Morning Lions Links for Thursday 1-7-16

Lions Articles:

National Media:

Calvin Johnson retirement talk brings back Barry Sanders memories:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/21575/calvin-johnson-contemplating-retirement-brings-back-barry-sanders-memories

Lions could play 'What if?' regarding 2015 season, but they know answer:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/21552/lions-could-play-what-if-on-2015-season-but-they-know-the-answer

Headed for retirement?:   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000618342/article/detroit-lions-wr-calvin-johnson-mulling-retirement

Caldwell has plan to replace Teryl Austin if he leaves for HC job:   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/detroit-lions-teryl-austin-jim-caldwell-replacement-plan-defensive-coordinator-010616

Theo Riddick tells Bears defenders they can't stop him while mic'd up:   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/detroit-lions-chicago-bears-theo-riddick-tells-defenders-they-cant-stop-him-010516

The curious timing of Calvin Johnson’s retirement musings:   http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/01/06/the-curious-timing-of-calvin-johnsons-retirement-musings/

Would Lions' Calvin Johnson really consider retiring at age 30?:   http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/would-lions--calvin-johnson-really-consider-retiring-at-age-30--194157429.html

Local Media:

Calvin Johnson releases statement on his future:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider-short/article-1/Calvin-Johnson-releases-statement-on-his-future/cabf1ff9-05e2-487e-8ac0-b1ccd776406f

TWENTYMAN: A look at the Lions' 24 free agents:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/TWENTYMAN-A-look-at-the-Lions-24-free-agents/74d71ec5-afbd-4549-a196-94cab3169186

Player awards: Most improved:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/Player-awards-Most-improved/ff2fd214-0da2-4ecb-b12b-ac822b1221b9

TIM AND MIKE: Best and worst of 2015:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/tim-mike/article-1/TIM-AND-MIKE-Best-and-worst-of-2015/17cbfe32-e28d-482c-b64d-6f3321ec5f6b

Lions GM candidate Abrams has salary cap expertise:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/06/detroit-lions-gm-search-kevin-abrams/78361910/

Monarrez: Lions’ Johnson continues to shock and awe:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/06/carlos-monarrez-calvin-johnson-detroit-lions/78391332/

Could Lions' Calvin Johnson walk away from NFL?:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/06/calvin-johnson-retire-detroit-lions/78356832/

Burleson: Johnson concerned about banged-up body:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/06/burleson-johnson-concerned-banged-up-body/78395108/

Jamie: Maybe Calvin Johnson isn't having fun anymore:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/06/detroit-lions-calvin-johnson-jamie-samuelsen/78383582/

Fellow NFL receivers: Calvin Johnson 'the GOAT':   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/06/detroit-lions-calvin-johnson-goat/78384742/

Sharp: Lions GM could be stuck with Caldwell:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/drew-sharp/2016/01/06/drew-sharp-lions-coach-gm/78397990/

Niyo: Lions’ Johnson appears ready to call it a career:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/columnists/john-niyo/2016/01/06/niyo-lions-johnson-appears-ready-call-career/78395306/

Stats show Lions offense better under Cooter:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/05/lions-second-half-surge-largely-down-execution/78325986/

Wilson wants to stick with Lions, aware ‘plans change’:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/06/wilson-wants-stick-lions-aware-plans-change/78382914/

Lions WR Calvin Johnson considering all options, including retirement:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/01/lions_wr_calvin_johnson_consid.html

How Calvin Johnson's potential retirement would affect Detroit Lions' salary cap:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/01/how_calvin_johnsons_potential.html

Darius Slay, Calvin Johnson named All-Pro honorable mention by PFF; no Ezekiel Ansah:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/01/darius_slay_calvin_johnson_nam.html

Father: Lions RB Zach Zenner cleared to return to football activities:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/01/father_lions_rb_zach_zenner_cl.html

Detroit Lions' Teryl Austin lands fourth head coaching interview:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/01/next_stop_for_teryl_austin_coa.html

Report: Detroit Lions will interview New York Giants' Kevin Abrams for GM opening:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/01/detroit_lions_will_interview_n.html

Detroit Lions players call Jim Caldwell a 'great one,' question people calling for firing:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/01/detroit_lions_players_call_jim.html

Detroit Lions notes: Devin Taylor honored by teammates; Abrams a candidate:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20160106/detroit-lions-notes-devin-taylor-honored-by-teammates-abrams-a-candidate

Pat Caputo - Calvin Johnson would be wise to walk away from Detroit Lions:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20160106/pat-caputo-calvin-johnson-would-be-wise-to-walk-away-from-detroit-lions

Terry Foster: Calvin Johnson Is Seriously Considering Retiring:   http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/01/06/terry-foster-calvin-johnson-is-seriously-considering-retiring/

Notes: Riddick finishes season with 0 drops:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2016/1/6/10722838/lions-notes-theo-riddick-credited-with-zero-drops

Grades:

Mlive Detroit Lions report card: Theo Riddick, Matthew Stafford get high marks on offense:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/01/detroit_lions_grades_offense.html

ESPN Final grades (Detroit Lions - Grade: D. The Lions were the last winless team in the NFL. They fired three coaches, the general manager and the team president, all before Week 10. Coming off an 11-win season and a playoff berth in 2014, the Lions went 7-9 this year. Jim Caldwell's job will be decided by the team's new general manager, whenever he or she is hired. The only reason the grade is not an F is the 6-2 second half of the season, when the team improved on both sides of the ball. The Lions didn't quit on Caldwell and were playing better at the end of the season with an easier schedule.):   http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/page/32for32x160106/grading-every-nfl-team-regular-season

Video:

National Media:

Burleson: Why Megatron is consdering retirement:   http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000618543/Burleson-Why-Megatron-is-consdering-retirement

Is Calvin Johnson bluffing about retiring?:   http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000618489/Is-Calvin-Johnson-bluffing-about-retiring

Is Calvin Johnson considering retirement?:   http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=0ap3000000618350

Local Media:

AskALion: Calvin Johnson:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/AskALion-Calvin-Johnson/a084adc0-8236-4825-9bc2-fe54da077c1f

Quin on the coaching staff:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Quin-on-the-coaching-staff/09ea9b58-fdba-46e0-960c-eb00295b8034

Devin Taylor 2015 highlights:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Devin-Taylor-2015-highlights/c42a9135-c02b-4e2a-b624-44b152a3d39a