Today's blog is going to really create some debate so please feel free to throw your two penny in as I always do! On Saturday evening history was created as Calvin Johnson wide receiver broke a long standing NFL record for most receiving yards in a season. It was mid way through the second half and Johnson already had over 5 catches for over 150 yards when he ran another crossing route which took him over Jerry Rices record of 1848 receiving yards for this season. This record was set in 1995 so think of all the receivers that have had a go at beating this record Moss, Owens, Bruce, Harrison, Wayne and Johnson to name a few.
What's most amazing about this record is the team Johnson was able to achieve it with. When Rice set the record he was with the 49ers who had just won a string of Super Bowls and had talent all around him. Johnson plays for the helpless Lions who are now 4-11 with a lack of talent around him. Every team that plays Detroit knows that Johnson is not only the biggest threat but this season has been the only threat. Therefore teams game plan for this, he could probably count on one hand the number of times he has seen single coverage this year. The majority of the time Johnson is double teamed normally with a safety over the top of a corner. He can even be triple teamed as I have seen many times this year, Arizona several times last week put two people right on Johnson at the line of scrimmage like you would over a gunner in punt coverage to try and prevent him getting the ball. Yet he still managed over 100 yards receiving. The only way I could make a comparison to soccer to help people understand, is if Mancherster United played Arsenal Manchester United just stuck two players say Anderson and Carrick on Corzola for the whole game. Both players following him every where continuously marking him preventing him form having any space or possession. This is what Johnson receives week in and week out.
Yet Johnson is still able to go on and have the best season by a wide receiver in NFL history how is this possible. This then made me think Johnson has blown all competition out of the water in the NFL but how would he compare to other sports is he the most dominate person in all of sports. When you watch Johnson (like I have every game for last 4 seasons) he not only dominates opposition through his performance but also in his physical makeup.
Johnson is 6-5 and weights 232lbs making him one of the biggest wide receivers in the game which is not unusual there are plenty of big receivers. The only difference is they can not run 40 yards in 4.32 seconds, let me put this in perspective Chris Rainey who went to the Olympics this summer with team USA as a back up 100 meter runner ran his 40 yard dash in 4.4 seconds. Johnson's sprinter speed, size which is the wingspan of two full size garages and huge hands which means he rarely drops a ball is why Johnson is a match up nightmare and why he is the most dominate player in the NFL.
Comparisons to other sports could be made to James or Jordan in the NBA, Tendulkar or Warne in cricket, Phelps in swimming and Messi in football. I'm sure I have left some true sporting legends of the list and I'm sure they may even make better comparisons but these were the ones that I thought off. If I take some of these quickly, James is the one that probably dominated his sport in a physical way like Johnson does. James is an absolute beast and was at his most dominate when he played in a poor Cleveland team, since being in Miami James has learnt that for the best of the team he does not need to be as dominate but play his role within the team. Messi no doubt has dominated this year in la ligua scoring a record amount of goals and this is something that should not be taken lightly. However Messi plays alongside some of the best footballers in the world which has helped him achieve this great fate. Johnson does have some talented players around him but Detroit is not the Barcelona of the NFL not by a long shot. Johnson has had to achieve this single handed.
The best comparison is to Phelps who like Johnson does have a physical advantage in his sport and from all accounts is a hard worker and committed again like Johnson. The only difference I would say is Phelps has had success, a lot of success holding the record for the most Olympic medals. This is something Johnson has not achieved he has never won a playoff game let alone a Super Bowl. Phelps though will not be at the next Olympics and so while its not official is pretty much retired. Therefore Johnson could still be the most dominate player in all of sports, currently.
I just want to finish with saying well done Mr Johnson what you have achieved is amazing and a record I hope stays for a long time. It's how you went about achieving this though which I think is the most amazing thing teams know you were going to be the focus of the Lions offence yet you still dominated all competition. To make this statement untouchable that he is the most dominate sportsman on the planet he needs to be successful and win a Super Bowl then this will not be opinion but fact. Good luck Megatron in your hunt for 2000 this weekend.
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