When it comes to the proposition of who has been the biggest bust in fantasy football this season, it's a highly debatable subject. There is seemingly no correct answer, as so many different factors and arguments come into play. However, I've got one name I'd love to toss into the party and that's Calvin Johnson. Say what? Yes, really.At this point, why haven't more people questioned the epic bust Calvin Johnson has been thus far? Sure, I realize he's been injured and perhaps just not clicking in a struggling offense. But even when healthy, Johnson hasn't quite performed up to the first round or even second-round standards we expected. You do realize he has only one touchdown all season and only one 100-yard receiving game, right? That's just not getting it done from a fantasy perspective.
I must say that this is one of the hardest fantasy pieces I've ever had to write. Why? Well, because I'm an admitted Lions fan and I worship Calvin Johnson. I happen to own Johnson on every single fantasy team and yes, you could even say I have a man-crush. So, to come to the realization as I have in recent weeks that Johnson might be the biggest bust of 2009, it's more than just an admittance of being wrong ... it friggin' hurts.
By most standards he was supposed to be one of, if not the best receiver in all of fantasy football. TMR had Johnson rated as his hands-down No. 1 fantasy WR. And I couldn't have agreed more with Berry. He was the "must have" guy at his position with so much potential and freakish ability. What was there not to like? A third-year WR destined for an epic season that we'd all remember and say "Megatron has really arrived." Well, we're 10 weeks in the books and I, like so many others, are still waiting.
For whatever reasons, Johnson has simply not elevated his game to another level this season. On the surface we make the argument that Johnson has suffered from a lingering knee injury or that he's been put in a horrible situation with the talent around him. Those are great excuses to make as to why Johnson has underwhelmed. However, as I recall, Larry Fitzgerald thrived in a season with one of the McCown brothers, John Navarre and the Kurt Warner comeback tour throwing him the ball.
Besides that point, I really don't think this year is much different than last year in terms of Johnson's surroundings. After all, last season was an 0-16 disaster, but that didn't stop him from scoring 12 TDs to go along with 1,331 yards. And I'd probably say at this point Matthew Stafford is far less chaotic than the likes of Jon Kitna, Dan Orlovsky or Drew Stanton were last season. Yes, the injuries certainly haven't helped the Stafford and Johnson connection sync up completely, but again that's no excuse.
As of right now, he's simply just another WR we have to insert in the lineup based on namesake alone and hope he can break a long catch-and-run or net us some big points. Normally when I insert a stud into my lineup I don't hope for the best, I expect the best. Unfortunately, that's just the crossroads we are at with Johnson. We can't bench him, but we sure don't have the oozing confidence we had back on draft day.
I'm hardly implying that Johnson doesn't possess all the makings of a dominant fantasy WR. But fantasy football is not a game based on hype; it's all about production. And as far as production goes, Johnson isn't even close behind the other elite receivers. I could easily compile a much-deeper-than-you-think list of receivers I'd rather have right now than Johnson, but that would only make me more depressed.
Is he just a freakish talent that teases everyone with his tremendous potential? Can he stay healthy? Will he and Stafford ever build a solid rapport and trust each other? Does he have that extra gear, the killer instinct of a Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald or Andre Johnson? If you asked me this series of questions at the beginning of the year, I would've laughed them off and said prepare yourself for an amazing season. Now, I just don't know. Johnson may be considered by some to be the LeBron James of football. Fantasy owners would sure like to see him put up some LeBron-comparable to football numbers on the field. Time is running out on the season, and without a monster finish I will forever remember this year as a colossal bust for Calvin Johnson. And that's even more salt in the wounds when you get shafted by one of your favorite players. Ouch.
