Inside the film room at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center yesterday, the image of Calvin Johnson going up and catching passes as if it is his birthright mesmerized the Jets’ defensive backs.
And then Drew Coleman turned to Antonio Cromartie and said, “That looks like LeBron out there at receiver.”
Cromartie could only agree — and laugh, Coleman said.
“I’ve seen [James’] high school [football] highlight films on YouTube,” Coleman said. “Impressive.” Then he laughed. “Very impressive!”
So impressive that Rex Ryan will have Darrelle Revis cover the man they call Megatron — a reference to the evil leader of the Decepticons from the “Transformers” — on Sunday in Detroit.
“There’ll be times when he’s not, but he’ll generally be lined up on Calvin Johnson,” Ryan said.
Revis pleasantly refused to divulge the assignment even after Ryan’s press conference. But asked who draws Megatron, Cromartie said: “I believe 24 has that call.”
One look in his eyes made it clear Revis, who vows his hamstring is back to 100 percent, can’t wait to hold Megatron hostage on Revis Island.
Can’t wait to show Johnson and the explosive Lions he is once again ready to be king of the jungle.
“A huge challenge,” Revis said. “I think he’s one of the best in the league. I think he doesn’t get enough credit, because he plays for the Lions, and over the years they haven’t been successful. But him and [quarterback Matthew] Stafford have a great 1-2 punch. I mean, the guy’s great — he’s big, he’s physical, and he’s fast.”
And just when Revis thought he was finished with Randy Moss — claimed yesterday by the Titans — along comes this monster.
“I can compare Calvin Johnson now to a younger Randy Moss,” Cromartie said, “just because the speed he has, the ability to get up the field fast, and be able to go up and go get the ball, no matter who’s around him or anything like that.”
Megatron, who goes 6-foot-5, 236 pounds, will have a 6-inch height advantage on Revis.
“Why would I be concerned about somebody’s size?” Revis said. “I’ve had my number of guys who have been huge wide receivers . . . Andre Johnson . . .
Randy, is in our conference, had to play against him twice
. . . Brandon Marshall . . .”
Revis, who was unaware of Megatron’s nickname, views him as a combination of Moss and Andre Johnson. Ryan looks at Megatron and sees Marshall.
“I think he is faster than Brandon,” Ryan said. “And what’d we hold [Marshall] to, like 15 catches [10 catches, 166 yards, TD]? We got nothing to worry about.”
Johnson, NFC Offensive Player of the Week following a nine-catch, 101-yard, three-touchdown game against the Redskins, has 38 catches for 538 yards and eight TDs on the season.
Revis Island eagerly awaits.
“I see the matchup as being a great matchup,” Cromartie said. “He’s the best cover corner in the NFL. He does a great job of trying to eliminate that deep ball and being underneath him when he needs to be underneath him. He does everything right.”
Cromartie played against Megatron when Johnson was a rookie.
“He attacks the ball very well when the ball’s in the air. It’s like he’s going up for a basketball for him,” Cromartie said. “Our biggest thing is just trying to be aggressive and put our hands on him as much as we can to slow him down down the field.”
Asked how he did against him, Cromartie said: “I think he only caught one pass on my side; I didn’t follow him around, we just played left and right.”
On the undercard is Ndamukong Suh, the precocious defensive tackle, against Brandon Moore.
“That’s gonna be a great matchup, to see this young man, who I think’s extremely talented, against the best guard in football in Brandon Moore,” Ryan said.
The 6-4, 307-pound Suh, the second overall pick in the 2010 draft, has 61/2 sacks and a touchdown.
“That was a no-brainer right there ‘cause the kid does it all — pass rush, athletic, he’s tough, he can play the double [team], he plays with his hands, he strikes with his hands . . . “
The Jets aren’t worried about the man they call Meat.
“He’s a great athlete. That stands out,” Moore said. “His ability just to finish plays, and use his strength and power and athleticism against you is what stands out.”