The Lions' most difficult negotiations will be with their first-round pick, wide receiver Calvin Johnson . He was drafted second overall, and indications are agent Bus Cook -- whose stable of clients includes Packers quarterback Brett Favre -- will ask for a deal that includes close to $30 million in guaranteed money. -- Detroit News

http://msn.foxsports.com/rumors/nfl#5

Here is the full article...

http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070717/SPORTS0101/707170323/1004/SPORTS

Just as an FYI, Reggie Bush got $26 mil guarenteed as the #2 pick last year. His contract was $60 mil total.

Ronnie Brown got $20 guarenteed the previous year.
Robert Gallery got $18.5

So this is a natural progression.

I don't see the problem. When you give ridiculous money to Backus and Redding, it's time to realize everything about why you picked Johnson and why you had the #2 pick to begin with, and pay the man. Do not allow for a holdout, do not stall in any way. Get the deal done and let CJ buy a house in the suburbs and plant himself in the D.

Well, this should help with the CJ talks. Now they have a basis to go off:


The Cleveland Browns (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=cle) reached an agreement in principle Thursday night with left tackle Joe Thomas (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=8257), the third pick in the NFL draft.
Although they still have to work out some contract language and other items to finish the deal, Thomas agreed to a five-year deal that could max out at $42.5 million. Included in the deal are guarantees of around $22-$23 million.
Thomas hopes to compete the deal and be on the practice field Friday morning. His deal opens as a six-year contract, but it has a clause that will void out the sixth year and allow him to play five seasons.

They just need to give him whatever he wants, the law of averages have to kick in for them at some point when it comes to drafting receivers...

Well, this should help with the CJ talks. Now they have a basis to go off:


Adams signed too, so there should be a real tier established now. But whatever, get him in by next week.

If his agent is holding out for #1 overall money based on the "he was widely known as the best player in the draft" theory, then this could drag a bit.

I hate when agents do that, Brady Quinn's looking for top 10 $ because "he should have gone in the top 10".

You didn't, asshole.

Reading Insider 'expert' types are writting by the end of the weekend or first part of next week.

If his agent is holding out for #1 overall money based on the "he was widely known as the best player in the draft" theory, then this could drag a bit.

I hate when agents do that, Brady Quinn's looking for top 10 $ because "he should have gone in the top 10".

You didn't, asshole.

Amen, brother. Never understood that argument.

If his agent is holding out for #1 overall money based on the "he was widely known as the best player in the draft" theory, then this could drag a bit.

I hate when agents do that, Brady Quinn's looking for top 10 $ because "he should have gone in the top 10".

You didn't, asshole.

Yeah, no doubt about it. CJ will get signed though.... The difference between # 1 and # 2 money isn't too great... However, the difference between 25 and 8 in Quinns case is monumental.

I don't get why Quinn thinks he should get paid so well. You don't get paid based on where the experts thought you'd go. You get payed for where you did go. If I'm the Browns I tell him to kiss my ass.

I don't get why Quinn thinks he should get paid so well. You don't get paid based on where the experts thought you'd go. You get payed for where you did go. If I'm the Browns I tell him to kiss my ass.

I agree. We didn't pay Mike Williams #1 money because Kiper thought he was the best player in the draft.

It's funny since all the quotes from CJ himself sounded like a guy that just wanted to get a deal done and play. A "character guy" wouldn't seem like someone that cared too much about getting paid like the guy drafted just ahead of him. Sounds like character guy failed to hire a character agent.

I don't get why Quinn thinks he should get paid so well. You don't get paid based on where the experts thought you'd go. You get payed for where you did go. If I'm the Browns I tell him to kiss my ass.

I'd tell him to be thankful he's still not sitting in the green room waiting to be drafted, which is where you might be if we didn't trade up to get your ass.

I wonder what kind of money Aaron Rogers got. He was a borderline top 5 pick and ended up in about the same place as Quinn.

My take: He knows he's garbage and is fighting for as much as possible out of his one and only good contract.

I wouldn't say he's GARBAGE. He'll probably be at least a solid backup that can start if needed, kind of like Kelly Holcomb.

I think he'll be more like Shirley Manson.

With a better tan and better hair.

And an uglier girlfriend.

I think I know the answer to this, but I'll ask anyways.

If the Raiders called Millen and offered JaMarcus Russell for Cal (now that they've got Culpepper, McCown & Walter), would you want him?

gut reaction is no, but you have to at least consider it. Stanton has already proven to be brittle and there's not much left in the cupboard for the future.

My take: He knows he's garbage and is fighting for as much as possible out of his one and only good contract.
Actually word is he's trying to get a shorter rookie deal to get to his cash-in contract quicker.

That's unfortunate for him.

I think I know the answer to this, but I'll ask anyways.

If the Raiders called Millen and offered JaMarcus Russell for Cal (now that they've got Culpepper, McCown & Walter), would you want him?

No. Calvin Johnson is better IMO. I think he's going to be one of those freak WR's like Moss, but with a better head and better work ethic. Russell may very well be a freak QB, but even freak QB's don't always win (look at Vick and Culpepper). You still have to be a great QB, not just a great athelete that also plays QB. I'm not saying Russell won't be great, just that I'd put Johnson's chances better.

Lions Sign First-Round Draft Pick WR Calvin Johnson
August 3, 2007
Allen Park, Mich. - The Detroit Lions announced today that they have signed first-round draft choice WR Calvin Johnson to a
six-year deal. Additional terms of Johnson's contract were not disclosed.

Johnson (6-5, 239), was taken by the Lions second overall in the 2007 NFL Draft out of Georgia Tech, where he is regarded as this year's premier playmaker coming out of the entry draft. His tremendous combination of size, speed and catching ability have earned him All-American honors on two occasions and have groomed him for a career in the NFL. Johnson was named to the first team All-ACC three consecutive years (2004-06). He was also awarded the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2004. In 38 games, Johnson set school records with 2,927 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns. His 178 career receptions rank him second all-time in Yellow Jacket's history.

In 2006 Johnson tied for second in the nation with 15 touchdown receptions. He set a school single-season record of 1,202 receiving yards on 78 receptions. He led the ACC in receptions per game (5.4) and receiving yards-per-game (85.9). Johnson was named ACC Offensive Back of the Week four weeks during the season (including three of the first five weeks). He showcased one of his best performances during the Toyota Gator Bowl against West Virginia, in which he caught nine receptions for a career-best 186 yards. Johnson was credited with the 2006 Biletnikoff Award given to the nation's top receiver, and named the 2006 ACC Conference Player of the Year. He finished 10th in the nation in balloting for the Heisman Trophy.

Johnson led the Jackets with 54 receptions for 888 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore in 2005. He ranked second among the ACC in receiving yards per game (74.0) and fifth in receptions (4.5). Johnson was named to first-team all-America by the American Football Coaches' Association (AFCA), and to second-team all-America by the Associated Press and Walter Camp. He also unanimously earned all-ACC honors for his second consecutive season. Johnson was a semifinalist for the 2005 Biletnikoff Award.

In 2004 Johnson set Georgia Tech freshman records with 48 catches for 837 yards and seven touchdowns. He was named first-team all-ACC, only the 11th true freshman to earn such honors. Johnson was named first-team Freshman All-America by the Sporting News and Rivals.com. He was also recognized as the ACC Rookie of the Week on four separate occasions.

Johnson is highly touted for his athleticism, speed and acrobatic excellence. In 2004 his one-handed grab over the middle (on a ball thrown well behind him) against N.C. State was selected as the No. 1 Top Play of the Day on ESPN. The same play was later recognized as the No. 2 Top Play for the entire college football season.



yeaaahhh boy

good news. At least he'll get a week of practice in before the Bengals game.

BTW, they talked to Roy about CJ yesterday on on Fox 2 and Roy said they have to get him in there soon because when you draft a #1 WR, you are counting on him to help. The guy asked Roy what he meant by #1 WR, when Roy is their #1 WR. Roy said they are both #1's and that they just play opposite each other. He wouldn't call either one of them a #2 WR.

I like that he said that. I know Furrey praised the pick and I'm pretty sure Roy was one of the people wanting CJ drafted. i think they are excited to see this offense click and don't care about the numbers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2959620


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

ESPN.com news services

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.

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.

Meanwhile, it appears the Browns' deal with their other first-round selection, offensive tackle Joe Thomas of Wisconsin, was a good one for the franchise.

The third overall pick in the draft, Thomas signed a five-year contract that, according to NFL Players Association documents, includes between $18.7 million to $18.9 million in post-option guarantees, the total that will have been guaranteed when the Browns exercise an option payment next spring. The post-option guarantees had been previously reported at more than $23 million.

That is significantly less than the $27.17 million in guarantees that the Detroit Lions will pay wide receiver Calvin Johnson, the second overall choice. Johnson's per-year average of $9.25 million is also considerably larger than Thomas' $6.7 million. But one key caveat: The Johnson deal is for six years, while Thomas signed a five-year contract, and thus, will be eligible for free agency a year earlier.

Call me ignorant, but what is the TICAL headline all about? Did I miss an inside joke or what?

Call me ignorant, but what is the TICAL headline all about? Did I miss an inside joke or what?

I was actually wondering the same thing.

I'm not seeing where you guys even saw that at...

http://wtfdetroit.com/

Oh wow, hadn't gone to the front page in a few days. I usually jump straight to the forums when I'm at work.

tical is a weed thing.

tical is a weed thing.
Still not getting it, please go into more detail....

I have no idea how it would relate, but tical is a blunt. I guess you could say something like "sweet, marijuana" as a congratulations, but I'm a 30 year old white guy, and its an urban term.

do why is it on our front page when nobody knew what it meant?

I'm wondering that too. I'm a 21 year old who's dating a pothead and rooming with a pothead, and even though I don't do it myself, I'd still think I'd have heard the term.

Johnson should reintroduce Lions fans to deep (and completed) passes

Posted by Philip Zaroo | MLive.com Staff (http://blog.mlive.com/highlightreel/about.html) August 06, 2007 23:38PM


While plenty of folks have gushed all over Calvin Johnson, there are many others asking how one player will make that much difference to a team that finished last year with a 3-13 record. Mark Craig, of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, came to Allen Park to take a firsthand look at the rookie wideout.
Craig focused on one specific area where he thinks Johnson will really improve the Lions: the deep ball. Outside of a few instances last year, the long ball is something Lions fans have rarely seen thrown, let alone completed. Johnson, according to Craig, should change that.
August 6, Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune (http://www.startribune.com/101/story/1347721.html): Not only did the 6-5, 239-pound Super-Duper Freak not drop a pass in just his third NFL practice, he didn't even bobble one. A huge receiver with big mitts, he was striding past cornerbacks like they were children. But the most impressive thing about the No. 2 overall draft pick on Monday was how he located the deep ball, adjusted and pulled it in with young-Moss-like consistency. (And, by the way, nobody calls more deep passes in practice than Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz.)
During a deep one-on-one drill against defensive back Daniel Bullocks, Johnson gained a step down the right sideline, leaned way back, looking nearly straight up over his left shoulder, and caught a 40-yard touchdown as he slid to keep his feet in the back corner of the end zone. Later, running down the left sideline during 11-on-11, he got almost two steps behind cornerback Keith Smith, looked high over his right shoulder and snared a pass that traveled about 55 yards in the air.


Calvin sounds great, and our CB's are "little children"

im thrilled with the cj pick. dude is getting some SERIOUS hype. like, he's about to eclipse every other star in detroit hype wise.

espn mag named him "next" (forget mike williams also being named "next") ive heard him being clled the best prospect in two decades. he's already being called the 40th most likely hall of fame player in the nfl. lions are going to get national tv just for CJ.

and this isnt just local hype. the national media likes cj. makes me very glad we didnt trade him down for more picks.

Someone with that much talent deserves to win a Super Bowl in their career. The question is, how long before he leaves the Lions and ends up with the team that helps him accomplish that?

I think he's Moss with more strength, and a better head on his shoulders. Let's hope the Lions don't ruin him.

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz believes rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson is destined for stardom in the NFL, but it's going to be a while before Johnson gets the star treatment.


The Lions play their first preseason game Thursday, at Ford Field against the Cincinnati Bengals, and most of Detroit's starters will get limited playing time. Johnson, who is expected to be in the starting lineup during the regular season, will be treated like any other backup fighting for a job.

"We're going to see him a lot in this game,'' Martz said Tuesday. "We're going to see him a lot in the preseason -- he's got to learn how to play in this league. We're going to wear his little froggy rear-end out.''

There are a couple of reasons Martz wants Johnson on the field for an extended period Thursday. First, Johnson missed the first eight days of training camp during his contract holdout and he's not nearly in the same "football shape'' as his teammates.

"It's hard because he'll hit a wall after about two weeks -- his legs will get real tired, so you've got to give him a reprieve. Right now, he's going to get stressed physically pretty good and then we'll try to back off a little bit,'' Martz said.

The second reason Johnson needs extra work is because he doesn't totally understand the prime conditioning Martz requires out of his receivers. Pro Bowl receiver Roy Williams had to go through a full season before he completely understood it -- and he's still trying to reach that conditioning goal.

Martz believes his system thrives when his receivers are going full speed on every play -- and not just during the play. He wants them to hustle back to the huddle and rev it up again.

The difficulty isn't just in the conditioning, but in maintaining the focus and concentration when a receiver is dead tired. Martz does not believe in rotating receivers, but in keeping his best players on the field and lifting their game to the highest level.

"He just has to get used to the constant getting back in the huddle and going full speed again,'' Martz said. "There's no way you can prepare yourself for that until you get to camp. Of course, when that happens, the sharpness of what you do -- the routes and seeing the ball -- (suffers) and you've got to get used that.''

Johnson, who played with the No. 1 offense last Friday when he signed a six-year, $55 million contract, is now running with the second team. He's expected to stay there until he gets in better shape and proves to Martz that he can maintain his intensity, both physically and mentally.

Martz knows that day is coming soon, but he's going to make Johnson earn it, nonetheless.

"He's a remarkable player and remarkable young man, so he'll be fine," Martz said. "Some of the things he struggled with the first day, he did real well out here (this week) so you can see the progress.''

In the first two preseason games, Martz said the Lions will concentrate on running plays and not be concerned about down-and-distance or game circumstances. For instance, in a third-and-eight situation, Martz might call a play that he normally wouldn't in that circumstance.

"What we try to do is put people in position to make plays. It's not as much about attacking a defense as it is putting guys in position to see what they can do,'' Martz said. "For an offensive lineman, it's trying to put pressure on them in the running game. For a receiver, it's certain routes and matchups, and for the quarterback, it's putting him in a stressful situation to see how he responds so you can learn about him.

"That's how preseason games go -- you're looking to test them and see how they respond


re: the bolded part, who says that?

I sort of understand pushing him to the point where he hits the wall so that he has time to get over the wall before the regular season, but seriously? Most coaches fear injury in the preseason so much that they won't push guys in these games. Apparently Martz is a little more reckless.

Start hopping.

This is why BMW never saw the field here:


Martz believes his system thrives when his receivers are going full speed on every play -- and not just during the play. He wants them to hustle back to the huddle and rev it up again.

The difficulty isn't just in the conditioning, but in maintaining the focus and concentration when a receiver is dead tired. Martz does not believe in rotating receivers, but in keeping his best players on the field and lifting their game to the highest level.