Lions' Calvin Johnson looking for 1,000 yards again

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Gaining 1,000 receiving yards is what Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson expects each year.

"As long as we're on the field, we're going to surpass that mark," he said.

Despite all the questions about him slowing down at age 30, Johnson is about to reach the millennium mark again. He needs just 79 yards in Thursday's game against the Packers, and considering he's averaging 83.7 yards per game this year, there's a good chance he'll reach the milestone.

When he reaches the mark, Johnson will be just the 15th receiver with six straight 1,000-yard seasons in NFL history.

"You only see the top receivers in the league up there every year, and I'm still one of those guys," he said.

Based on Johnson's past performance, 1,000 yards receiving is hardly a milestone. His most memorable milestones were breaking Jerry Rice's single-season yardage record with 1,964 in 2012, and having 16 touchdowns along with 1,681 yards in 2011.

"We often remind the guys on this team that they have an opportunity to be with a very rare individual in Calvin Johnson," head coach Jim Caldwell said. "He's everything you could ask for in terms of a real pro. He's the epitome of a professional athlete in terms of his approach to the game. He gets in here early, he stays late (and) he takes great care of his body. Obviously, the numbers in terms of what he's been able to accomplish on the field speak for themselves, but he's even a better person."

--Even though the Lions are 3-1 since firing Joe Lombardi and promoting Jim Bob Cooter to offensive coordinator, head coach Jim Caldwell doesn't regret waiting until a 1-6 start to dismiss Lombardi.

"It's not that easy," he said. "It's a difficult transition what we're going through right now even just in terms of our offensive system and how it's functioning. It's an unusual change."

--Lions head coach Jim Caldwell had a humorous take on what constitutes a catch in the NFL, which has become increasingly difficult to tell with the complete-the-process rule.

"Like I tell our guys, I know what it is," he said. "It's when you catch it and you toss it to the official, that's a catch. That's a catch. Anything else can be disputed, but that I know for certain is a catch."