Lions WR Johnson keeps faith in club
March 19, 2010
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP)—Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson(notes) believes in whathe can’t see.
“You always have to have faith things are going to get better,” Johnsonsaid Thursday. “You can’t get down and think things won’t get better or theydefinitely won’t.”
Detroit won just two games last season after going winless the previousyear, the first time that’s happened to any NFL team. The Lions won seven gamesin 2007 after making Johnson the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft.
“Losing always gets to you,” Johnson acknowledged.
Despite being regarded as one of the game’s best receivers—especially whenhe caught 12 touchdown passes and had 1,300-plus yards receiving two years ago—Johnson hasn’t been invited to play in the Pro Bowl.
“When you don’t win, you don’t get the recognition,” he said.
Johnson joined his teammates for offseason workouts this week, hoping toimprove his chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford(notes).
Johnson also hopes he has figured out a way to stay on the field aftergetting slowed by nagging injuries last season, working with a trainer tostrengthen the areas around his knee joints.
“I want to stay healthy so I can be out there every Sunday,” he said.
The former Georgia Tech star from Tyrone, Ga. has been encouraged byDetroit’s many moves this offseason, including the addition of veteran receiverNate Burleson(notes), whom he is counting on to make teams regret blanketing him withdouble- and triple-team coverage.
“We have the tools, we just have to use them,” Johnson said.