Can you accurately predict the outcome of an NFL season based on the number of Boise State players a team has on its roster? Of course not. But - and shhh it's a secret - you can't accurately predict the outcome of an NFL season based on anything. We're all just guessing, so I may as well guess with my Bronco-colored glasses firmly on face.
Two years ago, Boise State alums Daryn Colledge and Korey Hall powered the Packers to the Super Bowl (assist: Aaron Rodgers). Last year, the Packers let both Colledge and Hall go in free agency then lost to the eventual NFL champion New York Giants in a playoff upset.
The lesson: Treat your Boise State players right.
The following is an NFL preview based on the hospitality that teams are showing to the 19 - yes, nineteen - former Broncos on NFL rosters. My advice: Start all the Broncos.
Teams out of the running for a Super Bowl because they have no Boise State players: Patriots, Bills, Ravens, Steelers, Texans, Colts, Jaguars, Titans, Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers, Giants, Eagles, Redskins, Packers, and 49ers.
Arizona Cardinals - Daryn Colledge, starting guard (5 hospitality points); Nate Potter, backup tackle (2 hospitality points); blaming the offensive line for all their problems (minus-15 hospitality points)
Atlanta Falcons - Tommy Gallarda, third tight end (1 hospitality point)
Carolina Panthers - Richie Brockel, backup fullback (2 hospitality points)
Chicago Bears - Shea McClellin, third or fourth defensive end (2 hospitality points); unrealistic expectations on Shea McClellin (minus-1 hospitality point)
Cincinnati Bengals - George Iloka, backup free safety (2 hospitality points)
Cleveland Browns - Billy Winn, part-time starting defensive tackle (4 hospitality points)
Dallas Cowboys - Tyrone Crawford, backup defensive end/tackle (2 hospitality points); Orlando Scandrick, third or fourth cornerback (2 hospitality points)
Note: Orlando Scandrick has requested that his hospitality points not count for this preview
Denver Broncos - Ryan Clady, starting offensive tackle (5 hospitality points)
Detroit Lions - Kept Kellen Moore as their third quarterback (2,000 hospitality points); Titus Young, third wide receiver (3 hospitality points)
Miami Dolphins - Legedu Naanee, starting wide receiver (5 hospitality points)
Minnesota Vikings - Released Chris Carr (minus-5 hospitality points); signed Chase Baker to practice squad (1 hospitality point)
New Orleans Saints - Korey Hall, backup fullback (2 hospitality points)
New York Jets - Kyle Wilson, third or fourth cornerback (2 hospitality points)
St. Louis Rams - Quintin Mikell, starting free safety (5 hospitality points); Austin Pettis, serving a suspension for PEDs but will be back in a few weeks and the Rams are holding a spot for him (2 hospitality points)
Seattle Seahawks - Jeron Johnson, backup strong safety (2 hospitality points)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Named Doug Martin the starting running back over LeGarrette Blount (3,000 hospitality points)
OBNUG's official NFL picks of homerism
- AFC playoff teams: Dolphins, vacated AFC South champion, Browns, Broncos, Bengals (wild card), Jets (wild card)
- NFC playoff teams: Cowboys, Lions, Buccaneers, Rams, Bears (wild card), Seahawks (wild card)
- AFC conference championship game: Dolphins over Browns
- NFC conference championship game: Buccaneers over Lions
- Super Bowl: Buccaneers over Dolphins
- Champion: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Congratulations to the 2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers!
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What the NFL Broncos are doing this week:
FB Richie Brockel - Carolina Panthers
Next: @ Tampa Bay
OT Ryan Clady - Denver Broncos
Next: vs. Pittsburgh, Sunday night on NBC
OG Daryn Colledge - Arizona Cardinals
Next: vs. Seattle
DE Tyrone Crawford - Dallas Cowboys
Next: @ New York Giants, tonight on NBC
TE Tommy Gallarda - Atlanta Falcons
Next: @ Kansas City
FB Korey Hall - New Orleans Saints
Next: vs. Washington
FS George Iloka - Cincinnati Bengals
Next: @ Baltimore, Monday night on ESPN
SS Jeron Johnson - Seattle Seahawks
Next: @ Arizona
DE Shea McClellin - Chicago Bears
Next: vs. Indianapolis
RB Doug Martin - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Next: vs. Carolina
FS Quintin Mikell - St. Louis Rams
Next: @ Detroit
QB Kellen Moore - Detroit Lions
Next: vs. St. Louis
WR Legedu Naanee - Miami Dolphins
Next: @ Houston
WR Austin Pettis - St. Louis Rams
Next: @ Detroit
OT Nate Potter - Arizona Cardinals
Next: vs. Seattle
CB Orlando Scandrick - Dallas Cowboys
Next: @ New York Giants, tonight on NBC
CB Kyle Wilson - New York Jets
Next: vs. Buffalo
DT Billy Winn - Cleveland Browns
Next: vs. Philadelphia
WR Titus Young - Detroit Lions
Next: vs. St. Louis
Transaction sheet:
- Aaron Tevis released by Saints (preseason Week 3)
- Derek Schouman released by Saints (preseason W4)
- Chris Carr released by Vikings (preseason W4)
- Brandyn Thompson released by Redskins (preseason W4)
- Kyle Efaw released by Raiders (preseason W4)
- Jarrell Root released by Dolphins (preseason W4)
- Chase Baker added to Vikings practice squad (preseason W4)