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!
I hadn’t ever gotten Eddie through the mail- scoring his autograph at Cowboys training camp as a kid, so I thought I’d be nice to follow up with some more current cards which I had wanted to get signed that were primarily set needs. He was also one of the few kickers who appeared in Action Packed 1990.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
