Former Niner Johnson now starter for Saints

<p>SANTA CLARA -- Tight end Eric Johnson, the final draft pick credited to Bill Walsh, was reluctant to pack up and leave the 49ers in the offseason.</p><p>After spending his first six seasons with the 49ers, Johnson signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the New Orleans Saints in the offseason.</p><p>He went from being a backup to Vernon Davis to an immediate starter on a team that lost in the NFC championship game a year earlier.</p><p>"It was actually a hard decision," Johnson said Wednesday on a conference call with Bay Area reporters. "In the end it came down to my potential to get on the field. I've been a starter most of my career. I know when we drafted Vernon, it wasn't looking great for me to be a starter."</p><p>Walsh was still the 49ers' general manager in 2001, though personnel director Terry Donahue ran the draft. Donahue asked Walsh to look at film of a Yale wide receiver. Walsh immediately became smitten. He suggested the 49ers draft Johnson and convert him to tight end.</p><p>Walsh mentioned taking Johnson as early as the fifth round. Finally, the 49ers used their final pick on him, No. 224 overall, and it turned out to be a wise selection.</p><p>However, Johnson's career with the 49ers was limited because of injuries. He spent the entire 2003 and '05 seasons on injured reserve. Sandwiched between those seasons, Johnson led the 49ers with 82 receptions for 825 yards.</p><p>It was clear Johnson did not figure into the 49ers' long-term plans when the club used the No. 6 overall pick of last year's draft to select Davis. Last season, Johnson took over as the starter when Davis was injured. Johnson had 34 catches for 292 yards and two touchdowns.</p><p>Johnson has remained healthy with the Saints. Coach Sean Payton said Wednesday he is pleased with his contributions. Johnson ranks second on the Saints with 28 receptions for 194 yards and one touchdown.</p><p>"Eric Johnson is playing well," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said. "Obviously, we were sorry to see Eric leave. He just wanted an opportunity to go elsewhere and possibly be a starter."</p><p>Although Johnson was not going to usurp Davis as the starter, the 49ers wanted to keep him around to be a positive influence on a group of young tight ends from a backup role.</p><p>Johnson, who lives in downtown New Orleans with his wife and dog, said he follows the 49ers from afar. He said he did not expect the 49ers' offense to struggle as it has this season.</p><p>"That does surprise me," he said. "I thought we had a good thing going last year. Hopefully, they get things going . . . after we play them."</p><p>EXTRA POINTS</p><p>Quarterback Alex Smith (shoulder) and linebacker Tully Banta-Cain (ankle) took part in the full practice Wednesday. Running back Frank Gore (ankle), receiver Darrell Jackson (quadriceps), tackle Jonas Jennings (ankle) and safety Keith Lewis (hamstring) did not practice.</p><p>Return specialist Michael Lewis, who played his first six NFL seasons with the Saints, put on No. 25 during practice and mimicked the play of Reggie Bush for the first-team defense. Lewis took on Bush's role for some of the running plays and passes out of the backfield. Bush leads the Saints with 298 yards rushing. He also has a team-high 36 receptions for 185 yards.</p><p>"It's fun imitating Reggie," Lewis said. "I don't have all his moves, but I tried to do whatever he does, to help out as much as possible."</p><p>Fullback Zak Keasey, who was signed for Sunday's game and cut on Monday, was re-signed to the practice squad. Linebacker Hannibal Navies, who was re-signed this week, returned to practice after missing a game with a knee injury.</p>