49ers sign Johnnie Morton

[crypticone]

Morton gives the 49ers a veteran presence on offense. (gettyimages)

The San Francisco 49ers have added a veteran presence to their offensive unit, signing wide receiver Johnnie Morton to a two-year contract.

Morton has been one of the NFL’s most consistently productive performers at his position in recent years, registering four 1,000-yard campaigns in his career.

The 6-0, 185-pound wide receiver from the University of Southern California has started 146 games in his 11-year career. Morton has caught 603 passes for 8,431 yards and 43 touchdowns in his career. An established big-play threat, Morton has 116 career receptions over 20 yards and 19 catches over 40 yards.

“Johnnie is our kind of guy.” Head Coach Mike Nolan said. “He is a hard-working professional who will be a great example to our young receivers.”

Morton will be reunited with wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan who coached him at Detroit from 1997-01. Under Sullivan, Morton had his best statistical season, catching 77 passes for 1,154 yards and four touchdowns in 2001.

Morton started 104-of-126 games as a Lion, adding 469 catches for 6,499 yards and 35 touchdowns. He finished his Detroit career as the second leading receiver in Lions history both in terms of catches and yardage.

He joined the Chiefs in March of 2002 as a free agent. Morton started 12 games last season for Kansas City, catching 55 passes for 795 yards and three touchdowns.




Just the veteran reciever that the 49ers needed?

 

[kings52/23]

id like to think so being that im a fan of obth the 49ers and johnnie morton

 

[VF21]

Just the veteran reciever that the 49ers needed?

Go NINERS!!!
I know I may hate myself later on this year, but I'm actually starting to have hope again.

 

[loopymitch]

If it means we'll win more than 2 games this year, bring the Pope in to play.

 

[slugking50]

Johnnie Morton?


Ugh....


: bangs head on desk :

 

[VF21]

Johnnie Morton?


Ugh....


: bangs head on desk :

He run over your dog or something?

 

[captain bill]

yeah, i've been thinking that there's no way this guy can be a playmaker, he's not that great, etc...but after last year, smith-morton is gonna feel like montana-rice. well, maybe not. although i can't help but feel optomistic that our offense with smith, morton, johnson, barlow (with a fire lit below him) and a "revamped" o-line might win us, oh, maybe 5 games.
i can dream, can't i?

 

[VF21]

They don't want him as a primary receiver or a playmaker, IMHO. They're bringing him in because he brings depth, experience, and - apparently - durability. AND he can still catch the football, provided we have a QB who can get it to him.

 

[captain bill]

seeing as we don't have anyone else to catch the ball, he's gonna have to be our primary WR threat behind johnson at TE, who faded at the end of the year exactly because we have no other threats. maybe the younger guys can actually show something good this year

 

[thesanityannex]

The niners are going to need a little more then j. morton to win a FEW games.

 

[C Diddy]

I am optimistic about this season. I am optimistic about every season. Right now our record is just as good as everyone else's and if we can actually stay health on defense, i like our chances this year. I think 8-8 is an achievable goal and anything less then 6 wins is a disappointment. O-line is coming together, we got a new coach, defense is healthier than last year, we got the top QB in the draft, anything can happen.

 

[VF21]

seeing as we don't have anyone else to catch the ball, he's gonna have to be our primary WR threat behind johnson at TE, who faded at the end of the year exactly because we have no other threats. maybe the younger guys can actually show something good this year

I think come summer training camp we're going to see some more receiving options.

I'm not looking for a championship season or even necessarily a run into the playoffs. I'm just hoping for a reversal of fortune, so to speak...

 

[thesanityannex]

To the niners fans, keep your faith.
As a loyal Chargers fan, I can see how you'd be happy with an 8-8 season.
But, as the Chargers showed, one year is all you need. Without any major changes, they came up and made a strong showing last year. So keep the faith.



The Chargers will still stomp the Niners.

 

[thesanityannex]

I think 8-8 is an achievable goal and anything less then 6 wins is a disappointment. O-line is coming together, we got a new coach, defense is healthier than last year, we got the top QB in the draft, anything can happen.

top qb picks don't always help. ask san diego and new york.

 

[VF21]

sanity - So you can get mad at me for shooting down your "renewed hope" thread about the Kings with touches of realism, but it's okay for you to do it for Niner fans?

 

[thesanityannex]

I was saying to keep the faith, that is hardly shooting down Niners fans, quite the opposite. A team can turn itself around in a season. The last stab was because I'm a Charger fan. You read into my comment waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much. And I was never mad at you for "shooting down my thread" You're entitled to your own opinion.

 

[VF21]

I was kidding with you. Geez... lighten up.

 

[thesanityannex]

i must have missed the wink smiley

 

[PixelPusher]

Morton didn't exactly tear it up as a KC Chief the past few years, but it could just be about not quite fitting a particular offense, so who knows?

 

[JSin]

Morton is garbage, I wouldn't get your hopes too high with this signing Niner fans.

But this "Morton has been one of the NFL’s most consistently productive performers at his position in recent years" is the funniest thing I've read all day.

700 yards and a couple TD's... not exactly most productive.

 

[PixelPusher]

Morton is garbage, I wouldn't get your hopes too high with this signing Niner fans.

But this "Morton has been one of the NFL’s most consistently productive performers at his position in recent years" is the funniest thing I've read all day.

700 yards and a couple TD's... not exactly most productive.

J. J. Stokes was consistently productive throughout his years as a Niner too.
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the key word being "consistent"

 

[slugking50]

He run over your dog or something?

Nooo It just he sucks! Hes not exactly the type of veteran i'd want on the team. Hes a journymen. He was part of the reason why KC choked year after year.

 

[captain bill]

at this point, there is no way he is worse than the recievers we currently have. anyone who can catch a ball is a big improvement for the team

 

[BigWaxer]

I hate the niners/ haven't read through the entire post (a cowboys fan BTW)

How old is Morton? He has been in the league a while, I don't think its a great pickup. Maybe a good 3rd or 4th...