I think it's important to develop a relationship with everybody. You're dappin' up guys, and certain guys have handshakes -- everybody has their own individual one -- and when we come together, we have the same one,'' Burleson said.
"It's brought something to the relationship. We can come out here and play football and not know each other the whole season, but if I'm going to ride and bleed and cry and sweat for a guy for a whole year, I want to know him deeper than just a jersey.
"Coach (Jim) Schwartz talks all the time about how this is a family, this is a brotherhood. When you're out there on the battlefield, you're fighting next to your brother. I want to get to know these guys, I don't want to feel like I'm playing next to a stranger.''
There's more to it than just having some laughs. There's a method to Burleson's madcap antics.
"I was blessed to be with Randy Moss (in Minnesota) and learned from him -- he gets things going and he likes to have fun out there on the field,'' said Burleson, an eight-year veteran. "I took his lead and it's followed me throughout my career. And when I came here, I didn't want to change that.
"I see it on the field. I don't know if it's just because of me, but this offense plays well when we're having a good time and enjoying ourselves. We're relaxed and focusing on our assignments.
"When teams are making mistakes -- and I saw it last year on my team with the Seahawks -- when you tense up and you start playing outside the love of the game, you're never as successful as you want to be.''
That is why Burleson can't wait to see a happy and fired-up Johnson unleashed against opposing defenses.
"Calvin's an amazing talent, and when he gets excited, he's even that much more powerful. He's going to make more plays,'' Burleson said. "My job is to make sure everybody's level is up every day. I accept the role of being the guy who is going to bring a lot of energy here. Not just with my play but also with being verbal and outgoing.''
And those Calvin Johnson touchdown celebrations?
"For sure, 100 percent,'' Burleson said. "He scored (in minicamp) and he did the soccer thing during the World Cup. I know if we can get him doing that at practice, we'll get him to celebrate during the game. We'll have to choreograph stuff.
"Like I said when I first signed here, you're going to see a completely different team this year. It's not because of me, it's because of the group they've brought together and the energy we have. Everything we talk about on and off the field is geared toward winning and having fun, not just getting through the season.''
Having practiced against Calvin Johnson for a week and a half of training camp and most of the off-season, Chris Houston said he now knows what NBA players feel like when they guard LeBron James.
He's like the football version," Houston said. "You know how LeBron just dunks on everybody, that's basically what he does. Basically LeBron will go to the hole and dunk on your (butt), and that's the same thing with the deep ball. Throw it up, 6-5 against a 5-11 cornerback. He's usually able to come down with the ball."
Johnson has won his share of matchups with Houston, including a play Sunday that earned the Lions' starting left cornerback a butt-chewing from defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham.
But Houston has shown plenty of fight, too, battling Johnson for jump balls and getting his share of deflections. He said playing against Calvin Johnson should pay big dividends this season.
"That helps me because you got to be on your game every snap," Houston said. "And I'm going to have to play those types of guys in the game. Brandon Marshall, big guy. Those two cats in Green Bay. So this helps me compete. Going against him every day in practice gets you ready. If you can cover him you can cover anybody."
Stafford sharp: Schwartz was effusive in praise for quarterback Matthew Stafford after Stafford led the offense to a quick touchdown in an end-of-practice 7-on-8 drill.
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