Richard Sherman calling himself ‘Optimus Prime’ for matchup with Megatron

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman has changed his name on his Twitter profile to “Optimus Prime” ahead of Sunday’s contest with the Detroit Lions, indicating he’s prepared to match up against Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

Johnson has gone by the nickname “Megatron” for years. Megatron is a character from the fictional “Transformers” comics, and he is the leader of the bad guys known as the Decepticons. Optimus Prime is the leader of the Autobots, which are known as the good guys in opposition to the Decepticons.

Sherman’s Twitter name change is a strong indication that he will be covering the All-Pro wide receiver during Sunday’s game in Detroit. Though he did make the name change, Sherman downplayed the matchup with Johnson.

“Same challenge as every week,” he said per Danny O’Neil of The Seattle Times.

“I don’t care who’s out there. It’s the league, boy, they’re going to have a good receiver out there every week where it’s Fitz (Larry Fitzgerald), Steve Smith, you’ve got Brandon Lloyd. No different. It’s good receivers.”

Though he’s only in his second season in the league, Sherman is rapidly developing a reputation around the league as a talker. He’s the same player who taunted Tom Brady after the Seahawks came back to beat the Patriots in Week 5.

Sherman also responded to San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh’s complaints that the Seahawks defensive backs played too physically against the Niners receivers.

“Sometimes, man, when the bully gets bullied, that’s how that happens,” Sherman said.

“He’s the same guy who said the other guy was irrational and ignorant for talking about the refs.”

Sherman’s comments about “the other guy” were a reference to what Harbaugh said about Giants coach Kevin Gilbride prior to the 49ers-Giants game.

Yup, this Sherman guy can talk.