Johnson cut by Bengals

Eddie Johnson, a former star punter at Newport Harbor High and Orange

Coast College, was waived by the Cincinnati Bengals Monday.

Johnson, who was an All-American collegiately at Idaho State

University, was a rookie last season for the Minnesota Vikings, who

drafted him in the sixth round in 2003.

In 14 games with the Vikings, he averaged 39.1 yards per punt,

with a long of 55. He was benched late in the season after dropping

snaps in three straight games.

Johnson was let go July 23 by the Vikings, who signed veteran

punter Darren Bennett in March. Johnson signed as a free agent with

Cincinnati three days later.