Give It Up For Matthew Stafford And Calvin Johnson
by Sean Yuille on Jan 2, 2012 10:01 AM EST
in Detroit Lions News
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PrintBecause the Detroit Lions lost on Sunday, the performances by Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson have sort of been overlooked by the national media. I realize what Matt Flynn did was impressive, but Stafford and Johnson deserve some serious praise as well. Stafford went 39-of-59 and threw for 520 yards (a new Lions single-game record), five touchdowns and two interceptions. Johnson had 11 catches for 244 yards and one touchdown.
Stafford and Johnson especially deserve praise for what they did over the course of the regular season. Stafford, for example, passed the 5,000 yards mark on Sunday and nearly passed Dan Marino's former single-season record. Stafford had 5,038 yards (good for third in the NFL this season behind Drew Brees and Tom Brady and fifth all-time), 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He also started all 16 games, which should hopefully put the whole idea that he is injury prone to rest.
As for Johnson, he finished first in the NFL with 1,681 receiving yards this season. He had 96 receptions and 16 touchdowns. All of these numbers set new career highs, and the receiving touchdowns number set a Lions franchise record. (Johnson entered Sunday tied at 15 with Cloyce Box.)
It goes without saying, but Stafford and Johnson make for quite the combo on offense. The numbers they put up this season are just flat out amazing. With these two on the team, the future is very bright.
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Just going to throw an idea out there...
maybe the Packer’s coaches and wr’s are what makes their passing game so powerful, and not Rodgers.
Tengo el sangre del tigre.
Sports Illustrated did an article about Rodgers and his receivers a month or two ago
.. I remember, because it makes me ill any time the national media hypes up these clowns YET AGAIN. I thought when the golden boy Brett Favre left, we wouldn’t have to hear about “storied Lambeau Field” yada yada yada… and then this guy Rodgers comes around and starts it all over again..
But he is as good as advertised. Granted, they have a lot of weapons in the receiving game.. but don’t take anything away from this guy, he makes all the throws.
Matt Flynn had a great day, but I wouldn’t expect that out of him consistantly. Aaron Rodgers has shown that he CAN do those things consistently.
Bye the way, who the hell could’ve ever guessed Jordy Nelson would become a legit weapon? You gotta give some of the credit to Rodgers for that. This guy was a relative unknown until this year. (Ok, maybe last year.)
I HATE THE PACKERS SO MUCH.
..Can we use this thread to talk about OUR guys, since that’s what the article is about?
by RobertPorcher on Jan 2, 2012 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
Don't worry guys, Yahoo is on the case
They ran a story about a Lion!
….about Suh’s “mocking of Aaron Rodgers.”
…………………….sigh. I hate the media.
If all sports fandom is a form of emotional gambling, football is poker and hockey is Russian roulette.
Seriously....
if you have a certain celebration that you do after every touchdown….prepare to have it mocked. It’s just how it goes. I mean come on, People have mocked Ray Lewis’ celebration and they don’t get called names by the media like Suh just did.
LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! GO STEFAN LOGAN!
yeah, I seen that
but I didn’t want to click.
Seriously? Of all the things that clown could write about, he write about this?
That celebration was in bad taste at all. Why not mock all the offensive guys who make up their silly TD celebrations.
For the record though, I have no problem with TD celebrations of any kind.
That story was horrible. He didn't even get the score right.
Who is the only Maniac to appear in every mmamania fantasy football league superbowl in league history?
by DetroitDrew1980 on Jan 2, 2012 12:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
How about a story about Staff getting snubbed from the probowl.....
that story was reaching at best and just plain lazy at worst. This guy was just looking for ANY story about Suh. Yahoo needs to try again and try harder next time.
"I hope we gave a little lesson to the people in Washington because the debt ceiling is a lot easier to fix than this was" - Robert Kraft
"It is immoral to let a sucker keep his money" - Rounders
Congrats, Matt and CJ!
Record setting numbers. Glad to see Scott Mitchell erased from some of those passing marks. Also kind of selfishly glad that H.Moore gets to keep his spot (for now). He was one of my all time favorites. Classy guy.
How about more of the same next season? Or even better, more of the same this Saturday? Lets drop some bombs on those Saints!
GOOOOOO LIONS!
It was funny
Today I found out that I work with Herman’s brother in law, after we talked about both being from Virginia. Pretty sweet.
'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela
"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011
Hahaha that's cool.
What does he think about Herman?
Said he's a great guy
His sister loves him to death, and they’ve been married since high school.
'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela
"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011
Stafford
Haven’t always been the biggest fan, but I think he deserved better. Think it was sad the way it ended. Not bad for the third alternate. Congrats to both you guys.
Stafford & CJ
Would both be a big story if our defensive shenanigans and head coach hadn’t have tarnished the whole outlook of this team.
Suh, who had a horrible non-effective year, needs to shut up and try to play like he did last year. Dude has been a non-existant player this year execpt to run his mouth and cause problems.
Schwartz needs to shut up and coach his players to shut up. Former defensive coordinator hasn’t shown me anything that shows he is an elite coach. Allows too much BS to happen on the field to hurt his team. Overly conservative trying not to lose, instead of trying to win. How many yards would Staff and CJ have had if they had been playing wide open the whole year as they have the last 2 games?
Let the stars of the team shine, like they DID (but of course who noticed with all the BS defensive nonsense), and we would be just like the Pack or New England.
I'm starting to think the scheme is a problem.
I like innovations and the wide-9 helped us a lot at the beginning of the season. It put tons of pressure on Cutler on MNF, and I think helped us post a dominant win over Tebow.
However, while the DL has gotten pressure, their sack production has been poor and they’ve been gashed by the run in many of the games we’ve lost. Given the talent that we have at that position, they’ve underperformed. It’s too late to change it up for the playoffs, but barring some major improvements in pressure, I think the scheme needs major changes in the offseason.
Coach is doing fine
So fuck off. Like everything was going to be perfect this year.
why so testes?
If you are disappointed it is only because you have chosen to set your expectations at a level that was never reasonable in the first place.
--> Don't blame the Lions. Blame yourself for not keeping your perspective.
-Tufflynx
I hope they do develop that focus
I’m still prepared to cut them all some slack tho. Schwartz, et al, have accomplished a lot since coming here. Hopefully he’s able to get a bit of help in some form to help get the team attitude in check.
Individuals should protect themselves. Governments can't protect individuals from themselves, it's just impossible, otherwise they become a tyranical state. -Ron Paul
He needs to learn that he is a leader
and before he can expect his team to check their attitude he needs to check his own.
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"You can get a win with undisciplined jack asses, you create a winning team with discipline and poise." by Leonuro
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GROW THE F UP
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"Some people mistake the way I talk for the way I am thinking."
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CJ had more receiving yards than 17 teams had passing yards to ALL of their receivers this week.
Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.
by Elfuego51 on Jan 2, 2012 11:27 AM EST reply actions 5 recs
stafford 5th all time is what dropped my jaw.
Who is the only Maniac to appear in every mmamania fantasy football league superbowl in league history?
by DetroitDrew1980 on Jan 2, 2012 12:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
There will be more of that in time.
Titus Young and Megatron are going to be a awesome duo for the run of Stafford in Detroit, Add Droptimus Prime Grew who hasn’t been dropping as many this year. . . And all this with 3rd and 4th and 5th rb’s. When Leshoure and Best are back next year we will have a running game. This offence is set to be a top 3 offence next year. I’d mention Nate but he is not going to be around for the full Stafford run.
How many lumps you want Doc?
I'm starting to have more faith in Titus than Nate.
Who is the only Maniac to appear in every mmamania fantasy football league superbowl in league history?
by DetroitDrew1980 on Jan 2, 2012 4:33 PM EST up reply actions
Titus is the man.
Some of his highlights in college and the practice field proved it…at least concerned with his hands. Hey has some sticky fingers and rarely drops easy catches.
ya, I love that reliability
I too am expecting a good career out of him, as long as he can keep his ego/attitude in check.
Individuals should protect themselves. Governments can't protect individuals from themselves, it's just impossible, otherwise they become a tyranical state. -Ron Paul
Every receiver except CJ probably had double digit drops
the ones in for the majority of the plays anyway – CJ, Nate, Titus, Grew
Grew drops them in bunches...
He’ll be really good for a while, then suddenly he drops three in a game. Also, I was a little caught off guard with the stat that he leads all skill position players in false starts.
LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! GO STEFAN LOGAN!
I'm liking the way you're thinking!
There really is so much to look forward to with this team.
Individuals should protect themselves. Governments can't protect individuals from themselves, it's just impossible, otherwise they become a tyranical state. -Ron Paul
That is unreal ... Stafford and Megatron are up there with the great combos like Steve Young and Jerry Rice, etc.
Lion fan in the Great Land!
+1
Seriously.
Maybe you can discount it in this high-flying passing game day and age, but two things should be obvious:
1 – Calvin Johnson is hands down the best wide reciever in the NFL.
2 – The Matthew Stafford/Calvin Johnson combo is the best in the NFL, period.
'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela
"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011
Here here
What an awesome season both of them had. We can all be proud that Stafford has become a great quaterback, I can only name a few guys I would rather have right now.
Calvin Johnson is the best reciever in football and we have to do whatever it takes to resign him when the time comes. It just feels good to know we are in every game each week because we have a great quaterback.
by RedeemedLions on Jan 2, 2012 11:45 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
It just feels good to know we are in every game each week because we have a great quaterback.
it has been a great season, so far. These two are awesome to watch!
congrats
They both make each other look even better. Love both of em, lets go get them Saints!
Lions 2011 "Luke 18:27"
These two will break records together.
I can say that right now they are the best duo of QB and WR. Brady and welker come close and Rodgers has multiple recievers.
"You simply cannot escape it. It's everywhere. There is a feeling the likes of which we haven't seen in decades. Emotions are high. Morale is climbing. People, once again, have something to talk about other than how disastrous our financial situation is and the collapsing of modern society." - Yahoo sports blogger.
Who'd have thought....
5000+ yards, 40+ td’s no probowl. Sad
Fun with stats
In terms of single season records, Staff is third place in attempts (663), 5th place in yards (5,038), 7th place in TD’s, 86th in passer rating (97.2), 6th in passing yards per game (314.9), 125th in completion percentage (63.5), and 5th in pass attempts per game (41.4). Stafford also joined a club of 7 quarterbacks who threw at least one TD pass in every game of a season, Keep in mind, he’s only 23, same age as Dan Marino when he set the record. I think the comparison to Marino is interesting to consider.
As for Johnson, he is now 7th in receiving yards in a season, (1,681), just 5 yards behind former Lion Herman Moore, (imagine if he broke that, how crazy would that be) and 16th in receiving yards per game (105.1). He also had 10 receptions of 40+ yards, and 32 receptions of over 20 yards, both leading the NFL, and I wonder what the record for either of those categories is. Actually, Randy Moss had 14 of 40+ in his rookie year in 1998, but Calvin might be in second, tied with Mike Wallace, DeSean Jackson, and Torry Holt. Since the NFL started keeping such records in 1991, I cant find anyone with as many 25+ yard receptions. Checking a who’s who of recent receivers, the most I could find was Torry Holt in 2000 with 30. If he indeed holds the record, that’s a pretty impressive record to hold, requiring both explosiveness and consistency. His 77 first down had him tied with Roddy White and Wes Welker for the league lead, and considering that Johnson had less receptions than either, that’s also pretty impressive. His first down percentage was 80.2 percent, which id imagine is pretty high up on the leader charts (the leadercharts on nfl.com were muddled by guys with like, one reception. Though 95% of Malcom Floyd’s receptions went for first downs. That’s pretty ridiculous). If we set the baseline at 60 receptions (probably unfair), he was third behind Vincent and Antonio Brown, though his 96 receptions was way more than their 60 and 69, respectively. That combination of quality and quantity is pretty ridiculous.
So yeah, to sum up, Calvin Johnson was otherworldly good this year. And Matthew Stafford now is in the same sentence (The quarterbacks who threw for over 5,000 yards in a season were…) as Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Dan Marino.
Friend:why do you love ripping on Jeff Francoeur?
Me: Because hes an idiot, who posseses huge physical tools but will not, nay, cannot, harness those tools into any sembelance of usable baseball skill and refuses to make any effort to do so. Hes like a tragic greek figure. doomed by his own stupidity and 80 raw power.
by harendaman365 on Jan 2, 2012 12:44 PM EST reply actions 6 recs
we need a place on this site to archive such things for quick reference when we encounter someone smack talking our lions.
Who is the only Maniac to appear in every mmamania fantasy football league superbowl in league history?
by DetroitDrew1980 on Jan 2, 2012 1:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
lets put it this way
a full third of Calvin Johnson’s receptions went for 25 yards or more.
Friend:why do you love ripping on Jeff Francoeur?
Me: Because hes an idiot, who posseses huge physical tools but will not, nay, cannot, harness those tools into any sembelance of usable baseball skill and refuses to make any effort to do so. Hes like a tragic greek figure. doomed by his own stupidity and 80 raw power.
by harendaman365 on Jan 2, 2012 8:06 PM EST up reply actions
Staff and Megatron are the best.
Flynn will be a seahawk next year. They don’t have a high enough pick, and they could use it on a different need.
just win, baby
Thank you Kris Draper and Chris Osgood for all the memories.
Millen shall be Mi**en on Pride of Detriot. New, official, unwritten law.
I think he will end up in the AFC maybe the Chiefs
Tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999
(artist formerly known as prince)
could be the Broncos
Tebow is so gone it’s not even funny. Worst QB I"ve ever seen play in the NFL and that is saying a whole lot.
I still think he will end up with the skins.
Although my friends who are skins fans disagree.
by chaunce on Jan 2, 2012 1:31 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Makes sense to me
'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela
"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011
Something to hang our hat on.
Win or lose Saturday, the future is looking bright. A QB doing this well at 23? amazing.
by chaunce on Jan 2, 2012 1:29 PM EST via Android app reply actions
Stafford needs a nickname to go with Megatron
These two could be an all time great tandem if they keep it up. Calvin Johnson is just ridiculous, probably the most physically talented receiver to ever play the game. As good as he is, he needs a QB to deliver him the ball. Stafford has to arm strength and accuracy to fully exploit Calvin’s ability to get downfield. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they had a repeat performance next season.
I couldn't think of a better signature.
How about...
Stafford?
In Schwartz I Trust
by craigdetroit on Jan 2, 2012 1:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd
That’s what I thought. Our QB doesn’t need a name, he’s fucking Matthew Stafford, just like Tom Brady is Tom Brady or Dan Marino is Dan Marino.
'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela
"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011
How many QBs have nicknames?
POD where my opinion is a fact!
by LeyandsMarlboros on Jan 2, 2012 4:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
ummm so by that logic...
Jared Lorenzen was a good QB? The Hefty Lefty, Pillsbury Throwboy, The Round Mound of Touchdown, Battleship Lorenzen, and He Ate Me. He must have been AWESOME!
LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! GO STEFAN LOGAN!
Impossible
Lorenzen had the greatest nicknames ever….I still bring him up in sports conversations, mainly for being fat….and ofcourse amazing nicknames
Mickey Tettleton was my childhood hero....i'm serious
by FindlayTigers on Jan 2, 2012 11:05 PM EST up reply actions
SEE!
How can he not have awesome nicknames!?
Mickey Tettleton was my childhood hero....i'm serious
by FindlayTigers on Jan 3, 2012 11:44 PM EST up reply actions
No, but
If you have a fathead of Stafford on the ceiling over your bed, that would be weird.
"But the point is, finger-pointing is just what sports fans do when something doesn't go right." -- Kurt Mensching
by RealityIsOptionable on Jan 2, 2012 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
It's only next to my bed, so it's okay.
by Freebird on Jan 2, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
better see a chiropractor for that stiff neck
Tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999
(artist formerly known as prince)
he did great this year, by far our best DL
but……I dont see him making it back next year. He will be paid and paid good. Whether the lions can afford him is up to meyhew.
I really wish we would keep Cliff but...
Value > Asking price, most likely.
Willie Young can be a threat, and we can easily get another DL. Free agents would love to come to a place like Detroit, where Suh takes double and triple teams.
'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela
"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011
we'll keep Avril
He knows his bread is buttered on the Suh/Williams side.
"But the point is, finger-pointing is just what sports fans do when something doesn't go right." -- Kurt Mensching
by RealityIsOptionable on Jan 2, 2012 8:44 PM EST up reply actions
he would be signed already if that were the case
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"You can get a win with undisciplined jack asses, you create a winning team with discipline and poise." by Leonuro
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GROW THE F UP
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"Some people mistake the way I talk for the way I am thinking."
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It is his agent.
and the end of the day, he’ll be a Lion
"But the point is, finger-pointing is just what sports fans do when something doesn't go right." -- Kurt Mensching
by RealityIsOptionable on Jan 2, 2012 8:56 PM EST up reply actions
keep hoping
I am not buying it. Something is wrong here and the Lions have never been called cheap so I am thinking it is on Avril’s side.
The thing, he is probably asking for top 5-8 money and in truth he is a top 10-14 guy. We are on the cap as it stands now. We can’t afford to over pay for talent. I can easily see a situation where he ends up on another team and under performs his contract because he does not have the players we have on our D line to draw doubles off of him.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You can get a win with undisciplined jack asses, you create a winning team with discipline and poise." by Leonuro
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROW THE F UP
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Some people mistake the way I talk for the way I am thinking."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
with what money?
Franchise is the average of the top 5 players at your position.
I know these numbers are a little out of date but you get the idea. At 2009 numbers, Franchising Avril would cost us roughly…..
15.2 million.
He might be worth 1/2 that. Maybe.
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"You can get a win with undisciplined jack asses, you create a winning team with discipline and poise." by Leonuro
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROW THE F UP
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Some people mistake the way I talk for the way I am thinking."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nope, definitely can't overpay.
Not with CJ’s contract coming to a close.
I agree, again, most likely.
It’s too bad though because he’s got great personality and does great things in our system.
No Stafford or Johnson I say we would have won 3, maybe 4 games
They are our team
I’m happy with the Tulloch pickup but I’m more happy with the Durant pickup. Even though he was hurt part of the year, he made great plays with speed.
Titus Young will grow up, and he will be a very good receiver. He shows no fear going up for passes.
Saturdays game will be a shootout. Since we have most of our defense and hopefully delmas, gunny can make something up to hold brees to under 400 yards, giving stafford the ability to show the world how big of a mistake it was NOT to vote him into the pro bowl.
I HOPE HOPE HOPE we dont have the same officiating crew as we did for packers game, the problem with officiating with any sport is they are not held accountable. Does anyone ever see an official get fired (other than gambling) probably not. There needs to be consequences for some of the officiating going on. I KNOW its not easy to do this on the fly, but for them to screw up over and over and over to the point we lost a TD and a fumble recovery is ludacris, not having no red flags to use. FIX the rules.
GO LIONS!!!! going to be the best game of the playoffs saturday
I love that you spelled it 'ludacris'
'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela
"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011
by Nate D. on Jan 2, 2012 8:20 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
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