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We may just be one week into the NFL season, but the Detroit Lions sure appear to be a dangerous team this year. Detroit went into Tampa Bay last Sunday and took down an up-and-coming Buccaneers team, 27-20, in their own building. The Lions picked up a huge and rare road win to start off the season, impressive considering how few wins they have away from home in recent years. Matthew Stafford threw for 305 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception, with his most talented receiver, Calvin Johnson, accounting for 6 of the receptions for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns. Johnson has developed quite the rapport with his young quarterback. The man nicknamed “Megatron,” attributes the Lions turn around to the work done in the NFL Draft in recent years by general manager Martin Mayhew. Calvin Johnson joined Yahoo Sports Radio with 2 Live Stews to discuss his two touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions, the health of the Detroit’s running backs heading into Week 2, the biggest reason for why the Detroit Lions have improved over the past few seasons, the first thing that came to his mind when he saw Matthew Stafford limping off the field on Sunday, and the atmosphere on the flight home to Detroit last Sunday night.
You had two touchdowns this past weekend in a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Talk about your performance?
“Oh man we went down there confident in the game we had been practicing for so long since the beginning of camp. We went out there and executed well. We kind of went through a lull there in the third quarter or whatever, but we got after it in the first half and came to play, so big ups to all the guys.”
How healthy are the Lions right now at running back?
“One thing that is done is that those guys being out [running backs] we brought in other backs. We have found guys that have been able to work in our scheme that we have, therefore we have some depth at that position.”
What would you say is the biggest reason for why you guys have turned it around over the past few years?
“I would start with saying Martin [Mayhew]. They put this team together. We definitely have a strong defensive line that keeps giving us more-and-more opportunities for the offense, therefore we put points. It works both ways.”
What was the first thing that came to your mind when you saw Matthew Stafford limping off the field with cramps after he threw you the touchdown pass?
“I knew what was going on. It was extremely humid. It was real hot down there and both teams were feeling it, but he was just cramping up a little bit. He was alright.”
Tell me how the plane ride home was? Since you have been apart of the Lions the team has not done well on the road. How was that flight back to Detroit last Sunday night?
“It was great when you get a win on the road. You look forward to that flight back just because you are going home with a smile on your face. It’s like you said one thing that has been missing around here and hopefully we get more of those to come.”
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