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March 14, 2008 - 10:28PM
Former Cards receiver Johnson signs with 49ers
McClatchy Newspapers
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The San Francisco 49ers landed their seventh free agent on Friday when former Cardinals receiver Bryant Johnson agreed to a one-year deal, according to Johnson’s agent, Joel Segal.
Cards likely to lose No. 3 receiver Johnson
Johnson, a first-round pick by the Cardinals in 2003, was almost immediately overshadowed when Arizona chose Anquan Boldin in the second round that same draft. For the past five seasons, Johnson has been the No. 3 receiver behind Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.
Johnson’s best season came in 2006 when he caught 40 passes for 740 yards and four touchdowns. This past season, Johnson, 27, started eight games — mainly in place of Boldin, who was injured — and caught 46 passes for 528 yards and two touchdowns.
One of his best games came against the 49ers on Nov. 25. Johnson had 80 receiving yards and caught a long pass from Kurt Warner at the 1-yard line in the final seconds. Warner immediately went back to the 6-foot-3, 213-pound Johnson on what would have been the game-winning score, but 49ers defensive back Donald Strickland poked the ball away. The Cardinals had to settle for a game-tying field goal and the 49ers won in overtime.
Johnson did not receive a lot of attention on the free-agent market and the one-year deal suggests he hopes to flourish in Mike Martz’s offense and hit the market again next offseason. Johnson also is familiar with 49ers receivers coach Jerry Sullivan, who had the same role in Arizona when Johnson was drafted.
The 49ers likely will go into the 2008 season with five receivers on their roster. General Manager Scot McCloughan already has speculated that another free-agent addition, Isaac Bruce, will be the team’s No. 1 receiver.
San Francisco also has Darrell Jackson, Arnaz Battle, Ashley Lelie and Jason Hill, and the team could draft a receiver next month.
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