The Moment Hall of Fame WR Calvin Johnson Knew Matthew Stafford Was Special

The first time Calvin Johnson caught a Matthew Stafford pass, the Hall of Fame receiver knew he was going to have to recalibrate his hands, he told The Rich Eisen Show on Friday, recounting the partnership that defined a decade of Detroit Lions football.

"Instantly, you know, he was blowing my hands up instantly," Johnson said. "So I'm just like, you know, with a flick of the wrist, when the ball's coming in, just pop your hands. You just got to be a little stronger in that thing." The velocity registered first, but Johnson said he quickly understood Stafford's real gift was placement. "That dude can get me the ball anywhere on the field. And he could. He still can."

The conversation pivoted to Stafford's present situation in Los Angeles, where the Rams used the 13th pick of this year's draft on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Rich framed the room: Stafford is 38, the reigning MVP, and the Rams have signaled they have no intention of playing Simpson until Stafford gives the high sign. Johnson said he isn't worried about how his former quarterback will handle it.

"I don't think Matthew is stressing about that," Johnson said. "I think Matthew understands how these things work. There's life, there's football after Matthew Stafford, so he understands the organization has to put themselves in a situation. And I think he can be a great mentor for whoever they bring in there." Johnson floated the Green Bay model as the template, where Aaron Rodgers sat behind Brett Favre before taking over.

Asked for his favorite on-field moment with Stafford, Johnson went straight to a 329-yard performance against the Dallas Cowboys, the second-most receiving yards in a single game in NFL history. Down to the final drive, Johnson caught a 20-yard pass to the 1-yard line and got popped. He was still gathering himself when Stafford did the unexpected.

"Everybody just thought he was going to spike the ball cuz the clock was running down," Johnson said. "He snapped the ball, threw that thing over the top, and I was just like, that was one of the greater moments. That was a tough fought game and we needed to win that one with the stats we put up."

Johnson didn't know he'd hit 329 until someone showed him a graphic. He doesn't miss the grind, he said, only the camaraderie, which is why his annual golf outing and scholarship event exist. As for a comeback offer from Detroit, Johnson laughed it off. "I got too many grades. I'm raising these kids. I got a business to run. I accomplished the goals that I set forth for myself on the field."