ALLEN PARK — At one point during Detroit’s game against New Orleans, the Saints put double coverage on Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

It’s a pretty typical strategy for everyone this side of Cris Carter. After all, few cornerbacks can handle the 6-foot-5, 235-pound Johnson’s combination of size, speed, strength and jumping ability – especially in the red zone.

What was atypical of Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ s approach was that he had two defensive backs cover Johnson as if he was a gunner on the punt team in an effort to take away the many weapons he has in his arsenal near the goal line.

“I think everybody from the beginning has keyed on Calvin Johnson,” said Lions head coach Jim Schwartz. “He is hard to hide. Particularly in the New Orleans game this week, they tried their very best to double him on every single play.”

It wasn’t a surprise to see the two Saints defenders lining up on Johnson right next to each other.

“I’ve seen that before,” said Detroit offensive coordinator, who held the same position for the Vikings. “They did that to (Randy) Moss. Not the Saints, but I remember back when I was with Minnesota – third down, we used to get that from the Packers when we played them. It’s probably a good way to make sure you go somewhere else (with the ball).”

Schwartz, who was a defensive assistant under Williams in Tennessee, had seen him use the strategy before. He even had Linehan practice attacking that defense, specifically.

“Jim said Gregg’s done that when he worked with him years ago,” Linehan explained, “and I’m like, ‘I’ve got to see that to believe it.’

“And then we got down there, and I said to Jim, ‘There’s your look!’”

What are your opinions.