Lions notes: Wednesday press conferences

• James Ihedigbo has words for those who think Calvin Johnson is on the decline. If you're of that party, he wants you to know he thinks you might be tripping.
  
  
• Ihedigbo also had high praise for Haloti Ngata, believing he can have a game-changing presence on the defense.
  
  
• The Lions signed Kendrick Ings to the practice squad on Wednesday. He was available to speak with the media the same day and his story is pretty crazy. He clocked a 4.37 on his 40-yard time Tuesday, and when he got word he would make the practice squad he was moved to tears. 
  
  
• Are you the sort to drunk/angry tweet at players and rage at their performances? Eric Ebron can hear yooooouuuu. He told the media Wednesday that he has his trainer read him the meanest tweets from his Twitter mentions.
  
  
• Calvin Johnson has a cooler shirt than you:

Calvin's "Warrior Elite" shirt he wore today is from last yr's ST coach Bono. Lion's teeth say 24/7 365. Pretty sweet pic.twitter.com/bgZg3MC3hO

— Tori Petry (@sportstori) September 9, 2015



• Lions players still don't know who's going to be returning punts and kickoffs yet.
  
  
• Jim Caldwell took the stage for the press conference on Wednesday, and although the phrase is clichéd as all things go, he likes the fact that the Lions are "flying under the radar."
  
  
• Caldwell also spoke on LaAdrian Waddle's return, which seems unclear for Week 1. The next three days will be crucial in determining his status.
  
  
• Caldwell's history in football came to light as he talked about the San Diego Chargers players that the Lions will face on Saturday. He had previously seen Philip Rivers perform at North Carolina State when Caldwell himself was at Wake Forest (the two schools are both members of the Atlantic Coast Conference). He also spoke about Antonio Gates with high praise, calling him one of the best at his position.
  
  
• Like Ihedigbo, Caldwell isn't buying into the discussion that Calvin Johnson is aging and/or on the decline:

Caldwell on if Calvin is still Calvin: "Take a look at him"

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 9, 2015