Lions Receiver Nate Burleson Eager To Play
The Lions' leading receiver stands 6-feet-5 and weighs 265 pounds. No, Calvin Johnson didn't gain 30 pounds in the past few weeks, but he is assuredly part of the reason that tight end Brandon Pettigrew leads the team in catches with 22.
Johnson draws inordinate attention down the field and on the edge, which creates room for Pettigrew -- and fellow tight end Tony Scheffler -- to operate over the middle.
On Sunday, the balance and distribution of Detroit's offense likely will begin to change. Nate Burleson can't wait. The Lions signed their No. 2 wide receiver in March to help divert attention from Johnson and to give Matthew Stafford a seasoned option in the slot. Then Stafford suffered an injured shoulder in the opener, and Burleson suffered a twisted ankle early in Week 2.
