Mark Vader Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 (edited) The NFL will announce the names of the 15 finalists for induction into the Hall of Fame for 2011, tomorrow at 9 AM/EST. Here are the 26 semifinalists: 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 1977-2000 San Francisco 49ers Richard Dent, DE 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles Chris Doleman, DE/LB 1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers Marshall Faulk, RB 1994-98 Indianapolis Colts, 1999-2005 St. Louis Rams 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 Charles Haley, DE/LB 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys Lester Hayes, CB 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders Cortez Kennedy, DT 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks Curtis Martin, RB 1995-97 New England Patriots, 1998-2005 New York Jets Art Modell, Owner 1961-1995 Cleveland Browns, 1996-2003 Baltimore Ravens Andre Reed, WR 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins Willie Roaf, T 1993-2001 New Orleans Saints, 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs Ed Sabol, Contributor 1964-1995 NFL Films Deion Sanders, CB/KR/PR 1989-1993 Atlanta Falcons, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-99 Dallas Cowboys, 2000 Washington Redskins, 2004-05 Baltimore Ravens Shannon Sharpe, TE 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner 1989-2006 National Football League Aeneas Williams, CB/S 1991-2000 Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, 2001-04 St. Louis Rams George Young, Contributor 1968-1974 Baltimore Colts, 1975-78 Miami Dolphins, 1979-1997 New York Giants, 1998-2001 National Football League So, if you were a voter who would you select to be the 15 finalists? Not who you predict, but who you think should be a finalist. Here is who I would pick: Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Cris Carter, Richard Dent, Marshall Faulk, Ray Guy, Charles Haley, Curtis Martin, Andre Reed, Willie Roaf, Ed Sabol, Deion Sanders, Shannon Sharpe, Paul Tagliabue, Aeneas Williams. Edited January 8, 2011 by Mark Vader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 I'm no expert on certain older guys like Young, but I'll throw out a quick list: Jerome Bettis Tim Brown Cris Carter Richard Dent Chris Doleman Marshall Faulk Kevin Greene Ray Guy Charles Haley Lester Hayes Andre Reed Willie Roaf Ed Sabol Deion Sanders Shannon Sharpe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealityCheck Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 I just hope Andre Reed finally gets in. I have a soft spot for Terell Davis also. He was just awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Vader Posted January 8, 2011 Author Share Posted January 8, 2011 I'm no expert on certain older guys like Young, but I'll throw out a quick list: Jerome Bettis Tim Brown Cris Carter Richard Dent Chris Doleman Marshall Faulk Kevin Greene Ray Guy Charles Haley Lester Hayes Andre Reed Willie Roaf Ed Sabol Deion Sanders Shannon Sharpe. Was Kevin Greene really that good? I do not see him as a Hall of Famer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 Was Kevin Greene really that good? I do not see him as a Hall of Famer. You're probably right. I remember he had some big years wtih Pittsburgh but not sure if he sustained that over his career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JinWPB Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 I'm no expert on certain older guys like Young, but I'll throw out a quick list: Jerome Bettis Tim Brown Cris Carter Richard Dent Chris Doleman Marshall Faulk Kevin Greene Ray Guy Charles Haley Lester Hayes Andre Reed Willie Roaf Ed Sabol Deion Sanders Shannon Sharpe. Ray Guy was a great punter , but as they say, it is special teams ..then WHY NO Steve Tasker, the greatest special team player ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincec Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 (edited) I'm not sure that there are 15 legitimate finalists on the list, but these are the guys I'd go with: Don Coryell Roger Craig Richard Dent Marshall Faulk Ray Guy Charles Haley Lester Hayes Cortez Kennedy Art Modell Andre Reed George Young Cris Carter Paul Tagliabue Edward DeBartolo, Jr. Kevin Greene Edited January 8, 2011 by vincec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Vader Posted January 8, 2011 Author Share Posted January 8, 2011 I'm not sure that there are 15 legitimate finalists on the list, but these are the guys I'd go with: Don Coryell Roger Craig Richard Dent Marshall Faulk Ray Guy Charles Haley Lester Hayes Cortez Kennedy Art Modell Andre Reed George Young Cris Carter Paul Tagliabue Edward DeBartolo, Jr. Kevin Greene Very interesting list you put together. You left players like Deion Sanders & Shannon Sharpe out, and put Art Modell & Don Coryell in. Also you put Roger Craig over Jerome Bettis, Curtis Martin & Terrell Davis. Everyone has their own opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kkspike Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 The greatest special teamer ever is bill bates. The greatest special teamer ever is bill bates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilsner Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Tasker and Reed can't be overlooked forever. When will the voting nitwits get this right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRC Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Here is my list of the ones that are left. The fact that Ron Wolf is not on the list is a joke. Of course, Ron is a friend of mine, so I might be biased. Don Coryell, Coach – 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers Dermontti Dawson, C – 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers Edward DeBartolo, Jr., Owner – 1977-2000 San Francisco 49ers Richard Dent, DE – 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles Chris Doleman, DE/LB – 1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers Marshall Faulk, RB – 1994-98 Indianapolis Colts, 1999-2005 St. Louis Rams Ray Guy, P – 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders Charles Haley, DE/LB – 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys Lester Hayes, CB – 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders Cortez Kennedy, DT – 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks Willie Roaf, T – 1993-2001 New Orleans Saints, 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs Ed Sabol, Contributor – 1964-1995 NFL Films Shannon Sharpe, TE – 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens Aeneas Williams, CB/S – 1991-2000 Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, 2001-04 St. Louis Rams George Young, Contributor – 1968-1974 Baltimore Colts, 1975-78 Miami Dolphins, 1979-1997 New York Giants, 1998-2001 National Football League If TD gets in, then there is no excuse for not putting in Mac Speedie next year. Of this list, the five finalists should be: Don Coryell, Coach – 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers Dermontti Dawson, C – 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers Cortez Kennedy, DT – 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks Willie Roaf, T – 1993-2001 New Orleans Saints, 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs Ed Sabol, Contributor – 1964-1995 NFL Films Young should get in, but others should get in first. Same with DeBartolo and Guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peace Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Here is my list of the ones that are left. The fact that Ron Wolf is not on the list is a joke. Of course, Ron is a friend of mine, so I might be biased. Of this list, the five finalists should be: Don Coryell, Coach – 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers Dermontti Dawson, C – 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers Cortez Kennedy, DT – 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks Willie Roaf, T – 1993-2001 New Orleans Saints, 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs Ed Sabol, Contributor – 1964-1995 NFL Films Young should get in, but others should get in first. Same with DeBartolo and Guy. Faulk has to be a first ballot HOFer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincec Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Very interesting list you put together. You left players like Deion Sanders & Shannon Sharpe out, and put Art Modell & Don Coryell in. Also you put Roger Craig over Jerome Bettis, Curtis Martin & Terrell Davis. Everyone has their own opinion. Unlike some posters on this board, I remember most of the older guys on that list. Don Coryell should be in the hall, let alone a finalist. T Davis career was too short at its peak, and Martins career while long and productive, was solid but unspectacular, IMO. Bettis is a possibility, but I went with Craig over him because of his role in revolutionizing the role of the back in the "west coast" offense. I thought Sanders had HOF potential, but his injury really sidelined him. He is a borderline guy, IMO. Sharp should probably be on the list. He helped develop the H-back position. Maybe he goes on instead of Modell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRC Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Faulk has to be a first ballot HOFer. Why? Don't give me stats. Tell me why he was the greatest running back of all time and should be in the same category as Jim Brown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincec Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Why? Don't give me stats. Tell me why he was the greatest running back of all time and should be in the same category as Jim Brown. He was the best dual threat back of all time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRC Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 He was the best dual threat back of all time. Better than Spec Sanders? Better than Ace Parker? Better than Marion Motley? Edit: Keep in mind that I may or may not be disagreeing with you. I just want to show the discussion that is needed to prove whether he belongs as a first-ballot HOF'er. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincec Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) Better than Spec Sanders? Better than Ace Parker? Better than Marion Motley? First of all, those are obviously players from a different era of football and it's very difficult to make comparisons across eras. I do think he was a better receiver than Motley. I don't know a lot about Spec Sanders or Ace Parker's careers. But Faulk is definitely the best dual threat back of the current era (1980s and up). He's better than Thurman Thomas or Marcus Allen, IMO. Edited January 9, 2011 by vincec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FluffHead Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 has this been announced yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRC Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 First of all, those are obviously players from a different era of football and it's very difficult to make comparisons across eras. I do think he was a better receiver than Motley. I don't know a lot about Spec Sanders or Ace Parker's careers. But Faulk is definitely the best dual threat back of the current era (1980s and up). He's better than Thurman Thomas or Marcus Allen, IMO. I think that you absolutely can compare across eras, as long as you look at the appropriate criteria. Sanders was awesome and could kill you in a multitude of ways (running, passing, receiving). His downside was his short career. The short career is also what is keeping Speedie out of the Hall. If they elect Davis, then there is no excuse not to look at Speedie. Parker was also a beast and could kill you in a variety of ways. Sammy Baugh referred to him as the greatest football player he ever saw, which is obviously high praise. Not a big guy, but extremely athletic. Side note: I was invited to Ace Parker's house last year and he is also an extremely generous person. A wonderful man. See my edit line from above, since I added comments at the same time you posted. Thank you for the quality discussion of what truly makes a HOF'er. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 I always thought Bettis was very overrated. He had a long career, but was never really a superstar IMHO. Even looking at his stats, they're very average. He had a couple of good years, and that's about it. Even years when he had a lot of yards weren't that impressive. For example. he had 1300 yards in in 2000, but averaged only 3.6/carry. That's not really a good season, it just means he was durable. Marshall Faulk had three seasons with an average over 5. Bettis had four seasons with an average over 4 (Faulk had 9 - and played for a year less). Davis was an excellent back but put me in the "didn't play enough" camp. Andre Reed definitely deserves to get in, but Cris Carter will probably make it due to his TV appearances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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