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When he watched his quarterback go into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004, Rod Smith wondered if his bust would be bronzed next to John Elway’s some day.

Now that he's entered the Denver Broncos’ ring of fame, the rag-to-riches receiver still wonders if he will end up in the Canton, Ohio museum.

It’s an interesting question. Will Rod Smith be a Pro Football Hall of Famer?

There’s no doubt the undrafted free agent turned star receiver has a strong resume, however, he played a position which has not been overly valued by hall of fame voters in the recent past. Tim Brown, Cris Carter and Andre Reed are part of a receiver logjam waiting to be elected to the hall.

Smith may have a long wait, if he makes it at all, even though he has won two Super Bowl rings. He is 11th in NFL history in career receptions (849), 17th in career receiving yards (11,389) and tied for 30th in career receiving touchdowns (68). He caught 70 or more catches for nine straight seasons, which is tied for the second-longest streak in NFL history. His career reception and receiving yardage totals is the best in league history for undrafted players.

Known as one of the hardest workers in the league while he played, Smith himself thinks he deserves to be inducted, although he knows it won’t be easy.

“Well what are they basing the Hall of Fame on?” Smith asked reporters Thursday in an interview to discuss his induction into the Broncos’ ring of fame. “What do you base it on? Do you base it on wins? I have some of those. Do you base it on catches? I have a lot of those. Touchdowns … and the unsung stuff to me is the blocking that Eddie [McCaffrey] and myself and the other guys I played with. You look at the running backs in my era and how many yards they rushed for. I take that personally because it was about the team to me. Honestly, there are a ton of guys that my numbers are way better than theirs, so why not be considered for it? When I went into the business I wasn’t looking at that, but once I got in the business and I saw that those things were possible. I went to John Elway’s induction into the hall of fame and I said it’s possible. It’s hard to see it until you see somebody else kind of go through it. When I saw John get inducted, I was very emotional that day, because I knew a piece of me went. But, I said, 'Why not be right beside him? Why not have a bust right beside him?' One thing I can say is this: I don’t get to vote, and if I did, I would vote for me because I gave them everything I had. That’s all I can do. I tried to be the best teammate I could. I tried to represent the game, the NFL shield as best as I could. Those who vote will hopefully see it the same way. That’s all I can do.”

Smith certainly has a case for Canton. The trouble is he plays a position where many players have a case, so his wait for enshrinement may be a long one.

The 23rd member of the Denver Broncos' Ring of Fame is one of the most renowned hard workers in team history.

Rod Smith went from an undrafted free agent to a two-time Super Bowl winner and leader of the franchise in Denver. It's no surprise Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and the selection committee have given Smith the team’s greatest honor by inducting him into the Broncos’ Ring of Fame. He is the first person to be inducted in three years.

Smith’s induction ceremony will be Sept. 23 at halftime of the Broncos’ home game against the Houston Texans. It’s probably not a coincidence Smith will be inducted against the Texans. Houston coach Gary Kubiak was Smith’s longtime offensive coordinator in Denver.

The three-time Pro Bowl selection set franchise records in receptions (849), receiving yards (11,389) and receiving touchdowns (68). He also owns the club’s career postseason receiving marks with 49 receptions for 860 yards and six touchdowns in 13 playoff games (12 starts), including the Broncos' back-to-back Super Bowl championships following the 1997 and ’98 seasons.

The Division II Missouri Southern University product spent his rookie season on the practice squad in 1995. He impressed then-Broncos coach Mike Shanahan in 1995 and Smith quickly became a major part of the offense. He remained a critical part of the team until he retired in 2008.

I covered Smith for a few years and I’ll always remember him for being a team player and being completely committed to his team. He was all business. Being a Bronco meant the world to him. He was a favorite of team employees on the football and non-football sides alike.

Smith’s first NFL quarterback, John Elway, had this to say about Smith’s election to the Ring of Fame:

“You couldn’t ask for a better teammate than Rod Smith. His work ethic, the way he competed and the positive influence he had on others were all qualities that made him one of the best. What a great Bronco who is so deserving of being honored as a member of the Ring of Fame.

“Although he had plenty of catches and touchdowns in his career, the only things that mattered to Rod were winning and competing for Super Bowls. That’s what was most important to him, and it showed in everything he did. Whether it was in the passing game or running game, you always knew Rod would give 100 percent on every play and do whatever it took to help his team win.

“Rod brought his lunch pail to work each day, took nothing for granted and made himself into an elite player. He’s a true pro. In addition to being one of the greatest undrafted players of all time, he’s one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play the position.

“I’m thrilled Rod has been elected to the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame, and I look forward to celebrating his induction this season.”

It’s a rough start to the NFL weekend.

The league is mourning the death of Mike Heimerdinger after a fight with cancer that lasted nearly a year. He was 58.

Heimerdinger had key assistant-coaching roles with the Broncos, Jets and Titans. He had a long career in Denver and was on the team’s staff as the receivers coach when it won back-to-back Super Bowls in the 1997 and ’98 seasons. He was the assistant head coach in Denver in 2006 and 2007. He and former Denver coach Mike Shanahan were roommates at Eastern Illinois, and they were best friends as adults.

He was the Titans’ offensive coordinator last year and he coached battling the disease.

Known simply as “Dinger” to nearly everyone, Heimerdinger was intelligent, hard-working and caring.

Former Denver receiving great Rod Smith routinely credits Heimerdinger for his development. They remained close.

I always enjoyed my time spent with Heimerdinger. He was always cordial and generous with his time.

Rest in peace, Dinger. My condolences go out to his family and friends.

Here's a statement the Broncos released Saturday:

The Denver Broncos are heartbroken to learn of Mike Heimerdinger’s passing on Friday night following his courageous battle with cancer.

Mike coached for the Broncos during the most successful period in team history, highlighted by the club’s back-to-back World Championship seasons of 1997-98. Known affectionately as Dinger, Mike earned respect and admiration from this franchise and around the NFL for his grit, passion and “never-give-up” attitude.

He remained close with several members of the organization following his final year with the Broncos in 2007, including some who visited him last week before the team’s game in Tennessee.

The Broncos extend their deepest sympathies and prayers to Mike’s wife, Kathie, and the rest of his family and friends during this most difficult time.

Denver Broncos

Former Broncos receiver Rod Smith reflects on the devastation in Joplin, Mo., where he attended Missouri Southern State University.

Jeff Legwold weighs in on the Broncos' running back situation.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are donating $35,000 to the relief efforts in Joplin.

Arrowhead Pride takes a look at which rookies have the best chance to make an immediate impact.

Oakland Raiders

Texans receiver Andre Johnson is doing his best to sell cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha on coming to Houston once free agency begins.

The Sporting News lists the Raiders as one of four teams that would be a good pick to be featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks."

San Diego Chargers

Becoming a complete team is a top priority for Chargers coach Norv Turner. Turner: “The big thing for me in looking at our team for the season is how we find a way to get the three units to be as productive as possible and feed off each other. To do that, obviously, it’s playing great in the kicking game in terms of coverage and then improving our returns because our returns have slipped over the last couple years.”

I caught up with former Denver tight end Shannon Sharpe on Wednesday to discuss his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Here we go:

How did you celebrate Saturday night in Dallas?

Shannon Sharpe: I went back to my room, ordered room service and went to bed. I’m not a big celebrator. I don’t drink, so I’m not a big partier. Now, I’ll have a get together back in my hometown some time with family and friends, but Saturday night was pretty basic. I talked to my family and best friend, but other than that, it was quiet.

What was Sunday like?

SS: I got a lot of people congratulating me, but it was because they thought I was Sterling [Sharpe] and they were congratulating him on the Packers winning. I’d say 75 percent of the time people recognize me they call me "Sterling." I don’t think he ever gets "Shannon."

Who do you think will be the next Denver player to get into the Hall of Fame?

SS: I’d Say TD [Terrell Davis]. I think Randy Gradishar could get in at some point in the senior committee, but as far as the modern players, I think Terrell, and then followed closely by Rod Smith, should get in.

Who is going to present you into the Hall of Fame?

SS: My brother. If I could split it up, I’d have my brother and sister, but she doesn’t like talking in public. It will be my brother and there was never really any thought to it. It’s him.

What does you old quarterback, John Elway, need to do to fix the Broncos?

SS: As a former player, John will be smart about it. Even though he was a quarterback, John will know Denver needs to get as much defensive help as possible to help Elvis Dumervil. If they can do that, they should be able to get back on track.

It looks like Kansas City rookie Dexter McCluster is on his way back to the field. The receiver/running back/returner practiced fully Wednesday for the first time in a month. McCluster missed the past four games with an ankle injury. If he doesn’t have a setback, I’d expect him to play Sunday at Seattle.

However, standout Kansas City cornerback Brandon Flowers did not practice with a hamstring injury. He was hurt in the Chiefs’ win over the Cardinals on Sunday. Safety Jon McGraw has been out for two weeks and he didn’t practice Wednesday, either because of a head injury.

Left tackle Branden Albert (groin), guard Ryan Lilja (foot) and tight end Tony Moeaki (head) were limited Wednesday. Moeaki didn’t play against Arizona.

• Oakland coach Tom Cable indicated that star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is making progress toward playing Sunday against Miami. He’s missed two games with an ankle injury. Cable also said that receiver Chaz Schilens is now dealing with a setback from an old foot injury. Schilens has been out all season with a knee injury. This kid is talented, but he just has to find his health.

• For Denver, linebacker D.J. Williams was limited due to a concussion he suffered Monday night at San Diego. Linebacker Robert Ayers was practicing fully after missing several games with a foot injury. There is a good chance he will play Sunday against visiting St. Louis.

• Tennessee offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger has cancer. He was previously Denver’s offensive coordinator and receivers coach. Former Denver receiving great Rod Smith credits Heimerdinger for making him a quality NFL player. Heimerdinger and former Denver coach Mike Shanahan were college roommates at Eastern Illinois. Heimerdinger is a quality coach and a good man. Best wishes to him and his family.

• Kansas City Safety Eric Berry is No. 8 on ESPN.com’s Rookie Watch this week.

• The Football Outsiders break downs San Diego’s key matchups at Indianapolis on Sunday night.

Notable players: QB John Elway, RB Terrell Davis, WRs Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey, TE Shannon Sharpe, OT Tony Jones, C Tom Nalen, G Mark Schlereth, DE Neil Smith, DE Trevor Pryce, LB Bill Romanowski, LB John Mobley, S Steve Atwater, K Jason Elam.

Analysis: This was a great all-time NFL team. In 2007, the NFL Network ranked the team as the 12th-best Super Bowl winner.

The 1998 Broncos followed up their magical 1997 season, in which they were a surprise Super Bowl winner, with a surgically precise team. The Broncos were masterful in every aspect of the game. Elway led the Broncos during his final NFL season, which culminated in an MVP-winning performance in an easy 34-19 win over Atlanta in the Super Bowl.

The Broncos won their first 13 games and finished the regular season 14-2. The only game Denver lost that it truly tried to win was its 14th game, a last-moment loss to the Giants at The Meadowlands. The Broncos were never challenged during three postseason wins. Known for not having the best supporting casts for much of his career, Elway enjoyed the benefit of a stunning running game and a nasty, fierce defense in his final season.

Running back Terrell Davis ran for 2,008 yards, which was then the third-highest rushing total in NFL history. He won the NFL MVP award that season.

When Davis’ hard, downhill running in coach Mike Shanahan's brilliant zone-blocking scheme was combined with the elegance of Elway passing to Smith, McCaffrey and the game-changing Sharpe, Denver was breathtaking to watch on offense.

Defensively, this mean, nasty group always seemed to come up with the big play. Things rarely went wrong for this team. It simply steamrolled through the season.

“We were stacked,” said Elam, who tied an NFL record with a 63-yard field goal during the season. “I remember us routinely being up by three touchdowns at the end of the first quarter and we knew it was over … It was a dream season.”

Most impressive win: The 34-19 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII. The supremely focused Broncos never truly let the Falcons in the game. It was a perfect ending to a near-perfect season.

Businessmen: People around this team always talk about how serious it was. Unlike the 1997 season in which Denver had to fight and scrap every step of the way for its first Super Bowl championship, winning it all was a foregone conclusion all season in 1998.

The Broncos were focused on winning the Super Bowl all season. After the win over Atlanta, there were no wild celebrations. Sure, players were happy. But they were businesslike. It was a different scene from the euphoric celebration that followed the team’s win over heavily favored Green Bay the year before. It was as if the 1998 title was expected all season.

Honorable mention:

1977: Red Miller’s 12-2 outfit was strong, but it was no match for the Cowboys in the Super Bowl.

1996: The memory of this team still stings in Denver. The Broncos were a great team, perhaps better than the 1998 outfit, but it lost at home in the divisional playoff round to Jacksonville, ruining everything good associated with this team.

1997: This is probably the most popular Denver team ever. It fought its way to the franchise’s first Super Bowl win as a wild-card team. The words “This one's for John” will never be forgotten in the Rocky Mountains.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -– It is early, but one of the more impressive players in Denver is its first-round pick, receiver Demaryius Thomas.

Thomas, the No. 22 overall pick out of Georgia Tech, is big, strong, fast and appears willing to do everything necessary to be a quality No. 1 starter. Like every other young receiver, Thomas has had his share of drops, but he’s also made some nice plays.

“He’s doing great. In terms of trying to get better at the things that he has struggled with or made an error with -- he has really worked hard to try to fix those,” Denver coach Josh McDaniels said. “He’s had a great attitude and approach. He hasn’t made the same error a lot. You know, he’s dropped a couple balls -- I think that everyone has seen this guy make tremendous catches and then there’s been some other ones that he’s dropped. I think that comes with playing and knocking off some of the rust and you know, it’s only his fourth or fifth practice where he’s been out there against NFL-caliber defensive backs. Like I said, he’ll only get better every day and today was better than yesterday.”

Thomas received special attention Friday after practice from former Broncos star receiver Rod Smith. Smith, who retired after the 2007 season, has been a regular visitor to Denver’s practice facility to help youngsters. Thomas is Smith's next project.

“[Smith] helped me out a lot, actually,” Thomas said. “Just some of the stuff that he told me he did and would help me out and I tried it today and it did help … [Smith’s advice] was basically getting off the line and getting off the press and using my body and using my shoulders -- something I never did before.”

The Broncos have high expectations for Thomas. The team needs a new go-to receiver after trading Brandon Marshall to Miami.

Matthew Villa from Los Angeles wants to know if Michael Bush could be Oakland’s starting tailback this year.

Bill Williamson: Oakland wants to see third-year back Darren McFadden become the player it has hoped he would be when he was drafted with the No.4 overall pick in 2008. McFadden has been hampered by injuries and has been inconsistent. But he will get a chance to show he can be the man in Oakland. But Bush is still in the mix. If he outperforms McFadden on a consistent basis, Bush will get more carries. Either way, expect Bush to have a major role in this offense.

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Dan Arguello from Phoenix wants to know if former Denver star receiver Rod Smith is still involved with the Broncos.

BW: Smith is not involved with the Broncos in an official capacity. But he still stops by occasionally to help the receivers. He was often in the locker room after games last season. The Broncos brass thinks a lot of Smith and he has an open invitation to stop by and chat with players.

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Tony from Kansas City wants to know what to expect from Dexter McCluster as a rookie.

BW: Expect Kansas City to have an aggressive plan for McCluster, who was a running back at Mississippi, but who will be a slot receiver in Kansas City. I think the Chiefs will create a lot of packages for him and try to exploit his wicked speed. He will also be a factor in the return game. Expect to see a lot of McCluster as a rookie.

Using John Clayton’s top 10 Super Bowl plays as inspiration, I’m going to list my top five Super Bowl plays involving AFC West teams.

I only considered plays from the six Super Bowls AFC West teams won. AFC West teams have participated in 14 of the 43 Super Bowls.

Fill up the comment list on the bottom of the post with your thoughts.

Elway’s helicopter: It was clear Denver was about to win its first Super Bowl when quarterback John Elway performed his “helicopter” move to convert a first down on a third-and-6 run deep in Green Bay territory in Super Bowl XXXII. It was an instant classic and the Packers really had no chance to overcome that desire and emotion.

Brown’s interception: It’s one of my first Super Bowl memories. In Super Bowl XI against Minnesota, Oakland star cornerback Willie Brown returned a Fran Tarkenton interception 75 yards for a touchdown in the Raiders’ dominating win over the Vikings. It stood as an NFL record for 29 years.

Squirek’s interception: Jack Squirek is not a Hall of Fame like Brown, but he goes down in the team's Super Bowl lore. Just before the half of Super Bowl XVII, the linebacker intercepted a Joe Theismann pass deep in Washington territory. Squirek shocked Washington with the five-yard touchdown to give the Raiders a 21-3 lead at the half. The Redskins were done after that play.

Allen’s run: The Raiders put the cherry on top of their 38-9 win over the Redskins with a 74-yard reverse run by Marcus Allen to give the Raiders a 35-9 lead late in the third quarter. It was the signature play of a Hall of Fame career.

Elway to Smith: The Broncos took control of Super Bowl XXXIII against Atlanta with an 80-yard bomb from Elway to receiver Rod Smith late in the second quarter. The play showed Atlanta that Denver was just too talented to tangle with.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

The Denver Broncos have released their all-time 50th Anniversary team that was chosen by fan voting. The team will be recognized Oct. 11 against New England.

It looks to me that the fans got this line right. There are some superstars on this team. Here’s the list:

First-team Offense

QB John Elway

RB Terrell Davis

RB Floyd Little

WR Ed McCaffrey

WR Rod Smith

TE Shannon Sharpe

OT Matt Lepsis

OT Gary Zimmerman

G Keith Bishop

G Mark Schlereth

C Tom Nalen

First-team Defense

DE Simon Fletcher

DE Rich Jackson

DT Trevor Pryce

DT Rubin Carter

LB Karl Mecklenburg

LB Randy Gradishar

LB Tom Jackson

CB Champ Bailey

CB Louis Wright

S Steve Atwater

S Dennis Smith

First-team Specialists

K Jason Elam

P Tom Rouen

Ret Rick Upchurch

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

I wanted to take some time to recognize some players from the AFC West who did not make our all-decade offensive team. There were some great names left off the list (we can only pick 11 players, after all) and some of them came from the AFC West.

Here are some of the players from the division that didn't quite make the cut:

Tackle: Willie Roaf, Kansas City: Roaf was an upper-echelon player and he will make a Hall of Fame run. But Walter Jones and Jonathan Ogden were simply better this decade, according to the majority of the league insiders we polled.

Guard: Will Shields, Kansas City: Shields, a likely future Hall of Famer, could have easily made this list. As explained in the story, he was very, very close. He was a dominant force on the field and a bright light off of it.

Center: Tom Nalen, Denver: He was the anchor of an undersized, overproductive line. He was mean and nasty on the field and he should get some Hall of Fame consideration.

Tight end: Antonio Gates, San Diego: If it weren't for the standard set by Tony Gonzalez, Gates would seem superhuman. But even with Gonzalez, Gates is a supreme player.

Quarterback: Rich Gannon, Oakland: He didn't play enough in the division to get serious consideration, but he was the catalyst for the glory years the Raiders enjoyed earlier in the decade.

Running back: Larry Johnson, Kansas City: Johnson has been a workhorse and one of the better rushers in the league this decade.

Receiver: Rod Smith, Denver: Smith was the quintessential worker and overachiever. He worked the field like few receivers ever did.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

DENVER -- Halftime notes from beyond-freezing cold Denver where the Broncos lead 13-10:

• Denver kicker Matt Prater, who has struggled the past couple of months, was very short on a 54-yard field goal attempt with 2 minutes to go in the first half. It gave Buffalo life and the Bills scored a touchdown with 15 seconds left to make it a new ballgame.
• The game is somewhat reminiscent of the Broncos' game against San Francisco in the final contest of the 2006 season. All Denver needed to do was beat San Francisco, which was out for the playoff hunt, and it would have went to the playoffs. Denver lost in overtime. The Broncos led that game 13-0 at one point. Denver was leading Buffalo, which is out of the playoff hunt, early in the second quarter.
• Denver all-time leading receiver Rod Smith, who retired in July, addressed the crowd just prior to the game.
• Denver running back P.J. Pope, Denver's seventh starting tailback this season, is still out with a hamstring injury he suffered in the first quarter. He had 44 yards on six carries. Tatum Bell and Selvin Young are playing for Denver.
• It was 17 degrees at kickoff. It was the second-coldest Broncos game in Denver and the coldest game in the eight-season history at Invesco Field at Mile High.
• Denver rookie receiver Eddie Royal had a 71-yard run on an end-around in the first quarter. It was his fifth play of 50 yards or longer this season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Former Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil told the Kansas City Star he has not been contacted for the Chiefs' leadership position that will open in the wake of this week's announcement that GM Carl Peterson will be out at the end of the season. Vermeil wouldn't discuss whether he was interested in the job. Expect Vermeil's name to stay in the rumor mill on this one.

The Raiders' final home game of the season will be blacked out and will not be shown on local television.

The Bills practiced outside for the first time in a month Thursday to prepare for Sunday's game at Denver. The temperature is expected to be in the low teens at kickoff.

Rod Smith, who retired in July as Denver's all-time leading receiver, will address Denver fans Sunday as part of the team's fan appreciation day.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Another Sunday, another milestone for Tony Gonzalez.

The Chiefs' superstar tight end caught his 850th career reception today against the Jets. He is now 12th on the all-time NFL receiving list, surpassing former Denver Bronco Rod Smith.

Gonzalez became the NFL's all-time yardage leader for tight ends earlier this season. He is also the NFL's all-time leader in receptions and touchdowns for tight ends.