As the new season approaches , there's talk - some seemingly based off Matt Stafford's quote - that the Lions offense could be better off without Calvin Johnson. Calvin caused defenses to come up with new and creative ways to stop what the Lions wanted to do, and Matt's quote suggests that caused problems for the team.
Looking at it deeper, I see it as a problem with preparation and coaching. Preparing to face an opponent, if they were able to come up with exotic schemes to take Calvin away, that clearly caused the QB to struggle, I don;t see why they'd stop throwing exotic defenses at the Lions, even if they don't have to do it based on Calvin. The new exotic defense could take out Tate.
What I see needs to happen , is the execution and game plans need to be better- The Lions consistently added the missing "bauble" to the offensive weapons during Calvin's career, and each off season , we were presented with ideas as to how it would pay off... the coverage Calvin would demand will open it up for Nate or Reggie.
Some fought for the idea that the Lions would be better served by focusing resources on the oline and giving a real strong commitment to beefing up the run would be the best thing for Matt and CJ...,and this team , more than any in recent years seems closest making and reaping the benefits of that effort.
But if the coaches poorly anticipate what the opposing defenses will do to the Lions, then I fear Matt will still struggle since the offense will be confused by the defense, and take some time to figure out how best to combat it. it could still lead to slow game starts with poor execution.
It is sensitive for me as I see a narrative forming that seems to downplay CJ's greatness because he was ... too great.. too much of a weapon.. that Matt had no coaching or ability to self regulate and not throw the ball up for grabs to Calvin. The while idea seems to suggest to me that the team is better off not having a dominant performer on offense because that'll make it harder to work the other guys in, but that just doesn't sit well with me.
If it's an argument based on salary and getting talent around Calvin, that's another story but this new talent is largely afforded with Calvin's salary.
I can only think... if the offense is better this year... the oline improved... Matt continues to play at a high level and JBC is the real deal at OC..... how much better they'd be with a healthy Calvin.
Calvin's legacy seems to be taking a hit from all directions. You have the team and fellow players saying things like you mentioned above and then you have people in the media talking about him not being HOF worthy. I know most Lions fans think he will be a first ballot entrant but that just isn't happening. He wasn't dominate for long enough. It is that simple. I can see him getting in eventually but it will not be soon.
ReplyDeleteUntil your post, I hadn't considered how his teammates talking points about him would effect his legacy. It seems extremely ungrateful, particularly on Matt's part. And I am not buying the whole, without calvin we can have a better offense because teams won't have to plan for him anymore Bull shit either. When teams are forced to plan for a single player, it takes away from base defensive sets and those sets are often the ones teams run the most effectively.
There is no sugar coating it, despite the Lions (players and management) feeble attempts to suggest otherwise, not having CJ out there is going to cost this team wins.
Great player, better person, 1st ballot HOF'er. No way you can have AP go in before or at the same time as CJ, sends the wrong message.
DeleteGod I hate the commenting portion of this site.... 4th time this comment has been wiped out.... so here's the simple, simple version...
ReplyDeleteCJ was great.
Lions don't have CJ anymore.
Lions will be a 9-12 win team this year.
That assumption is not a detriment or insult to CJ.
Fuck you if you think that.
-CLF
your take is fine and doesn't take away from Calvin.
DeleteI don't know what you said in your long versions but I see many ways the Lions can be better, and that's not a slight to Calvin. That's more about the organization actually having a plan that successfully comes together.