We are just about there. The Broncos will very shortly begin their defense of their AFC West title. In a similar fashion, the MHR Readers will begin their defense of their win in the "2011 NFL Picks - An MHR Reader and Staffer Choose" contest. If you recall, the Readers edged the Staffers by just a single game in last year's face-off. Way to go, Readers. The Staffers have vowed to come out strong and avenge their loss.

Last year, when the contest was announced, I had forty-two Readers submit their names for consideration. Those names were placed in a bowl and seventeen were drawn at random -- one for each week of the 2011 NFL season. This year, I had an astounding seventy-eight (78) Readers submit their names. I wish that I could include all of them, but sadly, only seventeen will again be drawn from the hat.

As I mentioned above the jump, the seventy-two names were written on little pieces of paper and placed in one of the autographed hats provided by Kirk Davis. Seventeen names were drawn and the slate was set for this year's competition:

Good Luck to all, and let the games begin!!!

GO BRONCOS!!!!