WSJ: Megatron Falls Short of the End Zone

**DaKCMan AP** · 08-20-2013, 01:12 PM

Megatron Falls Short of the End Zone

There seems to be one surefire way to rob football's Megatron of his superhuman powers—put the goal line in front of him.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson was stopped inside the opponent's 5-yard line an NFL-high eight times last year. And on five of those occasions, defenses stymied the 6-foot-5 star within a yard of the end zone.

Although Johnson set a single-season record for receiving yards (1,964) last season, he caught only five touchdowns. Thirty-nine players last season caught more. A mere 15 receiving yards was all that stood between Johnson and eight more scores, which would have raised his touchdown total for the season to a more Megatron-like 13.

Close.Getting into the end zone wasn't as difficult for Johnson in previous seasons. In 2011, he scored 16 touchdowns on 96 receptions, a touchdown every six catches. That dropped dramatically to a touchdown every 24.4 receptions last season (five in 122 grabs).

The receivers who had the next-most near-misses were New Orleans's Marques Colston and Atlanta's Roddy White, who were both stopped six times inside the 5 last season. White also tied teammate Tony Gonzalez for second behind Johnson by being tackled three times inside the 1.

Johnson's futility inside the 5 actually didn't hurt the Lions that much last season: Detroit scored a touchdown on seven of the eight possessions in which he was stopped short. Johnson's fantasy owners, however, probably weren't any happier.

—Michael Salfino

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...?mod=djemITP_h

08-20-2013, 01:12 PM	Topic Starter
DaKCMan AP Beloved & Awesome CP Celebrity Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Florida Casino cash: $6764952	WSJ: Megatron Falls Short of the End Zone Megatron Falls Short of the End Zone There seems to be one surefire way to rob football's Megatron of his superhuman powers—put the goal line in front of him. Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson was stopped inside the opponent's 5-yard line an NFL-high eight times last year. And on five of those occasions, defenses stymied the 6-foot-5 star within a yard of the end zone. Although Johnson set a single-season record for receiving yards (1,964) last season, he caught only five touchdowns. Thirty-nine players last season caught more. A mere 15 receiving yards was all that stood between Johnson and eight more scores, which would have raised his touchdown total for the season to a more Megatron-like 13. Close.Getting into the end zone wasn't as difficult for Johnson in previous seasons. In 2011, he scored 16 touchdowns on 96 receptions, a touchdown every six catches. That dropped dramatically to a touchdown every 24.4 receptions last season (five in 122 grabs). The receivers who had the next-most near-misses were New Orleans's Marques Colston and Atlanta's Roddy White, who were both stopped six times inside the 5 last season. White also tied teammate Tony Gonzalez for second behind Johnson by being tackled three times inside the 1. Johnson's futility inside the 5 actually didn't hurt the Lions that much last season: Detroit scored a touchdown on seven of the eight possessions in which he was stopped short. Johnson's fantasy owners, however, probably weren't any happier. —Michael Salfino http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...?mod=djemITP_h
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