FanHouse RodSmith

This week we saw Michael Strahan and Jonathan Ogden retire ... two men who will see their way into Canton, OH. One of the greatest offensive tackles and defensive ends in our time should both enter the Hall in 2013.

If'n that weren't the only guys on that list.

Add in a certain guy by the name of Brett Favre (who now owns most of the quarterback records), Larry Allen and Warren Sapp ... not to mention the possibility of Junior Seau ... and and we could have one of the best classes in HoF history.

There are even a few fringe guys like Steve McNair, Rod Smith, Bryant Young and Priest Holmes who will get some love, but probably won't make it in -- at least not in '13.

But what a class that could be? There is a cut-off of five inductees (not counting ones from the Senior Committee) that can go in a single year ... meaning a name or two won't make the cut. Favre, Strahan, Ogden, Sapp and Allen each have won a Super Bowl. They have all kinds of Pro-Bowls on their resumes and several have records to boot ... making them the five favorites to get in (Seau could push Sapp out of that loft).

"At this point, he agreed to this move, but it leaves the door open for him to be reinstated if through rehab he's physically able to play again," said Tom Mills, Smith's agent. "That decision will come on another day."

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan today said an MRI test on quarterback Jay Cutler's injured left leg did not reveal any serious damage. "There's no stress fracture," Shanahan said. "He's a little sore."

Shanahan would not speculate whether Cutler would be able to practice this week or play Sunday at Kansas City. "We'll see how sore it is," Shanahan said. "We'll see how he feels on Wednesday."

Every time Smith caught a ball during warm-ups, the defensive backs cheered and then chanted, "We love Rod."

TheSportsGuru: "All three are tough, but for different reasons. The toughest of the 3 is certainly Al Wilson who meant so much to the team, both on and off the field. Wilson was the emotional leader and glue that kept the defense together. While there is no doubting his importance in the locker room, Wilson's play had deteriorated as injuries to his neck, back and hands began to take their toll. It is a testament to Wilson and the reputation he had garnered around the League that he made the Pro Bowl last season. The Broncos have found it harder to replace what he meant on the field than the production they from him on it. D.J. Williams will get the first chance to replace Wilson in the middle and will grow into the role nicely over time. As for Wilson's leadership, look for John Lynch, Champ Bailey and Ian Gold to be counted on for an increased voice in the locker room."

Smith, from Snellville, Ga., landed at Auburn after accompanying best friend and now fellow Auburn receiver James Swinton on a recruiting trip. They attended the Tennessee game together in 2003.

"I didn't know anything about Auburn," Smith told the Montgomery Advertiser. "I just went because (Swinton) was going."

He liked the campus enough to decline football scholarships at two small colleges and pay his own way to Auburn. Smith no longer needs to dread this time of year, when he has to apply for more student loans.