Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith Among Hall of Fame Finalists

[Arch Stanton]

Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith Among Hall of Fame Finalists

1/08/2010 4:56 PM ET By Michael David Smith

The pool of potential inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2010 was pared down from 25 to 15 on Friday, as the Hall of Fame announced the 15 modern-era candidates who will appear on this year's final ballot. Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith led the pack of the final 15, while Terrell Davis, Ray Guy, Paul Tagliabue and Aeneas Williams were among those eliminated.

The Hall of Fame selection committee will meet on the day before the Super Bowl to select the class of 2010. Rice and Smith are considered locks, but there will be intense debate among football fans about who should comprise the rest of the class.

Finalists:
- 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
- Dermontti Dawson, C – 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers
- Richard Dent, DE – 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles
- Russ Grimm, G – 1981-1991 Washington Commanders
- Andre Reed, WR – 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Commanders
- Charles Haley, DE/LB – 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys
- Rickey Jackson, LB – 1981-1993 New Orleans Saints, 1994-95 San Francisco 49ers
- Cortez Kennedy, DT – 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks
- John Randle, DT – 1990-2000 Minnesota Vikings, 2001-03 Seattle Seahawks
- Jerry Rice, WR – 1985-2000 San Francisco 49ers, 2001-04 Oakland Raiders, 2004 Seattle Seahawks
- Shannon Sharpe, TE – 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens
- Emmitt Smith, RB – 1990-2002 Dallas Cowboys, 2003-04 Arizona Cardinals
*Senior candidates Dick LeBeau and Floyd Little will also be on the final ballot.

Eliminated semifinalists:
- Cliff Branch, WR – 1972-1985 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
- Terrell Davis, RB – 1995-2001 Denver Broncos
- 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
- Ray Guy, P – 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
- Lester Hayes, CB – 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
- Art Modell, Owner – 1961-1995 Cleveland Browns, 1996-2003 Baltimore Ravens
- Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner – 1989-2006 National Football League
- Steve Tasker, Special Teams/WR – 1985-86 Houston Oilers, 1986-1997 Buffalo Bills
- Aeneas Williams, CB/S – 1991-2000 Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, 2001-04 St. Louis Rams

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/01/08/jerry-rice-emmitt-smith-among-hall-of-fame-finalists/?

 

[ilovejerry]

I dont know how Haley doesnt get in

 

[joseephuss]

How the heck did Dermontii Dawson not get elected in his first year of eligibility? No one else should get into the HoF until after he does.

 

[DFWJC]

Rice and Emmitt are 1st ballot guys for sure.

 

[DFWJC]

How the heck did Dermontii Dawson not get elected in his first year of eligibility? No one else should get into the HoF until after he does.

Especially since he was a Steeler.

 

[Jimz31]

I dont know how Haley doesnt get in

Because at one point in his career, he played for the Dallas Cowboys.

It's hard enough on the voters to bring themselves to vote to let ES in.

 

[Chief]

I wonder if the Hall or its voters are worried about what Charles Haley might say or pull (out?) at the ceremony.

 

[dallascowboyfanboy]

Surprised Chris Carter made the cut of 15 finalists. After Rice, Brown and Reed would get my vote before Carter as far as WRs go.

 

[Arch Stanton]

I wonder if the Hall or its voters are worried about what Charles Haley might say or pull (out?) at the ceremony.

...or where he might take a dump?

 

[Jimz31]

I wonder if the Hall or its voters are worried about what Charles Haley might say or pull (out?) at the ceremony.

LOL...and Haley says that he doesn't remember doing that....:laugh2:

 

[adbutcher]

I wonder if the Hall or its voters are worried about what Charles Haley might say or pull (out?) at the ceremony.

Chuck is all better now but that would break up some of the boring speeches.

I played with Aeneas and I hope he eventually gets in, he is a good guy and good friend.

 

[DFWJC]

Surprised Chris Carter made the cut of 15 finalists. After Rice, Brown and Reed would get my vote before Carter as far as WRs go.

That's a preference thing for sure; they were oth very good for a long time. I do think some don't like Chris because of his commentary and not his play on the field.

 

[Cover 2]

They're easily both First Ballot Hall of Famers.

 

[Jon88]

I dont know how Haley doesnt get in

They'll wait until he dies and then induct him.

 

[Tractor1]

I'd put no more than four in this year. Rice, Smith, Grimm, and Haley. I don't think the hall will elect secondary receivers or running backs in the same year you induct the two best at those positions. Grimm was Boss Hog, and Haley was a difference maker who owns five rings.

 

[DFWJC]

I'd put no more than four in this year. Rice, Smith, Grimm, and Haley. I don't think the hall will elect secondary receivers or running backs in the same year you induct the two best at those positions. Grimm was Boss Hog, and Haley was a difference maker who owns five rings.

I'd be surprised if Haley got in this year.

 

[Kangaroo]

Finalists:
- Tim Brown, WR/KR – Yes no brainier IMo
- Cris Carter, WR – Is he really a HOF or more of a very good wr not great
- Don Coryell, Coach – Yes his impact is still seen in the NFL today with his modern passing attack
- Roger Craig, RB – The guy was good and I liked the wya he played but hof nope
- Dermontti Dawson, C – Yes I think he should
- Richard Dent, DE – I think he is HOF
- Russ Grimm, G – Yes
- Andre Reed, - Is he Chris Carter not sure he did get to 4 Superbowls and was a reason why
- Charles Haley, DE/LB – Yes
- Rickey Jackson, LB – Not sure
- Cortez Kennedy, DT – I think he will get in he was better than Randle imo
- John Randle, DT – I sititng on the fence was he really great or very very good ?
- Jerry Rice, WR – Of course he is in
- Shannon Sharpe, TE – Maybe does have a SB ring and played well that year and has put up great rec as a TE for many years
- Emmitt Smith, RB – No doubt

 

[Future]

this is going to be an unreal class, regardless of what 4 or 5 go in.