Tag Archives: Denver Broncos

NFL

Miller, Anthony

aprks92 amillerCard: Action Packed Rookies 1992
Acquired: Paid Signing, 2015

An impressive track man in college, Miller was an accomplished wide receiver for the Tennessee Vols, during a golden era of wide receivers at the college.  In 1988, he’d be drafted by the San Diego Chargers, taken with the 15th overall pick. Although his rookie season wasn’t impressive, he’d split time on kick returns with 648 yards on 25 returns and a TD. It’d be in 1989 that he’d have a breakthrough season, with a career high 1,252 yards and 10 touchdowns, along with 533 yards on 21 returns and a TD. He’d also place second in the NFL’s Fastest Man Competition behind Redskins DB Darrell Green. Although Miller for most of his career suffered from San Diego’s lack of stability at quarterback, he still managed to put together respectable numbers through and through.  He’d add two more 1,000+ yard seasons to his resume playing for the Chargers in 1992 and 1993.

With Free Agency in full effect by the 1993 season, and Anthony’s clock up with San Diego in 1994, he signed with the cross divisional rival Denver Broncos. He’d post two more 1,000 yard seasons catching passes from John Elway through 1996.  After a final season in Dallas, Miller retired.

G/Gs 155/152      Rec  595        Yds  9148     Avg 15.4      Td 63      Lg 76

CFL, NFL

Alexander, Ray

AW91 ralexanderCard: CFL All World 1991
Acquired:  2014,  Albany Acquisition

Talking about no respect. After making the roster of the Denver Broncos his rookie season, Alexander played in the CFL for the Calgary Stamps in 1985. In 1986 he had a pretty solid year, posting 1,590 yards, on 86 catches, to go along with 10 touchdowns. Feeling like he had a score to settle, Alexander returned to the NFL, where he was signed in 1988 by the Dallas Cowboys. He’d work his way into the starting lineup for the Cowboys in Tom Landry‘s final season. He’d proudly lead the team in receiving making 54 receptions for 788 yards and 6 TDs. With a change in management in 1989, and Jimmy Johnson brought in, Alexander was short on time to impress management. After an injury sidelined him for most of the season, Ray quickly returned to the CFL and the British Columbia Lions in 1990.  He’d post 4 1,000+ yard seasons in 5 years for the team, and then sign with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1995. Although he was traded back to the Lions before the conclusion of the season, Ray did not see any time on the field, and retired shortly thereafter.

NFL  26/11       Rec  63       Yds 936        Avg 14.9       Td  7       Lg  50
CFL    Rec 511         Yds 8842         Avg  17.3       Td 40      Lg 59

NFL, NFLE, XFL

Croel, Mike

aprks91 croelCards: Pro Set 1992 RotY, Action Packed Rookies 1991, Star Pics 1991
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent: 3/13   Received: 4/21  (39 days)

A short list player that I had wanted for some time, Mike Croel played collegiately at Nebraska. Mike played on some of the most dominating defensive Cornhusker teams during the late 80s and early 90s.

After being gashed on defense in 1990 the Broncos took a very defensive minded approach to their 1991 draft. It was a pretty good draft for Denver. Mike Croel was drafted in the first round with the 4th overall pick. Alongside Croel, Keith Traylor (3rd),  and Kenny Walker (8th) also made the roster.

pset92 croel royDuring the heyday of the trading card market right before things started to implode with the slow death of Pro Set in 1993, you could find trading cards everywhere and everybody was getting in on it. Not only were you able to find the cards in the local convenient stores like 7-11, but you could get them at places like… Michael’s, the Arts and Crafts store. I impulse bought a pack or two of the 1992 Pro Set standing in line there, and got this Mike Croel Defensive Rookie of the Year card in the pack.

He’d play RILB his rookie season. Blitzing from the inside, Mike recorded 10 sacks and 84 tackles in 10 games. This’d be good for 1991 Defensive Rookie of the Year Honors.  In 1992 he’d switch to LOLB, and in 1993 return a Brett Favre interception 22 yards for a TD against Green Bay in the opener. As the Broncos transitioned to a 4-3 Croel, played his final season in 1994 with the franchise at LLB. He joined his former head coach Dan Reeves in New York in 1995, and then made a pit stop with the Ravens in 1996.

stpi91 mcroelReturning in 1998 he played Spring ball with the Rhein Fire of the NFLE, before heading back to the United States to join the Seahawks for that year.

Mike again briefly popped up on the football radar playing for the XFL of the Los Angeles Xtreme in 2001. He was the first trade in the shortlived league- going from Las Vegas to LA for linebacker Joseph Tuipala. Croel retired soon thereafter before playing a down for the league.  Since then he’s dabbled in coaching and is a successful graphic designer in California.

NFL 102/84      Tac 412     Sac 24.0     Fum  6
Int 2       Yds  38      Avg  19.0     Td 1     Lg 22

NFLE     Tac  N/a     Sac  6.0       Fum N/a
Int  0        Yds  0        Avg -.-       Td 0      Lg -.-