Johnson is just as advertised
Rookie receiver, who is not at 100 percent for up-tempo workout, shows skills
Mike O'Hara | The Detroit News / The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK -- Calvin Johnson was a little under the weather and somewhat overwhelmed by the number of plays he had to learn in a hurry for his first practice with the Lions.
Even with that working against him -- combined with the high tempo demanded by offensive coordinator Mike Martz -- Johnson showed signs of why he was drafted second overall.
"He looked great out there," said quarterback Drew Stanton, drafted in the second round out of Michigan State. "He's everything advertised.
"It's a matter of us getting on the same page and me feeling comfortable with the offense. There are a lot of options for him to do great things."
Johnson's physical ability was evident during the first day of mini-camp Friday. He is 6-foot-5, 239 pounds with speed and exceptional hands.
One quality that stood out in drills that were open to the media was the way Johnson caught. Almost every catch was with his hands with his arms outstretched, as opposed to cradling the ball or trapping it against his body.
"He'll go up and make plays for you," Stanton said. "All those things you want in a receiver, he brings to the table."
Johnson, out of Georgia Tech, knew he'd be in the spotlight because of his draft status and the attention he received in the buildup to the draft. He said he was feeling the effects of a slight virus and isn't close to being in top shape.
But he was satisfied with his first day of practice.
"I knew everybody would have their eyes on me," Johnson said. "It comes with the territory."
Martz is famous for the volume of information he gives his players. The rookies had their first meeting Thursday evening and had to transfer the information to the field Friday morning.
"I'm trying to put everything we talked about in the meetings on the field," Johnson said. "It's easier said than done, trying to smooth everything out. There's a lot to learn. We've only done part of it so far. I'm pretty much catching on to it."
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for Johnson. He visited teams interested in drafting him and attended the draft in New York. It didn't leave much time for working out.
Johnson said he has done "a decent amount" of training, but he was perspiring heavily after the morning practice.
"We're a little winded out here, the first practice and everything," Johnson said. "We're busting our behind every play. That's another reason everybody's a little winded.
"As the week goes on, we'll get better. You can never simulate as fast a pace as the practice is."
Coach Rod Marinelli didn't expect Johnson or any of the rookies to be in top shape, but Johnson's raw ability stood out.
"The talent level and the skill is exceptional," Marinelli said. "The biggest thing for a lot of the guys is the pace and the tempo. We just want to get him in a groove about what this league is about, what the Detroit Lions are about."
QB grad school
As expected, Martz has started working on Stanton's mechanics.
"He's really a talented young man," Martz said. "We go back and strip him away from everything and rebuild him. It's hard -- very hard for him."
Martz is changing the quarterback's grip.
"He had a fat hand on the ball," Martz said, referring to the way Stanton lays the ball on his hand. "He kind of pushes it. He's got a live wrist. When he gets the right hand placement, the ball snaps out.
"He had great success doing what he was doing. We can help him even more."
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Now I am not a big fan of Quinn or for the matter of fact Russell, but its the typical overreaction. It would have been a major shock, if someone didn't say he is going to be a bust based on first practice.
