Calvin Johnson has definitely graced his fair share of covers this offseason. After winning the Madden cover vote over Panthers rookie QB Cam Newton, Megatron landed on the cover of ESPN the Magazine a couple of weeks ago. Now we see Johnson sharing the spotlight with teammate Matthew Stafford on the latest regional Sports Illustrated cover previewing the upcoming NFL season.
The article written by former Detroit Free Press columnist Michael Rosenberg highlights different aspects of the upcoming season including SI.com NFL writer Peter King predicting a 9-7 record for Detroit. The Lions were a Wild Card selection for the playoffs last season.
“The 2012 Lions are not unlike this year’s Saints,” King writes. “They’ll both be explosive offensively as long as their respective firestarters (Matthew Stafford, Drew Brees) stay on the field.
“New Orleans may have far more premium offensive weapons than Detroit does, but Lions wideout Calvin Johnson is the most dangerous receiver in football, and Stafford’s fearlessness and ability to throw darts into tight holes make the other receivers (Nate Burleson, Titus Young and rookie slot man Ryan Broyles) look better than they are.
“So let’s assume Detroit, with a healthy Stafford, will put up enough points to win. Now it’s on the defense.”
Here’s another excerpt from the article entitled Mega-Arm, Megatron,
After Peyton Manning left the Colts for Denver, Matthew Stafford did a little research. He looked up the NFL records Manning shares with receiver Marvin Harrison—953 passes completed from Manning to Harrison for 12,766 yards and 112 touchdowns—and, while impressed, saw that he and Lions receiver Calvin Johnson might someday rewrite the record books. Stafford said, “I remember thinking to myself, that’s a hell of a number. But there’s a chance”
Stafford and Johnson have overcome enough suffering in Detroit—the team went 2-14 in Stafford’s first season and 0-16 in Johnson’s second—to make them value their chance at stardom. Last year Stafford bounced back from shoulder surgery and a broken forefinger on his passing hand to have one of the best seasons of any quarterback in the league, and Johnson has improved all aspects of his game, from blocking to route-running. But can they keep the Lions in contention year after year?
The issues hits newsstands this week.
h/t: Sports Illustrated, Detroit Free Press