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--> --> Rookie Johnson catching on as a 49er SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Even though Eric Johnson has progressed more quickly than the San Francisco 49ers ever expected, he's still not above the occasional rookie goof. When Johnson, a tight end from Yale, caught his first NFL touchdown pass late in the first half of San Francisco's victory over Detroit last Sunday, he nonchalantly flipped the ball to a referee. It didn't occur to him that most players cherish the ball they used to score their first points. J.J. Stokes came to the rescue, snatching the ball from the official and later presenting it to Johnson, who's grateful to have teammates watching his back as he takes an important role for the 49ers. "I didn't once think it would happen this fast," Johnson said. "I'm nowhere near where I think I can be, but I'm learning every week. I just hope I can get to the point where I'm contributing all the time." Johnson already appears to be there. With 18 catches for 138 yards, he has exceeded all of coach Steve Mariucci's expectations for a seventh-round draft pick from the Ivy League who also punted in college. "Boy, has he come on fast," Mariucci said. "What a pleasant surprise to have a seventh-rounder come in and start for you." Johnson's emergence wasn't in the 49ers' original plans for their resurgent season. He and Justin Swift were thrust into the spotlight when Greg Clark, the 49ers' starting tight end the previous three seasons, wasn't able to recover speedily from offseason hamstring surgery. Swift started the 49ers' first game of the regular season, but Johnson earned the starting job in the second week. Since then, Mariucci gradually has grown more confident in throwing to Johnson, who has recovered from a few early-season drops to fill the prominent role required for tight ends in the West Coast offense. Johnson said his success is the product of playing in a system designed to reward tight ends who know their job. By studying Clark and knowing the offense, he has cut down on rookie mistakes while encouraging his teammates to trust him. The 49ers knew Johnson was an outstanding receiver from his college career. As a junior, he caught 21 passes in a game against Harvard; as a senior, he broke his own school record with 86 catches for 1,007 yards and 14 touchdowns. Mariucci is even more impressed by Johnson's progress as a blocker. Johnson has gained 25 pounds since the close of his senior season at Yale, and he has used that added weight to approach the standard Clark set with his outstanding blocking. "Greg Clark could just push people ... but (Johnson) has to use his feet and shuffle," Mariucci said. "He's getting better." Johnson and Swift realize Clark likely will step back into the starting lineup when he returns, but nobody knows when Clark will be able to play again. While his left leg is stronger than it has ever been, Clark's right leg is at 50 percent of its normal strength after several surgeries to repair and finally remove hamstrings. When asked Wednesday if he has worried he'll never recover, Clark said: "That thought has crept into my mind, but I want to give myself the best opportunity to heal properly." Instead of jealousy, Clark said he feels a twinge of paternal pride watching Johnson and Swift. He tutored Swift last season, and has watched Johnson's maturation this season with pleasure. "If you could see film on back in minicamp and then now, you'd be like, 'Who's that guy?"' Clark said. "It's amazing what he's done." Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing