Any Lions fans on here? I'm sure Jerry Jones is hoping the Lions keep losing.

Calvin Johnson on future with Lions: 'I want to win'
By Dave Birkett
Free Press Sports Writer

Comments (84) Recommend (1) Print E-mail Letter to the editor Share Facebook Twitter FarkIt Digg Del.icio.us Reddit Newsvine Buzz up!Calvin Johnson has seen a lot of losing in his first four NFL seasons, but is it enough to make him look elsewhere when his rookie contract expires in two years?




Johnson was asked about that possibility and whether he’s happy with the Lions during his weekly radio appearance Thursday on WXYT-FM (97.1).


“Put it like this, if we turn this thing into a winner, I’m happy,” Johnson said. “I’ve won 11 games since I’ve been here in four years. Losing definitely sucks, and you definitely don’t want to be around losing. You can’t get used to that. I can’t get used to it because I haven’t come from that. I’ve been used to winning. And if this thing can’t get turned around, man, like I said — I’m just going to leave it at I can’t get used to it. I want to win.”


Johnson is having a Pro Bowl-type season with 62 catches for 872 yards and an NFC-leading 12 touchdowns, but he often seems underutilized.


Playing with third-string quarterback Drew Stanton in last Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears, Johnson had three catches for 66 yards and scored on a 46-yard touchdown, but had just two other balls thrown his way.


When the Lions recovered a fumble inside the Bears’ 10-yard-line early in the third quarter, they never looked Johnson’s way. Maurice Morris ran for 1 yard on the drive’s opening play, Stanton ran out of bounds for a sack on a second-and-goal pass that was designed for Nate Burleson, and on third down the Lions called a tight-end screen to Brandon Pettigrew.


“I can’t call it, man. I can’t call it,” Johnson told the Free Press after the game when asked about his limited use. “I wish I could have did more to help out the team, but it is what it is.


“I don’t understand, teams tend to play a lot of Cover 2, our receptions go down. We got to come up with something for it. They were playing Cover 2 for most of the game.”


Johnson will make nearly $23 million in base salary over the next two years as the Lions’ highest-paid player. He was asked on his radio show if he’d look elsewhere after the 2012 season if he’s convinced the Lions can’t win.


“When that comes, I can answer that one,” he said.


Free Press beat writer Dave Birkett will answer your Lions questions in a live chat at 3 p.m. Friday at freep.com/sports. Then come back Sunday as special writer Anthony Fenech live-blogs the Lions-Packers game.


Read more: Calvin Johnson on future with Lions: 'I want to win' | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101209/SPORTS01/101209056/Calvin-Johnson-on-future-with-Lions--I-want-to-win-#ixzz17iRjPmbn

Obviously not a surprise, any star player is going to leave a perennial loser when they have the chance.

I thought it was funny he was talking about it with 2 years left on his deal. Hardly a smart PR move, or a good move with the fans. Perhaps he's getting the advice from the same people as LBJ.

I'm sure the fans will understand. I would have no issue with his comments.

I don't see how anyone would have an issue with his comments. If anyone understands being sick of losing it will be the Lions fans.

It will turn up the heat on management to put together a winning team, not on Calvin Johnson.

If Im a fan, Im happy. It shows that he will be happy here if you win. It gives them 2 years to put together a winner....and they have been drafting well for a few years now. They are close to turning it around.

...it would help if Stafford stopped getting hurt though.

I know this will sound crazy but they might want to get Albert Haynesworth.

He played in that defense in Tennessee, it's the 4-3, that's really been the big issue this season with him.

the good Haynesworth and Suh would be a tandem

Haynesworth (if motivated/playing hard) and Suh would be the best DT/Dline in the league.

Right now, it just seems like they're a couple of pieces from being decent, if not a true winner. Whenever I've seen them, it seems like they're in the game and then fall apart down the stretch (like the New England game on Thanksgiving where the Pats scored like three TDs in 5 minutes or something like that). I could see them winning 7-8 games next year if a few things work out for them (Stafford staying healthy, adding 1-2 good players).

2 years on his deal plus they'll franchise him since this is his rookie contract, he better hope they turn this into a winner or he gets traded, otherwise it's gonna be a long career for him.

Well, the Lions aren't as bad as people think. If they learn to stop somebody in the passing game, they'd be respectable. They need a lot of help in the back four defensively, as well as offensive line, and linebacker help. But their DL is doing a solid job in stopping the run, just not necessarily consistently. Johnson and the offense is doing it's part. It's time for the defense to step up now.

Laley23;595193 wrote:If Im a fan, Im happy. It shows that he will be happy here if you win. It gives them 2 years to put together a winner....and they have been drafting well for a few years now. They are close to turning it around.

...it would help if Stafford stopped getting hurt though.

I agree they have been getting better and are close after cleaning up the Millen debacle. That will take 2 more years for sure and CJ is the most important piece right now.

Brownies?

We stole Shaun Rogers from them, we should try to pry Johnson from them too. Eric Wright and a 4th rd pick? lol detroit lol.

Commander of Awesome;595541 wrote:We stole Shaun Rogers from them, we should try to pry Johnson from them too. Eric Wright and a 4th rd pick? lol detroit lol.

We had to make up for the highway robbery they got from us in 2005 when they weren't targeting Kellen Winslow at all, but convinced us they were, and forced us to give up our VERY early 2nd round pick to move up one spot and grab Winslow.

You know you're poorly managed when Matt Millen pulls a fast one on you.

Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones/AJ Green, MoMass...doesn't sound too bad

zach24oz;595618 wrote:Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones/AJ Green, MoMass...doesn't sound too bad

haha +1 man. that shit would be legit

zach24oz;595618 wrote:Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones/AJ Green, MoMass...doesn't sound too bad

If we somehow managed to get Johnson, we wouldn't target a #1 receiver in the draft. We'd likely go defensive line/pass rusher with all the talent from those positions in the 2011 Draft.

DaBrowns41;595627 wrote:If we somehow managed to get Johnson, we wouldn't target a #1 receiver in the draft. We'd likely go defensive line/pass rusher with all the talent from those positions in the 2011 Draft.

If we got Johnson, I say you draft a number 1 receiver fuck it...Get as much offensive skill players as you can if it's presented. The lineup listed before of those receivers would be unstoppable.

That was what Detroit thought a few years ago, se ehow that worked out for em?

DeyDurkie5;595632 wrote:If we got Johnson, I say you draft a number 1 receiver fuck it...Get as much offensive skill players as you can if it's presented. The lineup listed before of those receivers would be unstoppable.

I'd rather get a RT so that we don't make starting our 3rd string QB a yearly thing.

Hb31187;595633 wrote:That was what Detroit thought a few years ago, se ehow that worked out for em?

yeah, and I don't care how it worked out for detroit

Why in the hell would Megatron go to Cleveland? That is a lateral move.

Automatik;595669 wrote:Why in the hell would Megatron go to Cleveland? That is a lateral move.

He doesnt have a choice...

If the Lions wanted to trade him because of these comments (this is not going to happen, so we sound ridiculous even mentioning it, despite how fun it is) and Cleveland offered the best deal he would be in Cleveland till he was a FA.

DeyDurkie5;595638 wrote:yeah, and I don't care how it worked out for detroit

Lol, right