Hall of Fame Candidates Announced

[Hostile]

Pro Football Hall of Fame selects 26 semifinalists

11/22/2011 8:29:22 PM

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee chose the 26 semifinalists from the previously announced list of 105 preliminary nominees. In addition to the two first-year eligible nominees, four other previously eligible candidates, Steve Atwater, Clay Matthews, Karl Mecklenburg and longtime contributor Ron Wolf have made it to the semifinalist’s list for the first time. Each of the remaining 20 nominees on the Selection Committee’s list has been a semifinalist at least once prior to this year.

The complete list of 26 modern-era semifinalists is as follows:

• Steve Atwater, S – 1989-1998 Denver Broncos, 1999 New York Jets
• Jerome Bettis, RB – 1993-95 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 1996-2005 Pittsburgh Steelers
• Tim Brown, WR/KR – 1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Cris Carter, WR – 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins
• Don Coryell, Coach – 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers
• Roger Craig, RB – 1983-1990 San Francisco 49ers, 1991 Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-93 Minnesota Vikings
• Terrell Davis, RB – 1995-2001 Denver Broncos
• Dermontti Dawson, C – 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers
• Edward DeBartolo, Jr., Owner – 1979-2000 San Francisco 49ers
• Chris Doleman, DE/LB – 1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers
• Kevin Greene, LB/DE – 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers
• Charles Haley, DE/LB – 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys
• Cortez Kennedy, DT – 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks
• Curtis Martin, RB – 1995-97 New England Patriots, 1998-2005 New York Jets
• Clay Matthews, LB – 1978-1993 Cleveland Browns, 1994-96 Atlanta Falcons
• Karl Mecklenburg, LB – 1983-1994 Denver Broncos
• Bill Parcells, Coach – 1983-1990 New York Giants, 1993-96 New England Patriots, 1997-99 New York Jets, 2003-06 Dallas Cowboys
• Andre Reed, WR – 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins
• Willie Roaf, T – 1993-2001 New Orleans Saints, 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs
• Donnie Shell, S – 1974-1987 Pittsburgh Steelers
• Will Shields, G – 1993-2006 Kansas City Chiefs
• Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner – 1989-2006 National Football League
• Steve Tasker, ST/WR – 1985-86 Houston Oilers, 1986-1997 Buffalo Bills
• Aeneas Williams, CB/S – 1991-2000 Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, 2001-04 St. Louis Rams
• Ron Wolf, Contributor – 1963-1974, 1978-1990 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1975-77 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1990 New York Jets, 1991 -2001 Green Bay Packers
• George Young, Contributor – 1968-1974 Baltimore Colts, 1975-78 Miami Dolphins, 1979-1997 New York Giants, 1998-2001 National Football League

[ZeroClub]

The following is a strong list of nonplayers, IMO:

• Don Coryell, Coach – 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers
• Bill Parcells, Coach – 1983-1990 New York Giants, 1993-96 New England Patriots, 1997-99 New York Jets, 2003-06 Dallas Cowboys
• Ron Wolf, Contributor – 1963-1974, 1978-1990 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1975-77 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1990 New York Jets, 1991 -2001 Green Bay Packers
• George Young, Contributor – 1968-1974 Baltimore Colts, 1975-78 Miami Dolphins, 1979-1997 New York Giants, 1998-2001 National Football League

[DBOY3141]

Haley will make it this year. that list is pretty weak compared to what he has accomplished.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by ZeroClub

The following is a strong list of nonplayers, IMO:

• Don Coryell, Coach – 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers
• Bill Parcells, Coach – 1983-1990 New York Giants, 1993-96 New England Patriots, 1997-99 New York Jets, 2003-06 Dallas Cowboys
• Ron Wolf, Contributor – 1963-1974, 1978-1990 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1975-77 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1990 New York Jets, 1991 -2001 Green Bay Packers
• George Young, Contributor – 1968-1974 Baltimore Colts, 1975-78 Miami Dolphins, 1979-1997 New York Giants, 1998-2001 National Football League

Plus Tagliabue.

Little spoken of fact, Tex Schramm is the only non coach, non owner, non player, non commissioner in the HOF.

DeBartolo on there is kind of intriguing given the allegations that led to him being stripped of his team.

[ETex]

Originally Posted by Hostile

Plus Tagliabue.

Little spoken of fact, Tex Schramm is the only non coach, non player, non commissioner in the HOF.

DeBartolo on there is kind of intriguing given the allegations that led to him being stripped of his team.

That still bothers me. Guilty until proven innocent.

[joseephuss]

Originally Posted by Hostile

Plus Tagliabue.

Little spoken of fact, Tex Schramm is the only non coach, non player, non commissioner in the HOF.

DeBartolo on there is kind of intriguing given the allegations that led to him being stripped of his team.

You left out non team owner.

[ZeroClub]

Originally Posted by Hostile

Plus Tagliabue.

He made the list, that's true.

I'm not a big fan, although the current commissioner makes Tagliabue look better.

Little spoken of fact, Tex Schramm is the only non coach, non player, non commissioner in the HOF.

DeBartolo on there is kind of intriguing given the allegations that led to him being stripped of his team.

Hard to imagine that DeBartolo would make it. I'm surprised he's even in the mix.

[Carolina Cowboy]

Originally Posted by ETex

That still bothers me. Guilty until proven innocent.

My cousin just finished a ten year "stint" from these allegations. Perfect example of great political promise gone bad from money, power and a terrible gambling habit.

[Doomsday101]

If I had a vote these would be my selection

Charles Haley
Karl Mecklenburg
Chris Doleman
Tim Brown
Roger Craig
George Young

[JonJon]

Clay Matthews, LB

I know he is good and all, but let the man retire first before putting him in the Hall of Fame, Jeez...


only kidding

[dreghorn2]

Originally Posted by ETex

That still bothers me. Guilty until proven innocent.

I know he cheated his fellow owners by circumventing the salary cap in 1994, guilty as heck there.

[Yeagermeister]

Originally Posted by JonJon

I know he is good and all, but let the man retire first before putting him in the Hall of Fame, Jeez...


only kidding

[Outlaw Heroes]

Interesting list. Unlike in many years, there's not a person that I would say is a lock to get in. This may be Haley's best chance for several years to come.

[Stautner]

Originally Posted by DBOY3141

Haley will make it this year. that list is pretty weak compared to what he has accomplished.

I don't know. The Super Bowls are really what Haley is hanging his hat on, and that helps, but Haley is known for sacks, and both Doleman and Greene have a lot more sacks than Haley, along with more tackles and more Pro Bowls as well. On top of that the 4th leading rusher all time (Martin) is in the mix, along with the 4th leading receiver all time in terms of yards (Brown) and 4th leading receiver all time (Carter) in terms of TDs. Add to that one of the most acclaimed Centers all time, along with Don Coryell, George Young and Bill Parcells, and it looks like a pretty tough field for Haley to get through.

[arglebargle]

Coryell has to go in: He changed the game, and that's one of the biggest achievements you can make in the NFL.

Mathews, Roaf, Martin all should be serious contenders. I have a soft spot for Aeneas Williams, but he played on such lackluster teams that he may not make it.

Can't imagine DeBartolo getting in after his blatent cheating and mafioso ways. Though the present ownership makes him look good. At least Eddie really cared about putting together a good team and winning.