Tag Archives: Atlanta Falcons

Pritchard, Mike

stpics91 pritchardscosup91 pritchard
Cards: Score Supplemental 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1991, Star Pics 1991, GameDay 1992.
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent:  3/10    Received: 6/16    (98 days)

When Mike Pritchard hit the field for the Colorado Buffalos he was a virtuouso on offense, displaying excellent athetic prowess playing runningback, wingback, tailback, and wide receiver on offense.  He’d also handle some kick return duties as well along the way. He’d finish his career for the Buffs, with 47 receptions for 1241 yards, and 10 touchdowns, along with 30 kick returns for 693 yards. Despite playing only one full season at wide receiver, Pritchard finished 3rd in school history in career receptions and 2nd in touchdowns. An All-Big 8 1st team selection and team MVP in 1990, Mike had 28 catches for 733 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also stood in for Eric Bieniemy one game and surprised the Volunteers rushing for 217 yards.

gday92 pritchardMike’s versatility and speed were attractive to NFL personnel. Jerry Glanville‘s Run ‘N Gun offense took him in the 1st round of the NFL draft with the 13th pick in 1991. Mike had 624 yards and 2 TDs in 50 receptions in a respectable rookie campaign.  He’d then have 2 70+ catch seasons back to back in 1992 (77, career high) and 1993 (74).

Expected to make a big free agent splash, Pritchard joined the Broncos in 1994, but injuries limited him to just 3 games. He’d return in 1995, starting 13 games and posting 33 receptions for 441 yards and 2 TDs, ending his tour with Denver.

aprks91 pritchardMike joined the Seattle Seahawks in 1996 reviving his career. Pritchard’s 1997 campaign resulted in 843 yards and 2 TDs- his best since 1992. In 1998, Mike went deep again for 742 yards on 58 receptions. After the 1999 season, he’d retire just eking a bit over 5,000 career receiving yards.

As of 2014, Pritchard lives in Nevada. He does play by play for ESPN and does color commentating for Nevada-Las Vegas Football games.

G/Gs 127/94    Rec 422     Yds  5187     Avg  12.3     Td  26    Lg 61

 

 

 

Donaldson, Jeff

pset90 donaldsonsco90 donaldson
Card: ProSet 1990, Score 1990
Acquired: 2014, Albany Acquisition
Failure: 2011, C/o Home

Jeff Donaldson was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the 9th round of the 1984 draft out of Colorado. By 1986, he was starting at free safety for the Oilers in Jerry Glanville‘s defense. An aggressive, hard hitter, and good special teams performer, Donaldson had a career high 110 tackles that season. He was a great example of the ‘House of Pain’ moniker that the Oilers embraced during the late 80’s.  In 1990, with changes coming for the Houston Oilers organization, Donaldson was left exposed Plan B by the team. He’d sign with the Kansas City Chiefs that season.  He’d finish his tenure on the Oilers with 446 tackles.

The Oilers in 1989 had been thoroughly trounced by the Chiefs, and in that game Houston’s special teams were exposed almost as badly as the offense. How much a year can change things, as the Oilers in 1990 under Jack Pardee went into Arrowhead, and Kansas City had no answers for the Run ‘N Shoot offense. Warren Moon threw for 527 yards that day, including an 87 yarder to Haywood
Jeffires right in front of Donaldson.

After the season, Donaldson reunited with Jerry in Atlanta for the 1991 season. He’d play with the Falcons through the 1993 season and retire. He currently lives in Colorado. I had tried to get Donaldson’s autograph back in… 2011, but did not receive a response. He has been responding to TTM requests sporadically as of late, but I figured that I might as well knock him out via a large lot acquisition instead.

G/Gs   151/78        Tac   N/a       Sac   5.5      FR  8          Int   12      Yds  87      Avg          Lg  23     Td 0

Pedersen, Jacob

leaf12 pedersenCard: Leaf Draft 2014
Acquired: Box Breaker, 2014.

Jacob was a 2013 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection at Wisconsin, where he racked up 541 yards on 39 receptions and 3 touchdowns. His 17 career touchdowns, are most ever for a Wisconsin tight end- a tall order, considering names like Owen Daniels and  Graham Garrett both proceeded him there and went on to become productive pros in the NFL. For his frame, Pedersen gives it his all on blocking downs, and has great hands, locating the ball in traffic and catching the off-errant throw, but needs to put on more bulk to survive the wear and tear of a full NFL season. After the draft Pedersen signed a Free Agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons.