I’m sure this is one quote Elam wishes he could have back…
The Baltimore Ravens will take on the Detroit Lions in this week’s Monday Night Football match-up. Naturally, any interview with a member of Baltimore’s defensive backfield will contain questions about Lions’ wide-receiver beast Calvin Johnson.
When asked about Megatron, Ravens’ safety Matt Elam used the adjectives big, fast, athletic, unstoppable and freak to describe him. But when asked how he would cover him, he wasn’t as gracious.
“He’s pretty old, so I don’t know how physical he’ll be,” Elam said. “He’s a big guy, but he’s older. I guess when they get older they’re not going to be as physical, you know what I’m saying? We’re going to have to be physical, make him uncomfortable.”
“You’ve got to know when it’s time to double him, when it’s time to triple-team him,” Elam said. “You’ve got to keep your eye on him, because (Detroit quarterback (Matthew) Stafford wants to get the ball to him.”
At 28, old is the last word I would use to describe Johnson, who is in his prime. Not the most mature thing for Elam to do, giving Megatron billboard material before a big game. But what else would you expect from a 22 year old? I’m sure he’ll eat quite a bit of humble pie while learning a few lessons from “Old School” next Monday. Should be fun to watch.