Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson (TE) becomes a New Orleans Saint

Eric Johnson signs 1-year contract with New Orleans Saints

March 7, 2007 - Eric Johnson was signed to a 1-year deal with the New Orleans Saints. Eric came to New Orleans and really liked what he saw in a strong championship contending team. Eric Johnson said, "I took one visit, just to New Orleans. I liked what I saw. I really love the team. I like what Coach (Sean) Payton has to say. I'm really excited to be here. Drew Brees was huge in my decision. I know the feel he has as a quarterback and how he sees the whole field. And I think he can do great things and have a great connection with a tight end. I'd love to just get in there and see what could happen when I'm in there."

Johnson (6-3, 252) brings a new dimension to the Saints' offense and could be one of the top pass-catching tight ends in the NFL. In 2004, San Francisco 49ers, he caught 82 passes for 825 yards and two touchdowns. In 2006, Eric caught 34 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns.

Johnson, 27, has missed two full seasons because of injuries ... a torn foot muscle 2005 and a broken collarbone in 2003. About the injuries, Johnson said, "That probably scared some teams away, but the Saints were good about getting the physical, and I've really had some kind of freak injuries that didn't correlate to each other. So I see that as something in the past, and I really don't see myself as injury prone."