Finalist for the Broncos HC job in 2019 that ended up becoming the team’s OL coach.
Was not retained after Nathaniel Hackett was hired as head coach of the Broncos for the 2022 season.
NOTES:
Well I never expected to get this one back. After failing on Munchie back in 2015, I saw a few successes in early 2020 and packed 3 cards up and sent them out to him C/o the Broncos. There they languished in a mailbag I guess. I thought for sure I’d never see them again, but like a Christmas miracle, in tricked in a few successes from Munchie from his time with Denver, well after a year after he’d been let go. I held out a bit of hope and lo and behold these cards came back to me- but oh no, he didn’t sign my set need… Ah well, 2 of 3 ain’t bad.
So neither of these ended up being a set need. Curses! But they are still great cards. The Action Packed 1990 All Madden Team or AMAD for short came out at an odd time. I think it was for the 1990 AMAD team, but it wasn’t really seen in stores where I could get them until 1991. Still it bears an interesting transitionary phase hinting at Action Packed 1991 and ’92s looser left leaning canvas design. Also the image of Mike from this card was reused for Score 1990 as well- or the other way around depending on how you look at it.
I still think Mike has some gas in the tank to coach, and would make a great assistant coach/ OL coach for some team. I’d personally love to see him reunited with the city of H-Town.
Defensive lineman Greg Kragen played for Utah State from 1980-83.
He finished his collegiate career with 223 tackles.
Signed with the Broncos as a free agent, and then was a mainstay, particularly at NT for the next 8 seasons.
Truly emerged as a leader on the defense in ’88, nabbing a club leading 140 total tackles, 4 pass deflections, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
Followed that up with 72 total tackles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 2 sacks in ’89.
Best game arguably came against Chiefs that year, when Greg notched 6 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery for a TD.
In 1992 had a career high 5.5 sacks, to go along with 101 tackles.
Joined the Chiefs for the 1994 season.
Expansion selection of the Carolina Panthers in 1995.
Scored franchise’s first defensive TD returning fumble against Chicago that season.
Still had enough gas in the tank for 2 more additional seasons after that- retiring after the 1997 campaign.
ACCOLADES:
AFC Defensive Player of the Week 1989 (Week 10)
Pro Bowl 1989
1st Team All-Pro 1989, ’91
2nd Team All-Pro 1992
Utah Aggies Hall of Fame
NOTES:
Greg had some sexy cards for a defensive lineman. The Action Packed cards of him were really nice, and I didn’t even send the Pro Set ones! I love that Action Packed 1991 with his hands up there being blocked out by Mike Webster. Great card.
I always felt like these were going to make their way back to me. Greg usually clocks in at about a year on average for his returns.
Pelluer in the meantime held out, and in mid-October was traded to the Chiefs for a couple of low round draft choices.
Saw action in 5 contests, starting 3 in 1990, including a win over Seattle, when he threw for 205 yards and a TD.
Sprained knee and was out remainder of year.
As Steve DeBerg cemented his role as starter, Pelluer saw sparing playing time.
Pelluer joined the Denver Broncos in 1992 via Plan B, but he would not make the roster.
After a brief break, he’d play in the CFLUSA for the Blue Bombers in 1995, completing 9 of 17 passes for 112 yards and a TD, but was lost to injury after injury for the season in Week 2.
Pelluer signed on with the reborn World League in 1995, playing for the Frankfurt Galaxy and helping the team reach the World Bowl for the first time.
Retired after the 1996 campaign, playing mainly as a backup.
Since retirement has spent time in real estate with a specialization in commercial properties.
Pro Set 1989, #559Score 1989, #90
NOTES:
I always felt like Steve got a bad rap in Dallas, but he did also hold out at a critical time when the Cowboys were rebuilding. Then he got shipped to KC only to get stuck behind DeBerg. I had wanted to get Steve for a while- failing on him twice previously. -I even had his Starting Lineup figure!
NFL
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
LG
RAT
974
548
6870
56.3
29
39
84
71.6
WL
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
LG
RAT
373
213
2663
57.1
13
14
90
N/a
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.