Calvin Johson is the #1 WR in Fantasy
Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:23 am
Calvin Johnson is the number one wide receiver in fantasy football, period.
1. He's a physical freak of nature. 6'5" 235lbs. He can run as fast as any other receiver and can jump higher. His size, speed, height and reach creates mismatches with every player attempting to guard him. Double team him and he simply leaps higher than the defense.
2. He's playing on a team with a horrible defense. You have to love his garbage time production potential.....losing games, have to pass, unless your team is led by Jamarcus Russell.
3. His quarterback position will be more stable this year. Last season, Johnson caught only 52% of his targets; one of the worst percentages among top 20 WR's. This can be attributed to the horrendous quarterback play from the Lions. Daunte Culpepper had a full offseason and preseason to learn the offense and get in sync with the rest of the team. Matthew Stafford will be more than adequate when he plays. He has a rocket arm that will allow him to make throws many veterans could only hope to make. Whichever player is under center is going to be better than the QB carousel from last season.
4. He's in his 3rd year, typically the year a wide receiver "breaks out" to have his best season. You can say Calvin already broke out, but I say he hasn't come close to reaching his potential.
5. This is what seals the deal for me: Scott Linehan.
Since entering the NFL in 2002, the Lions new offensive coordinator, Linehan, has shown the propensity to utilize his #1 wide receiver in the red zone.
During the 2002 and 2003 seasons in Minnesota, Randy Moss was #1 in red zone targets; in 2004, Nate Burleson was #7. In Miami, during the 2005 season Chris Chambers was #1 in red zone targets. In St. Louis, Torry Holt was #3 in 2006 and #14 in 2007.
Johnson tied Fitzgerald for the most touchdown receptions in the NFL, yet Fitzgerald received almost three times the red zone targets as Johnson.
Let's examine the goal line targets for wide receivers in Linehan's system. While in Minnesota, during the 2002 and 2003 seasons, the Vikings' Randy Moss was #1 in goal line targets. The 2004 season was a "down" year as Nate Burleson tied for 17th. In 2005 while in Miami, Chris Chambers finished the season as the most targeted receiver at the goal line. In St. Louis, during the 2006, 2007 and 2008 season, Torry Holt finished 9th, 5th and tied for 3rd in goal line targets.
Linehan loves to utilize his wide receivers near the goal line and outside of Moss, none of the aforementioned ones possess the skills of Johnson.
Last season, Johnson was the 55th most targeted receiver at the goal line last season, yet he tied Fitzgerald for the league lead in touchdown receptions.
Simply imagine what Calvin can accomplish if leads the league in red zone and goal line targets. Call me crazy, but Calvin has a chance at 20+ touchdown receptions this season.
Yes, as GK stated in another thread, I do love Calvin. I saw him play during his freshman season at Georgia Tech and fell in love with his ability. The Stafford/Johnson combo should be one of the best in the league for years to come.
1. He's a physical freak of nature. 6'5" 235lbs. He can run as fast as any other receiver and can jump higher. His size, speed, height and reach creates mismatches with every player attempting to guard him. Double team him and he simply leaps higher than the defense.
2. He's playing on a team with a horrible defense. You have to love his garbage time production potential.....losing games, have to pass, unless your team is led by Jamarcus Russell.
3. His quarterback position will be more stable this year. Last season, Johnson caught only 52% of his targets; one of the worst percentages among top 20 WR's. This can be attributed to the horrendous quarterback play from the Lions. Daunte Culpepper had a full offseason and preseason to learn the offense and get in sync with the rest of the team. Matthew Stafford will be more than adequate when he plays. He has a rocket arm that will allow him to make throws many veterans could only hope to make. Whichever player is under center is going to be better than the QB carousel from last season.
4. He's in his 3rd year, typically the year a wide receiver "breaks out" to have his best season. You can say Calvin already broke out, but I say he hasn't come close to reaching his potential.
5. This is what seals the deal for me: Scott Linehan.
Since entering the NFL in 2002, the Lions new offensive coordinator, Linehan, has shown the propensity to utilize his #1 wide receiver in the red zone.
During the 2002 and 2003 seasons in Minnesota, Randy Moss was #1 in red zone targets; in 2004, Nate Burleson was #7. In Miami, during the 2005 season Chris Chambers was #1 in red zone targets. In St. Louis, Torry Holt was #3 in 2006 and #14 in 2007.
Johnson tied Fitzgerald for the most touchdown receptions in the NFL, yet Fitzgerald received almost three times the red zone targets as Johnson.
Let's examine the goal line targets for wide receivers in Linehan's system. While in Minnesota, during the 2002 and 2003 seasons, the Vikings' Randy Moss was #1 in goal line targets. The 2004 season was a "down" year as Nate Burleson tied for 17th. In 2005 while in Miami, Chris Chambers finished the season as the most targeted receiver at the goal line. In St. Louis, during the 2006, 2007 and 2008 season, Torry Holt finished 9th, 5th and tied for 3rd in goal line targets.
Linehan loves to utilize his wide receivers near the goal line and outside of Moss, none of the aforementioned ones possess the skills of Johnson.
Last season, Johnson was the 55th most targeted receiver at the goal line last season, yet he tied Fitzgerald for the league lead in touchdown receptions.
Simply imagine what Calvin can accomplish if leads the league in red zone and goal line targets. Call me crazy, but Calvin has a chance at 20+ touchdown receptions this season.
Yes, as GK stated in another thread, I do love Calvin. I saw him play during his freshman season at Georgia Tech and fell in love with his ability. The Stafford/Johnson combo should be one of the best in the league for years to come.