Extra-large cleats to fill Post-Johnson, there’s plenty of work to do
Long-suffering fans of the Detroit Lions have been here before.
No one needs to remind them about life after the early retirement of a dominant offensive player. In 1999, Barry Sanders abruptly left the game. In 2016, Calvin Johnson retired after nine seasons.
So for all of the optimism that stirred after their 6-2 close to the 2015 season (following a 1-7 start), the Lions had the offseason to figure out a question that has no immediate answer: how to fill the sizable shoes of Johnson, who had 88 receptions for 1,214 yards and nine touchdowns while playing all 16 games last season.
While there is no legitimate way to replace him in 2016, the Lions hope to solidify the offensive and defensive lines, a priority for new general manager Bob Quinn, and build off the performance of Matthew Stafford, who played like a top-10 quarterback during the second half.
Amid the on-field struggles of the first half of the 2015 season, the Lions fired three assistants and two top executives, general manager Martin Mayhew and team president Tom Lewand. Before Week 8, Jim Bob Cooter was promoted to offensive coordinator to replace Joe Lombardi.
Cooter helped the offense lean more on Stafford’s strengths: his quick release and decision-making. He threw 19 touchdown passes and two interceptions during the second half, enabling the turnaround that led to coach Jim Caldwell’s return.
Signing former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Marvin Jones in the offseason was a strong move. Golden Tate will have an opportunity to be a top receiver in the league. And other pass-catching options, notably tight end Eric Ebron, will have a chance to shine. But it surely will take a team effort to compensate for the absence of Johnson.
“Obviously, Calvin, he is what he is,” Jones said. “He is that guy. You can’t replicate him, as I’ve said for about seven weeks now. He’s HOF (Hall of Fame). I say we have a lot of players. We don’t have any wandering eyes out there. We’re really getting it. We all know what we can bring to the table.”
QUARTERBACK
Is Stafford an elite quarterback? His results during the second half of last season — including completing 70% of his passes — would suggest that he absolutely is. But can he be even better? Stafford has reached 25,000 passing yards faster than anyone else in league history. And he holds franchise records in attempts, completions and yards. Suddenly, Stafford is the oldest projected offensive starter at just 28. His experience can be a virtue.
“I feel old,” Stafford said. “It’s crazy how it happens. You feel like you’re the young guy forever and then all of a sudden …”
RUNNING BACK
The Lions need a much stronger rushing attack after finishing 32nd in rushing yards per game. Ameer Abdullah, a second-round draft pick in 2015, had surgery in January to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. He led the Lions in rushing with 597 yards. Theo Riddick, who had 80 receptions for 697 yards last season, will figure heavily into the mix as well.
WIDE RECEIVER
There’s no true way to replace Johnson, the team’s all-time leader in receptions (731) and receiving yards (11,619) in one offseason. Tate will have to prove he can be a No. 1 receiver. Even with Johnson alongside him, Tate had at least 90 receptions in each of the past two seasons. He has an uncanny ability to make tacklers miss. And he is among the best in racking up yards after the catch. The Lions signed Jones to a five-year, $40 million deal. He is fresh off the best season of his career, having caught 65 passes for 816 yards in 2015. TJ Jones and free agent signee Jeremy Kerley, who likely will play in the slot, also should be prime targets for Stafford.
TIGHT END
If there is someone else who could help ease the loss of Johnson, it might be Ebron, the 10th overall selection in 2014. He nearly doubled his reception total last season and more than doubled his receiving yards. This is an important third year for the talented tight end. He has physical skills