Tag Archives: Atlanta Falcons

NFL

Kunz, George

Card: Notre Dame Collegiate Collection 1990, Topps 1977
Acquired: Canton Acquisition, 2012

One of the best offensive linemen to be produced during this period, George Kunz was an All American at Notre Dame before being drafted with the second overall pick of the 1969 draft. Co-captain of the 1968 Irish team, Kunz struggled through injuries his first two years for the Golden Domers, before finally finding him niche on the offensive line at Tackle. He quickly established himself in the upper echelon of linemen in the NFL, playing for the Falcons from 1969-1974. After the 1974 season, George was traded with a draft choice to the Baltimore Colts for 2 picks in the 1975 draft. He amassed 5 AP selections and appeared in 6 Pro Bowls for the Falcons. He continued earning Pro Bowl and All Pro nominations with the Colts, from 1975-1977. A back injury limited his playing time to only 1 game in 1978 and 1979, but he returned for one final season in 1980 before he finally retired. Over 11 seasons in the NFL George Kunz appeared in 129 games.

Based in part because Kunz played for some very, very bad Falcons teams, along with guys like Tommy Nobis, he’s been largely ignored by the NFL HoF selection committee. It also doesn’t help that he played at the unglamorous position of offensive tackle. George has lived in Nevada for quite a few years since retirement from the limelight, dabbling briefly in coaching and color commentary for NBC. He is an avid TTM signer and boasts a remarkable response rate for the amount of cards he signs.

G/Gs  129/126

NFL

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

 

 

 

NFL

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