Lions Hope Nate Burleson Will Step Up Opposite Megatron
By Mike Dyce
One advantage of being a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions? Playing opposite of Megatron aka Calvin Johnson. The attention he demands from opposing secondaries can help any wide receiver succeed. The Lions are hoping that 11 year veteran Nate Burleson will be that guy.
“It’s important to have him out there for our offense for a lot of reasons,” Lions coach Jim Schwartz said, according to the Lions’ official website. “No. 1, he’s a good player, he brings something to the equation that goes beyond what his playing ability is.”
Burleson missed nine games last season with a broken leg and is looking to recover.
“He still probably isn’t 100 percent, but a lot of guys aren’t 100 percent right now, but he’s able to do what he can out there and it’s a good time of year.”
Nate Burleson helped recruit Reggie Bush to the Detroit Lions.
“He means a lot to our football team,” Schwartz said.
Despite trying to recover from a injury, Burleson participated in Lions minicamp this offseason.
“He’s a quick healer, man,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said of Burleson. “Really from Day 1 of OTAs (he) has come on and looked really good. He couldn’t do the quantity as he can now. Now, he’s full go all the time and is ready to go.
“He looks great and that’s been a big plus for us having him healthy going into this offseason. It helps us keep our stride.”