Terrorblaze
08-09-2007, 05:06 PM
Looks like Martz wants CJ to play a lot this preseason which makes sense. At least it will be fun to watch Lions games this month. The game vs the Bengals starts 4:30 pst but will be replayed on NFLN. Chadman better get his hand lotion and tissues ready.
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2007/08/07/lions_johnson_0808.html
Martz: We'll keep Johnson busy
"We're going to see him a lot in the preseason,' Detroit offensive coordinator promises
By George Sipple
Detroit Free Press
Published on: 08/07/07
Detroit — Rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson better be ready when the Detroit Lions open the preseason at Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals at Ford Field.
"We're going to see him a lot in this game," offensive coordinator Mike Martz said. "We're going to see him a lot in the preseason. He's gotta learn how to play.
AP
(ENLARGE)
Cornerback Tony Beckham (right) breaks up a pass to rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson during practice at Ford Field.
"We're going to wear his little froggy rear end out."
Martz outlined the Lions' preseason plans Tuesday, and they include a lot of playing time for Johnson and plenty of snaps for each of the quarterbacks: Jon Kitna, J.T. O'Sullivan and Dan Orlovsky.
Kitna will start Thursday, but O'Sullivan will get most of the snaps in the first game.
"Each week we're going to try and utilize one or the other," Martz said of how he'll use the backup quarterbacks in the preseason. " If you go in and share time all the time, they can't get the flow of game. We're trying to get each one the majority of a game and let them respond and see how well they do with it.
"Probably J.T. this week. That's kind of what we're thinking about. I talked to coach [Rod] Marinelli earlier this morning. We think that's what we'll do."
Martz said Kitna would play "the lion's share" of the third exhibition game, at Indianapolis on Aug. 25.
"The second one, Danny should get a pretty good dose of it," Martz said. The Lions visit Cleveland in the second exhibition game Aug. 18.
The final preseason game is Aug. 30 at Ford Field against the Buffalo Bills.
Martz said he has been pleased by both Orlovsky and O'Sullivan so far and plans to test both in the next few weeks.
"We put people in position to make plays," Martz said of the preseason. "Not so much about attacking the defense as trying to get guys in a position to see what they do."
Martz said each unit will be tested—for example, how well the offensive linemen do in run-blocking. How receivers handle certain routes and matchups. How the quarterbacks respond in stressful situations.
"There's certain things we want to make sure we get in this game to find out certain things about different players, particularly some of the backs," Martz said. "You want to make sure you see them as receivers."
Because he's trying to get a feel for what players can do, Martz might call plays in the preseason differently than he'd call them in the regular season.
"You're just trying to look at certain things and situations and really test them and see how well they respond," Martz said.
Johnson is one player who'll be tested throughout the next four weeks, in part to help his conditioning.
"He's going to hit the wall after about two weeks physically," Martz said. "His legs will get real tired, so you have to give him a reprieve.
"Right now he's going to get stressed physically pretty good. Then we'll try to back off and help him with that."
Jones starts running: Running back Kevin Jones , working to return from a Lisfranc fracture in his foot, ran routes Tuesday for the first time in camp. Jones hopes to be ready for the season opener Sept. 9 at Oakland, but said he's not sure when he'll come off the physically-unable-to-perform list.
Although the Lions traded for Tatum Bell , Jones sees himself as the starting running back. He said they could eventually both be utilized in the running game, but he sees himself as the better back.
"If I wasn't hurt, he wouldn't even be an issue—he wouldn't even be here," Jones said. "Right now, my goal is to get back, and then it won't be an issue again."
Jones said he and Bell have a cordial relationship. Jones shared carries with Lee Suggs at Virginia Tech, so he's used to a crowded backfield.
"I'm not worried about my job," Jones said. "When I'm able to do what I know how to do, the better man will be in there."
Barry excited for opener: Defensive coordinator Joe Barry is excited about the first preseason game. "It's the first chance that we're going to have to really get after somebody in a different-colored uniform," Barry said. "It's the first time we're going to be able to live tackle. So that's exciting.
"First time to come out in front of our fans. It's going to be a great time. Also, it's the first chance for us to really evaluate our team live, full-speed."
Barry wants his players to set a tone. "I don't care if it's the first preseason game or the first round of the playoffs," Barry said. "We're going to go out and do what we do, and that's what we preach around here. We're going to play hard, we're going to play fast and we're going to finish, and it's going to start right here in that first preseason game."
Barry said he doesn't really plan for opponents in the preseason. "It's still about us," Barry said. "I still want to see how we're going to react and how we're going to play football."
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2007/08/07/lions_johnson_0808.html
Martz: We'll keep Johnson busy
"We're going to see him a lot in the preseason,' Detroit offensive coordinator promises
By George Sipple
Detroit Free Press
Published on: 08/07/07
Detroit — Rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson better be ready when the Detroit Lions open the preseason at Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals at Ford Field.
"We're going to see him a lot in this game," offensive coordinator Mike Martz said. "We're going to see him a lot in the preseason. He's gotta learn how to play.
AP
(ENLARGE)
Cornerback Tony Beckham (right) breaks up a pass to rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson during practice at Ford Field.
"We're going to wear his little froggy rear end out."
Martz outlined the Lions' preseason plans Tuesday, and they include a lot of playing time for Johnson and plenty of snaps for each of the quarterbacks: Jon Kitna, J.T. O'Sullivan and Dan Orlovsky.
Kitna will start Thursday, but O'Sullivan will get most of the snaps in the first game.
"Each week we're going to try and utilize one or the other," Martz said of how he'll use the backup quarterbacks in the preseason. " If you go in and share time all the time, they can't get the flow of game. We're trying to get each one the majority of a game and let them respond and see how well they do with it.
"Probably J.T. this week. That's kind of what we're thinking about. I talked to coach [Rod] Marinelli earlier this morning. We think that's what we'll do."
Martz said Kitna would play "the lion's share" of the third exhibition game, at Indianapolis on Aug. 25.
"The second one, Danny should get a pretty good dose of it," Martz said. The Lions visit Cleveland in the second exhibition game Aug. 18.
The final preseason game is Aug. 30 at Ford Field against the Buffalo Bills.
Martz said he has been pleased by both Orlovsky and O'Sullivan so far and plans to test both in the next few weeks.
"We put people in position to make plays," Martz said of the preseason. "Not so much about attacking the defense as trying to get guys in a position to see what they do."
Martz said each unit will be tested—for example, how well the offensive linemen do in run-blocking. How receivers handle certain routes and matchups. How the quarterbacks respond in stressful situations.
"There's certain things we want to make sure we get in this game to find out certain things about different players, particularly some of the backs," Martz said. "You want to make sure you see them as receivers."
Because he's trying to get a feel for what players can do, Martz might call plays in the preseason differently than he'd call them in the regular season.
"You're just trying to look at certain things and situations and really test them and see how well they respond," Martz said.
Johnson is one player who'll be tested throughout the next four weeks, in part to help his conditioning.
"He's going to hit the wall after about two weeks physically," Martz said. "His legs will get real tired, so you have to give him a reprieve.
"Right now he's going to get stressed physically pretty good. Then we'll try to back off and help him with that."
Jones starts running: Running back Kevin Jones , working to return from a Lisfranc fracture in his foot, ran routes Tuesday for the first time in camp. Jones hopes to be ready for the season opener Sept. 9 at Oakland, but said he's not sure when he'll come off the physically-unable-to-perform list.
Although the Lions traded for Tatum Bell , Jones sees himself as the starting running back. He said they could eventually both be utilized in the running game, but he sees himself as the better back.
"If I wasn't hurt, he wouldn't even be an issue—he wouldn't even be here," Jones said. "Right now, my goal is to get back, and then it won't be an issue again."
Jones said he and Bell have a cordial relationship. Jones shared carries with Lee Suggs at Virginia Tech, so he's used to a crowded backfield.
"I'm not worried about my job," Jones said. "When I'm able to do what I know how to do, the better man will be in there."
Barry excited for opener: Defensive coordinator Joe Barry is excited about the first preseason game. "It's the first chance that we're going to have to really get after somebody in a different-colored uniform," Barry said. "It's the first time we're going to be able to live tackle. So that's exciting.
"First time to come out in front of our fans. It's going to be a great time. Also, it's the first chance for us to really evaluate our team live, full-speed."
Barry wants his players to set a tone. "I don't care if it's the first preseason game or the first round of the playoffs," Barry said. "We're going to go out and do what we do, and that's what we preach around here. We're going to play hard, we're going to play fast and we're going to finish, and it's going to start right here in that first preseason game."
Barry said he doesn't really plan for opponents in the preseason. "It's still about us," Barry said. "I still want to see how we're going to react and how we're going to play football."