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The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 17 finalists for election in 2011. The vote will be held in February.

Just three players with AFC West ties are on the list, while four people with AFC West ties were eliminated.

Here are the finalists who spent to a big portion of their careers in the AFC West:

Tim Brown, wide receiver: Raiders, 1988-2003

Willie Roaf, tackle: Chiefs, 2002-05

Shannon Sharpe, tight end: 1990-99, 2002-03 Broncos

Oakland punter Ray Guy, Oakland cornerback Lester Hayes, former San Diego coach Don Coryell and Denver running back Terrell Davis did not make the cut from the semifinalist list of 26.

I wouldn’t be surprised if any of the three AFC West players get enshrined, with perhaps Sharpe having the best chance in his third year of eligibility. The candidacy of the four AFC West men who were eliminated took a big hit. All four will have difficulty getting elected.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 26 semifinalists for election in 2011. The list will be pared down to 15 finalists. The vote will be held in February.

Here are the semifinalists who spent to a big portion of their careers in the AFC West:

Tim Brown, wide receiver: Raiders, 1988-2003

Don Coryell, coach: Chargers, 1978-86

Terrell Davis, running back: 1995-2001 Denver Broncos

Ray Guy, punter: 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Lester Hayes, cornerback: 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Willie Roaf, tackle: Chiefs, 2002-05

Shannon Sharpe, tight end: 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Bronco

Brown, Coryell and Sharpe made big runs last year. I wouldn’t be shocked if one of the three, perhaps Sharpe, is enshrined this year. Sharpe and Brown will eventually get in at some point, and both probably should be in now. Roaf is also a real possibility.

Davis and Guy also might get in, but it could take a while. Guy has a lot of support because he was a dominant player, but still some people have been reluctant to vote for a punter. I think that is an outdated opinion. Guy changed games. He was a major contributor to the NFL and he deserves recognition.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 17 finalists for enshrinement in 2010. The vote will be in February. Four people who spent a significant part of their career in the AFC West are among the finalists.

Here are the new finalists:

Tim Brown, WR: 1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders

Will he get in? Brown should be a first-ballot shoo-in.

Don Coryell, coach: 1978-86 San Diego Chargers

Will he get in? The passing-game genius will have a lot of support. He’s the only coach in the final round.

Shannon Sharpe, TE: 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos

Will he get in? The voting committee needs to correct its mistake from last year and get this guy into Canton.

Notable: Former Denver running back Floyd Little is a senior committee finalist. Denver’s Terrell Davis and Oakland’s Cliff Branch, Ray Guy and Lester Hayes were all among the 25 semifinalists named in November, yet they did not make the cut to the final round. The new inductees will be named next month.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 25 semifinalists for enshrinement in 2010. The vote will be in February. Seven people who spent a significant part of their career in the AFC West are among the 25 finalists.

Here they are:

Cliff Branch, WR: 1972-85 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Will he get in? Branch did not get this far last year. He is a favorite of Oakland owner Al Davis. But it is a loaded receiver group this year.

Tim Brown, WR: 1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders

Will he get in? Brown should be a first-ballot shoo-in.

Don Coryell, coach: 1978-86 San Diego Chargers

Will he get in? The passing-game genius will have a lot of support. He’s the only coach in the final 25.

Terrell Davis, RB: 1995-2001 Denver Broncos.

Will he get in? Davis will eventually get in, but it may be a while.

Ray Guy, P: 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.

Will he get in? Guy is the center of much contention. Many believe he shouldn't even be a finalist and many think he should already be in the Hall.

Lester Hayes, CB: 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Will he get in? He was a game changer, and you can make a strong argument for him.

Shannon Sharpe, TE: 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos

Will he get in? The voting committee needs to correct its mistake from last year and get this guy into Canton.

Notable: Former Oakland quarterback Ken Stabler made the final 25 last year, but did not this year. Receiver Jerry Rice spent four years in Oakland and will waltz into the Hall on his first ballot. Former Denver running back Floyd Little is a senior committee finalist.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Denver

Longtime assistant Rick Dennison gets his chance to be the man in Denver.

My take: The Broncos respect Dennison, the run game coordinator and offensive line coach under Mike Shanahan, enough to give him an interview to replace Shanahan. It would still be a surprise if Dennison emerged as the hire. Still, it wouldn't be a shock if Dennison, with long Colorado ties, sticks around the team in some form.

Kansas City

Carl Peterson was defiant in his final press conference in Kansas City.

My take: This is just another example that it was time for Peterson to move on. After 20 years in Kansas City, it was clear both the Chiefs and Peterson need to go in a new direction. Peterson had his good times in Kansas City but this switch is the best for everyone involved.

Oakland

The Raiders will not have any new hall of famers this year.

My take: Ray Guy, Lester Hayes and Ken Stabler were among the 25 semifinalists but when the final list of 17 candidates was announced Tuesday, none had advanced. The Raiders are well represented in Canton but these players are having difficulty making the final step. It is particularly interesting that Stabler can't get enough steam for induction.

San Diego

Darren Sproles is coming out of his media-shy shell.

My take: The diminutive Sproles may be explosive on the field but he is shy and reserved off it. I found him to be a very nice person in my limited dealings with him, but he seems uncomfortable in the spotlight. But he better get used to it because if he continues to play so well, the spotlight will shine even brighter than it has.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 17 finalists for enshrinement in 2009. The vote will be Jan. 31. Two players who spent a significant part of their careers in the AFC West are among the finalists while four players from the division didn't make the final cut.

Here are the finalists:

Shannon Sharpe, tight end: 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos; 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens

Will he get in? He is considered one of the best players ever to play his position but because there is a logjam at other positions and tight end is not considered a glamor position by many voters, Sharpe may have to wait a year or two.

Derrick Thomas, linebacker: 1989-99 Kansas City Chiefs

Will he get in? It says here he gets in either in 2009 or 2010.

Here is a list of semifinalists who spent most of their careers in the AFC West but did not make the cut to the finalists list:

• Terrell Davis, running back: 1995-2001 Denver Broncos
• Ray Guy, punter: 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
• Lester Hayes, cornerback: 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
• Ken Stabler, quarterback: 1970-79 Oakland Raiders; 1980-1981 Houston Oilers; 1982-1984 New Orleans Saints

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 25 semifinalists for enshrinement in 2009. The vote will be in February. Six players who spent a significant part of their career in the AFC West are among the 25 finalists.

Here they are:

Terrell Davis, RB: 1995-2001 Denver Broncos.

• Will he get in? Davis will eventually get in, but it may be a while.

Ray Guy, P: 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.

• Will he get in? Guy is the center of much contention. Many believe he shouldn't even be a finalist and many think he should already be in the Hall.

Lester Hayes, CB: 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

• Will he get in? He was a game changer and you can make a strong argument for him.

Derrick Thomas, LB: 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs

• Will he get in? It says here he gets in either in 2009 or 2010.

Ken Stabler, QB: 1970-79 Oakland Raiders; 1980-1981 Houston Oilers; 1982-1984 New Orleans Saints.

• Will he get in? Many can't believe Stabler isn't in yet but it still may be a while.

Shannon Sharpe, TE: 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos,; 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens

• Will he get in? He should waltz in on his first ballot.

Meanwhile, it is being reported that Denver is on the verge of signing former San Diego fullback Andrew Pinnock. He was set to be San Diego's starting fullback this year but he had a knee injury and was beaten out by rookie Mike Tolbert.