Morning Lions Links for Wednesday 3-9-16

Lions Articles:

National Media:

Like Barry Sanders and Jim Brown, Calvin Johnson walks away on his own terms:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/22535/like-barry-sanders-and-jim-brown-calvin-johnson-walks-away-on-his-own-terms

Calvin Johnson's legacy is how he played on the field, acted off of it:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/22565/calvin-johnsons-legacy-is-how-he-played-on-the-field-acted-off-of-it

Teammates, including Nate Burleson, praise Calvin Johnson:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/22558/lions-teammates-including-nate-burleson-praise-calvin-johnsons-retirement

Calvin Johnson's place in NFL history:   http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/115152/calvin-johnsons-place-in-nfl-history

Why Calvin Johnson is a no-brainer Hall of Famer:   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000642219/article/calvin-johnsons-amazing-lions-tenure-makes-hall-of-fame-lock

Where will the Lions turn at WR without Megatron?:   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000642285/article/where-will-the-lions-turn-at-wr-without-megatron

Calvin Johnson isn't a Hall of Famer:   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/calvin-johnson-retirement-hall-of-fame-numbers-doesnt-deserve-canton-030816

The 10 craziest stats from Calvin Johnson's illustrious career:   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/calvin-johnson-detroit-lions-retirement-crazy-stats-career-030816

Al Toon complete understands Calvin Johnson's decision to retire:   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/calvin-johnson-detroit-lions-new-york-jets-al-toon-retirement-030816

The Lions lose another all-time great, as Calvin Johnson retires:   http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/the-lions-lose-another-all-time-great--as-calvin-johnson-retires-161248166.html

Like Others, Megatron Retires Young:   http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/166626976/calvin-johnson-retirement-early-elway-jackson

Bell: Only the grind could stop Megatron:   http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/08/calvin-johnson-retire-injuries-megatron/81484920/

Understanding Megatron's quiet retirement from NFL:   http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/03/08/calvin-johnson-retires-statement-detroit-lions-megatron

Lions mum on whether Calvin Johnson is paying back bonus money:   http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/08/lions-mum-on-whether-calvin-johnson-is-paying-back-bonus-money/

Local Media:

O'HARA: No adequate category for Megatron's impact:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARA-No-adequate-category-for-Megatrons-impact/0f31dc74-0523-4024-bf07-420cc336e1b4

Detroit Lions statements on Calvin Johnson:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/news-short/article-1/Detroit-Lions-statements-on-Calvin-Johnson/dc57ddd9-ba5a-42ea-8e7e-36a839dfa6f8

Now Lions must replace irreplaceable Calvin Johnson:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/08/calvin-johnson-replacements-detroit-lions/80058116/

5 most memorable Calvin Johnson moments:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/08/calvin-johnson-detroit-lions/79188326/

Monarrez: Megatron a Hall of Famer, but issues exist:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/08/calvin-johnson-hall-of-fame/81486578/

Seidel: Calvin Johnson retires with class and dignity:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2016/03/08/calvin-johnson-retires-lions/81479668/

Megatron retirement frees up $11M; Lions need a WR:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/08/calvin-johnson-detroit-lions/81481816/

Time for Lions to move on from Calvin Johnson:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/drew-sharp/2016/03/08/detroit-lions-calvin-johnson-future/81481222/

5 possible replacements for Calvin Johnson:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/02/01/calvin-johnson-replacements-detroit-lions/79311830/

Lions DT Walker's new deal worth up to $2.25 million:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/08/tyrunn-walker-contract-detroit-lions/81469828/

Wojo: Retirement not bad outcome for Calvin, Lions:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/08/wojo-good-calvin-sad-lions-fans/81479678/

Split decision on Calvin’s Hall of Fame worthiness:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/08/split-decision-calvins-hall-fame-worthiness/81491010/

Calvin departs without fanfare or press conference:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/08/calvin-departs-without-fanfare-press-conference/81481828/

Michigan Red Wings laud Calvin: ‘He was a beast’:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2016/03/08/michigan-red-wings-laud-calvin-he-beast/81485544/

Five free agents who could replace Calvin:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/08/five-free-agent-receivers-could-replace-calvin/81480498/

Free agent WR Anquan Boldin likes Lions’ Caldwell:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/08/free-agent-wr-anquan-boldin-likes-lions-caldwell/81474762/

Lions great Calvin Johnson, 30, retires from NFL:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/goodbye_megatron_lions_great_c.html

Lions must replace the irreplaceable with Calvin Johnson gone:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/column_lions_must_replace_the.html

Calvin Johnson's retirement pushes Detroit Lions' cap space over $40 million:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/quick_update_on_detroit_lions.html

Full Calvin Johnson statement on why he chose to retire:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/full_calvin_johnson_statement.html

Calvin Johnson 'at peace' with retirement, thanks Detroit Lions and fans:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/full_calvin_johnson_statement.html

Barry Sanders joins the Calvin Johnson social media love-fest after Megatron's retirement:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/retiring_detroit_lions_receive.html

Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy on Lions' Calvin Johnson: 'It's sad to see him go':   http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2016/03/pistons_coach_stan_van_gundy_o.html

Calvin Johnson's 10 most memorable performances with the Detroit Lions:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/calvin_johnsons_10_most_memora.html

Detroit Lions 2016 free agency preview: Club could seek veteran corner for youthful secondary:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/detroit_lions_2016_free_agency_8.html

15 free agents who could be fits for Detroit Lions:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/detroit_lions_free_agency.html

Pat Caputo - Calvin Johnson gave the Detroit Lions much more than they gave him:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20160308/pat-caputo-calvin-johnson-gave-the-detroit-lions-much-more-than-they-gave-him

Detroit Lions — Eighteen things to know about Calvin Johnson’s career:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20160308/detroit-lions-x2014-eighteen-things-to-know-about-calvin-johnsons-career

What to look for as NFL free agency begins:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20160308/what-to-look-for-as-nfl-free-agency-begins

Terry Foster: Today Is A Good Day For The Lions, And For Calvin Johnson:   http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/03/08/terry-foster-today-is-a-good-day-for-the-lions-and-for-calvin-johnson/

Notes: Recapping Day 1 of free agency negotiations:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2016/3/8/11177616/lions-notes-recapping-day-1-of-the-legal-tampering-period

2016 Draft:

Five possible replacements for Calvin Johnson in NFL draft:   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000642230/article/five-possible-replacements-for-calvin-johnson-in-nfl-draft

Zierlein: Notable prospects whose grades jumped or dropped post-combine:   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000642214/article/most-notable-changes-to-prospect-grades-postnfl-combine

Mike Mayock's draft position rankings 2.0: Nkemdiche slides:   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000642199/article/mike-mayocks-2016-nfl-draft-position-rankings-20

What we learned from Mayock's latest rankings: New spot for star DB:   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000642339/article/mike-mayocks-2016-draft-rankings-20-seven-things-we-learned

PFF scouting report: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State:   https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/03/08/draft-pff-scouting-report-michael-thomas-wr-ohio-state/

Video:

National Media:

Golden Tate hoped Calvin Johnson's retirement wasn't true:   http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=0ap3000000642411

Did Lions losing lead to Megatron's retirement?:  http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=0ap3000000642251

Why are early retirements a trend in Detroit ?:   http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=0ap3000000642262

Is Calvin Johnson a Hall of Famer?:   http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=0ap3000000642276

Irvin on Calvin Johnson retiring: 'It's certainty disappointing':   http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=0ap3000000642293

Ike Taylor on Calvin Johnson: He was a defensive coordinator's nightmare:   http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=0ap3000000642405

Deion Sanders questions why 2nd high profile player retires prematurely from Lions:   http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=0ap3000000642272

Local Media:

Wired For Sound: Calvin Johnson's Final Game:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Wired-For-Sound-Calvin-Johnsons-Final-Game/6d7bcd76-6283-413a-a6ce-e5275a7e80ab

Calvin Johnson Tribute Video:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Calvin-Johnson-Tribute-Video/46820b08-b7a9-4fcf-8abd-dc56763897a9