Eddie Johnson (punter)  Edward Lynn Johnson (born March 2, 1981) is a former professional American and Canadian football punter. He most recently played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Idaho State. Johnson has also been a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions and Toronto Argonauts. Attended Newport Harbor High School in Newport, California. There he became a three-year letter-winner, averaging 42.3 yards per kick as a senior, and earning all-state, all-county, and All-Sea View honors. Began his college career at Orange Coast College, where he lettered as a kicker and backup quarterback for two seasons. Averaged 38 yards per punt as a freshman (1999) and over 40 yards per kick as a sophomore (2000). Had one of the finest NCAA seasons by a punter, earning first-team All-America in 2001, as he led the nation with a 46.3-yard gross average with a net of 44.3. Posted a 45.7-yard average in 2002 with a long of 80 yards, adding eight touchbacks and 15 punts inside the 20. Also handled kickoff duties for the Bengals and recorded touchbacks on nearly 75 percent of his kickoffs. He also majored in sports medicine. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings 180th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. Johnson showed a lot of promise after showing exceptional leg strength and posting good results throughout mini-camp, training camp, and the pre-season. Once the regular season began, however, Johnson's play became very inconsistent and erratic as he struggled getting the ball away like he had in college. After 14 games, he was benched in favor of veteran Leo Araguz. After an inconsistent rookie season, Johnson was put into a competition for the punting job against veteran Darren Bennett the following off-season. He was noted for developing a funky hitch in his step during mini-camp, something neither he nor his coaches knows how he developed the bad habit. Though he posted good numbers, Johnson lost the battle and was subsequently released July 23, days before training camp started. He was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals on July 26, but suffered an undisclosed injury a week into training camp and was waived August 23. He then had a tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs on August 30, but did not impress the coaches and wasn't signed.