Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate are two of the best players in the NFL, yet there would be times when neither would be on the field for the Lions last season — even when Johnson was healthy.
Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi explained the thought process behind giving his top weapons breathers in games.
“I want (Johnson) out there most snaps, and I’d like him to be out there every snap,” Lombardi said. “But … you want to make sure that when you’re in a game and all of a sudden you call the play, and you see the player that you called that play for coming off to get a blow, you don’t want to be in that situation.