| Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson finished the year with 122 receptions for an NFL record 1,964 yards. (US Presswire) |
The mantra of most Lions’ players during the team’s season-ending eight game losing streak was that any individual success they achieved was bittersweet because of the team’s unfulfilled 2012 expectations. That said, there were several players whose individual performances during the year made them worthy of consideration for CBSSports.com’s Rapid Reports postseason honors.
While we salute our winners’ performances, the fact that only one of the four players is currently under contract for next season brings one of Detroit’s major 2013 offseason issues into stark relief.
Offense -- WR Calvin Johnson: Johnson finished the year with 122 receptions for an NFL record 1,964 yards and 5 touchdowns, and he also broke or tied three other NFL records during his stellar season. While his statistics were impressive, he gets our award because he was able to author one of the greatest single-season performances in league history without a consistent secondary receiver to draw coverage away from him.
Johnson didn’t wilt under the extra pressure he faced because of season-ending injuries to Nate Burleson (leg), Ryan Broyles (ACL) and Titus Young (knee/attitude). He gained 707 yards in Detroit’s final five games without Broyles, Young, or Burleson to share the workload. 2013 contract status: Under long-term contract.
Defense -- CB Chris Houston: Houston was the closest thing the Lions have had to a shut-down corner in years. He finished the season with a team-best 11 pass breakups, and tied for the team lead with two interceptions. We chose to give Houston the honor over players like DT Ndamukong Suh (8 sacks, 33 QB hits) and LB Stephen Tulloch (112 combined tackles, 2 forced fumbles) because he was a source of veteran leadership for a secondary that was unquestionably Detroit’s weakest unit. Houston started 14 games -- more than any other DB -- providing vital consistency for an injury-depleted secondary. 2013 contract status: Unrestricted free agent.
Special teams -- K Jason Hanson: Hanson just finished his 21st NFL season, and his performance hasn’t dipped one bit. He converted 32 of the 36 field goals he attempted in 2012, and set a new NFL record for career 40-plus yard field goals (188). He scored a franchise-record 134 points, and his play was the lone source of consistent production on a special teams’ unit marred by inconsistent efforts all year. 2013 contract status: Unrestricted free agent.
Newcomer -- RB Joique Bell: Bell arrived in Detroit late in the 2011 season, so we’re taking some license here by giving him Newcomer honors. We feel justified in picking him as our winner, however, because his 2012 roster place wasn’t secured until Mikel Leshoure was suspended by the league for offseason legal problems, and Jahvid Best failed his preseason concussion tests.
Bell’s 899 yards of total offense made him an outstanding compliment to RB Leshoure, and his 485 receiving yards ranked him third among Lions’ receivers. Bell’s ability to gain yards after the catch made him a vital safety valve for quarterback Matthew Stafford, and his explosive running style saw him earn more reps as the season progressed. His ability to fill multiple roles makes him an affordable asset heading into 2013. 2013 contract status: Restricted free agent.
Follow Lions reporter John Kreger on Twitter at @CBSLions and @JohnKreger.