Remember when Calvin Johnson uncharacteristically dropped too many balls last season? It was in part because one of his fingers was bent at a 90-degree angle. Well offseason surgery has taken care of that and his wonky knee too.

Here are three reasons Megatron will be better this season:

1. His health. Johnson was unable to practice during most of last season. Sure he knew his routes, but the connection with Matthew Stafford must be made during the week for it to be at its best on Sundays. He was full go in the mandatory minicamp and looked like Megatron.

2. The addition of Golden Tate and first-round pick tight end Eric Ebron could create mismatches that will only benefit Johnson. 

3. It’s not like the offense wasn’t built around him for the last several years, but it will have a new look under offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi who is so thrilled to work with Johnson that sometimes he has to remind himself not to be just a fan.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)