EAST RUTHERFORD -- Walter Thurmond is proud of the fact that he came from a place where defense was celebrated. He didn't remember a week during last year's Super Bowl run where anyone was concerned about the next star offensive weapon Seattle would have to face.

"They had to deal with us at the end of the day," Thurmond said.

So with Calvin Johnson coming down the pipe in the season-opener, Thurmond is looking to bring the same attitude. For one, he doesn't think the Lions' 6-5 receiver and four-time Pro Bowler is perfect. In Thurmond's mind, there are no perfect players.

So what is the downside of a jump ball receiver who will surpass the 10,000-yard mark in 2014?

"Everyone knows he's a talented guy, you know, but being a big receiver, he has some weaknesses for sure," Thurmond said. "Being able to get in and out of his cuts and breaks and stuff. Of course, he's good with yards after the catch and jump balls, but there is no perfect receiver. Everyone has some weaknesses and it's about understanding what those weaknesses are, watching film and exposing them."

When Johnson isn't streaking right into the end zone, Thurmond feels like there is ground to make up.

"It takes him longer to get out of stuff where the ball is coming in and we can get out and beat him to the route, we've won that play," Thurmond said. "Whether it be a knockdown or interception, that is one of the benefits of being someone smaller than he is. There's always benefits to being able to get out of a break quicker than your man."

This preseason, the Giants placed a premium on rewarding aggressive play like Thurmond is talking about. And since the Lions will have Perry Fewell in his Nickel defense for a majority of the game, the team's free agent slot cornerback will have plenty of snaps to prove it. More importantly, though, they appreciate his willingness to discard fear. In the past, the Giants have been reverential toward some of the stat-busting receivers they've seen.

Thurmond wants to change that.

"Most definitely," he said. "If you get caught up in what the other team is doing, it can get caught up inside the minds of the players who aren't mentally strong in that aspect. We're building a culture where it's all about us, you eliminate that fear aspect of what the other team is capable of doing. You give respect, but you're not getting caught up in 'Oh Calvin Johnson, this or that.' Then you start thinking 'this guy is better than me.'"

Last year, the Giants lucked out and got a half-speed Johnson who played roughly half of the Lions snaps. He managed to catch three of his four targets, but Prince Amukamara left the game feeling better about his skill set when matched up against top-tier pass catchers.

"I feel like it’s been a while, but I am sure when I watch the film a whole bunch of memories will probably come like, “ok, we did just play them and this is what happened,” he said.

He's not quite to where Thurmond is, though, and few can blame him; after having a front-row seat to what might have been the best defense in NFL history, no one scares him anymore. Not even Calvin Johnson.

"It's a motivational tactic, it encourages everybody to play harder and it gives guys confidence in us," Thurmond said. "It's instilled from an individual standpoint, some people have it and some people don't."