A couple of weeks ago, Calvin Johnson went for 329 yards receiving on the Dallas Cowboys. Throughout the week leading up to that game, Dez was running his mouth saying he could do whatever Calvin could do, and that he could match him catch for catch. He had 72 yards on the day. You could argue that he didn't get the ball enough, but that's neither here nor there now.
In a last ditch effort to avert how terrible the Cowboys played on defense, he started this whole debate, saying that Deion would've shut down Calvin.
So, just how would it be if Primetime in his Prime went up against Megatron? I'll break it down like this:
Is Deion the best cover corner in the history of the league? Yes. He was fast, loved jamming receivers at the line, and more importantly, he played the ball, not his man, making great plays on the ball. Not to mention he leads the NFL all time with returning Touchdowns.
Is Calvin the best receiver in the NFL right now? Yes. He's a special kind of receiver. His size, strength, leaping ability, and body control make him a tough opponent. He catches passes in triple coverage like it's nothing.
Could Deion keep up with Calvin Johnson? Yes. Calvin ran a 4.32, Deion ran a 4.27. Calvin wouldn't just streak past Deion.
Could Deion jam Calvin at the line and impede his route running? Yes. On slant routes over the middle, Deion would jump the route and cut off the pass.
Is Deion stronger than Calvin? No. Deion, in his prime, was 198 lbs. Calvin is currently pushing 240 lbs. Deion was notorious for his lack of tackling. Calvin would make a catch and truck him for more yards.
Could he out jump Calvin? No. Calvin Johnson is 6'5', with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, and 8-foot-8 reach. Deion was 6'1', with an 86 inch wingspan. Deion's vertical was 40, Calvin's was 43. In a jump ball situation, no way Deion stops Megatron from coming down with that Football.
That's something people need to understand. Deion (I don't think) has ever gone up against somebody with the size, body control, and the hands that Calvin Johnson has. Deion was also notorious for his poor tackling skills, so Megatron would just truck him. I'll say this, on routes over the middle, slants, quick cuts, Deion would have his number every step of the way. Calvin would never straight out streak past Deion. No way that happens, but Megatron is too physical, too big, and too strong for Deion to cover by himself.
What made Deion so good, which people always bring up, is that he played the ball, rather than his man. He have his receivers some cushion and read the QB's eyes and where the ball was going to go and was fast enough to make a play on it shutting down his receiver. Megatron has caught TD Bombs in the end zone over with 3 receivers draped over him. If the ball is in the air, Deion is not going out jump Calvin. You could argue that corners can't lay their hands on receivers anymore like they used to which would give Deion a little more of an advantage, but Calvin isn't a scrub. He can be just as physical.
Please don't bring up the Tillman issue. Tillman always has help over the top when he's with Calvin. In a 1-on-1 cover play, Calvin would win 9 times out of 10. Deion wouldn't completely shut him down. Deion didn't even completely shut down Jerry Rice every time they played. The worst Rice ever did against him was 3 catches for 33 yards in 1993 when Deion was on the Falcons. That same season, Rice had 6 catches for over 100 yards. The best he ever did was in 1990. Rice had 8 catches for 171 yards and a TD. Rice had Six 100 yard games against Sanders.
Deion is the best cover corner in the league. He's faster, can get his hands on Calvin and jump his routes and cut off the pass, but Megatron has the body control, the hands, the strength, and the leaping ability. It would be a great matchup, but I say Calvin gets his yards. Ultimately, if they were to face off, I say Calvin gets this: 9 catches, over 100 yards, and a TD. Maybe 2, if it's a red zone situation. Yes, Calvin is that good. I think his name will be mentioned in the list of the greatest receivers of all time. I personally think he's already up there. I'd say he's better than Moss and T.O., but not better than Rice just yet. Moss was probably the best in a deep ball situation T.O. had his inconsistencies, but this is another blog for another time.
Primetime vs Megatron: Give me Megatron any day of the week.
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By: Gerald "Showstopper" Prophete
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