Comparing Calvin Johnson to Steve Smith

If Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is the NFL's equivalent of "Megatron" then perhaps Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers could be considered "Bumblebee".

Smith is small at just 5'9" and 185 pounds. He is regarded for his quick bursts of speed, well run routes, and the way he accelerates out of his breaks.

Johnson by contrast is the dream prototype player at his position.

The 6'5" 236 pound wideout uses strength to punish defenders off the line of scrimmage and uses his 43.5 inch vertical leap to out jump everyone when the ball is in the air.

This kind of ability and size meant Johnson was considered a can't miss prospect out of Georgia Tech when the Lions made him the second overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft.

Smith had a more subtle road to glory. After playing two years at small Santa Monica College, Smith transferred to the University of Utah. He was subsequently drafted in the third round by the Panthers.

Where Smith lacks comparison to Johnson in size and strength he measures up nicely in the speed department. Both players ran sub 4.4 40-yard dashes at their respective NFL combines.

Early in Smith's career he relied on his speed and agility to make him him stand out as a punt and kick returner. In fact, in his rookie season he was selected to the Pro Bowl after having 1994 net yards.

However it has not been all uphill for the Panthers star. He has had the benefit of consistency at the quarterback position.

A perk Johnson has not had the luxury of sharing for much of his career.

Johnson has seen Jon Kitna, Daunte Culpepper, Dan Orlovsky, and Matthew Stafford stand under center, just to name a few.

By contrast Steve Smith and the Panthers had Jake Delhomme as the signal-caller from 2003-2009, and Cam Newton will be the starter for the foreseeable future.

Smith has taken advantage of this consistency to the tune of at least 900 yards receiving in seven different seasons during his career.

This is the kind of consistency that Johnson hopes to develop with Matthew Stafford.

Their relationship has certainly taken off this season. Johnson has 11 touchdowns and 885 yards receiving in just nine games.

In the end, these are two great athletes that have taken very different routes to the NFL.

The hope for Johnson is that he can be as great as Smith has been, for just as long as Smith has been.

And a trip to the Super Bowl like Smith had in 2004 wouldn't hurt either.