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Calvin Johnson, now is his third professional season, has shown flashes of brilliance. His 1,200-plus yards receiving and 12 touchdowns in 2008 were incredible numbers considering Detroit finished 0-16. But "Megatron" has just one TD grab this season, and the Lions are a combined 8-33 since drafting him.So while Johnson has been stellar at times and has a very, very bright future, it's hard to put him on the same level as guys like Randy Moss, Andre Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald. Unless you ask Minnesota cornerback Benny Sapp, that is.
"Calvin Johnson is the best receiver in the league, hands down," Sapp, a six-year veteran, told the St. Paul Pioneer Press after Minnesota's 27-10 Week 10 victory over Detroit. "He's the complete package."
Sapp drew the unfortunate assignment of trying to cover Johnson on Sunday, with Antoine Winfield, Minnesota's normal starting cornerback, out of the lineup due to injury.
Johnson hauled in eight catches for 88 yards. He has not scored since a Week 2 TD against the Vikings, but that didn't slow Sapp's praise for Johnson.
"He's like the LeBron James of football because of his size, speed and his knowledge of the game," Sapp raved. "He could have been a safety. A corner. An outside linebacker. He could have been anything."
Those established superstars at the wide receiver position might take umbrage with Sapp's comments, but at the same time, Johnson has the potential to be a simply impossible matchup for opposing defenses. He scored in 10 different games during Detroit's miserable 2008 season, topping the 100-yard receiving mark five times.
Injuries -- not to mention Detroit's woeful offensive line and the introduction of rookie QB Matthew Stafford to the Lions' offense -- have slowed Johnson's rise. Still, he's steadily developing a rapport with Stafford. If the Lions ever figure out a way to pass protect, and discover a couple more consistent offensive weapons, Johnson has the potential to be a perennial Pro Bowler.
Even with Johnson's occasional struggles, and the abundance of top-flight wide receivers out there, Sapp has no problems anointing Detroit's young star as the league's top receiver.
"I'm not saying he's the best route runner," Sapp said, "but overall, he's the whole package."
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