clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Rod Smith, Tom Nalen, Jason Elam among 11 former Broncos up for Hall of Fame

Smith and Nalen are two players who should already be in the HOF but likely will never get inducted.

Good morning, Broncos Country!

Eleven former Denver Broncos are now nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Among them are two guys who should already be in the Canton museum— Rod Smith and Tom Nalen. The other nine are Dre’ Bly, Seth Joyner, Simeon Rice, Wes Welker, Jason Elam, Mark Schlereth, Neil Smith, DeMarcus Ware and Al Wilson. To be clear, these are Modern-Era nominees for the class of 2023. This doesn’t include the Seniors list, where you would find Randy Gradishar.

Of the 11 former Broncos and 129 nominees, Smith and Nalen should be locks to get in; especially Nalen. He’s one of the best, if not the best, centers of his era. Think of all the BS we heard prior to Terrell Davis getting inducted. “It was the system, not TD. You could plug any running back in that system and they rushed for 1,000 yards.”

Well, the reason for that was Nalen as the anchor of that offensive line and that incredible running game for the Broncos. Now that Davis has been conducted, crickets. Nalen gets no respect for how incredible of a player he was for so long.

And then there’s Smith.

He’s the best undrafted player in the history of the NFL.

In fact, Smith’s career stats compare to Hall of Famer Michael Irvin.

Irvin had 750 career receptions for 11,904 yards and 65 touchdowns.

Smith had 849 receptions for 11,389 yards and 68 touchdowns.

Irvin won three Super Bowls; Smith two.

Irvin is in the Hall of Fame; Smith can’t sniff induction.

You could also make case for Elam.

Smith and Nalen are the two most deserving Modern-Era nominees. Again, Gradishar is in the Seniors' class.

It’s time both of these legendary Broncos get their due as two of the best at their respective positions.

Broncos Blast

I joined Klahr and Kompany on Saturday morning for my weekly Broncos Blast segment on ESPN 1600 AM. This week we discuss whether Denver can turn it around against the Niners and if the Broncos have a shot on SNF.

Broncos News

Burning Questions: Can the Broncos’ offense capitalize against a tough 49ers defense?
San Francisco has had plenty of success in recent years, as the 49ers advanced to a Super Bowl and made an NFC Championship Game appearance last season. In this Week 3 matchup, the Broncos are embracing that challenge.

5 keys to a Broncos victory over the 49ers | 9news.com
Here are five keys to the Denver Broncos defeating the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, September 25.

All attention on Hackett, Wilson, run game as Broncos eye upset of 49ers
All attention will be on coach Nathaniel Hackett, quarterback Russell Wilson and the run game as the Broncos eye an upset of the 49ers Sunday.

'He's phenomenal': Why Broncos CB Pat Surtain II is drawing rave reviews - Denver Broncos Blog- ESPN
Surtain is big, fast and composed, and he's only 22. That's why greats such as Champ Bailey are excited about where his career is headed.

Three keys to the Broncos beating the 49ers in Week 3 - DenverFan
In a pivotal early season game, Denver can knock off San Francisco if they focus on three key things, providing a recipe for success.

NFL News

Commanders’ Daniel Snyder faces hardened attitudes from fellow NFL owners - The Washington Post
With separate probes from the House oversight committee and the league still ongoing, one owner said, “He needs to sell.”

Rating the biggest surprises of the 2022 NFL season for all 32 teams
Jalen Hurts looks like an MVP candidate, the Bills are laying waste to the league, and the Bengals have first-half offensive issues.

Sean Payton says he would be interested in returning as NFL coach in 2023 for 'right situation'
Sean Payton says he's interested in returning to the NFL as a head coach in 2023 if the "right situation" presents itself.

From AstroTurf to 'frankenturf:' Inside the NFL's behind-the-scenes battle to fix its turf problem
For more than a decade, the NFL has been chasing an ambitious goal: to unveil a 'frankenturf' that is safer than natural grass.