By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Defensive tackle Eric Johnson, a Withrow High School graduate who played at College of Mount St. Joseph, was one of three college free agents waived Sunday by the Bengals.

Eric Johnson is a graduate of Withrow High School and Mt. St. Joseph College in Cincinnati. (Michael E. Keating photo)

The other rookies waived after the team's three-day rookie mini-camp were guards Tyronne Armstrong of Pittsburgh State and Ibrahim Khan of Simon Fraser (Canada).

"It looks good on your resume that you've been invited to an NFL camp," Johnson said Saturday. "You can play Arena (league) or CFL (Canada). Even it doesn't work out, I can say I was there."

Johnson, a 6-foot, 299-pound tackle, has other options.

A 1998 Withrow graduate, Johnson has a degree in sociology with a minor in criminal justice.

He plans to work with children in some capacity and would like to be a probation officer or join the FBI.

"I'd like to give back to the community," he said.

Johnson credits his mother, Danita Brown, for bringing up him and four siblings well while living in public housing at Winton Terrace. She and mentors helped him to avoid the trap doors that could have befallen him, he said.

Johnson, 25, enjoyed working against veteran offensive lineman Larry Moore in practice Friday.

"It means a lot," Johnson said when asked about being a mini-camp invitee. "It's a blessing. I want to get better as a person, as well. To get the opportunity to learn, it's a challenge.

"The plays are complicated. The tempo is faster. Here it is a very different level. You've just got to try to get better."

The Bengals signed two college free agents, linebacker Joe Siofele of Arizona and tight end Michael Walker of Minnesota-Morris, to one-year contracts.

Both players participated in the mini-camp on a tryout basis.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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