Get Calvin the Damn Ball

Let's ask ourselves... Who is the best Detroit Lion? Is it Calvin Johnson? Is it Ndamukong Suh? Is it Drew Stanton? Well you could make an argument for any of these guys... only two of them though will people actually take you seriously. But for the sake of this article, let's go with Calvin Johnson, who's easily the best player on our offense.

So what do you do with your best player on offense? You get him the ball. If you have a star runningback, you're going to get him 25-30 touches a game. Arian Foster gets the ball on what seems like every other play in Houston. You ride your stars. Houston rides Foster, Titans ride Chris Johnson, Cleveland rides Peyton Hillis. The Colts live and die with Manning, as the Packers do with Rodgers. Bottom line, your offense revolves around your best player.

So why doesn't Detroit's revolve around Calvin? I know it is a tad more difficult to get the ball to a wideout as much as a runningback, but here's what I'm thinking... How many times do the Lions throw the ball? Well for a stretch they were number two in the NFL in pass attempts. So let's call it 30-40 pass attempts a game from a TYPICAL Lions game... typical meaning they're losing and needing to throw it. So why can't Calvin see 15-20 targets a game? On a side note, lately the Lions have had success running, and have thrown it less

He is 6'5, 4.3 speed, bigger and stronger than every corner in the NFL, just let him make a play. THat's what playmakers do, and teams let their playmakers make plays. But Detroit does not do it enough, if you ask me. He had three targets against the Jets, for example. Revis is good... But just throw it high and there's nothing he can do about it.

Valenti and Foster interview Calvin every week, and they asked them why the Lions seem to never run the stop fade in the red-zone... and all he could say is "I don't know, but I'd love it if we did." I agree with Calvin. HE'S 6 FOOT 5. No one will out jump him. It should be ran at least once every time their in range for it.

So, bottom line, the Lions need to find ways to get Calvin the ball 15-20 times a game. It sounds outlandish for a wide out, bu think about it. Your best player should get an abundance of touches. WIldcat, end arounds, fade routes, I don't care. Just find a way to get Calvin more touches, and we will have more success on offense. And if you get Calvin going, teams will try even harder to take him away, opening up the Burleson's and Pettigrew's of the world