Hey, Cris Carter, Still Think Calvin Johnson's Not an Elite Receiver?

Remember earlier this year when Cris Carter (a former wide receiver mind you) said that he had a list of the top five wide receivers in the NFL, and Calvin Johnson's name wasn't on there? I do too.

Here was the list of receivers he had in front of Johnson: Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Greg Jennings, DeSean Jackson and Roddy White. Okay, now Johnson and Jennings I'll give you. DeSean Jackson? Great punt returner, not too sure about how "elite" he is at wide receiver. Reggie Wayne is washed up, and if Roddy White was so good, why did the Falcons draft Julio Jones?

Carter has of course rescinded that comment, but only because he knows he was looking like a fool. Calvin Johnson has been and perhaps will be for years to come an elite receiver—not just on the Lions but in the NFL. So far, he has put up astronomical numbers this season.

Johnson has at least one touchdown catch in almost every game so far this season. The only game he hasn't scored in was against San Francisco. In the first five games he had two touchdown passes, giving him 10 total on the season. Now he's probably at 20. Last game alone, he had six catches for 125 yards and a touchdown. Let's see Reggie Wayne do that.

Johnson is 6'5", 235 pounds and is an all-around force to be reckoned with if you decide to be brave enough to jam him on the line. I wouldn't recommend that though. He'll kill you every time. Numerous times, Johnson has caught a pass even Carter himself couldn't make, jumping over two or three defenders to haul it in, complete the process and get in the end zone. I'd like to see Roddy White jump over three defenders in the end zone.

When Megatron catches the ball, if you blink, you miss him. I can't recall the number of times I'd be watching a game and not even see Stafford throw the ball before I see CJ running 80 yards. Of Johnson's 47 catches this season, 40 of them have been first downs. Greg Jennings has five less receptions, 200 fewer yards and only five first downs. Do you see a difference here?

There is no doubt that Johnson has played a key role in the Lions' success so far this season they MUST re-sign him. Period. No. 1 priority this offseason. There is no question in anyone's mind that CJ is an elite receiver—not even Cris Carter's anymore.