Former Raiders receiver Tim Brown and offensive guard Steve Wisniewski were named among 25 semifinalists for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
A total of 15 finalists will be announced on Jan. 8, 2014.
Brown has been a finalist each of the past four years, while this is Wisniewski’s first appearance on the semifinal list.
Brown’s omission has been surprising. He ranks No. 5 all-time with 19,682 all-purpose yards. He played 17 seasons – all but one with the Raiders – and 14,934 receiving yards and 100 touchdowns.
Wisniewski -- a lifetime Raider who played for the team from 1989-2001 -- was a five-time All-Pro selection and an eight time Pro Bowler. He was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade team in the 1990’s.
49ers running back Roger Craig, who spent a short stint with the Raiders, is also a semifinalist.
Legendary Raiders punter Ray Guy was nominated by the senior selection committee and automatically move on to the final round. Senior-selection committee nominees are typically enshrined.
