Philadelphia Eagles Football

Eagles sign Bieniemy,
release Tony Smith

Courtesy Philadelphia Eagles public relations

PHILADELPHIA (May 7, 1999) — The Philadelphia Eagles today announced that they have agreed to a one-year contract with unrestricted free agent running back Eric Bieniemy. As is club policy, terms of the deal were undisclosed.

"Eric is a solid player who has been reliable and dependable throughout his career," said Eagles head coach Andy Reid. "He has shown a willingness to help his previous teams in any way possible - be it as a running back, returner, or coverage guy. He
should be able to help us the same way."

Bieniemy (5-7, 205), an eight-year veteran, has carved a niche in the National Football League as a third down specialist and
special teams demon. Originally a second round draft choice for San Diego in 1991 out of Colorado, Bieniemy spent his first
four seasons with the Chargers capping his stay in San Diego with an AFC Championship Title and a berth in Super Bowl XXIX against San Francisco.

In 1995, Bieniemy signed a free agent contract with Cincinnati and remained with the Bengals through the '98 season. Last year in addition to being the Bengals' special teams captain and leading the units in tackles with 14, he gained 56 yards on 17 carries and added 153 yards on 27 catches.

An extremely durable player throughout his career, Bieniemy has participated in 103 consecutive regular season games. The La Puente, CA, native has excelled on special teams, as a returner and coverage man, and also on offense as a receiver out of the backfield. In his career he has rushed 375 times for 1,514
yards and 10 TDs, caught 144 passes for 1,195 yards, returned 69 kickoffs for 1,411 yards and 1 TD and returned 37 punts for 276 yards. His 102-yard kickoff return in 1997 against the Giants is the longest return in Bengals' history.

The Eagles also released veteran running back Tony Smith.

Back to 1999 Signings