Philadelphia Eagles Football

Eagles add Small,
Johnson to wideout corps

SportsTicker

PHILADELPHIA (Feb. 16, 1999) — After ranking last in total offense and passing yards, the Philadelphia Eagles hit the free agent market and landed receivers Charles Johnson and Torrance Small.

Johnson was signed to a five-year contract and Small agreed to a four-year deal. Financial teams were not disclosed.

"Charles is a big receiver with good speed and is very ggressive," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "Torrance Small is another big
target for the quarterbacks."

Johnson, 27, is the latest player to defect from the Pittsburgh Steelers via free agency and the second starting receiver in as many years. Last season, Steelers' leading receiver, Yancey Thigpen, signed a five-year deal with Tennessee.

Four days ago, the Steelers lost star safety Carnell Lake, who signed a four-year
contract with Jacksonville. Kevin Greene, Chad Brown, Rod Woodson, Neil O'Donnell and Leon Searcy were among the many players who left the Steelers as free agents in previous years.

Eagles director of football operations Tom Modrak heavily recommended the signing of Johnson. He worked for 20 years in the Steelers' scouting department and was the team's college scouting director for nine years before joining the Eagles last May.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Johnson played five years with the Steelers after being selected in the first round of the 1994 draft. He had a career-high 65 catches for 815 yards and 7 ouchdowns this season. Johnson has started 58 career games and 247 receptions for 3,400 yards and 15 touchdowns.

"He has tremendous hands and is very willing to do what it takes to get the job done," Reid said. "I think he'll fit into the offensive scheme very well."

Small, 28, had 45 catches for 681 yards and 7 touchdowns for the Indianapolis Colts this season, despite starting just four games. He will join his fourth team in as many years after playing for New Orleans in 1996 and St. Louis in 1997.

Primarily utilized as a third receiver, the 6-foot-3, 209-pound Small has 253 career receptions for 3,349 yards and 24 touchdowns in a seven-year career.

"He developed into a go-to guy in Indianapolis," Reid said. "When you shake hands with him, it's like shaking a catcher's glove."

The new receivers will likely move in as starters, replacing the retired Irving Fryar and Jeff Graham, who was released. Fryar and Graham combined for just 4 touchdowns last season.

Back to 1999 Signings