First, let's start with Calvin. Calvin Johnson is already, barring injury, considered by many to be a sure-fire Hall-of-Famer. This year he broke Jerry Rice's receiving yards in a single season record with 1,964 yards. He only had 5 touchdowns this year but was tackled on the 1 yard line 6 times! With his best receiving year ever, Calvin already has 488 receptions, 7,836 receiving yards, and 54 touchdowns. Those are incredible numbers and make you wonder if he will break all of Jerry Rice's career receiving records (he owns all of them).
Jerry Rice has basically had the career Calvin has had times three and plus some. Adding his injured or strike-shortened seasons together Rice had about 19 full NFL seasons. Through his first 6 seasons (which is where Calvin is now) Jerry had 42 less receptions, 30 more yards, and 25 more touchdowns compared to Calvin. Expanding that out, Calvin is on pace to be right with Rice in receptions and yards but not even close in TDs. As good as the start to Calvin's career has been, Jerry Rice's second six years were even better. Rice's second six seasons compared to Calvin's first six: 116 more receptions, 675 more yards, and 21 more touchdowns.
What does this all mean? Calvin Johnson has a legitimate shot at Rice's records, which is saying a lot since no one has even been on a pace to beat him for more than a season or two. But Calvin is going to have to step it up even more to get them and still maintain longevity - Calvin is still less than a third of the way to Rice's career in terms of length. Don't forget though - Rice played the majority of his career with two Hall of Fame quarterbacks while Calvin has played his with a jugghead.
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| "6'-5", 239 lbs, 4.35 sec 40 time, 42.5" vertical, 11'-7" broad jump. FREAK!" |
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