No. 2 pick Johnson signs 6-year deal with Detroit

Slim · 08-03-2007, 05:46 PM

espn.com

Quote:

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson signed a six-year deal with the Detroit Lions on Friday, ending the No. 2 overall pick's eight-day holdout.

Johnson's contract is worth $64 million, with $27.2 million fully guaranteed, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports.

Johnson's signing allowed him to get into camp for workouts, where he was out catching passes Friday morning.

"I know the expectations are really high, but I'm hoping I can live up to them," Johnson said. "Now that I'm here, I can start working on that."

Johnson and the team agreed to terms and signed the contract early Friday, said Lions executive vice president Tom Lewand.

"It's good to be on the field and not be dealing with contract stuff any more," Johnson said. "At first, I was trying to be patient, but it's been pretty nerve-racking for the last few days."

Johnson was regarded by some as the best player in the draft after catching 78 passes for 1,202 yards and 15 touchdowns during his All-America junior season at Georgia Tech. He won the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's top college receiver.

Unsigned First-Round Picks

A week into NFL training camps, coaches will tell you these absent rookies -- including JaMarcus Russell, right -- are falling behind in their programs by the minute.

The Five Holdouts No. Team Player
1. Raiders JaMarcus Russell, QB
14. Jets Darrelle Revis, CB
22. Browns Brady Quinn, QB
23. Chiefs Dwayne Bowe, WR
25. Panthers Jon Beason, LB

The Lions made room for Johnson on the roster by placing quarterback Drew Stanton -- a rookie second-round pick out of Michigan State -- on injured reserve, meaning he's out for the season. Stanton had arthroscopic knee surgery earlier in the week.

"He's a quick study, so we put him right out there with the ones in the two-minute drill," Lions coach Rod Marinelli said of Johnson. "We've got some receivers whose legs are gone, and Calvin's fresh, so he's going right into the fire."

The Lions, 3-13 last season, in April made Johnson the fourth receiver taken with their first pick in the past five drafts.

The Lions are 24-72 and have missed the playoffs every season since Millen joined the front office in 2001. The soft-spoken Johnson figures to get ample opportunities in offensive coordinator Mike Martz's pass-happy scheme.

64 million? That is a lot of bread.

Brandon · 08-05-2007, 04:58 PM

Well.. barring a major injury, this guy should be a 1st ballot hall of famer.

Invictus · 08-05-2007, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blade
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Well.. barring a major injury, this guy should be a 1st ballot hall of famer.

How many times has that been said about a 1st Round Receiver though? I've seen some college games with this kid and he is good but I think people might be getting a little giddy.

I'm getting really annoyed with the rookies this year, I just wish they'd sign their contracts and quit holding out. Everyone one of these reports when a rookie has signed has included some BS about having to get the business side right first and that they demand huge bonuses because they might break their face or some shit in training camp and never play again. So? I could be crippled by some 11 year old on the corridor at school but work still won't give me a $15 dollar signing bonus. Bastards. If you get injured tough shit.

JaMarcus Russell apparently won't sign because his guaranteed money isn't enough. I'm pretty sure I could get by with $2 million for the rest of my life, yet this bitch wants 20 without playing a down in the NFL.

Brady Quinn wants Top 10 money, and can't understand why the Browns won't give him it. Well here is why dipshit, you didn't get picked in the Top 10! If they hadn't traded with the 'Boys you would have probably fallen to the 2nd Round.

End Rant.

Brandon · 08-05-2007, 07:08 PM

My statement is based on what I've seen out of Johnson.

Yes, it's been said a lot about standout WR's in the past, but when I watched the guy take the field, he was a God among men.. I didn't say the same thing about Mike Williams or Charles Rogers.. They were great in college, this guy and his skill set were freaky..Moss-like

Freak · 08-07-2007, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blade
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I didn't say the same thing about Mike Williams or Charles Rogers.. They were great in college, this guy and his skill set were freaky..Moss-like

Calvin Johnson obviously deserves a higher pedestal than Mike Williams, but the general consensus regarding Charles Rogers was very, very close to the feeling people have about Johnson. He was a can't-miss prospect in every sense of the word, with measurables comparable to Johnson's and, correct me if I'm wrong, better college production. (That's not a knock on Johnson -- Reggie Ball was, well... balls.)

I agree that Johnson is one of the surest-looking prospects I've ever seen, but to call him a first-ballot hall-of-famer before he's stepped on an NFL field? That's @#$%ing assinine.

Toaster Oven · 08-07-2007, 04:49 AM

He's definitely better than any WR I've seen coming out of college, I've been scouting the Draft since 2002. Rogers didn't have the explosion and raw athleticness that Johnson has. Rogers was more polished as a WR, hence the better production.

Jayman · 08-07-2007, 09:48 AM

"This is our year" a lot of people around here are saying for the Lions.

I'll just be happy if they go 8-8. The Roy Williams-Calvin Johnson combination is a good looking one at first glance. Here's hoping they live up to the hype. If our O-line can give Kitna some time to throw, we might just have a decent season.

Brandon · 08-07-2007, 08:49 PM

I don't claim to be an expert but I know when a guy is unstoppable on the field and makes plays that others simply cannot dupilcate and that's 100% Calvin Johnson. I didn't feel the same way about Charles Rogers.

As far as the money goes, everyone is paid huge money.. just look at what JaMarcus Russell is going to get. Shit, if I had to bet on who will be more productive in their career, I'd surely take Johnson over JaMarcus.

We can come back to this discussion after the season. I'm banking on Calvin exploding in his rookie year and never looking back.

Necro · 08-07-2007, 11:10 PM

Jesus people in the NFL get insane contracts...

Toaster Oven · 08-08-2007, 12:20 AM

Necro, realize that other than the "guaranteed money" which ranges from 1million-20 million, NONE of the contract is guaranteed. Not like the NBA where the money is guaranteed.

No. 2 pick Johnson signs 6-year deal with Detroit

This is a discussion on No. 2 pick Johnson signs 6-year deal with Detroit within the North American Sports forums, part of the Sports Forums category; espn.com ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson signed a six-year deal with the Detroit Lions on Friday, ...