Every day during training camp, Lions beat writer Dave Birkett takes you inside practice at Allen Park with notes, quotes and observations of interest.

First thoughts from the preseason opener, a 13-10 win over the Giants:

• If Calvin Johnson stays healthy, he will be the best receiver in the league in three years. He's that good. And he's headed for a huge year in the meantime. Johnson played about a quarter Thursday and caught four passes for 78 yards. On one 25-yard gain that should be a typical play this season, Johnson was running down the sideline in one-on-one coverage with Corey Webster. Jon Kitna threw the ball up, and Johnson had it tucked away before Webster could even bother making a play. If the Lions can keep Kitna clean, either Johnson or Roy Williams will make the Pro Bowl.

• Rookie Gosder Cherilus is going to catch some heat for his three penalties, as he should. But Lions coach Rod Marinelli said he was pleased with Cherilus' blocking and Cherilus said he felt like he could play against everyone he was matched up against. "I think he did some good things on his blocking," Marinelli said. "I felt it a couple times."

• The rest of the Lions' rookies were up and down, too. Kevin Smith doesn't dance much, that's a good thing, but averaged just 2.8 yards on his eight carries. Jordon Dizon is a great instinct guy, as everyone knows, but Marinelli said "we just got to make sure he's going the right way all the time." Got to watch the tape more before I comment on Cliff Avril and Andre Fluellen, defensive linemen who it's not going out on a limb to say aren't expected to have much of an impact this year.

• Drew Stanton ended his first rushing attempt Thursday with — get this — a slide. Stanton said he never slid at Michigan State. Former MSU quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier always told Stanton to be the aggressor and dive at a defender's legs. He's always been a gutsy runner and sometimes ended up on the wrong end of collisions. In the NFL, he'll be smarter about things. "They hit with a different authority" in the NFL, he said.

• One player who stood out in a good way that no one mentioned post-game: Buster Davis. He made four tackles, deflected a pass and proved he can deliver a hit. One player who struggled (in my estimation): Dovonte Edwards. Don't know the numbers off the top of my head, but the Giants seemed to pick on him a couple plays in a row. In Edwards' defense, he'll take the blame for a deep completion he allowed, but I think safety Greg Blue was late with the help.

• A quick injury report before I punch out for the night. Cornerback Stanley Wilson is likely done for the season with an Achilles tendon injury. He had to be carted to the locker room. Things don't look good. Jason Hanson left with a strained left thigh and will be re-evaluated Friday, and Gilbert Gardner suffered a concussion. That means more playing time for a backup like Tyrone Pruitt.