It seems as if Bryant Johnson has spent most of his career putting up good numbers but looking for an opportunity to put up some great ones.

Will the Detroit Lions be the ideal destination for him or just another place where it doesn’t seem to work out?

Johnson was the 17th overall pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2003 and was expected to complement fellow receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Johnson had 35 catches during his first season – third most of any rookie in the league.

Unfortunately for Johnson, his teammate Anquan Boldin (who was a second-round pick) had 101 catches that year to top all rookies.

With Boldin earning the starting job, Johnson was moved to slot receiver where his opportunities were limited. He still caught at least 40 passes a season for the Cardinals over the next four years but he wanted to find a spotlight of his own.

Last year, Johnson joined the San Francisco 49ers and thought he might settle in with the high-flying passing attack of coordinator Mike Martz (who went to San Francisco after he was fired by the Lions). Martz has a complicated system and it took Bryant some time to adjust and, more importantly, the 49ers were having quarterback issues all year and Bryant’s great season never materialized. Johnson finished with 45 catches for 546 yards and three touchdowns with the 49ers.

Now that he’s in Detroit, Johnson is hoping to benefit from playing opposite of Calvin Johnson, who should move into the elite class of receivers this season. Bryant Johnson still has the speed to get downfield and all of his experience in the slot has improved his play over the middle.

Other factors that should help Bryant Johnson get more opportunities with the Lions are the addition of rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew and free agent slot receiver Dennis Northcutt – who will both put more pressure on the defense – and a greater emphasis on the running game.

In the past few years, teams didn’t respect Detroit’s running attack so they could play two-deep zones and not worry about receivers on either side of the field. If the Lions can run the ball with any effectiveness, one safety will have to drop into the box. The other safety will have to shade Calvin Johnson and now the field opens up more for Bryant Johnson.

Article via MLive, written by Tom Kowalski – http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/07/bryant_johnsons_search_for_big.html

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