MIKE O'HARA SPORTS

Stafford-Johnson Hookup Is Lions Highlight

NFL Countdown | by Mike O'Hara | 06.3.2010/4:54PM

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ALLEN PARK – It was a practice play on a summery day when pro football’s trench warfare seems ages away, but its execution at such a high degree of routine brilliance made it hard not to envision that a genuine upturn in the Lions’ fortunes finally is at hand.
With a flick of his wrist, Matthew Stafford gunned a long spiral some 50 yards downfield to Calvin Johnson, who ran a fade pattern cutting to the left corner of the end zone.
With a burst from one of his long strides, Johnson jumped to gather in the past above a defensive back, then tumbled to the turf, rolling gracefully with the ball securely in both hands.
Yes, a meaningless touchdown in the first of week of June.
And yes – with more lasting importance—a meaningful exhibition of how the Lions’ talent level has risen in the last two years.
There was optimism couched with confidence as the Lions ended one phase of their offseason program with one of the Organized Team Activity (OTA) practices at their headquarters and training facility on Thursday.
The Stafford-Johnson combination could be something special – a cornerstone on a team that has gotten younger and more talented.
“Calvin has that ability to make difficult things look easy,” said coach Jim Schwartz. “He’s so big (6-5) and so long, he covers so much ground. He’s so graceful when he does it that it looks effortless.
“Matt can throw it through a wall, so it’s easy for him to flick a ball and have a lot of steam on it. It just makes it look easy.
“I know it wouldn’t look that easy if they were lesser athletes.”
Stafford is showing every sign of being the franchise quarterback that the Lions have sought for ages. Remember, this is a franchise that has leaned on the likes of castoffs from Rusty Hilger to a 290-pound Daunte Culpepper, signed off the family-roof recliner during the 2008 season.
Center Dominic Raiola, beginning his 10th season as a Lion and one of the true team leaders, has seen enough to Stafford to be convinced that the parade of wannabes is over.
“You’re finally seeing a quarterback whose comfortable being the leader of this franchise,” Raiola said. “We’ve tried drafting quarterbacks in the past. It didn’t work out. We’re seeing a guy who can turn things around.”
The experience Stafford gained from starting 10 games as a rookie in 2009 should mean more plays like Thursday’s when they count – in the regular season. The Lions should show significant improvement over their 2-14 record in Schwartz’s first season as head coach.
“It’s a difference where Matt is now as opposed to last year,” Schwartz said. ‘Last year, he was splitting reps. This year, he’s been here every single day in the offseason.
“He’s been throwing most of those days. He’s at a different point. Even last year in training camp, Calvin missed almost all of practice. This year, they’ve been at it strong since early March.”
Schwartz has a better feel for his roster, and not just with Stafford and Johnson.
Strong draft classes in 2009 and 2010, and solid free-agent signings this year have left Schwartz with what should be much tougher decisions when it comes to shaping the final 53-player roster.
The defensive line and secondary have been upgraded. Signing free-agent Rob Sims to play left guard on the offensive line plugs a hole the size of the Uniroyal Tire on I-94.
Rookie Jahvid Best could fill the critical void of a running back with big-play potential. And Nate Burleson ought to be a productive complement to Johnson as the No. 2 receiver.
“I hope there are tougher decisions,” Schwartz said. “That’s a sign of a good roster—when you have tough cuts. Quite honestly, there weren’t a lot of difficult cuts for us to make (last year).
“We’ll be in a much better sit when we’re ago over cutting people and people are looking at our roster.
“I know the players a little bit better. That gives me a little more comfort. We’ve been through an offseason with them. We know a little more of what we have this year, at least I do, than this time last year.”

Healthy choices: The Lions got through this phase of the offseason without any of the major injuries that have hit some other teams.
Tight end Tony Scheffler, acquired from Denver in the three-team deal that sent linebacker Ernie Sims from Detroit to Philly, missed time early with a foot injury but has stood out in practice of late.
Scheffler was especially impressive on Tuesday, Schwartz said.
Other players returning from surgeries – such as tight end Brandon Pettigrew, running back Kevin Smith and wide safety Ko Simpson – are on schedule in rehabilitation. Simpson is probably the closest to being available for training camp.

Talent hunt: GM Martin Mayhew predictably offered no revealing information when asked if the Lions are interested in safety Oshiomongho Atogwe, recently released by the St. Louis Rams. The Lions are in need of depth – at least – at safety to go along with Louis Delmas. Atogwe is not regarded as an elite-level player.
“I never say whether we are or whether we aren’t interested in a player,” Mayhew said on his way off practice.

Replay review: Schwartz said he couldn’t have controlled his emotions had he been the Tigers’ manager when an ump’s blown call on a play at first deprived Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga of a perfect game and no-hitter.
“Oh God, no,” Schwartz said, mostly joking. “I would have been thrown out, and I would have caused the Detroit police, probably, a lot of problems. I wouldn’t have gone easily.”

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