Lions sign No. 2 pick WR Calvin Johnson
http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/DET/10279736
Lions sign No. 2 pick WR Johnson
NFL.com wire reports
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (Aug. 3, 2007) -- Rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson signed a six-year deal with the Detroit Lions, ending the No. 2 overall pick's eight-day holdout.
NFL Network's Adam Schefter
The Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with their first-round pick, wide receiver Calvin Johnson, on a whopping six-year, $55.5 million contract that includes almost $27.2 million worth of guarantees. The contract has a maximum value of $64 million, and it makes him the highest-paid player in Lions history.
Unlike other rookie deals, it includes guaranteed money paid out from the moment Johnson signs it.
It also includes another $4.5 million in bonuses that Johnson, the second overall pick in the draft, should earn by the middle of this season if he sees even a minimum amount of playing time.
Johnson's signing allowed him to get into camp for workouts, where he was out catching passes.
"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 Lions president Matt 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.
Re: Lions sign No. 2 pick WR Calvin Johnson
Quote:
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.
I hadn't heard this. That's handy---give the kid a redshirt season.
