Calvin Johnson just 40 yards from Lions receiving record, but how long can he keep it up?

Calvin Johnson is just 40 yards from setting the Detroit Lions' all-time receiving record. But how long can he keep it up? (Mike Mulholland |
Kyle Meinke | By Kyle Meinke |
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on December 05, 2013 at 4:29 PM, updated December 05, 2013 at 7:49 PM

ALLEN PARK -- There's this scene in "Men In Black" where a human man appears to die. But then a door in his head opens up, revealing that a small alien actually is operating the human shell.

This is how Nate Burleson defines Calvin Johnson.

Human body operated by an alien.

Screen shot 2013-12-05 at 2.51.34 PM.pngAn Arquillian, top, is a small alien that inhabits human-like exoskeletons in the movie "Men In Black." This is how Nate Burleson describes Calvin Johnson.  

"He laughs about it," Burleson said, "because it seems like it could be possible."

Johnson's production has been robot-like over the years -- hey, his nickname is Megatron -- and it has left him just 40 yards shy of setting the franchise receiving record heading into Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Herman Moore had 9,174 yards from 1991-2002.

"It's crazy, all the records and everything that's been going down," Johnson said. "I haven't had much time to think about it -- sit back and reflect on it -- or anything like that. But like I say, each time those things come up, it's a testament to the hard work -- not just myself, but my teammates -- put in on the field."

Johnson is widely considered the NFL's greatest active receiver, and one of the best of all time. He's already 50th in career receiving yardage, at only 28 years old.

He's amid the greatest five-game receiving stretch in history, with 861 yards. That includes a 329-yard game against Dallas, an NFL record for a regulation game.

He has 1,299 yards overall this season, which leads the league even though he missed one game and was limited to a decoy role in another due to a knee injury. And he's well on his way to his third consecutive 1,500-yard season, something only three other players have done.

On and on and on.

It gets to a point where there are no more superlatives to describe Johnson's feats -- even for the loquacious Burleson.

"Whenever a new (superlative) is created, I'll throw that one out there too," Burleson said. "He's amazing, man. I brag about him to his face, I brag about him to my family and friends. I enjoy every moment just like you guys do, watching the highlights, and watching it live.

"I'm nearing the end, so I definitely appreciate the fact I'm playing with a guy who will go down in history in more than one way."

Johnson is one of the greatest of all time, and on the doorstep of officially being the greatest Lions receiver of all time. Which lends itself to another question.

Just how long can Johnson keep all this up?

Just how long does he intend to play?

"I really haven't put too much thought into it," Johnson said. "I'm having fun playing with these guys, so it's tough to say. I haven't thought about it."

Johnson is catching balls at a historic pace, but he's also logged substantial miles on his body and, at 28, could be nearing the twilight of his prime. He's been hampered throughout this season by knee pain, and Fox reported over the weekend that he's had the knee drained multiple times.

He's been limited to just a day or two of practice most weeks.

Could the knee be Johnson's eventual downfall?

"I'm not worried about (the knee)," he said. "Like I said, when the time comes (to hang it up), y'all will know. It's not here right now."