Bears’ plan for Calvin Johnson: “hit him”

Published October 9, 2011 03:09 AM

Zackary Bowman, Calvin Johnson — FILE- In this Sept. 12, 2010, file photo, Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) catches a pass in the end zone over Chicago Bears cornerback Zackary Bowman late in the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago. Johnson makes a leaping grab in the end zone for what appeared to be a 25-yard TD catch that puts the Lions in the lead with 31 seconds left. But when he completes rolling over, he leaves the ball on the ground and begins celebrating. The official ruling is the player has to “maintain possession of the ball throughout the entire process of the catch.” The Bears won 19-14. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

The Bears’ defense is promising to get physical with Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson on Monday night.

Bears nickel back D.J. Moore told CSNChicago.com that the key to stopping Johnson is to attack him with a physical style of play.

“Make sure you hit him,” Moore said. “Hit him.”

The 5-foot-9 Moore knows he’s not going to out-leap the 6-foot-5 Johnson, but that doesn’t mean he thinks Johnson can’t be covered.

“When you’re big and fast like that, you’re going to catch balls,” Moore said. “Jump balls, he’s probably going to win those. But timing routes, you can still break on the ball like you would any other ball.”

Moore says he doesn’t believe the hype that Megatron is some unstoppable force.

“I don’t think people should be thinking somebody is too good, have somebody come in and you give them too much credit, over-think about what you’re doing,” Moore said. “I think we’ll be fine.”