The packages arrive several times every NFL season. This season, they were delivered, and placed at the foot of Spencer Paysinger's locker in the New York Giants locker room. And when Paysinger sees the return address he knows he's going to get a hard time from teammates.

But also, he loves the packages.

"

and the organization, they actually send care packages every now and then to the players who are on active rosters," Paysinger said. "A few weeks ago I got an Oregon sweatshirt with my college number on it. Just a 'Thank you,' for what we've done for the program and how we carry ourselves in the league."

Even as the Giants wear team-issued Nike shoes, Paysinger, a back-up linebacker who plays on three special teams units, said his teammates believe he gets special gear because of the Oregon-Nike tie. "A lot of people in the locker room when I wear sweatshirts of my Oregon stuff around, they say, "Oh,

must have sent you that."

Same goes in the 49ers locker room for tight end Justin Peelle, defensive end Will Tukuafu and offensive lineman Adam Snyder, who all receive packages from Oregon. And also, around the rest of the NFL.

The Ducks' unique deliveries end up a stroke of brilliance by the football program, branding Oregon as a viable path to the NFL to anyone watching. The gear also connects former players to the current team, while cultivating them as potential high-dollar donors.

The NFC title game isn't all, either.

, there's former Ducks tight end Ed Dickson and nose tackle Haloti Ngata with the Baltimore Ravens, and former UO defensive back Patrick Chung with the New England Patriots. So what we have this weekend is more evidence that what Oregon has done isn't just a gimmick, or a stroke of luck, but also is rooted deeply in talented players who are getting to the next level and sticking.

In fact, when the NFL season started, Oregon had 22 active former players on NFL rosters. Three others were on practice squads, and another was on injured reserve. The Ducks 2007 team, led by Dennis Dixon, has 18 members currently in the NFL. That's a lot of care packages, and there are more coming.

Quarterback Darron Thomas' decision on Saturday to throw away his senior season and declare for the 2012 NFL Draft was met with shock and disappointment. I understand why Oregon fans would want Thomas back next season. But if you look across professional football –and I'm certain Thomas does – what you see is evidence that players who play at a high level with the Ducks are getting it done in the NFL, too.

Thomas set the Ducks single-season record with 33 touchdown passes this season. He is the career passing-touchdown record holder (66) at Oregon as well. And so the question shouldn't be: "Is Darron crazy to believe he's ready for the NFL?" rather, "Why wouldn't he believe he's ready?"

We'll find out soon enough on Thomas. But we're also smack in the middle of high recruiting season for college football. And there's no doubt that Kelly is busy promoting the back-to-back-to-back Bowl Championship Series games he's coached in, but also, the NFL's championship weekend with Ducks scattered everywhere.

It's 49ers-Giants. And Patriots-Ravens. With only one certainty: Those Ducks care packages are Super Bowl bound.

Catch him on the radio on

"The Bald-Faced Truth," 3-6 p.m.

weekdays on KXTG (750).