Over the next two weeks, we'll be reviewing each position group for the Detroit Lions in multiple ways and Wednesday, we'll continue with the wide receivers.
Every morning as part of the Roar, we'll have a quick statistical breakdown of that position group (regular season only).
The Detroit Lions wide receivers as a whole: In all, the Detroit receivers caught 210 passes for 2,959 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. The catches were ninth in the NFL. The yards were seventh in the league and the touchdowns were tied for 17th. More important, Detroit's receivers dropped just seven passes this season, tied for second-best in the league. They were also fifth in the league in yards after catch -- mostly buoyed by Golden Tate -- with 1,100 yards. Receivers were targeted by Matthew Stafford 338 times -- 12th in the league. They caught 62.1 percent of passes thrown to them and had a league-best 2.1 percent drop rate.
The receivers as individuals:
Calvin Johnson: Despite missing three games due to injury and being hobbled in two others, Johnson still had his fifth-straight 1,000-yard season. His 71 catches were tied for 25th in the league. His 1,077 yards ended up 15th in the NFL and his eight touchdowns were tied for 14th among receivers. His 15.17 yards per reception was 16th among receivers. He was targeted 128 times (his lowest since 2009) and he ran 411 routes. He was targeted on 31.1 percent of his routes, eighth among receivers in the NFL.
Golden Tate: He had a career year with 99 receptions (fifth in the league among receivers) and 1,331 yards (seventh among receivers). It was his first 1,000-yard season and he morphed into a No. 1 receiver when Johnson was hurt. His 696 yards after catch was the best mark in the NFL this year and his average of 7.03 YAC per reception was fourth in the league. His four touchdowns were his lowest since 2011 but tied for 41st among receivers. His 13.44 yards per reception was 34th among the league's receivers. He was targeted 141 times (the most of his career) and he ran 543 routes. He caught 70.2 percent of his targets and was targeted on 26 percent of his routes.
Jeremy Ross: The team's primary No. 3 receiver, Ross set career-highs with 24 catches and 314 yards. He also had a touchdown in Week 4 against the Jets. He was targeted 35 times on 399 routes and caught 68.6 percent of his targets. He was only targeted on 8.8 percent of his routes.
Corey Fuller: He was primarily Johnson's replacement due to injury and had 14 catches for 212 yards. He caught the winning touchdown against New Orleans in Week 7. He averaged 15.14 yards per reception. He had 32 yards after the catch. Fuller was targeted 30 times on 208 routes, catching 46.7 percent of his targets. He was targeted on 14.4 percent of his routes.
Ryan Broyles: He was active for five games this season -- all when Johnson was hurt or out. He had two receptions for 25 yards. He ran 20 routes this season and was targeted on four of them. He caught half of his targets and was targeted on 20 percent of his routes.
TJ Jones: He was on the physically unable to perform list all season and did not play.
Kevin Ogletree: He initially made the Detroit 53-man roster but did not play in a game before being released. Picked up by the Giants, he played in seven games, catching five passes for 50 yards.
And now, a look at Lions and other news around the Interwebs:
A review of the Lions' running backs from this season. A draft outlook for running back, which is somewhat of a need position. A look at the running backs from a statistical vantage point. Detroit defensive coordinator Teryl Austin picked up interest from Denver and a more serious look from Atlanta.
Detroit learned from its offseason following the 2011 season, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
The Lions should remember the feeling of losing to Dallas -- or so says Isiah Thomas -- writes Terry Foster in the Detroit News.
A brief look at the Lions' cap situation from Justin Rogers at MLive.