New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Saints notes: Johnson likes team's future

RB Stecker ready for parenthood

By Rick Cleveland
Gannett news services

Every once in a while, you have to pinch yourself where these new New Orleans Saints are concerned.Tight end Eric Johnson, a prized free agent signing in the off season, said he chose the Saints for two reasons:

1) He wanted to be part of such an explosive offense;

2) he saw the Saints as his quickest route to the Super Bowl.

"The 49ers wanted me back and there was interest from other teams, but I visited the Saints first and I liked everything about it," Johnson said. "That was that. I'm like anyone. I want to play in the Super Bowl."
Johnson, who once caught 82 passes in a season with the 49ers, adds another weapon to the Saints offense that led the NFL in yardage last season.

Johnson was listed first on the Saints pre-camp depth chart, ahead of Mark Campbell, Billy Miller and John Owens, in that order. But Johnson has been running mostly with the second unit in practices, behind Campbell.

Johnson missed some work over the weekend with a migraine headache.

"I get them about once a year; thankfully, it's gone," said Johnson, a Yale graduate, who once caught 21 passes in a single game against arch-rival Harvard.

Johnson said he was lightly recruited out of high school and chose Yale over Division II and Division III schools.

"I was just a late developer," he said.

Father to be: Reserve running back and kick returner Aaron Stecker left the New Orleans Saints training camp at Millsaps Monday to fly to Madison, Wis., where his wife Kara is scheduled to give birth to their second child this morning.

The Steckers already know the baby will be a boy.

A football player?

"No, I hope he's a golfer," Stecker said. "I'd much rather play golf with him than watch him play football."

Stecker, an eighth-year pro, is battling for a roster spot, but said his family comes first.

"I'll be back Thursday, barring any complications," Stecker said.

Stecker said he wasn't bothered by the Saints' drafting of running back Antonio Pittman in the fourth round.

"My whole career I've been battling for a spot on the roster, no matter where I've been," Stecker said. "I don't mind the competition."

Hot hot heat: Others can complain about the mid-Mississippi heat, but former Ole Miss defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy feels right at home.

"This is like a dream come true for me," Clancy said. "This is like coming back home. It feels like home. And what's more, I'm with a great team that's got a chance to win it all."

Originally a third round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Clancy started 15 games for the New York Giants in 2005 and 11 games for the Arizona Cardinals last year. He expects to play a different role with the Saints.

"They brought be in for depth behind Hollis Thomas at nose tackle," Clancy said. "That's OK with me. Hollis is a great player. I've watched him for a long time."