Oh boy. The results are in. Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson edged out Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and will be on the cover of Madden 13.

Of the 650,000 votes that were cast, Megatron received 52 percent of them. The results were announced during a broadcast of ESPN’s SportsNation early this evening. » Continue reading “Calvin Johnson Beats Cam Newton for Madden 13 Cover”

Via ESPN.com

It’s no surprise that Calvin Johnson gets a lot of attention. After all, the 6’5, 235-pound wide receiver is anything but ordinary.

But ever since ESPN analyst Cris Carter “snubbed” Johnson by not including him in his list for top receivers in the NFL, it seems everyone — especially ESPN — has gone out of their way to prove just how extraordinary he is.

After Johnson completed his fourth two-touchdown game a few weeks ago, ESPN started the “MegatronWatch,” where they track how many touchdowns he compiles this season compared to Randy Moss’ record-setting 23, and Jerry Rice’s 12-game 22 touchdown season.

Last week’s loss was the first zero-touchdown game for Johnson this season. I’m not sure Johnson will catch or surpass Moss or Rice — at least not this year — but I do think he’ll record at least 18 TDs on the season. What do you guys predict?

It should also be noted that Carter has since had a change of heart about Johnson. The two sat down prior to the Lions Monday Night Football Game against the Bears and discussed the slight and he finally admitted that Johnson is “the king of wide receivers.”

After the interview Johnson had this to say about Carter and his prior opinions:

Johnson tells the team’s official website that Carter had an explanation for the slight. “He just goes off what he knows,” Johnson said. “He told me that he didn’t know what I was. I can’t blame him for that. We haven’t been out there like that as a team.

“But now he knows.”

In addition to the Megatron watch, ESPN also put together this feature of Calvin Johnson that was released via Vimeo. But, since you had to have an account to view it, I fortunately found it on YouTube for all your viewing pleasures! » Continue reading “Calvin Johnson: ‘All Hail Megatron’”

What happens when you’re young, talented, and your nickname is Megatron? You get your picture on the cover of a prominent sports magazine.  That’s the natural progression, right?

Except, the Lions aren’t used to all this media attention. So, Calvin Johnson gracing the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated is kind of odd.

In fact, it’s the first time the Lions have been on the cover of the magazine since 2002 (not including the 2004 HOF edition featuring Barry Sanders), when Joey Harrington was featured in a “Young Guns of the NFL” article.

There was even a quote on the cover from Harrington that said, “I know I can play in this league.” That sure turned out well.

Yeah, no.

The article being featured in this week’s Sports Illustrated is titled “The Hungry Lions” and has a subhead titled “Do you believe? Detroit Does.”

Senior writer Damon Hack takes an in-depth look at the incredible young talent on the Lions, particularly Ndamukong Suh, as well as the reasons behind the success the Lions have had starting towards the end of last year which has carried over into the 2011 season.

Prior to 2002, the Lions were featured on three covers during the 90s — including two with Barry Sanders (here and here) and one with Chris Claiborne. » Continue reading “Calvin Johnson Appears on Sports Illustrated Cover”

WARNING: I’m about to act like a 12-year-old Justin Bieber fan. Only I’m 26, and this isn’t about the Bieb. Dads (particularly mine) beware!

Apparently the rest of the world is finally starting to recognize the awesomeness that is Detroit. Or at least the awesomeness that is Calvin Johnson in his skivvies. And since there isn’t much news, I felt the need to share this awesomeness with you.

You’re welcome.

Megatron was most recently featured in an Acura commercial. This commercial does for adults what Happy Meals do for children. In other words: Must. Have. Now. Calvin Johnson that is, not the car. Though, his marketing skills may just sway me next time I need to purchase a new vehicle.

Let’s pause for a brief moment of silence …

OK, you can talk again. Oh, you can’t? Me either. It’s OK, I think he has that affect on a lot of people. The only real words I can muster are “343hqw  @#$#fsd a2%^%D FG@#fsfa!@.” And, as it turns out, those aren’t words at all.

Moving on. Ndamukong Suh is also currently being featured in a Chrysler commercial. We’ll just say this one is less sexy and more sweet. Which is fine. I guess.

In this commercial Chrysler is back for its second installment of the “Imported from Detroit” series. See for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O6q3_GA47w&feature=player_embedded

It’s actually a really great commercial. I’m liking what Chrysler is doing. I might like what Acura is doing a little bit more, but that’s neither here nor there.

No, but really Acura, keep up the phenomenal work.

OK, I promise to get back to real sports posts soon. Just not tonight. I have a commercial to watch … again.

You can find me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Aerys_Lions or www.twitter.com/thecornerblog and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barrysandersmemorialblog.