The Detroit Lions have scored the second most points in the NFL through two games. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown for 599 yards and seven touchdowns, the latter of which ties him with Tom Brady and Ryan Fitzpatrick for the league lead. With Stafford healthy, the passing game has been blowing up, and receivers Nate Burleson and Calvin Johnson have been reaping some of the benefits.
The way Nate tells it, this was all part of the plan.
“One of the biggest factors to me signing with Detroit was Calvin Johnson,” Burleson told NFL Network. “Playing with Randy Moss, I know first hand the benefits of playing with a guy that is going to attract a lot of attention. Calvin, by far in my opinion, is the best receiver in the league.
“Being on his team, it gives me the ability to be on the outside and see a lot of single coverage, but to work the slot. I joked around early in the offseason and said ‘This year I’m going to try and be the black Wes Welker.'”
Through two games Burleson has been racking up catches like Wes Welker. He has 12 receptions for 153 yards while Calvin Johnson is tied for the league lead with four touchdown catches. Based on what we saw last season and in the preseason, we predicted this was coming, but it’s still pretty funny to hear Burleson say he’s trying to be the black Wes Welker. So far the plan is working out nicely.
