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Calvin Johnson just needs to play better. Period
One of the raging issues about the Lions this week is the lack of production from Calvin Johnson. Are they really not getting him the ball enough? Don’t see that as the issue. Johnson just not making plays is the bigger problem, in my opinion.
The Lions have thrown the ball 21 times to Johnson in the first two games, resulting in just eight receptions. There have been drops in the mix. He also fell down on a fade pattern in the opener at Chicago, which led to a costly interception.
While it would be wise for the Lions to design shorter routes or reverses to get the ball in Johnson’s hands, there is a bottom line about all this: He just needs to play better.
Period.
Random Thoughts
- I think Don Treadwell will do well in the absence of Mark Danontio as MSU’s head coach. He has done a good job of bringing the Spartans' offense together. I think this will be MSU’s best offense of the Dantonio era. The balance is good. There are, however, still concerns defensively. The secondary is not a strength. And it seems like the Spartans must blitz to get a decent pass rush.
- At first glance, I thought it was ridiculous Michigan and Michigan State are ranked in the Top 25. For what? Beating decidedly mediocre Notre Dame? Then I checked the "others receiving votes" category in both polls. Not a lot there.
- Nothing is more misleading than September baseball with a team out of the race. Good for Will Rhymes, Alex Avila and Daniel Schlereth, but their performances lately will mean little in the long run.
The Lions have thrown the ball 21 times to Johnson in the first two games, resulting in just eight receptions. There have been drops in the mix. He also fell down on a fade pattern in the opener at Chicago, which led to a costly interception.
While it would be wise for the Lions to design shorter routes or reverses to get the ball in Johnson’s hands, there is a bottom line about all this: He just needs to play better.
Period.
Random Thoughts
- I think Don Treadwell will do well in the absence of Mark Danontio as MSU’s head coach. He has done a good job of bringing the Spartans' offense together. I think this will be MSU’s best offense of the Dantonio era. The balance is good. There are, however, still concerns defensively. The secondary is not a strength. And it seems like the Spartans must blitz to get a decent pass rush.
- At first glance, I thought it was ridiculous Michigan and Michigan State are ranked in the Top 25. For what? Beating decidedly mediocre Notre Dame? Then I checked the "others receiving votes" category in both polls. Not a lot there.
- Nothing is more misleading than September baseball with a team out of the race. Good for Will Rhymes, Alex Avila and Daniel Schlereth, but their performances lately will mean little in the long run.
Labels: Calvin Johnson Don Treadwell
posted by Pat Caputo at
12:54 PM
18 Comments:
I agree Calvin deserves a lot of the blame, and I do think Schwartz is a better coach than Marinelli was. BUT one thing Rod did better than Schwartz was get Calvin the ball in any way possible. Reverses, screens, short cut ins, you name it.
The past two years it seems like he runs deep routes every play. They aren't utilizing him to his fullest abilities at all. I think the offensive play calling in general the past two weeks has been REALLY bad. Almost Jim Colletto bad.
Oh, and I was at the Tigers game last night. May not have mattered much, but it was still a lot of fun.
Pat,
I made a couple observations of the MSU performance from last week and I was wondering what your thoughts are on them. You wrote a few weeks back that the spartans will have their best success as a running team (they will not be successful if they have a pass 1st tendency). I know they have a couple of good backs, but they have 4 receivers that seem to be pretty talented (Dell, Cunningham, Martin, and Nichols). It seems like if they went to a 3 or 4 receiver package more often it would really open things up more for their running backs. Also, in their receiving corps it appears that they have a couple of guys that have big play ability. Don't you think it would take some heat off that defense if they were able to get some more quick strikes? It seems to me that playing a grinding close game is only playing into the weakness of that defense. I don't know about you, but I sure don't feel comfortable being in a tie game at the end with the opposing team having the last chance with the ball. It really looked like in the ND game they were basically holding the opposition in the game by not exposing them. It seemed pretty apparent that offensively they had a lot more speed than the opposing defense. I know they had a plan going into the game but doesn't that say something about the coaching staff to not recognize opportunity and making the necessary adjustment? Another thing I noticed about the defense is their lack of discipline. In the ND game they got bit for a pretty decent gain on a shovel pass. I can see giving that up, but it seems like a well disciplined team would make the adjustment and not let it happen again. However, late in the game on a 3rd and long they got bit by the same play. Isn't that a reflection of sorts on the coaching staff for not making that adjustment at half time (or at any point through out the game)? In the end, I'm glad we got the win (and it sure was a fun way to get it) but that is just one game and the odds are that you can't make a living winning those sort of games (especially when looking at the recent history of MSU football).
Lil Rob
I think Calvin Johnson is one of the most overrated players in the NFL. Yes, he is a physical speciman, and seemingly a solid guy, but it has not translated to production on the field. All you hear in the media are excuses (he doesn't have a good QB, the Lions don't have a run game, he gets double teamed, etc.). He should be making the QB and run game better and elevating anyone who plays WR with him. He is not in the conversation with truly great receivers such as Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald or Andre Johnson. I have always been against taking WR's so high in the draft so my question is this: Would the Lions have won more games with Joe Thomas instead of Calvin?
Lil Rob,
If you have a suspect defense, why would you want a quick strike offense? That just puts your defense back on the field faster. The best defense is a ball control offense that takes time off the clock and limits the number of times the defense gets on the field. May not be sexy, but it's effective.
Calvin Johnson, great physical athlete.
Only problem, a couple circuits are loose.
Attitude such that he is not an athlete that will play at high potential for any sustained amount of games.
Just one of those things you can't predict or improve through coaching.
I noticed you didn't include Raburn with Rhymes, Avila and Schlerth? Years prior - such a list would have Raburn on it. I think he slugged it out an made his way out of the 4A players list and up to regular bench "Utility Guy" (UG for scorekeepers out there).
Raburn might actually be valuable trade material. If nopthing else - there is the proof for Rhymes and Schlerth that it can be achieved.
I know I promised you I wouldn't comment on football - but Calvin Johnson simply strikes me as a player on the field who "thinks he is an elite player" and doesn't have to prove it.
I agree wholeheartedly with you Book that now Calvin Johnson needs to stop the showboating and prove he is an elite player.
- my last football comment - I promise :)
Michael C,
I think they should get CJ involved right away Sunday. Maybe with a reverse. Or just quick pass where he tries to make a catch and run. Need to get him in the flow earlier.
Caputo
Michael C,
I like September baseball. I am with you on that. It's less about hype and more about the love of the game.
Caputo
lil rob,
I think you make great points. You could have the best of both worlds. Go tight when necessary and spread the field when necessary. But they do that a lot. They also have good tight ends. A lot of weapons on that team. Bell was a missing piece. Cousins is better. Was at game Saturday and really impressed with the Spartans offensively. Defensive line has to play better.
Caputo
Deanon,
I agree with you from this standpoint. The production doesn't match the physical ability. At least in every other year other than 2008.
Caputo
Jeff H,
Like I said in my post to lil rob, the Spartans may have the best of both worlds offensively. Will be tough to scheme against - and go after opposing defenses weaknesses. And part of it is the offensive line. It's underrated.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
Those other guys are rookies. Raburn has been in their system for many years. I see him as a valuable member of the team, but not somebody you can rely on every day. Lacks consistency and fielding ability, but somebody who help in stretches when he is hot.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
I like your football comments. I agree about just score and don't stubborn and showboat. By the way, MSU's home uniforms look like Ron Lancaster playing for the Sask Roughriders. Myself, I thought Russ Jackson was the better QB. Big fan of George Reed? God bless Sonny Wade and Tommy Joe Coffey. Who was Ivor Wynn?
Caputo
Anonymous,
I know this about Calvin Johnson: He does work hard in practice. He needs to be more prepared to let loose on Sunday.
Caputo
Book - Ivor Wynne was kind of like the Bo Schembechler of Hamilton - yeah - I said it - I compared Ivor to Bo.
Remember Book, I went to Georgia and LSU!!
Fred Brill,
So you know all about Halloween Night, 1959 and Between the Hedges...So you must know football.
Caputo
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