Calvin Johnson thinks Davante Adams will 'adapt fairly quickly' to Matthew Stafford's arm
Hall-of-Fame receiver Calvin Johnson knows Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford well. The two played together on the Detroit Lions for most of Johnson's legendary career where Johnson made six Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams.
So now that he's seen another great receiver, Davante Adams, join Stafford in L.A., Johnson has some thoughts. All positive, though.
Advertisement
Johnson told FanDuel TV's Kay Adams that receivers always need to adjust to Stafford's arm strength when they join his team, but Adams should have a much smaller learning curve given how long he played with Aaron Rodgers.
'I saw Davante grow into a very solid receiver,' Johnson said. 'A great receiver from his time in Green Bay to where he is now.
'Even though when a new receiver came to our team, they always had to adjust to the fastball that Matthew throws. I would imagine Aaron Rodgers having a similar arm strength, [Adams will] be able to adapt fairly quickly.'
Adams and Stafford have already begun to build a rapport during their brief time together as camps kick off this summer. Both are seasoned pros and understand how to work and adapt to different play styles.
Advertisement
The hope for the Rams is Adams can pick up the nuances quickly with a new quarterback help build a dominant offense alongside Puka Nacua with Stafford throwing them both the ball.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Calvin Johnson thinks Davante Adams will 'adapt fairly quickly' in LA
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Jets 2025 Position Breakdown: Can Will McDonald build on a strong 2024 campaign?
Heading into the 2025 season, the Jets have made a series of moves to improve the state of their roster and overall depth, but are they ready to compete for a playoff spot? In this series, we'll break down the depth chart for every position group. This time, we'll go in-depth at the edge defender position… Projected depth chart Starters: Will McDonald, Jermaine Johnson Backups: Micheal Clemons, Eric Watts, Braiden McGregor, Rashad Weaver, Tyler Baron Key additions/losses: Haason Reddick departed via free agency, Baron drafted in the fifth round, Weaver signed as a free agent Top Performers in 2024: McDonald 17 games played, 15 games started, 28 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and 24 quarterback hits 2024 ranking via PFF: McDonald was 27th in pass rush grade and 13th in total pressures for defensive ends What Jets' edge defenders have going for them On paper, the Jets potentially have one of the best young defensive end duos in the NFL, with Johnson having been to the Pro Bowl in 2023 and McDonald posting double-digit sacks in a breakout 2024 campaign. However, not everyone is convinced. Johnson missed nearly all of last season after suffering a torn Achilles in the opener and McDonald needs to prove he can be a more complete player. Advertisement Over the course of last season, McDonald's consistency against the run noticeably improved as the team's run defense overcame early struggles to end up with the fifth-lowest yards per carry average in the NFL -- with McDonald playing a three-down role. However, it was with his constant pressure off the edge that he made his mark. The team has a lot of unproven depth, although they have plenty of youth and athleticism on their bench. Clemons, who started all 17 games last season, could be the primary reserve. Key concern: How will Johnson perform coming off a serious injury? Johnson went to the Pro Bowl in his second season and appeared to be well on the way to becoming one of the league's best young edge defenders and primed for a big 2024 campaign before his injury. He racked up 55 tackles, 7.5 sacks and seven passes defensed in 2023, while also returning an interception for a touchdown. Advertisement By all accounts, his rehab is going well, although he has not yet participated in on-field activities during the offseason. Overcoming an Achilles tendon injury is a tall order, especially at the defensive end position where you need to display burst and explosiveness -- which can be compromised by this kind of injury. Although the Jets already picked up Johnson's fifth-year option for next season, he needs a big year to put himself in line for a big-money extension. Player who must step up: Clemons Clemons was expected to be a backup last season, with Johnson and Reddick the projected starters. Johnson's injury and Reddick's holdout meant that he began the year as a starter. And he remained there all season, even when Reddick returned. Advertisement Having racked up a career-high 4.5 sacks in the first nine games, Clemons was well on his way to a breakout campaign. However, once Reddick returned, he saw fewer opportunities to rush the passer and only had two quarterback hits and no sacks in the last eight games. Clemons' most important role is as a run defender, and his play in that area was also less consistent than it had been during his first two seasons. The hope will be that moving him back into a rotational role will mitigate some of his flaws. It will be interesting to see if the Jets' new defensive coaches see him as a fit for their system as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. Biggest camp battle: Watts vs. McGregor vs. Weaver vs. Baron As noted, the Jets don't have much in the way of experience on their bench at this position, so there should be a healthy competition for playing time between some of the younger players. Advertisement Of the four, Weaver is the most experienced as he enters his fifth season. He had 5.5 sacks in 2022 but has no sacks in any of his other three seasons, so he should probably be viewed as a reclamation project. He has been performing well during organized team activities, though. McGregor and Watts both cracked the rotation last season as undrafted rookies, with Watts in particular showing growth over the course of the season, especially against the run. The rookie Baron was brought in by the new regime, though, so he could have a shot at getting on the field early on. Overall 2025 outlook The Jets will hope for McDonald to build on last season's performance and for Johnson to be back to something like his best after last year's injury, but there is a lot of uncertainty at this position. Advertisement Unless someone steps up unexpectedly, the depth here is also a concern, especially if the backups are called on to play more than expected with Johnson still not back to 100 percent. But there is plenty of upside in this group, so it will be down to head coach Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks to get the most out of their personnel.
Black America Web
an hour ago
- Black America Web
Flau'jae Johnson Says She and Angel Reese Are Not Friends Anymore
Source: Sarah Stier / Getty Flau'jae Johnson is speaking out about her current relationship with Angel Reese — and it turns out, they're no longer friends. Text 'RICKEY' to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. ( Terms and conditions ). The LSU basketball star opened up about the status of their friendship during a June 9 appearance on The Breakfast Club , revealing that things between them changed after their unforgettable 2023 NCAA championship win. 'We're not friends,' Johnson said candidly. 'But I mean, like, that bond that we had and that thing we did together — win the national championship — you can never take that away from us.' Johnson and Reese shared a historic moment when their LSU team defeated Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes to claim the 2023 national title. On and off the court, the two appeared close, frequently supporting one another and enjoying the spotlight together. But behind the scenes, things weren't as perfect as they seemed. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE. 'It was a lot of media, it was a lot of locker room stuff,' Johnson explained during the interview. 'Sometimes, stuff happens. You wish it didn't, but it does — and you just gotta grow.' Although she didn't go into detail about the exact cause of the fallout, Johnson made it clear there's no bad blood, just distance. 'I support her in everything she do,' she said of Reese, who is now making headlines as a rising star with the WNBA's Chicago Sky. 'I be on social media clowning the folks that be trying to talk down on her.' CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR APP AND TAKE US WITH YOU ANYWHERE! Despite not being friends anymore, Johnson's words were full of respect and admiration for her former teammate. 'I'm just proud of her,' she added. 'But like, you know, stuff happens.' Related Article: Angel Reese Threatens To Strike If WNBA Players Aren't Satisfied With Collective Bargaining Agreement Related Article: Angel Reese Speaks Out Amid Rumor She Was Suspended For Poor Grades, Social Media Chimes In For fans who followed their journey at LSU, the news may come as a surprise. The pair had been symbols of unity and empowerment in women's college basketball, but Johnson's honesty reminds us that even the strongest bonds can change with time and pressure. As both women continue to grow in their careers and lives, it's clear that their shared legacy — winning a national championship together — will always be a part of their story, even if their friendship doesn't continue. HEAD BACK TO THE HOMEPAGE SEE ALSO Flau'jae Johnson Says She and Angel Reese Are Not Friends Anymore was originally published on
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Magic Johnson on what Tyrese Haliburton must do to win the NBA title
Magic Johnson on what Tyrese Haliburton must do to win the NBA title While this year's NBA Finals may not be getting outstanding ratings or feature any household names or marquee teams, the series is turning into a very interesting one. The Indiana Pacers stole Game 1 from the Oklahoma City Thunder after overcoming a 15-point deficit on the road in Game 1. On Friday, the Thunder earned a 111-104 victory to tie the series at two games apiece, and many likely feel at this point that they have no idea who will end up claiming the championship. Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers has come up big in crunch time throughout the playoffs, including in Game 1 when he hit the game-winning shot. But at times, he hasn't asserted himself enough, and on Friday, he scored 18 points while committing five turnovers. Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson, who won five world titles and three finals MVP awards during his career, said on ESPN's "First Take" prior to Game 4 that Haliburton needs to assert himself a lot more as a scorer to get the job done. 'So what's he's gotta do is understand what he has to do to help the Pacers beat OKC,' Johnson said. 'You can't just have 15 assists and 12 points or 15 points. That's not enough. You gotta score in this series. See, you gotta remember that OKC is the highest scoring team in the league, so you have to personally, Haliburton, come out and say, 'I gotta get my assists but also I gotta score. I gotta score.' I had to do that against the [Boston] Celtics. I couldn't just have 20 assists. I had to 25 to 30 points for us to beat 'em and I was able to do that. So don't take it personal what people are saying because the first two games you said it yourself. 'I didn't play good. I could play better.' So now let's concentrate on Game 4. This what happened last night you gotta take that into Game 4.' While Johnson averaged 19.5 points a game for his career in the playoffs, he periodically stepped things up offensively when needed and had his share of big scoring games in the NBA Finals. It's what superstars must do at times to deliver big victories for their teams. There has been talk in recent months about whether Haliburton, who made the All-Star team in both of the previous two seasons but didn't this season, is overrated. At this point, the general consensus seems to be that he's not overrated, but that he's not a superstar either. Johnson made it clear during that same appearance on "First Take" that to be a superstar, one has to lead his team to a championship. At a minimum, that is the task that lies ahead for Haliburton if he is to go from being merely a star to a superstar. Game 5 will take place on Monday in Oklahoma City, and Game 6 will be back at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Thursday, June 19. If the series goes to the limit, Game 7 would take place in Oklahoma City on Sunday, June 22.
