NYC Rebel
...on the otherside of the pond
I could take this coming out of the mouth of another former player than I do hearing this from Lynn Swann who was fortunate that he played on the team he played on. Lynn's smaller stats are tied to the era he played in where you could be chucked anywhere on the field, but you think he would be the last to talk. Asking CJ to carry a team as if HE did that for the Steelers.
Lynn Swann: Not sure Calvin Johnson is a Hall of Famer
Lynn Swann: Not sure Calvin Johnson is a Hall of Famer
Lynn Swann: Not sure Calvin Johnson is a Hall of Famer
As Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnsoncontemplates retirement, many around him are contemplating his legacy as a wide receiver.
Johnson is currently sixth all-time among active receivers in terms of yards. He's third in touchdowns behind only Antonio Gates and Larry Fitzgerald. Including inactive players, Johnson is 27th in yards and 22nd in touchdowns. But is he a Hall of Fame caliber player? Lynn Swann doesn't think So.
"I would think that it would be difficult for Calvin Johnson at this point to be considered a Hall of Famer," the legendary Steelers wideout told The Detroit News. "Calvin Johnson has an extreme amount of talent and ability, but when you start to look at his team, the success of his team and did he lift that team; he made them a little bit better, but at the end of the day, I'm not quite sure."
Swan's point isn't outrageous. There are plenty of receivers in front of Johnson in both yards and touchdowns that have yet to make the Hall, including Jimmy Smith, Torry ****, Henry Ellard and Terrell Owens. Owens, who is second all-time in receiving yards and third all-time in touchdowns -- behind only Jerry Rice and Randy Moss! -- was an egregious whiff by the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Of course, this isn't really Johnson's main concern. According to teammates, the 30-year-old is hurting. His massive frame has aided him in setting records and compiling a stretch in his prime where he was the most dominant receiver in football. But it's also left him open to countless shots.
"His body just isn't holding up," Golden Tate recently told MLive.com. "With his body type, and how he plays the game, he plays at a high level all the time for a bunch of years."
The Hall of Fame is supposed to consider more than just blind stats. Johnson played on some awful Lionsteams over the years and redefined what it meant to be a big body receiver. His contributions off the field are also stellar and could work in his favor.
Without knowing what's next for Johnson, it's impossible to tell if he'll get a boost from a post-career in football or if he'll change his mind after a year of healing and come back. Maybe it's just too early to think about.
Click to expand...
As Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnsoncontemplates retirement, many around him are contemplating his legacy as a wide receiver.
Johnson is currently sixth all-time among active receivers in terms of yards. He's third in touchdowns behind only Antonio Gates and Larry Fitzgerald. Including inactive players, Johnson is 27th in yards and 22nd in touchdowns. But is he a Hall of Fame caliber player? Lynn Swann doesn't think So.
"I would think that it would be difficult for Calvin Johnson at this point to be considered a Hall of Famer," the legendary Steelers wideout told The Detroit News. "Calvin Johnson has an extreme amount of talent and ability, but when you start to look at his team, the success of his team and did he lift that team; he made them a little bit better, but at the end of the day, I'm not quite sure."
Swan's point isn't outrageous. There are plenty of receivers in front of Johnson in both yards and touchdowns that have yet to make the Hall, including Jimmy Smith, Torry ****, Henry Ellard and Terrell Owens. Owens, who is second all-time in receiving yards and third all-time in touchdowns -- behind only Jerry Rice and Randy Moss! -- was an egregious whiff by the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Of course, this isn't really Johnson's main concern. According to teammates, the 30-year-old is hurting. His massive frame has aided him in setting records and compiling a stretch in his prime where he was the most dominant receiver in football. But it's also left him open to countless shots.
"His body just isn't holding up," Golden Tate recently told MLive.com. "With his body type, and how he plays the game, he plays at a high level all the time for a bunch of years."
The Hall of Fame is supposed to consider more than just blind stats. Johnson played on some awful Lionsteams over the years and redefined what it meant to be a big body receiver. His contributions off the field are also stellar and could work in his favor.
Without knowing what's next for Johnson, it's impossible to tell if he'll get a boost from a post-career in football or if he'll change his mind after a year of healing and come back. Maybe it's just too early to think about.
Click to expand...
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if anything he should get a boost in his HOF consideration because he had to endure some terrible times with the terrible front offices Detroit has had. Penalize HOFers because they had to play on shyt teams brehs. 
If more folks thought like Lynn Swann I think this might set some a precedent where players refuse to go to certain teams.
Brehs lose again with these horrible hot takes