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          NFL Nation

          Mailbag: How to deal with Calvin Johnson's possible retirement?

          • Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff WriterFeb 6, 2016, 07:00 AM ET
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              Michael Rothstein is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta Falcons. You can follow him via Twitter @MikeRothstein.
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          Calvin Johnson appears to be inching closer to retirement. The Lions can start making roster moves Monday as well. Oh, and there's a Super Bowl being played tomorrow to finish off the 2015 NFL season.

          Some of these things are covered in this week's Lions Mailbag, filled with your questions. To ask a question for the Mailbag, email me at michael.rothstein@espn.com, Tweet me with the hashtag #LionsMailbag or go ahead and ask me a question on Facebook (and feel free to like that page as well).

          Now, on to this week's questions:

          @mikerothstein: I don't always like hypothesizing on people losing their jobs, but this is also the realistic part of February for many high-priced veterans who are seeing their skills decline. There is also the complication of not having a 100 percent answer on the future of Calvin Johnson. If Johnson retires, the Lions would have at least $11 million more in cap money to play with so it could save a veteran or two. Unless the Lions are completely sure they don't want a player to return, I don't know if they would make moves immediately because of the Johnson question. But guys to watch over the next month as possible cap cuts are linebacker Stephen Tulloch, running back Joique Bell, tight end Brandon Pettigrew.

          @mikerothstein: The expectation wouldn't be to rely on Golden Tate forever, although he likely would be fine as a potential No. 1 receiver for 2016. He's had 90 or more catches the past two seasons and despite a slow start, he did finish with 813 yards and six touchdowns in 2015. Plus, he has the speed and leaping ability to handle deep routes if necessary. The Lions are likely to pick up a receiver in free agency or the draft no matter what happens with Calvin Johnson (the depth beyond Tate and TJ Jones is...lacking). The best scenario is Johnson returning for another year and the Lions drafting a receiver in the first three rounds to learn under him. But if that doesn't occur, look at a guy like Marvin Jones from Cincinnati or Jermaine Kearse from Seattle as possible free agents and then there's a plethora of receiving options in the draft. Too early to predict who the guy is, but it'll get sorted.

          @mikerothstein: By understanding that time catches up to us all, no one can outrun it and that you did get to watch him play at a crazy level for nine years. Remember the good times. And remember that it is a game and that Calvin Johnson is making the best decision for himself. Be comforted in that. He's going to be one of the most iconic players in franchise history whenever he does hang them up and that's the best thing you can do. Just remember the joy you had watching him and understand that everyone gets older. In fact, you got seconds older while you were reading this.

          @mikerothstein: I love the celebrations. All of them. Football -- and all sports -- are supposed to be fun at the heart of things. So I have no problem with players showing passion or joy or excitement for what they do. Why wouldn't you want to see that? I've never understood the issue people had with celebrating. Whenever I see people have a problem with celebrating I think back to what players have often told me -- how do you stop someone from celebrating? Stop them. If you can't, you can't complain because it is on you. There are plenty -- plenty -- of things to worry and complain about in this world. Whether or not Cam Newton, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Rodgers or Joseph Fauria (remember him) are celebrating should not be one of them. As far as Johnny Manziel and Ray Rice, I have not covered either situation personally with any sort of depth so I will refrain from comment.

          @mikerothstein: It starts on the lines. The Lions need to find some defensive tackles and decide whether or not the end to line up opposite Ezekiel Ansah is on the roster. The offensive line needs some help, particularly at tackle and possibly center. I'd start there. If Calvin Johnson does officially retire, receiver rockets up the list of need as well. Those would be the three major areas of concern to me and at least one should be able to be solved in free agency as well. So that's where I would start.