The Detroit Lions, still lying in wait for training camp to begin ...
Calvin Johnson has long been considered the toughest wide receiver to cover in the NFL. His combination of physical gifts and crafted tools have turned the 6-foot-5 Detroit Lions stalwart into a nightmare in real life.
The same goes for his virtual likeness in "Madden NFL 15."
Johnson is the top-rated receiver in this year's Madden franchise with a 99 overall rating -- the top possible rating a player can have.
"Just how good is Calvin Johnson," Madden ratings czar Donny Moore writes on the EA Sports website. "Best hands in NFL: check (98 catch/99 spectacular catch -- both ranked first in NFL). Physical monster: check (95 speed/98 jump/99 release). He is even a top-ten (sic) run blocker among wideouts."
All of this is fairly accurate for Johnson, who is coming off another 1,000-yard season completed despite injuries to his finger and knee that required offseason surgery. He's fully healthy now, which means his real-life persona should once again match up with his virtual ability to do almost anything in Madden.
He is followed in the receiver rankings by Brandon Marshall (96 overall), Andre Johnson (95 overall), A.J. Green (95 overall), and Dez Bryant (94 overall).
The Madden folks also released tight end rankings Thursday and no Lions tight ends are on it. Rookie Eric Ebron, though, said his overall rating in the game is a 77 and he was planning to write a letter -- we think he was saying this facetiously -- to Moore complaining about his rank.
And now, a look around the Interwebs in search of Lions news (which there is because of Ndamukong Suh):
The Lions are not optimistic about signing Suh to a deal before training camp. They should now be concerned. Rookie quarterback James Franklin has a long adjustment to the NFL game from college. Larry Warford is one of the top 25 NFL players under 25. Our positional preview continues with a look at the safeties. Once the season gets going, I'll be using this public Facebook page more so you should come over and like it.
Bryce Quigley is working hard to learn the Lions' system, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Josh Katzenstein from the Detroit News has 10 things to watch for as camp starts Sunday and Monday.
Rookie center Travis Swanson hopes to contribute after working through early jitters, writes Justin Rogers in MLive.