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Eddie Johnson (punter)
Encyclopedia
Edward Lynn Johnson is a professional American and Canadian football
punter who is currently a member of 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
and Detroit Lions
.
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.
, 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.
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.
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.
on January 21. He was then allocated to NFL Europa for the 2005 season. Johnson was released March 23 from the Giants.
on July 17 and competed for the job against Chris Hanson
. He was released August 30.
. He was suddenly released from the team later that same day after one practice.
on January 2. After Todd Sauerbrun
signed a contract to rejoin the team, Johnson was waived.
signed Johnson to a contract on July 30 to compete with Nick Harris
for the job. He made the final 53-man roster, but was waived after week 1.
of the Canadian Football League
and competed with fellow new import kicker Justin Medlock
for the kicking spot vacated by the retirement of Mike Vanderjagt
. At the end of training camp, the Argos elected to keep both kickers and coach Bart Andrus
elected to start Johnson for game one and placed Medlock on the practice roster. Johnson, however, was injured on the opening kickoff
when he separated his shoulder when tackling the return man and Medlock was slated to kick for game two of the 2009 Toronto Argonauts season
.
On May 11, 2010, Johnson was released by the Argonauts.
of the Canadian Football League
to compete with incumbent punter, import Louie Sakoda
for the kicking spot after Sakoda's poor performance in the previous week's game against the Edmonton Eskimos
. Johnson was awarded the start against the Calgary Stampeders
for the July 24, 2010 matchup.
Punting 16att 742yds 46.4avg 61long 1single
http://www.cfl.ca/statistics/league/stat/Punting/year/2009
Kickoffs 5att 298yds 59.6avg 65long
http://www.cfl.ca/statistics/league/stat/Kickoffs/year/2009
Field Goals 3/3xp 1/1fg 100.0% 25.0avg 25long 1single 7points
http://www.cfl.ca/statistics/league/stat/Kicking/year/2009
Gridiron football
Gridiron football , sometimes known as North American football, is an umbrella term for related codes of football primarily played in the United States and Canada. The predominant forms of gridiron football are American football and Canadian football...
punter who is currently a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft
2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Idaho State
Idaho State University
Idaho State University is a public university located in Pocatello, Idaho. It has outreach programs in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Boise, and Twin Falls....
.
Johnson has also been a member of the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
, New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
.
Early years
Attended Newport Harbor High SchoolNewport Harbor High School
Newport Harbor High School is a public high school in Newport Beach, in Orange County, California, in the United States. It is part of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.-History:...
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.
College career
Began his college career at Orange Coast CollegeOrange Coast College
Orange Coast College is a community college in Orange County, California. It was founded in 1947, with its first classes opening in the fall of 1948. It provides two-year associate of art and science degrees, certificates of achievement, and lower-division classes transferable to other colleges...
, 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.
Minnesota Vikings (2003-2004)
He was drafted by the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
180th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft
2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
. 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
Leo Araguz
Leobardo Jaime Araguz is a former professional American football punter and kicker in the National Football League and the XFL. He has played since 1996 with the Oakland Raiders, the Detroit Lions, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL and with the New York/New Jersey Hitmen...
.
After an inconsistent rookie season, Johnson was put into a competition for the punting job against veteran Darren Bennett
Darren Bennett (footballer)
Darren Bennett is a former Australian rules football player and American football punter in the National Football League.As an Australian rules footballer, he played 12 seasons for two clubs...
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
Training camp
A training camp is a place, usually with an army-camp-type environment, where people go to learn skills, usually skills involving physical action rather than book subjects, usually for an armed force or an action sport...
started.
Cincinnati Bengals (2004)
He was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
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
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
on August 30, but did not impress the coaches and wasn't signed.
New York Giants (2005)
Was signed by the New York GiantsNew York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
on January 21. He was then allocated to NFL Europa for the 2005 season. Johnson was released March 23 from the Giants.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2005)
Johnson was signed to a 1-year deal by the Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on July 17 and competed for the job against Chris Hanson
Chris Hanson
Christopher David Hanson is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 1999...
. He was released August 30.
Washington Redskins (2006)
On August 29, Johnson signed a contract with the Washington RedskinsWashington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
. He was suddenly released from the team later that same day after one practice.
Denver Broncos (2007)
He signed a contract with the Denver BroncosDenver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on January 2. After Todd Sauerbrun
Todd Sauerbrun
Todd Scott Sauerbrun is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft...
signed a contract to rejoin the team, Johnson was waived.
Detroit Lions (2008)
The Detroit LionsDetroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
signed Johnson to a contract on July 30 to compete with Nick Harris
Nick Harris
Nicholas John Harris is an American football punter for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
for the job. He made the final 53-man roster, but was waived after week 1.
Toronto Argonauts (2009)
On May 29, 2009, Johnson was signed by the Toronto ArgonautsToronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
and competed with fellow new import kicker Justin Medlock
Justin Medlock
Justin Charles Medlock is a professional American and Canadian football placekicker for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at UCLA.Medlock has also been a member of the St...
for the kicking spot vacated by the retirement of Mike Vanderjagt
Mike Vanderjagt
Michael John "Mike" Vanderjagt , is a professional American and Canadian football placekicker and punter who has played in the Arena Football League, the Canadian Football League and National Football League...
. At the end of training camp, the Argos elected to keep both kickers and coach Bart Andrus
Bart Andrus
Bart Andrus is the current Offensive Coordinator for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League.He is the former head coach of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League...
elected to start Johnson for game one and placed Medlock on the practice roster. Johnson, however, was injured on the opening kickoff
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
when he separated his shoulder when tackling the return man and Medlock was slated to kick for game two of the 2009 Toronto Argonauts season
2009 Toronto Argonauts season
The 2009 Toronto Argonauts season was the 52nd season for the team in the Canadian Football League and their 137th overall. The Argonauts attempted to win their 16th Grey Cup championship, but they failed to make the playoffs for the second straight year, finishing the season with a 3–15 record for...
.
On May 11, 2010, Johnson was released by the Argonauts.
Saskatchewan Roughriders (2010)
On July 22, 2010, Johnson was signed by the Saskatchewan RoughridersSaskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
to compete with incumbent punter, import Louie Sakoda
Louie Sakoda
Louie Sakoda is a kicker and punter for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. In college, he played for the Utah Utes...
for the kicking spot after Sakoda's poor performance in the previous week's game against the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
. Johnson was awarded the start against the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
for the July 24, 2010 matchup.
Professional Statistics
2009Punting 16att 742yds 46.4avg 61long 1single
http://www.cfl.ca/statistics/league/stat/Punting/year/2009
Kickoffs 5att 298yds 59.6avg 65long
http://www.cfl.ca/statistics/league/stat/Kickoffs/year/2009
Field Goals 3/3xp 1/1fg 100.0% 25.0avg 25long 1single 7points
http://www.cfl.ca/statistics/league/stat/Kicking/year/2009