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When he announced he was announcing the release of Peyton Manning on Wednesday, Colts owner Jim Irsay said no one else will wear No. 18 for the Colts.

Thus, the Colts are the third team in the NFL to retire that number. The other two you ask?

Denver and Kansas City. Yep, the two teams in the AFC West that are in the hunt for Manning do not have his number available.

In Denver, the number belongs to Frank Tripucka. He played quarterback for the team from 1960-63 and the team’s ownership in that era honored him. In Kansas City, the number belongs to defensive back Emmitt Thomas. It was retired four years ago. Thomas is on the Chiefs’ coaching staff.

There has been talk that Manning could wear No. 16 on his next NFL uniform. He wore that number in college. It would be available in Denver (no, the Broncos didn’t retire Jake Plummer’s digits). No. 16 wouldn’t work in Kansas City. Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson wore the number and that number is retired, too.

Of course, that didn’t get in Joe Montana’s way in Kansas City. He wore No. 16 in San Francisco and he wore No. 19 in Kansas City. Like Manning, Montana’s college number (3) was also retired in Kansas City. It belongs to kicker Jan Stenerud. However, Montana’s No. 19 is still up for grabs in Kansas City, so perhaps Manning would follow in Montana’s footsteps.

We heard Greg Manusky’s name connected with the Oakland Raiders' defensive coordinator job on Monday and passed it along.

Now, it has taken the next step. Fox Sports reports Manusky has interviewed for the job with new coach Dennis Allen.

Allen is moving fast to fill out his Oakland staff. He is reportedly bringing in Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Gregg Knapp. He was Oakland’s offensive coordinator in 2007-08, but Tom Cable stripped Knapp of his duties in 2008. Allen and Knapp worked together in Atlanta early last decade.

Fox Sports also reports Allen will retain running backs coach Kelly Skipper. The running backs are Oakland’s strength.

The Manusky hire could be looked with some skepticism. He was fired earlier this season as the Chargers’ defensive coordinator.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas, New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson and Denver Broncos linebackers coach Richard Smith were previously candidates. The Raiders were denied permission to talk to Smith and Johnson.

The nice play is over in the AFC West. It didn’t last long.

When Dennis Allen was hired to be the Oakland Raiders’ head coach last week, his former boss John Fox wished Allen well. And, now, Allen is on his own.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Broncos have denied the Raiders permission to speak to linebackers coach Richard Smith for the Oakland defensive job.

Previously, Kansas City defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas and New Orleans defensive line coach Bill Johnson were dropped off as candidates. It’s not a surprise Fox denied Allen permission. He wants to keep as much stability on his defensive coaching staff as possible. It seems more and more teams are denying permission these days and it’s no shock this intra-division hard stance was made.

Potential coordinator candidates may now include former San Diego defensive coordinator Greg Manusky and San Francisco defensive backs coach Ed Donatell.

UPDATE: CSN Bay Area reports Oakland special teams coach John Fassel has reported to St. Louis. The Raiders have had one of the best special teams in the NFL in recent years. Fassel was a strong coach, but the talent remains for Oakland in this area.

Meanwhile, NFL.com is reporting that Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin is considering pursuing former Kansas City coach Todd Haley as offensive coordinator.

That would be an interesting pairing. Haley is known for being high strung and vocal in his coaching. Tomlin is intense, but he’s not much of a screamer and a yeller. Also, Haley is known for getting on his players often during games. It would be interesting to see an established quarterback such as Ben Roethlisberger adjust to playing for Haley.

I’m sure Haley would love the job. He is from Pittsburgh and his father, Dick, is a former legendary Steelers’ personnel man.

Among the potential candidates to become the Raiders' next defensive coordinator could be Denver linebackers coach Richard Smith, New Orleans defensive line coach Bill Johnson and San Francisco secondary coach Ed Donatell. Broncos coach Dennis Allen has coached with all three men. Smith and Donatell both have coordinating experience. Johnson coached Allen at Texas A&M and worked with him in New Orleans and Atlanta.

There is also talk that Allen could try to hire longtime strength coach Al Miller. Miller coached in Denver during the John Elway days and in Atlanta when Allen was there. There is no doubt Allen is deeply involved in filling out his staff.

FoxSports.com is reporting Kansas City defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas is no longer a candidate to be the Raiders’ defensive coordinator.

Thomas was a mentor of Allen in Atlanta for several years.

Meanwhile, new Kansas City coach Romeo Crennel, who is expected to run his own defense, said it may be a while before he hires an offensive coordinator. He said he hasn’t asked permission to talk to Brian Daboll -- the former offensive coordinator for the Browns and Dolphins -- but he might. Daboll has been considered a favorite to land the job.

With the Oakland Raiders picking Denver defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as head coach this week, the big-time hires in the AFC West have been made. However, there are some openings remaining in the division that should be filled in the next couple of weeks.

Let’s take a look:

Denver: The Broncos need a defensive coordinator with Allen leaving after one season. Head coach John Fox has said he is not in a rush to replace Allen. Candidates include former Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio (he was a coordinator for Fox in Carolina) and Denver linebacker scoach Richard Smith.

Kansas City: New head coach Romeo Crennel is planning to remain the team’s defensive coordinator, a position he held since 2010. The Chiefs have reportedly talked to both in-house and outside candidates for the open offensive-coordinator job. One candidate may be Brian Daboll, who, like Crennel and Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, has New England ties.

Oakland: Allen will hire close to a completely new staff, so that will likely take a little time. If Al Saunders does not indeed remain as offensive coordinator, Allen could pursue former Green Bay coach Mike Sherman, who is also being wooed by Miami. Kansas City defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas – Allen’s mentor – could be a possibility for defensive coordinator.

San Diego: The Chargers have the least work to do. They need to hire a linebackers coach to replace John Pagano, who was promoted to defensive coordinator earlier this month.

Don’t be surprised if the Oakland Raiders continue to pick from the AFC West as they add to their coaching staff.

One name to keep an eye on for Oakland’s defensive coordinator job is Kansas City defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas. The former Chiefs star defensive back is very close with new Oakland coach Dennis Allen. They worked together for several years in Atlanta and Thomas served as Allen’s mentor.

Thomas, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has been a defensive coordinator for three different teams. Thomas, 68, was last a coordinator in Minnesota, in 2001. He has been the Chiefs’ secondary coach since 2010.

Thomas also has ties to new Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie. Thomas was Green Bay’s defensive coordinator in 1999 when McKenzie was an executive. Allen, who was hired by the Raiders this week after being Denver’s defensive coordinator in 2011, will likely have a major role in the Raiders’ defense. However, he will want a trusted assistant to run the defense and Thomas could be that man.

Meanwhile, Mike Sherman could potentially be on Allen’s list as offensive coordinator. Sherman was last Texas A&M’s head coach and Allen is a former standout at Texas A&M. Sherman is also a former head coach of the Packers and has strong ties to McKenzie.

If Allen were to want to pursue Sherman, though, he may have to act quickly. He is interviewing in Miami for the same job. Finding an offensive coordinator may not be pressing for Allen because incumbent Al Saunders is expected to be a strong candidate. Saunders is owed money for the 2012 season and he is familiar with the Raiders’ personnel, so keeping him in place may ultimately be what Allen decides to do.

Thanks to ESPN Stats and Information’s Russell S. Baxter, here is a look at the complete coaching staffs of each AFC West team:

Denver: John Fox

Dennis Allen, defensive coordinator

Mike McCoy, offensive coordinator

Jeff Rodgers, special teams coordinator

Clancy Barone, tight ends

Keith Burns, assistant special teams

Brian Callahan, quality control/offense

Adam Gase, quarterbacks

Sam Garnes, assistant secondary

Justin Lovett, strength and conditioning assistant

Dave Magazu, offensive line

Ron Milus, secondary

Wayne Nunnely, defensive line

Jay Rodgers, quality control/defense

Greg Saporta, strength and conditioning assistant

Richard Smith, linebackers

Eric Studesville, running backs

Tyke Tolbert, wide receivers

Rich Tuten, strength and conditioning

Kansas City: Todd Haley

Romeo Crennel, defensive coordinator

Bill Muir, offensive coordinator/offensive line

Maurice Carthon, assistant head coach

Richie Anderson, wide receivers

Mike Clark, strength and conditioning

Gary Gibbs, linebackers

Steve Hoffman, special teams

Bernie Parmalee, tight ends

Pat Perles, assistant offensiveBe Line

Anthony Pleasant, defensive Line

Brent Salazar, assistant strength and conditioning

Nick Sirianni, offensive quality control

Otis Smith, defensive quality control

Emmitt Thomas, defensive backs

Adam Zimmer, defensive assistant/assistant linebackers

Jim Zorn, quarterbacks

Oakland: Hue Jackson

Al Saunders, offensive coordinator

Chuck Bresnahan, defensive coordinator

John Fassel, special teams coordinator

Greg Biekert, linebackers

Chuck Bresnahan, defensive coach

Willie Brown, squad development

Adam Henry, tight ends

Sanjay Lal, wide receivers

Brad Roll, strength and conditioning

Kevin Ross, assistant coach, safeties

Kelly Skipper, running backs

Mike Waufle, defensive line

Steve Wisniewski, assistant offensive line

Rod Woodson, assistant coach, cornerbacks

Bob Wylie, offensive line

San Diego: Norv Turner

Clarence Shelmon, offensive coordinator

Greg Manusky, defensive coordinator

Rich Bisaccia, special teams

Cris Dishman, assistant secondary

Steve Gera, coaches assistant

Hal Hunter, offensive line

Jeff Hurd, strength and conditioning

Don Johnson, defensive line

Charlie Joiner, wide receivers

Jason Michael, tight ends

John Pagano, linebackers

John Ramsdell, quarterbacks

Vernon Stephens, assistant strength and conditioning

Mike Sullivan, offensive line

Steve Wilks, assistant head coach-secondary

Greg Williams, assistant linebackers

Ollie Wilson, running backs

Kansas City coach Todd Haley indicated in a radio interview that he will decide later in the offseason who’ll call the offensive plays. Haley is expected to call the plays himself, but he won’t commit to it. He promoted offensive line coach Bill Muir to replace the departed Charlie Weis as offensive coordinator.

“We’ve had discussions about a lot of things, play-calling being one of those, but that’s not something that’s been finalized,” Haley said. “As we move along and move through the offseason, some of those things will come clearer into picture. I’m of the belief that the most important thing that you have to have on a staff … is continuity. Not everybody believing the same things, but a continuity of the ability to work together efficiently to come up with ideas.”

• Kansas City assistant coach Emmitt Thomas was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame on Monday. A former Chiefs’ player, Thomas is in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Chiefs Hall of Fame.

• Whether or not Denver tries to trade the No. 2 overall pick may depend on the details of a new CBA.

• Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is was a runner-up for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award. Minnesota’s Madieu Williams won the award on Sunday.

Notable players: QB Len Dawson, RB Mike Garrett, WR Otis Taylor, G Ed Budde, DT Buck Buchanan, DT Curley Culp, LB Bobby Bell, LB Willie Lanier, CB Emmitt Thomas, K Jan Stenerud.

Analysis: The 1969 Kansas City Chiefs were a veteran outfit that played together for quite while. Three years earlier, the same group lost to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl I.

But it all came together in 1969. The Chiefs were stacked with future Pro Football Hall of Fame players Dawson, Bell, Buchanan, Lanier, Thomas and Stenerud, and led by legendary coach Hank Stram. Stram was known for his innovative coaching, big personality, snappy clothes and an absolute love for his players.

The team’s road to the Super Bowl was not easy. They ended the season with an 11-3 record and finished a game behind the Oakland Raiders in the AFL’s Western Division. Kansas City had to beat the Jets and Raiders on the road in the playoffs before they had a chance to upset Minnesota in the Super Bowl.

But Kansas City’s defense buried teams all season. Even though Dawson missed six games because of an injury, the defense kept the Chiefs on the Super Bowl highway. During the playoffs, they limited the Jets and Raiders to a combined 13 points. Minnesota’s high-powered offense managed a meager seven points during Super Bowl IV.

“Our defense was special," Stenerud said. “I remember that playoff run and we just didn’t give anything up. We held down some really good offenses. That defense was really the difference-maker for that team.”

Most impressive win: The 23-7 win over Minnesota in Super Bowl IV. The Chiefs dominated the Vikings, who were a 13-point favorite.

Send them home unpacking: The Oakland Raiders’ players were so sure they’d dispatch the Chiefs in the AFL Championship Game that they packed their bags to head to the Super Bowl after the game.

The Raiders had reason to be confident. They had won the West with a 12-2 record and beaten the Chiefs in two regular-season matchups. But Stram's team took the game that mattered. Kansas City went into Oakland and stunned the Raiders 17-7, sending the Chiefs (and not the bags-packed Raiders) to New Orleans.

“As the Chiefs were waiting for the team buses, they saw all the Oakland players leave the stadium with their bags in their hands, going home instead of the Super Bowl,” Kansas City team historian Bob Moore said. “The Chiefs players were all laughing at Oakland’s players.”

Honorable mention:

1966: The AFL’s first Super Bowl team. This quality outfit finished 11-2-1 and beat the Bills for the AFC title.

1971: Many of the old Chiefs believe this, and not the Super Bowl-winning team, is the best team in Chiefs history. But they just couldn’t get it done like the 1969 team.

1995: This was a solid team led by the NFL's top-ranked defense, but the Chiefs stumbled in the playoffs.

Todd Haley is heading on vacation for some nice, quiet down time with his wife and their five children feeling much more comfortable about his team than he did last year.

As a rookie NFL coach, Haley was thrown into the fire when he took over the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2009. He went through his own growing pains while trying to change the culture in Kansas City and get his players in better shape. The Chiefs lost a collective 700-plus pounds last offseason.

After a 4-12 season in 2009, the Chiefs have made strides this offseason. Haley has brought in Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel to coordinate his offense and defense, respectively, along with secondary coach Emmitt Thomas. Their credentials have left Haley very comfortable with his staff this year.

Haley fired Chan Gailey as offensive coordinator days before the start of last season and took over the duties himself. He feels working with Weis -- the two shared an office together as assistants with the Jets in the 1990s -- will help him in every aspect.

Meanwhile, the roster appears to be in much better shape after the Chiefs shored up both sides of the ball in free agency and the draft. Haley has built a reputation for being very straightforward and honest about his team. Often last season, he said he thought his team wasn’t very good. After a productive offseason, Haley knows the Chiefs are heading in the right direction.

“It’s just June, but I feel very comfortable this year because of several different reasons,” Haley said in a recent telephone interview. “It’s been good … We still have a long, dark tunnel to get through but things are going well. Again, it’s only June, but I’m pleased about where things are at.”

In a 35-minute interview, Haley touched on several subjects. Here are some of the keys to the 2010 season as he sees it:

Quarterback Matt Cassel: Cassel took a lot of heat last season when he didn't make that big of a difference after signing a $40 million deal.

Yet Haley believes Cassel will benefit from an improved offensive line, the presence of running back Thomas Jones and a stronger receiving group. Haley has praised Cassel’s spirit, work ethic and resolve.

“This guy is making progress in a bunch of ways,” Haley said. “He had a very difficult year last year, but he didn’t crack. That’s a good sign. He has been one of our best workers this offseason, if not the best. He’s working.

“We had 50-plus drops last season. If those don’t happen, people would look at Cassel differently … If we get the improved offensive play around him that we hope to, I think people will feel better about Matt Cassel.”

Running back Thomas Jones: One reason for hope in Kansas City is the arrival of Jones. The combination of the veteran Jones, who had 1,400-plus yards last season and was third in the NFL in rushing, and young star Jamaal Charles gives Kansas City the makings of one of the best rushing attacks in the league.

Charles had 1,120 yards as a part-time starter, including 259 rushing yards at Denver in the season finale. One of the reasons why Jones was brought in was to keep the smallish Charles fresh so that he can use his game-breaking speed throughout the game.

So far, Haley likes what he sees in Jones, his new veteran tailback.

“Thomas Jones is a special dude,” Haley said. “He has a high football character guy. He hasn’t missed a day. He helps set the tone.”

The rookies:

The Chiefs are excited about their draft class. The team took Tennessee safety Eric Berry with the No. 5 overall pick and running back/receiver/returner Dexter McCluster and cornerback/returner Javier Arenas in the second round.

All three players are explosive, productive players who should help right away.

The other players in the 2010 draft class -- guard Jon Asamoah, tight end Tony Moeaki, safety Kendrick Lewis and linebacker Cameron Sheffield -- also have a chance to contribute in the near future, especially Moeaki.

Haley is thrilled with what he has seen from the rookies, but he still wants to see what they can do in training camp and in the preseason before defining expectations.

“We think this is a unique group,” Haley said. "We haven't been in pads and it's just June, but everyone has a chance to contribute sooner than later as a whole [class]." It’s a humble group, but it’s a group that is not intimidated. This whole thing doesn’t seem too big for this group.”

2008 first-round pick Glenn Dorsey and 2009 first-round pick Tyson Jackson: Dorsey was the No. 5 overall pick and Jackson was the No. 3 pick. Both have been early disappointments.

The Chiefs are counting on the two former Louisiana State stars to help improve the defense. Haley likes the effort he is seeing from both players.

On Dorsey: “He came in here last year out of shape and he was behind the eight ball. But he has stepped up and he has worked hard. He is trying to get better.”

On Jackson: “Tyson knows he had a difficult rookie reason. But he has worked his tail off and he wants to take the next step … I feel good about the both of those guys.”

Again, it’s only June, but it seems like Haley feels good about his entire team as the 2010 season approaches.

INDIANAPOLIS –Todd Haley was known in his rookie season as an NFL head coach for telling it like it was.

He never sugar coated his team’s situation. The Chiefs, who finished 4-12 last season, were lousy and Haley admitted it.

However, Saturday at the NFL combine, Haley expressed hope for the future.

“I feel like things are going in the right direction,” Haley said.

Haley wouldn’t say so, just to cheer lead. That’s not his style.

Haley pointed to several reasons for his new-found optimism. He is excited about new coaching additions that include coordinators Charlie Weis (offense) and Romeo Crennel (defense) and Emmitt Thomas (secondary). He isalso excited about the strong play of running b ack Jamaal Charles in the second half of the season. He likes the way the Chiefs ended the season with a big upset win at Denver, knocking the Broncos out of playoff contention and he likes the fact that the coaching staff and the players know each other well after a year together.

“I had more players come to me after the last game and say they wish we could play so-and-so again,” Haley said. “Everyone feels more comfortable.”

Here are some other highlights of Haley’s media session Saturday:

He said he the team needs to get more help for Charles because he doesn’t want to wear him down. Haley said Charles is “200 pounds soaking wet.”

Halley was complimentary of quarterback Matt Cassel and said he expects improvement from the Chiefs’ quarterback.

Haley also said the Chiefs need to get better at receiver. It sounds like it will be a priority this offseason. Haley said the fact that Kansas City led the NFL in drops last year can’t be tolerated.

Haley praised 2008 top picks Glenn Dorsey and Branden Albert and said both youngsters are entering big season with the team. He also lauded 2007 top pick Dwayne Bowe for recognizing he needs to bounce back from a poor 2009 season.

We had a runway winner in our “you pick it’ feature. I’m a bit surprised by it.

But the readers thought Denver promoting linebacker coach Don Martindale to defensive coordinator is the story of the week. Martindale replaced Mike Nolan, who, in a mutual decision with the team, parted ways after one mostly-successful season on defense.

The other candidates were Kansas City not bringing back former defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast after it originally thought about keeping him, and the Chiefs bringing back former star defensive back Emmitt Thomas to coach the secondary.

I understand readers thinking the Martindale story was big because of his new position. However, I would have voted for the Thomas story. He was a Hall of Fame player in Kansas City and now the 66-year-old is back as part of a strong, new coaching staff.

But you set the agenda here. Thanks to everyone who participated. Here are some of your responses:

Dan from Denver: The Don Martindale story is the story of the week. He is an up-and-coming coach who will take off where Mike Nolan had this unit.

Joe from Boulder, Colo.: Denver players like Martindale and I think they will play well for him. I think Josh McDaniels really made the right call here.

Townsend from Arkadelphia, Arkansas: Definitely the hiring of Emmitt Thomas to the Chiefs. Todd Haley has assembled quite possibly the best coaching staff anyone in the AFC West has seen in years and hiring Thomas and tight ends coach Bernie Permalee was the icing on the cake in establishing the legitimacy of that franchise again. This is a huge step in solidifying a weakness the Chiefs have had for years. Not only do they have Super Bowl winning coaches but one that's in the Hall of Fame as well. Theres a storm brewing in KC.

Mike from Seattle: I can’t believe All Denver could do to replace Nolan is promoting Martindale from LB coach. That will kill this team in 2010. It’s the story of the week.

Erik from Chicago: Don Martindale was considered for a promotion in Oakland. The Raiders should have given it to him. I think that the linebackers slid back without him, and I was not impressed at all with what John Marshall did this year.

Aaron from Syracuse: BW, The storyline of the week is a two-for-one. It might have been an awkward situation for KC to keep freshly demoted Pendergast on board. So, instead of letting him coach the D Backs, they bring in the man and legend Emmitt Thomas. He knows the game, and should be a great help to the secondary, but let's not overlook how nice it is for the fans. 10 wins in 3 years is stomach turning. Putting Emmitt Thomas on the sideline is a little piece of hope to the fans that someday the Chiefs will be back on top of the AFC West.

The candidates are:

Chiefs bring back Thomas: Kansas City hired former Chiefs Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back Emmitt Thomas to coach the defensive backs in 2010.

Martindale gets the nod in Denver: The Broncos promoted linebackers coach Don Martindale to replace Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator.

Chiefs don’t bring back Pendergast: The Chiefs gave some consideration to keeping replaced defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast as secondary coach. But Pendergast and the team parted ways.

Pick your story of the week and hit my mailbag with your thoughts. I will post some of your thoughts later in the week.

Emmitt Thomas is coming home.

The Chiefs just announced the final three additions to their coaching staff. Headlining the list is Thomas, the former Chiefs star defensive back and Pro Football Hall of Famer. He will coach the defensive backs.

Thomas played for Kansas City from 1966-78. He is the team’s all-time leader with 58 interceptions. He was inducted into the team’s hall of fame in 1986. Thomas, who spent the past eight seasons in Atlanta, has coached for six NFL teams and now he comes home to where he enjoyed his greatest playing success.

Thomas has 42 years of NFL experience as a player and a coach. He is known as one of the better secondary coaches in the NFL. He will be a fine part of Romeo Crennel’s defensive staff.

The other two new coaches are tight ends coach Bernie Parmalee and defensive quality control coach Otis Smith. Parmalee was on the Notre Dame staff of new offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.

I like the additions coach Todd Haley has made to his staff. Bringing in savvy coaches such as Crennel, Weis and Thomas will help this team immensely. While they still need a lot more talent, the Chiefs are headed in the right direction.

	Jason Miller/US Presswire
	Kansas City Chiefs former cornerback Emmitt Thomas with his bust and portrait during his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at Fawcett Stadium.

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

CANTON, Ohio -- Saturday obviously was a celebrated day for the Washington Redskins, but there were several highlights from today's other 2008 Hall of Fame inductees.

Here were the notables:

• Former New England Patriots linebacker Andre Tippett was introduced by team owner Robert Kraft, who explained how Tippett impacted the franchise.

"We had two Hall of Fame quarterbacks in our division in Jim Kelly and Dan Marino, and he completely changed the passing attack of those two teams," Kraft said. "Once [Tippett] joined the joined the team, the New England Patriots improved dramatically."

• Former defensive end Fred Dean promised early in his speech that he wouldn't cry Saturday. He held true to his declaration for a special reason.

"Because I know there's a wager waged somewhere [that I would]," Dean said.

• Five-time Pro Bowler Emmitt Thomas mentioned his rough upbringing and his ability to persevere to lead him to this day.

"Growing up, I was resentful and angry at other families around us because they seemed fully intact," Thomas said. "I'd often lay awake at night wondering why our family had to be different.

"But I came to the stark realization that the good Lord wanted us to be reared and raised under the guiding hands of my grandfathered, who in his own right was a giant of a man."

• Newly inducted Hall of Fame tackle Gary Zimmerman addressed how he used smarts and technique to overcome a bad left shoulder injury that could have otherwise cut short his 12-year career.
• As a final goodbye, a group of Washington Redskins fans sang "Hail to the Redskins" in the corner of the end zone in Fawcett Stadium as Darrell Green was doing interviews with the NFL Network.