Eric Bieniemy – RB – Colorado
1991 Draft / 2nd Round / San Diego Chargers
OK, we’ll admit that our selection of #39 was solely based on a prurient interest to toss in one of our favorite Bermanisms of all time. Without further adieu, Draft Nuggets is pleaded to present Eric “Sleeping with” Bieniemy.
Bieniemy, hailing from the University of Colorado, is still a mainstay in the school’s record books. Nearly 17 years after being drafted he is still the career leader in rushing yards (3,940), all purpose yards (4,351) and touchdowns (42). As a junior he was the only active player named to Colorado’s “All Century Football Team”, a 25 member collection of players representing the best of 100 years of Buffalo football. A consensus All American, Bieniemy finished third in Heisman Trophy voting in 1990 behind winner Ty Detmer and Raghib “Rocket” Ismail.
For all the success the Bieniemy had on the college field his professional career turned out to be a disappointment. Had he won the Heisman he easily would have been another cautionary tale in the long line of winners that are not able for whatever reason to find similar success in the pro game. His career line in stints with the Chargers, Bengals and Eagles is 1,589 rushing yards with 11 touchdowns and 1,223 receiving yards with no touchdowns. No, that is not a per season average, but rather his career totals for a nine year career. In comparison, during his near Heisman 1990 season he was the nation’s second leading rusher with 1,628 yards and 17 touchdowns.
The 1991 draft was a rather dismal draft for the running back position. Three backs were drafted before Bieniemy and all in the first round. The best of these backs, Leonard Russell (Arizona State, 1st, 14th) rushed for a career total of 3,973 yards and 29 touchdowns during his six seasons in the league. The most notable alumni from this draft was Ricky “Running” Watters (Notre Dame, 2nd, 45th overall) who amassed 10,643 yards rushing and 4,248 yards receiving with 91 total touchdowns during an eleven year career with San Francisco, Philadelphia and Seattle. And, of course, we can’t make mention of this draft without talking about Bob “Sister” Christian (Northwestern, 12th, 310th overall) whose bruising play, primarily as a full back, saw him rack up 831 yards rushing and 2,048 yards receiving with 19 total touchdowns before retiring in 2003 after suffering 45 concussions.
Today Bieniemy is the running backs coach with the Minnesota Vikings. His post playing coaching career started at his alma mater in 2001 before moving on to UCLA from 2003 to 2005. Also, as the running backs coach at UCLA he would receive a promotion to offensive coordinator for the 2005 season. He joined the coaching staff of Brad Childress before the 2006 season where he is currently coaching 2007 Offensive Rookie of the Year Adrian Peterson.
For a table of all of the players selected at his position in this draft click here.
Statistics courtesy of nfl.com.
