Drafting running back Mikel Leshoure and receiver Titus Young has been viewed by some as an attempt by the Detroit Lions to find other offensive threats who can draw some coverage away from the team’s offensive star, Calvin Johnson.
But veteran Lions receiver Nate Burleson says there’s no one the Lions could add who would stop Johnson from being double teamed.
“No, [Johnson’s] just too good. He’s just too damn good,’' Burleson told Tom Kowalski of MLive.com. “Occasionally you’d see a team throw one-on-one coverage out there and they’d get burned. No, no matter what talent we surround him with, he’s going to attract the attention. No matter how many people you put on the Lakers, Kobe Bryant’s still going to get double-teamed. Calvin is that type of individual, he’s one of the best in the game and he’s always going to get that type of coverage.’'
Burleson said that where the Lions will benefit from drafting a couple of offensive playmakers is that it’s two more players who can benefit from Johnson drawing double teams.
“We’ve got to benefit from that. It’s up to us to make the plays,’' Burleson said.
According to Burleson, spreading the ball around will work particularly well in Detroit because of the attitudes of the players in Detroit.
“You’ve got to give credit to the Detroit Lions for the types of players they’ve been bringing in over the last couple of years,’' Burleson said. “There have been some guys out there with questionable character, guys who clearly demand the ball more than anything and have a selfish attitude. They brought in guys who want to make plays and contribute to the team.’'