Johnson Vikings’ top punter, so far

Steve Virgen

Eddie Johnson, a former Newport Harbor High and Orange Coast College

standout, averaged 49.3 yards on four punts Saturday, putting himself

slightly ahead in the two-man race to become the starting punter for

the Minnesota Vikings.

Nick Murphy, who led the NFL Europe in punting average (42.4) last

year, had a 39.3 average on four punts, including two punts inside

the 20 Saturday, when the Vikings lost, 26-16, to Kansas City.

Johnson punted first for the Vikings, booting the ball 50 yards.

The punt resulted in a muff and was recovered by Minnesota’s Moe

Williams.

The Vikings’ team website reports Johnson has a stronger leg than

Murphy, but Murphy has kicked well this camp. Johnson is listed as

the starting punter on the team’s website.

Murphy was first to punt in Minnesota’s first preseason game, a

16-14 loss to Jacksonville. Murphy shanked a punt for 20 yards in the

fourth quarter.

Johnson had three punts for a 40.7 average, while Murphy was at

36.7 against the Jaguars. Johnson had one punt land inside the 20. He

has not been handling kick-offs as he did when he first arrived in

camp. He will look to solidify himself as the starter before the

season starts in three weeks.

Johnson, the first punter the Vikings have drafted since 1978,

signed a three-year contract with the Vikings last month. His deal

was just under $1 million for the three years and included a signing

bonus of $75,820.

Johnson, an All-American punter out of Idaho State who was

selected in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft, will continue to

battle against Murphy Friday at 6 p.m., when the Vikings play

visitors to the Oakland Raiders. Minnesota will wrap up its preseason

schedule, hosting Arizona, Aug. 28 at 5 p.m. Then, the Vikings will

open the regular season at Green Bay Sept. 7, which will be aired

locally at 10 a.m.