Calvin Johnson Reacts
Two days before the Lions try to get back on the winning track and end a five game losing skid at Ford Field against the Packers, the talk at practice today instead focused on the comments from receiver Calvin Johnson on the "Valenti and Foster" show on Wednesday. Calvin when asked about his future as a Lion said "I have won 11 games since I have been here in four years, losing definitely sucks, definitely don't want to be around losing, you can't get used to that." Today coaches and Johnson himself got a chance to react and explain how those comments have affected things in the last 24 hours.
Head Coach Jim Schwartz saying "there's probably a big difference between being asked about what's going to happen and feeling like you have to give an answer when your on a radio show, and you bringing it up yourself. So I think there's a big difference there, and he's trying to do a good job of answering questions and giving interviews. The only quote I saw there is I want to win and I thinks' that's everyone here". Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said "most of the things that I get from it, in my opinion is he's a winner, he's frustrated with not winning and I think there's not anybody that doesn't agree with him. It's lousy, we want to be able to step up and turn this thing around and start winning."
Johnson himself when approached in the locker room after practice tried to clarify " well all I meant is everybody here is frustrated, you know we have been losing. I have been here four years and haven't had a winning season but for the most part there is just a lot of frustration going on. Everybody here wants to win, we got a new squad and we are working towards that, you know there has been a lot of progress and we have been close but the thing about this league is either you win or go home." The receiver was also asked if people have told him that he's wasting his talents with the Lions "I mean you hear it but you can't let that stuff affect you." Johnson is under contract with Detroit until the end of next season.
