Lions receiver Calvin Johnson talked with Tom Kowalski over the weekend and had a few interesting things to say.  The most, though, was the fact that his back injury never really went away last season despite it happening in the third game of the year.

C.J. went up for a catch last year against Philadelphia early on in the season.  Johnson made the grab in exciting fashion, but unfortunately landed right on his back on the way down.  It was a rough hit since he couldn't brace himself at all, and the injury knocked him out of that game. 

Although C.J. had a solid season even with the injury, it affected him more than he let on, and Mike Martz apparently didn't help the issue at first either.

If Johnson can stay healthy next season, he should definitely have a breakout type of performance.  Obviously Roy Williams will be the premier receiver in the offense, but since it is looking like he will be gone after 2008, Johnson is going to have to start preparing to be a #1 type of receiver in the NFL sooner rather than later.