NFL remains strong with Idaho ties

Super Bowl XLIII on Feb. 1 is guaranteed to have a player with an Idaho connection on one of the participating teams.

The Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, and the winner of the game goes to the grandaddy of all NFL games.

Former Boise State standout Quintin Mikell will be in the Eagles' starting lineup. Mikell, a safety, had a breakout season with Philadelphia.

He had 93 tackles, two sacks and two fumbles in the regular season, after which he was voted an Associated Press second-team All-Pro. He had his first career playoff interception in the Eagles' 23-11 win over the Giants on Sunday.

Former Idaho State linebacker Pago Togafau will be representing the state of Idaho if the Cardinals make it to the Super Bowl.

Togafau is a special teams dynamo who had 12 tackles in six games with the Cardinals.

He will recognize several players on the other side of the field Sunday: He spent seven games with the Eagles last season. Here are the other NFL players with Idaho ties:

Gerald Alexander (BSU) DB

Played in five games (starting one) with the Lions before a collision with Vikings RB Adrian Peterson on Oct. 12 resulted in a neck injury that ended his season.

NFL stock: Stagnant

Jared Allen (ISU) DE

Former Chief signed a deal with the Vikings in the offseason that made him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. He earned first-team All-Pro honors after registering 14 1/2 sacks and three forced fumbles.

NFL stock: Rising

Chris Carr (BSU) PR/KR

After three years with the Raiders he signed with Tennessee in the offseason. He was the main kickoff returner for the Titans, who led the NFL in average yards per kickoff return. He also returned punts and had 31 tackles and one interception on defense.

NFL stock: Rising

Jeff Charleston (ISU) DE

The second-year pro was cut by the Colts in the preseason, then was signed, cut and re-signed by the Saints. He then had a breakout game with two sacks against the Chiefs.

NFL stock: Rising

Ryan Clady (BSU) OL

The 12th overall pick in April's draft had a standout rookie season. He finished third in voting for Offensive Rookie of the Year and was named to the AP All-Pro second team.

NFL stock: Rising

Daryn Colledge (BSU) OL

Played three different positions and, going into a contract year, established himself as a starter for the future with the Packers.

NFL stock: Rising

Jordan Gross (Fruitland High) OL

Established himself as one of the premiere offensive linemen in the NFL. Was voted to AP's All-Pro first team and will be a starter in the Pro Bowl.

NFL stock: Rising

Matt Gutierrez (ISU) QB

The second-year pro lost his job with the Patriots in the preseason, but was re-signed after Tom Brady was injured. Gutierrez, serving as the third-string QB, suited up for one game but didn't play.

NFL stock: Stagnant

Korey Hall (BSU) FB

The Packer missed 5 1/2 games because of injury. Split time with John Kuhn. Hall is the better receiver of the two: He caught all seven balls that were thrown to him, and he scored his first career touchdown. Hall is also the better special teams player of the two Green Bay fullbacks.

NFL stock: Stagnant

Drisan James (BSU) WR

One of the heroes of the Fiesta Bowl, James is still hoping to stick with a team in the NFL. The Eagles signed him to their practice squad in November, and he was with Philadelphia until being released in earlier this month.

NFL stock: Falling

Legedu Naanee (BSU) WR

After catching eight passes for 69 yards in 2007 he caught eight passes for 64 yards in 2008 season. He caught the first touchdown of his career in the Chargers' playoff loss to the Steelers last Sunday. He also contributed on San Diego's special teams with 10 tackles.

NFL stock: Stagnant

Jeb Putzier (BSU) TE

The seven-year veteran began the year with the Seahawks. He played in six games with Seattle (starting in one), but didn't catch a pass. The Seahawks released him in November, and he signed with Denver in December. He played in two games with the Broncos, mostly contributing on special teams.

NFL stock: Falling

Orlando Scandrick (BSU) DB The Dallas Morning News said he had the best rookie season of the Cowboys' 2008 class. After leaving Boise State early he played in all 16 games and started twice, finishing with 36 tackles, five pass deflections and a sack. The departure of "Pacman" Jones solidifies his future in Dallas' backfield.

NFL stock: Rising

Derek Schouman (BSU) TE

He played in all 16 regular-season games and started in 12 of those, but he was never really a consistent presence. The Eagle High grad finished with 15 catches for 153 yards and one touchdown. He also fumbled once and registered a tackle.

NFL stock: Stagnant

Jake Scott (Idaho) OL

After spending his first four seasons blocking for Peyton Manning and the Colts' running backs, Scott signed with the Titans. He was part of a Tennessee offensive line that tied for the fewest sacks allowed in the NFL. Those 12 sacks were a franchise record.

NFL stock: Rising

David Vobora (Idaho) LB

He was Mr. Irrelevant after being the last pick of April's draft, but he was a study in persistence. He was inactive in Week One, then he was on the practice squad for seven weeks. By Week 13, however, he was in the Rams' starting lineup against the Dolphins. He played in eight games and finished the season with 15 tackles.

NFL stock: Rising

Jeff Robinson (Idaho) LS

The Seahawks coaxed the 38-year-old long snapper out of retirement in August, and the 15-year veteran was the rock on special teams that Seattle hoped he would be. He played in all 16 regular-season games and was named by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer as the free-agent addition of the year.

NFL stock: Stagnant