Bills and he released into pass routes only 13 times. The

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson - one of the leagues best players - has officially retired today. Our sportswriter Alex Ferguson, writing from the USA, looks at Johnsons history and says goodbye to a legend…. The strangest thing about Calvin Johnson, when you reflect on his career and his heroics, is the fact that he wasnt widely-recruited in high school, and wasnt even listed in the top 100 of high school players.Only Georgia Tech, Georgia, Miami and Notre Dame vied for his signature, with Tech winning out. Despite awful quarterback play, he became one of the most untouchable wide receivers that college football had even seen. And while it was clear from the outset that Johnson would be great, he only seriously flourished in his third year, where he won the award for the best wide receiver, several conference awards, and was a consensus pick to the All-American team - college footballs equivalent of a Pro Bowl. He had 76 receptions, 1,202 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns, and left Georgia Tech with several school records under his belt and the promise of millions.And they arrived, when Detroit picked Johnson as the second pick in the 2004 Draft. JaMarcus Russell was picked first. I wonder who had the better NFL career…. With Calvin Johnson retiring have a look back at the top ten plays of his career. Courtesy of NFL Network The careerJohnson wasnt a dominant receiver…until his second year. In his first, he had 48 receptions for a tidy 756 yards (15.8 yards/game) and 4 TDs, making Jon Kitna looking like a somewhat relevant quarterback. And thanks to the fact that he could go up and get any ball thrown to him, he was given the nickname Megatron by his teammate Roy Williams. He should have been given the name Makes Us Look Better too, but I dont think that one would have stuck…He then led the league in receiving touchdowns, was fourth in receptions, and had his first 1,000 yard receiving season (1,331) - despite having no constant quarterback throwing to him (the Lions went through three that season). Johnson leaves the NFL as one of its greatest ever players Johnson struggled in production in 2009 as new QB Matt Stafford found his feet, other players and problems with his knees, and the Lions had to replace him with Daunte Culpepper and Drew Stanton. You cant help but thinking it was more poor quarterback play than Johnson heroics.But by the turn of the decade, Johnson was one of the best wide receivers in the league - if not the best.From 2010 to 2015, he went to five straight Pro Bowls. He had five straight 1000+ receiving yard seasons, which included a stunning 1,964 season in 2012 - which broke the record for all-time receiving yards in a season, smashing Jerry Rices record of 1,848 which had held up for 17 years (by the way, he had 1,681 in 2011 which was seventh on the all-time list at the time).Hell retire with 67 touchdowns in 104 games, and plenty of other inclusions on all-time career top 25 lists. He probably could have broken more records or made more lists, but that would have had to be with a better offensive line and frankly, a better quarterback. And another good wide receiver to take attention away from him (which the Lions rarely seemed to want to sign). Megatron retires The full story as Calvin Johnson calls time on his NFL career ESPN in the USA remarked that he probably wont go in a first ballot Hall of Famer. In my view, why shouldnt he? There hasnt been a better wide receiver in years.The sadnessJohnson had already said in January that he was thinking about retirement - or a move.Im happy for him that he decided to retire as a Detroit Lion, following on from the great Barry Sanders, who also retired in his prime. I dont like the thought that Johnson would play for another team.Johnson didnt even go for a huge press conference. He just put out a release, apologised for not having a press conference (showing the kind of grace and humility it seems no NFL wide receiver has right now), thanked God and the Lions owners, and apologised again for not bringing the Motor City a Super Bowl victory. Even though it was far from being his fault. Johnson never played in a Super Bowl but left plenty or memories and records Like Marshawn Lynch, he didnt leave the league with his body a broken mess - unlike Peyton Manning, who retired a day before.But unlike Manning, who we saw in plenty of Super Bowls, we never got to see Johnson play in one. It would have been fun to see him make cornerbacks and safeties look exceptionally stupid on the biggest stage.But after seeing him as a college and pro player, Im thankful that I saw Calvin Johnson.But like Peyton Manning and Marshawn Lynch, the game of American Football will be all the poorer without him.Have your say on Megatron below. A future Hall of Famer, surely? One the greatest ever? Fill in the form below and let us know what you think and who else would figure in an all-time wide receivers list. Also See: Johnson retires Free agency updates LIVE! WATCH: Best of Megatron Quarterbacks on the move? Byron Murphy Youth Jersey . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. Zach Allen Cardinals Jersey .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. http://www.thecardinalsshoponline.com/Youth-Kurt-Warner-Cardinals-Jersey/ . Numbers Game examines the deal that sees Michael Del Zotto and Kevin Klein switch places. The Predators Get: D Michael Del Zotto. Byron Murphy Cardinals Jersey . What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. Pat Tillman Womens Jersey . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. NFL Nation reporters answer the biggest fantasy questions -- provided by ESPN fantasy football analyst?Mike Clay?--?across the league for Week 5.AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC WestAFC EASTBuffalo BillsRobert Woods handled 33 percent of the teams targets in Week 3 and 26 percent in Week 4. Should we expect this massive usage to continue?It has a strong chance of continuing for the foreseeable future. Woods has little competition at wide receiver, especially with Greg Salas still sidelined in practice this week by a groin injury. Woods and Charles Clay are targets 1A and 1B for the Bills right now, with Marquise Goodwin, Walter Powell and Nick OLeary playing only peripheral roles in the passing game. -- Mike RodakMiami DolphinsThe Dolphins have used a four-man committee to replace Arian Foster. Is there any sign that one (or even two) of these backs will emerge this week?Maybe. The Titans rush defense ranks on the lower end of yards allowed a game (110), wwhich could open the door for a player such as Jay Ajayi?to emerge.dddddddddddd Ajayi is the Dolphins leading rusher (75 yards) and averages 4.2 yards a carry. Kenyan Drake could also benefit and be part of the rotation. Arian Foster returned to practice this week, but coach Adam Gase said he isnt going to rush the veteran back. -- ESPN.com staffNew England PatriotsReports suggest Rob Gronkowski is still not at full health. Can we expect him to return his 2015 form as a receiver this week, or at all this season?Im going all-in on this one: Dont give up on Gronkowski. I watched all 39 of his snaps in Sundays loss to the Bills and he released into pass routes only 13 times. Theyre easing him ba