nobody's dating my daughter. He (Williams) looks fabulous."
The effects of adjusting to a long season should have been predictable for Johnson, and the back injury hampered him further, Marinelli said. Receivers have a more difficult adjustment than players at most other positions.
"I just think it's learning the system, learning coverages -- all those things," Marinelli said. "It's the amount of running you do. It's a long season for any position. Every young player will struggle during the season, the length of the year."
Johnson has talked briefly to Williams about the trade rumors. Neither puts any stock in them, Johnson said.
"I personally don't think Roy's going anywhere," Johnson said. "It's like Rod said -- we'll have two big guys on the outside with speed who can get down and stretch the field.
"That's what we want to do. I don't think he's going anywhere. We've talked, but we really don't get into that too much. I don't think it has bothered him."
I was wondering who your WRs were. Awesome group, do you have any trade offers you'd like to discuss? 
I was wondering who your WRs were. Awesome group, do you have any trade offers you'd like to discuss? 
