(03-14) 17:57 PST — The 49ers said goodbye Friday to defensive end Marques Douglas, but they are reportedly saying hello to former Cardinals receiver Bryant Johnson.

Douglas, an unrestricted free agent who became expendable when the 49ers signed ex-Bengals lineman Justin Smith, agreed to a four-year deal with the Buccaneers.

Douglas, 30, started for the 49ers for three years after leaving the Ravens in 2005.

A 49ers spokesman said the team has not signed Johnson, but ESPN. com said he had agreed to terms on a one-year deal.

Johnson, 27, made 210 catches for 2,675 yards and nine touchdowns in five years with the Cardinals, who had drafted him in the first round (the 17th overall pick) in the 2003 draft out of Penn State.

The 6-foot-3 receiver had 46 catches last year for 528 yards and two touchdowns. He has played third fiddle to Pro Bowlers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald and was looking for a team where he could play a larger role.

After Bernard Berrian signed with Minnesota on March 1, Johnson was considered to be at the top of the next tier of free-agent wide receivers.

The 49ers brought in free-agent linebacker Takeo Spikes on Thursday but have not signed the former Bengals/Bills star, a spokesman said.

This article appeared on page Z99 of the San Francisco Chronicle

This article appeared online at: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/14/SP29VK408.DTL