Johnson is Detroit's only unsigned rookie

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Former Georgia Tech star receiver Calvin Johnson is the only rookie the Detroit Lions do not expect on the field for their first practice Thursday.

Coach Rod Marinelli says Lions Chief Operating Officer Tom Lewand is optimistic about getting Johnson -- the second overall pick in the N-F-L draft -- into training camp soon.

Detroit finished contract negotiations Wednesday with quarterback Drew Stanton and defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis and were close to a deal with safety Gerald Alexander. All three players were expected to sign four-year deals.

Johnson was an All-American and Biletnikoff Award winner at Georgia Tech. He was rated as the top prospect in the draft by several analysts after he set school records last year as a junior with 12-hundred yards receiving and 15 touchdowns.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/7/87153