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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 aftereffects of legendary linebacker Junior Seau's stunning death on Wednesday are developing quickly.

Sports Illustrated reported Boston University’s Center for Traumatic Encephalopathy, which has famously studied the brains of several dead football players for injuries consistent with blows to the head, wants to take a look at Seau’s brain.

Seau died at his Oceanside, Calif., home due to a gunshot wound to the chest, according to police. It is being investigated as a suicide. Seau was 43.

Former NFL player Dave Duerson killed himself with a gunshot to the chest and he left a suicide note asking for his brain to be examined. Reportedly, Seau did not leave a suicide note.

Meanwhile, former Oakland receiver Tim Brown told Bay Area radio station 957The Game to not jump to any conclusions about Seau's death.

On a related note, one ESPN.com columnist reflects on football’s involvement in Seau’s death.

Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt released a statement congratulating tackle Willie Roaf for being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Roaf played his final four seasons with the Chiefs from 2002-05.

Here is Hunt’s statement:

“On behalf of my family and the entire Chiefs organization, we are thrilled to congratulate Willie Roaf on his well-deserved selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012. Willie is one of the finest offensive lineman to suit up in a Chiefs uniform and is worthy of this extremely prestigious honor. In his four seasons with the Chiefs, Willie anchored one of the best offensive lines in the National Football League. Today's announcement solidifies his place as one of the greatest offensive lineman in the history of pro football.”

Kansas City guard Will Shields and Oakland receiver Tim Brown were also among the 17 finalists, but they did not get elected.

Willie Roaf is going to Canton, Ohio.

However, two other players with AFC West ties will have to continue waiting to be enshrined. Tim Brown and Will Shields did not make the cut from the initial list of 17 finalists to the final 10.

Unlike Roaf, who played the final four seasons of his career in Kansas City, both Brown and Shields are most known for their work in the AFC West.

I expected Shields to get in, but he may have been blocked by Roaf. Shields may take the same route that Roaf did. He was a finalist in his first year of eligibility, but didn’t make it. He made it in his second year of eligibility.

I can see Shields making it next year. He went to 12 Pro Bowls and he made 223 straight starts, which was the second-longest active streak in the NFL at the time of his retirement.

I was not shocked Brown didn’t make it for the third straight year. He certainly deserves to be in the Hall of Fame and he will have a bronze bust someday. But it may take a while.

The voters didn't do him any favors Saturday. None of the six men elected were receivers. Cris Carter and Andre Reed will need to get in some day as well and Brown may have to wait for them to get in first.

As for Roaf, he is a strong representative for the AFC West.

Roaf, who started his career with New Orleans, made the Pro Bowl 11 teams and he made the All-Pro team seven times. He made it three times with the Chiefs. Roaf and Shields were the anchors of one of the most dominated offensive line in the NFL early last decade.

Perhaps next year Shields will join Roaf, his former teammate, in Canton.

Will Shields has done a pretty good job of trying to keep his mind off of this Saturday’s events in Indianapolis.

Yet, he admits the idea of being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame can be an overwhelming thought.

“It’s nothing to be nonchalant about; it’s huge,” said the former Kansas City Chiefs guard. “It would be a great ending to a great career. It is really a big deal, but you don’t want to dwell on it and over think about it.”

There is a good chance Shields will need to start thinking about his Hall of Fame acceptance speech. Shields is one of 17 finalists for election into the Canton, Ohio, museum. It is Shields’ first year on the ballot. He is considered to have a strong chance to be inducted. Former Raiders receiver Tim Brown and tackle Willie Roaf -- who played with Shields for four years in Kansas City -- are also former AFC West players who are finalists. All three have a chance to make it, but Shields may have the best chance of the three AFC West finalists to be inducted.

Shields, 40, played for the Chiefs from 1993-2006. The Fort Riley, Kan., native was a third-round draft pick out of Nebraska. He started every game of his career but the first game of his rookie season. His streak of 223 straight starts was the second-longest active streak in the NFL at the time of his retirement. Shields made 12 Pro Bowls, which is one of the highest totals of all time regardless of position.

As strong as his résumé was on the field, it was as extraordinary off the field. Shields was known as one of the most charitable players in the NFL in his era and he was won the prestigious NFL Man of the Year award in 2003.

"Looking back, I think I’m most proud of everything as a combination,” Shields said of his proudest NFL moment. “The Pro Bowls, the streak, the Man of the Year. All of it was special to me.”

Shields has continued his chartable work in the Kansas City area and he runs a gym and performance center where he said his company trains “kindergartners to an 89-year-old” in the area.

Shields said he is seriously considering getting involved in coaching. He has spent the past two summers interning with the New York Jets and he has coached at some college all-star games in addition to training some NFL prospects in recent years.

“I think I might be getting into coaching sooner than later,” Shields said. “I always want to be around the game.”

Saturday, Shields may reach football royalty.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 17 finalists for enshrinement in 2012. The vote will be held February 4.

Three of the finalists have AFC West ties. Five others were part of the nine semifinalists to get knocked out of contention Saturday: Denver’s Steve Atwater, Terrell Davis and Karl Mecklenburg, former San Diego coach Don Coryell and former Oakland executive Ron Wolf.

Let’s take a look at the three finalists among the 17 who spent significant portions of their careers in the AFC West. Here they are:

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

Will he get in? Brown will get in, but it may take some more time because of the logjam at receiver, whether it’s right or not. Cris Carter could block him this year.

Willie Roaf, T -- 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs

Will he get in? I would not be shocked if Roaf gets in within the next couple of years.

Will Shields, G -- 1993-2006 Kansas City Chiefs

Will he get in? I think Shields goes to Canton in his first time on the ballot.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 26 semifinalists for enshrinement in 2012. The list of 26 will be pared to 17 finalists in January and the enshrinement vote will be held in February.

Let’s take a look at the eight candidates among the 26 who spent significant portions of their careers in the AFC West. Here they are:

Steve Atwater, S, -- 1989-98 Denver Broncos

Will he get in? I don’t think Atwater will be in enshrined this year.

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

Will he get in? Brown will get in, but it may take some more time because of the logjam at receiver, whether it’s right or not.

Don Coryell, coach -- 1978-86 San Diego Chargers

Will he get in? The late coach has his supporters, but his candidacy may be difficult.

Terrell Davis, RB -- 1995-2001 Denver Broncos.

Will he get in? Davis’ short career remains his biggest challenge.

Karl Mecklenburg, LB -- 1983-1994 Denver Broncos

Will he get in? I’d call him a big long shot to make it in 2012.

Willie Roaf, T -- 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs

Will he get in? I would not be shocked if Roaf gets in in the next couple of years.

Will Shields, G -- 1993-2006 Kansas City Chiefs

Will he get in? Shields has a real chance of being elected in his first year on the ballot.

Ron Wolf, Contributor -- 1963-1974, 1978-1990 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Will he get in? Wolf had a long career and is best known for his days as the Packers’ general manager. I think he has a shot.

Denver Broncos

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Oakland Raiders

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One of Stefen Wisniewski’s most complex childhood decisions was between No. 76 or No. 81.

Should the Western Pennsylvania kid wear his Uncle Steve’s jersey, an ode to both family and his future, or should he go for the glory and honor his favorite non-related Raider, star receiver Tim Brown? The future Academic All-American made the only prudent choice. He wore them both.

“It seemed Stefen was either wearing my brother’s jersey or Tim Brown’s jersey. He was in one of the two,” said his father, Leo Wisniewski. “It seems like this was meant to be.”

This is a unique story of the continued rich Silver and Black tradition in one family, but it’s far from unexpected. Stefen Wisniewski was bound to be a Raider. It was going to happen.

He laughed when told during an interview that he had to be the most predictable No. 48 overall pick in NFL history. The Penn State center/guard admits it. There wasn’t a ton of uncertainty going into the second night of the NFL draft. Wisniewski was expecting to move out West. Perhaps that explains the fact that Wisniewski and his family and friends were donning Raiders’ caps seconds after his selection.

“No, I wasn’t too surprised,” Wisniewski said of his draft night. “I had a real good idea I was going to Oakland. I had some good inside information.”

And now the Raiders will begin the Wiz II era. Wisniewski joins his uncle Steve Wisniewski in the Bay Area. Steve Wisniewski was an eight-time Pro Bowl guard for the Raiders, playing his entire career for the organization. Like his nephew, Wisniewski (acquired in a draft-day trade from Dallas in 1989) was a second-round pick from Penn State.

Stefen Wisniewski (whose first name is an homage to his uncle) was born a month and a day before the Wisniewski-Raiders partnership began. Being around the Raiders is all he has ever known. Leo Wisniewski, a defensive lineman at Penn State who was a second-round pick of the Baltimore Colts in 1982, said he and his family would go to a handful of Raiders games each year. Some of Stefen Wisniewski’s fondest childhood memories were hanging out in the Raiders’ locker room after games.

“Being around the Raiders has always been a great atmosphere,” Stefen Wisniewski said. “I look forward to being around it again.”

For the first time, Stefen Wisniewski will be living close to his uncle. Steve Wisniewski joined the Raiders’ staff in January as assistant offensive line coach. Wisniewski, who was in private business until last year, was on Stanford’s staff last year as a strength and conditioning assistant. Oakland owner Al Davis has long hired former great players as coaches, and Wisniewski, known as one of the NFL’s most ferocious players in his day, fits right in. So does his nephew.

“I didn’t go in there pounding my fist on the table, saying we had to take my nephew,” Steve Wisniewski said. “The staff knew all about him. They came to their own conclusion. If we didn’t take him, some other team would have been very happy to get Stefen. I’m absolutely thrilled Stefen is a Raider.”

He is not alone. On the night Wisniewski was drafted, Oakland head coach Hue Jackson publicly penciled Wisniewski in as the starting center. Wisniewski is similar to his uncle: he's 6-foot-3, 310 pounds and is known as a smart technician who plays to the whistle. He was an All-American on the field last season and a three-time Academic All-American. He should help Oakland’s weakest area right away.

“Stefen is genetically blessed,” said Steve Wisniewski, who flew out to see his nephew play in a Pennsylvania state championship game in high school and while he was with the Nittany Lions. “He’s extremely smart and he was always dominant.”

Steve and Stefen would work on offensive-line drills on vacations as the kid grew up. That was nothing like the day-to-day mentoring Steve Wisniewski is going to give his nephew now. Stefen Wisniewski, who joined his new Oakland teammates in a four-day workout session in Georgia last month, expects his uncle to be a humble teacher who will be stern on him and his offensive line mates. He acknowledged that he was wondered if there will be any perceived nepotism.

“There is a potential complication there, but I’m sure he will make sure to be as hard or, probably even harder, on me than anyone else,” he said. “It’s going to be fun to be around him as he follows his dream, too.”

Of course, the ugly reality of the NFL lockout has stalled the Wisniewski union. Coaches cannot have any contact with players during the lockout. However, there is some allowance for players who are related to coaches to be able to talk about family matters. Just to be sure, Stefen Wisniewski said he and his uncle have not spoken since Wisniewski flew out to Oakland the day after he was drafted. When told that his uncle was interviewed for this story, Stefen Wisniewski playfully asked how his uncle is doing.

He’ll find out at some point. And this time, his Raiders’ jersey of choice will be No. 61 as the Wiz II era begins in Oakland.

The AFC West was represented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame election Saturday when former Denver tight end Shannon Sharpe was elected in his third year of eligibility.

Let’s look at the two other AFC West finalists, who did not get elected:

Oakland receiver Tim Brown

What happened: He didn’t make it to the final 10.

Why: There is a glut of receivers waiting to be inducted. Cris Carter and Andre Reed have both waited for a while and they will likely get in before Brown.

Will he get in? I’m sure he will, but it may take a while. Brown -- who hoped to be elected in his hometown of Dallas Saturday -- is stuck in a receiver log jam. He surely deserves to be elected, but it’s a process and he is going to have to wait. Brown was a finalist last year in his first year of eligibility, but he didn’t make the final 10 then either.

Kansas City left tackle Willie Roaf

What happened: He made it to the final 10.

Why: This was a pretty stacked class. Roaf was considered a long shot to make in his first year of eligibility.

Will get in? Yes, perhaps as soon as next year. The fact that Roaf -- who played his final four seasons with the Chiefs after playing for the Saints -- made the final 10 in his first year of eligibility is a good sign that he will soon be enshrined.

Shannon Sharpe is going to Canton two years too late.

Kudos to the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters who ended Sharpe's surprising wait on his third year of eligibility. Sharpe will truly be a deserving member of the Hall of Fame.

I remember being shocked two years ago when Sharpe didn’t get elected on his first try. I had the same feeling last year when Sharpe was blocked from Canton. This year, the voters got it right.

Sharpe was a truly special player. He made the Denver Broncos unique. He made the team’s offense in the 1990s special. He changed the way the tight end was viewed in the NFL. Drafted out of tiny Savannah State in 1990 as a raw, lanky receiver, Sharpe transformed into an elite tight end and paved the way for the likes of Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates.

Sharpe was a great receiver at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds. He made linebackers and safeties look silly in coverage. He was a pumped-up receiver at tight end. It’s ironic that it was his ability as a receiver that kept Sharpe out of the Hall of Fame for two years. Sharpe was considered by many voters as a receiver and there has been a log jam (former Raiders’ receiver Tim Brown was not elected Saturday for the second straight season because of the glut at the position) of worthy receivers waiting to get in.

But Sharpe was more than simply a receiver. Former Denver quarterback John Elway said Sharpe was an underrated blocker and he was a key part of the team’s famed zone-blocking scheme that helped pave the way to Super Bowl titles after the 1997 and ’98 seasons.

What made Sharpe special was his ability to stretch the field as a big receiver. He had terrific hands and he was incredibly strong, so he was a nightmare for defenses to prepare against. Before Gonzalez broke his records, Sharpe widely considered to be the NFL’s best-ever tight end. Elway said this week that he still thinks Sharpe was the best tight end to play the game.

Sharpe’s election continues a nice Hall of Fame run for Denver. Elway was the team’s first Hall of Fame enshrinee in 2004. Left tackle Gary Zimmerman was elected in 2008 and running back Floyd Little was elected last year.

Now, Sharpe joins his former teammates Elway and Zimmerman where they all belong.

Three players who have played in the AFC West are among the finalists for election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The voting and announcement is Saturday. Let’s take a look at the candidates:

Tim Brown: Los Angeles and Oakland Raiders, wide receiver, 1988 to 2003

Career Highlights: Brown was a nine-time Pro Bowl player. He is fourth in all-time career receptions (1,094) and receiving yards (14,934). He had 100 career receiving touchdowns.

AFC West body of work: Of his 1,094 career catches, 1,070 came as a Raider. Brown, who played his final NFL season in Tampa Bay, caught at least 80 passes nine times and had nine 1,000-plus yard receiving seasons.

Quote from a voter: “He could get in, but it will be tight this year.”

What I think will happen: I think Brown belongs in the Hall of Fame and I think he will be enshrined at some point, but I don’t know if it will be this year. The receiving group is log jammed. Cris Carter has been waiting for four years and I think Carter may get in before Brown. It may not be right, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Brown doesn’t get in Saturday.

Willie Roaf: Kansas City 2002 to 2005:

Career Highlights: He made the Pro Bowl 11 times. He made the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 1990s and 2000s.

AFC West body of work: He made the Pro Bowl during all four of the seasons he spent with Kansas City after being traded from New Orleans. He played with the Saints for the first nine years of his career.

Quote from a voter: “I’d be surprised if he got in on his first year of eligibility.”

What I think will happen: I think Roaf will get in soon. It seems that it has been difficult for players to get in their first year of eligibility lately unless they were legends. Roaf could be a finalist, but I’m not totally expecting him to be elected Saturday.

Shannon Sharpe: Denver, tight end, 1990 to 1999 and 2002 to 2003

Career Highlights: He made the Pro Bowl eight times. He was named first-team All-Pro four times. He has the second most career receiving yards for a tight end (10,060).

AFC West body of work: Sharpe made 671 of his 815 catches in the AFC West. He had three 1,000-yard receiving seasons and two seasons in which he had 10 touchdowns.

Quote from a voter: “A lot of voters look at him as a receiver, and he doesn’t stack up against the best candidates. It may be tough for him this year.”

What I think will happen: I was surprised when Sharpe didn’t get elected two years ago and I was surprised when he didn’t make it last year. I respect the voting process, but it’s my opinion that it’s shortsighted to look as Sharpe as a receiver. He was a tight end. Sure, he didn’t block well, but he changed the tight end position and he shouldn't be judged against receivers. But that has been the case, so I may be surprised again Saturday.

John Elway thought he’d be joined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame by one of his most unique teammates two years ago.

The fact that Elway is still waiting for Shannon Sharpe to join him in the Canton, Ohio, museum stuns him.

"I didn’t expect this,” Elway said. “I really thought Shannon would get in his first try. To me, he’s the greatest tight end ever to play the game. Hopefully, this is the year. It should be.”

Sharpe is a finalist -- former Raiders receiver Tim Brown and former Chiefs tackle Willie Roaf are also among the 17 finalists -- for election into the Hall of Fame. The voting and announcement of the 2011 class will be made Saturday. This is Sharpe’s third year as a finalist.

Sharpe played in Denver 1990-99 and 2002-03. He had 671 of his career receptions in Denver and was a key member of Denver’s two Super Bowl teams in 1997 and 1998.

Sharpe is credited by many league observers with changing the tight end position.

“Shannon helped make us a unique offense,” Elway said this week. “He was a matchup problem for defenses. He really opened up our offense and helped make us very difficult to play against.”

Elway, who was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2004, his first year of eligibility, didn’t know anything about Sharpe when Sharpe joined the Broncos as a seventh-round pick from tiny Savannah State. However, Elway was intrigued as soon as he saw Sharpe, who was drafted as a receiver. Elway saw the framework of a receiving option he never had before. Sharpe was 6-foot-2, 228 pounds. Elway wasn’t used to throwing to big targets.

“I was used to the Three Amigos,” Elway said. “Seeing how big Shannon was really lit my eyes up. He was so raw, but he worked so hard and then when we moved him to tight end, he really blossomed into something special.”

Because he was considered a receiver, Sharpe’s Hall of Fame candidacy has been slowed because there is a logjam of receiving candidates. Elway thinks Sharpe hasn’t been given enough credit for being a complete tight end.

“I really think Shannon has been underestimated in the running game,” said Elway, who became the Broncos’ Executive Vice President of Football Operations last month. “He was as strong as a 250-pounder. He really fit our zone-blocking scheme well. We were a finesse team. He was a perfect fit in every way. ... I hope the voters put him in this year, because he belongs in.”

It was clearly disappointing for Tim Brown not to make the Pro Football hall of Fame last year in his first year of eligibility.

However, it would be a thrill of a lifetime for Brown to be elected into the hall of fame Saturday in his hometown of Dallas. The former Raiders receiver is one of 17 finalists for election. The vote and announcement will be made Saturday.

ESPN Dallas has an outstanding look at Brown’s candidacy. Brown resides in Dallas. He was a star at the city's Woodrow Wilson High School.

"I think it would mean a lot more to me happening here, even over being a first-ballot Hall of Famer," Brown told ESPN Dallas. "Being around my family and immediately sharing this with the people who are the reasons why I ended up where I ended up would just be an incredible deal."

The Heisman Trophy winner at Notre Dame was a dominant NFL player. Brown caught 1,094 passes for 14,934 yards and 100 touchdowns. The receptions and yardage are fourth most in NFL history. The touchdown catches are tied for sixth best.

"If I needed a completion," Brown’s Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon told ESPN Dallas, "I knew where to look."

Brown told ESPN Dallas that he is going to try to relax and not get too caught up into the process like he did last year. He is taking a more relaxed approach this year.

"You just don't want to go through all that and then be disappointed,” Brown said. “But certainly I'm sure the thank you will flow to all the people who were an integral part of me being the player I was."

I will have more on Brown’s candidacy Friday along with the hopes of fellow AFC West finalists Shannon Sharpe and Willie Roaf.

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.