Pro Football Hall of Fame announces 28 Modern-Era Semi-Finalists for Class of 2023, inc Bills player

[chongli]

 

First Year of Eligibility (5 players):

 

offensive linemen: Jahri Evans and Joe Thomas

defensive lineman: Dwight Freeney

linebacker: James Harrison

defensive back: Darrelle Revis

 

All Modern-Era Semi-Finalists (28 players):

 

CB Eric Allen

DE Jared Allen

OT Willie Anderson

DB Ronde Barber

WR Anquan Boldin

WR Henry Ellard - final year of regular eligibility; first time making it to the semi-finals

G Jahri Evans

LB London Fletcher - first time making it to the semi-finals; former Buffalo Bills player

DE Dwight Freeney

LB James Harrison

S Rodney Harrison 

PR/KR/WR Devin Hester

WR Torry Holt

WR Andre Johnson

CB Albert Lewis - final year of regular eligibility

DE/LB Robert Mathis

CB Darrelle Revis

WR Steve Smith Sr. 

RB Fred Taylor

OT Joe Thomas

LB Zach Thomas

WR Hines Ward

DE/LB DeMarcus Ware

RB Ricky Watters

WR Reggie Wayne

DT Vince Wilfork 

LB Patrick Willis

S Darren Woodson 

 

Already Nominated as Finalists:

 

Seniors:

 

Ken Riley

Joe Klecko

Chuck Howley

 

Contributor:

 

Don Coryell

 

The committee will trim down the Modern-Era semi-finalists to 15 finalists in January, then to 10 then 5 at the Super Bowl.

Edited November 23, 2022 by chongli

[WotAGuy]

A lot of guys that belong in the Hall of Very Good. 
 

HOF: James Harrison, Revis, Andre Johnson, Henry Ellard. 

[Solomon Grundy]

14 minutes ago, WotAGuy said:

A lot of guys that belong in the Hall of Very Good. 
 

HOF: James Harrison, Revis, Andre Johnson, Henry Ellard. 

Devin Hester!!

[Rico]

LB James Harrison

CB Darrelle Revis

DT Vince Wilfork

 

That's all I've got.

[Mark Vader]

RB Fred Taylor

WR Torry Holt

OT Joe Thomas

 

Honorable Mention, WR Henry Ellard. This guy has been forgotten. He was a dangerous receiver who played on a lot of terrible Rams teams, he deserves to be in the Hall!

[LeGOATski]

I feel like Revis is a lock.

 

He became the gold standard of CBs in the modern era.

 

Devin Hester put the special teams world on it's head.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Joe Thomas is a top 5 LT of all time

He is a first ballot lock. 

 

I would vote in Thomas, Revis, and Hester. That’s it. Those are the only three worthy of HOF.

 

Johnson, Wayne, and Willis are very close to HOF level and given they typically vote in the max I think all three have a good shot of being enshrined. 

[Snappysnackcakes]

London Fletcher is deserving. Compare his stats to Ray Lewis and you’ll be very surprised. Side note: if London was on this team…

[boyst]

3 hours ago, Solomon Grundy said:

Devin Hester!!

Not until Tasker gets in. 

2 minutes ago, Snappysnackcakes said:

London Fletcher is deserving. Compare his stats to Ray Lewis and you’ll be very surprised. Side note: if London was on this team…

Agreed. I've seen them in the past and known that they standup. 

 

Fletcher was also a quality teammate and solid leader. 

[JohnBonhamRocks]

I think at the very least a case can be made for:

DB Ronde Barber

WR Henry Ellard

DE Dwight Freeney

LB James Harrison

WR Torry Holt

WR Andre Johnson

CB Darrelle Revis

RB Fred Taylor

OT Joe Thomas

LB Zach Thomas

DE/LB DeMarcus Ware

DT Vince Wilfork
 

Honestly most of those feel like locks except for maybe Ellard and Taylor.

 

Edit: other posts have convinced me on Allen and Hester

Edited November 23, 2022 by JohnBonhamRocks

[Dr.Sack]

Tasker on the old guy list now?

[EmotionallyUnstable]

Boo Anquon Boldin, amirite ?

[EmotionallyUnstable]

3 hours ago, LeGOATski said:

I feel like Revis is a lock.

 

He became the gold standard of CBs in the modern era.

 

Devin Hester put the special teams world on it's head.

Punt return TD leader in NFL history.

 

seirous question, does that mean Cordarrelle Patterson deserves the HOF? League leader for kick off return TDs in NFL history. I’d say no…does this change things for Hester?

[LeGOATski]

1 hour ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

Punt return TD leader in NFL history.

 

seirous question, does that mean Cordarrelle Patterson deserves the HOF? League leader for kick off return TDs in NFL history. I’d say no…does this change things for Hester?

Hester was more electric and memorable. He had 6 return TDs in one year. Patterson at most has had 2 in a year.

 

Hester also has the most TD returns ever with 20. Patterson most likely won't catch up. He's only at 9. Hester was able to do both kicks and punts.

 

Hester was super impactful and head and shoulders above his peers. You can’t tell the story of the NFL without talking about Hester.

[Gugny]

3 hours ago, boyst said:

Not until Tasker gets in. 

 

Oh, stop it.  Hester was about 10 billion times more effective and impactful than Tasker.  He actually scored points and gave his offense great field position.

 

Tasker ... not so much.  Let it go, man.  Tasker does not belong in the Hall of Fame.

[chongli]

3 hours ago, Dr.Sack said:

Tasker on the old guy list now?

 

Yeah, he was last eligible for the Moder Era nominees for the Class of 2022. This year, he didn't even make it to the semi-finals as a first-time senior. Chuck Howley, Joe Klecko, and Ken Riley are the three senior nominees for this year, and each needs 80% of the votes to get in in January.

 

 

Edited November 23, 2022 by chongli

[MJS]

8 hours ago, WotAGuy said:

A lot of guys that belong in the Hall of Very Good. 
 

HOF: James Harrison, Revis, Andre Johnson, Henry Ellard. 

Agreed. It's been like that for years. Too many people going into the hall and diluting it for the truly great players. By this point they need a hall within the hall.

[davefan66]

Actually two ex-Bills on the list.
 

WR Anquan Boldin - Retired after being on the Bills roster for 2 weeks in August 2017.

I’ll sure be rooting for him to make it! 😂

 

Edited November 23, 2022 by davefan66

[GunnerBill]

I will make my annual pitch for Jared Allen. One of the most underrated players of his generation, certainly in terms of media / fan hype. A two-time NFL sack leader, who in 2011 came within 0.5 sacks of equalling Strahan's single season record, a 4 time first team all-pro and a 5 time pro-bowler. The only eligible guy above him on the all-time sack list (Allen is 12th) who is not a HoFer is DeMarcus Ware (who is also on this list and will make it in within the next couple of years). I think he suffers in terms of recognition from fans because he was an unheralded 4th round pick (was later traded for a 1st and two 3rds) and played for two (at the time) relatively unfashionable franchises in terms of the Chiefs and the Vikings who didn't win a ton. But he was a dominant player in his prime.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Coryell should have been enshrined years ago. His offense is the foundation of the modern NFL and transformed the game itself. Criminal he was not voted in while still alive.  Every year I have posted Flores and Coryell were most deserving

 They finally let Flores in. Now do the right thing and enshrine Coryell. 

[CNYfan]

DeMarcus Ware was the best player on the field.  

[JerseyBills]

13 hours ago, WotAGuy said:

A lot of guys that belong in the Hall of Very Good. 
 

HOF: James Harrison, Revis, Andre Johnson, Henry Ellard. 

Steve Smith as well 

[Beast]

Dwight Freeney had double digit sacks 7 times. I could see him getting in down the road.

[Mr. WEO]

2 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

I will make my annual pitch for Jared Allen. One of the most underrated players of his generation, certainly in terms of media / fan hype. A two-time NFL sack leader, who in 2011 came within 0.5 sacks of equalling Strahan's single season record, a 4 time first team all-pro and a 5 time pro-bowler. The only eligible guy above him on the all-time sack list (Allen is 12th) who is not a HoFer is DeMarcus Ware (who is also on this list and will make it in within the next couple of years). I think he suffers in terms of recognition from fans because he was an unheralded 4th round pick (was later traded for a 1st and two 3rds) and played for two (at the time) relatively unfashionable franchises in terms of the Chiefs and the Vikings who didn't win a ton. But he was a dominant player in his prime.

 

 

Here here!  Agree 100%.  This guy was a menace--serious impact.

 

Compare with "lock"--the anchor on a terrible O-line that got many QBs killed and had zero impact on his Offense or team (AP, REvis, even Beast Mode would have been impact picks for that sad franchise). 

 

51 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Coryell should have been enshrined years ago. His offense is the foundation of the modern NFL and transformed the game itself. Criminal he was not voted in while still alive.  Every year I have posted Flores and Coryell were most deserving

 They finally let Flores in. Now do the right thing and enshrine Coryell. 

 

Coryell still not in is testament to the buffoonery of the HOF voters.  

[RyanC883]

6 hours ago, Gugny said:

 

Oh, stop it.  Hester was about 10 billion times more effective and impactful than Tasker.  He actually scored points and gave his offense great field position.

 

Tasker ... not so much.  Let it go, man.  Tasker does not belong in the Hall of Fame.

 

and Tasker stopped people from scoring and stopped other teams from getting good field position. 

[boyst]

6 hours ago, Gugny said:

 

Oh, stop it.  Hester was about 10 billion times more effective and impactful than Tasker.  He actually scored points and gave his offense great field position.

 

Tasker ... not so much.  Let it go, man.  Tasker does not belong in the Hall of Fame.

The more I hear him in broadcasting the more I agree but he was a pioneer in the position for gunners and the like. 

[GunnerBill]

I actually think the likelihood is the 2022 class will be stronger than the 2021 class which looked particularly weak. My five would be:

 

Joe Thomas - Offensive Tackle

Thomas was an elite left tackle for the entirety of his 11 year NFL career. I'd make him a first ballot HoFer without question. A six time first team all-pro, two time second team all-pro and a 10 time pro-bowler. To demonstrate such consistent excellence on such a bad team is the mark of the man. 

 

Darrelle Revis - Defensive Back

I'd also put Revis straight in on the first ballot. Redefined what a lockdown corner looks like in the pass happy, DPI flag happy ere of NFL football. Excelled with the New York Jets despite playing on an island in man coverage almost every snap and got his ring with New England in 2014. 

 

DeMarcus Ware - Edge Rusher

9th all time in sacks, everyone eligible ahead of him is in the HoF already as are all but 3 of the next 8 below him (more to come on one of those 3). Twice the single season sack leader, a four time first team all-pro, a 9 time pro-bowler and a Superbowl Champion with the Broncos who had two sacks in the Superbowl. He belongs in Canton. 

 

Jared Allen - Edge Rusher

My case is made out above, but the only eligible guy above him in the all-time sack leader race who isn't in is DeMarcus Ware, and I'm putting him in! I think the question I always start from is "was he elite in his prime?" and Jared Allen definitely was. Like Ware, a two-time sack leader who came within 0.5 sacks of tying Strahan's record in 2011. Four-time first team all-pro, super underrated football player in his career. Make him a HoFer.

 

Devin Hester - Return Specialist

I thought about one of the receivers for my final spot but the guys I remember - Ward, Johnson, Wayne, Holt, Smith are a bit of a muddle. I might lean towards Andre Johnson as the most dominant of those at his peak, but I'm giving my final spot to Devin Hester. I'm for putting more special teamers in the Hall and he is the greatest return man in NFL history and ran one back on the biggest stage in the Superbowl. 

[chongli]

5 hours ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Coryell should have been enshrined years ago. His offense is the foundation of the modern NFL and transformed the game itself. Criminal he was not voted in while still alive.  Every year I have posted Flores and Coryell were most deserving

 They finally let Flores in. Now do the right thing and enshrine Coryell. 

 

It should be pretty much automatic he gets in this class. The committee has never failed to vote in a seniors or contributors finalist presented to them. They vote on each one, and he just needs to get 80% of the vote to be enshrined.

[BuffaloBill]

5 hours ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Coryell should have been enshrined years ago. His offense is the foundation of the modern NFL and transformed the game itself. Criminal he was not voted in while still alive.  Every year I have posted Flores and Coryell were most deserving

 They finally let Flores in. Now do the right thing and enshrine Coryell. 

 

 

I can agree with this.  In retrospect he was ahead of his time.  

[frostbitmic]

6 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

I actually think the likelihood is the 2022 class will be stronger than the 2021 class which looked particularly weak. My five would be:

 

Joe Thomas - Offensive Tackle

Thomas was an elite left tackle for the entirety of his 11 year NFL career. I'd make him a first ballot HoFer without question. A six time first team all-pro, two time second team all-pro and a 10 time pro-bowler. To demonstrate such consistent excellence on such a bad team is the mark of the man. 

 

Darrelle Revis - Defensive Back

I'd also put Revis straight in on the first ballot. Redefined what a lockdown corner looks like in the pass happy, DPI flag happy ere of NFL football. Excelled with the New York Jets despite playing on an island in man coverage almost every snap and got his ring with New England in 2014. 

 

DeMarcus Ware - Edge Rusher

9th all time in sacks, everyone eligible ahead of him is in the HoF already as are all but 3 of the next 8 below him (more to come on one of those 3). Twice the single season sack leader, a four time first team all-pro, a 9 time pro-bowler and a Superbowl Champion with the Broncos who had two sacks in the Superbowl. He belongs in Canton. 

 

Jared Allen - Edge Rusher

My case is made out above, but the only eligible guy above him in the all-time sack leader race who isn't in is DeMarcus Ware, and I'm putting him in! I think the question I always start from is "was he elite in his prime?" and Jared Allen definitely was. Like Ware, a two-time sack leader who came within 0.5 sacks of tying Strahan's record in 2011. Four-time first team all-pro, super underrated football player in his career. Make him a HoFer.

 

Devin Hester - Return Specialist

I thought about one of the receivers for my final spot but the guys I remember - Ward, Johnson, Wayne, Holt, Smith are a bit of a muddle. I might lean towards Andre Johnson as the most dominant of those at his peak, but I'm giving my final spot to Devin Hester. I'm for putting more special teamers in the Hall and he is the greatest return man in NFL history and ran one back on the biggest stage in the Superbowl. 

I like your list but I don't believe they'll put in two edge rushers.

 

Instead I could see a WR to keep the logjam moving. Ellard in his final year of eligibility and never making it to this point, could be a sentimental inductee, Johnson and Holt are both deserving as well.

[GunnerBill]

9 minutes ago, frostbitmic said:

I like your list but I don't believe they'll put in two edge rushers.

 

Instead I could see a WR to keep the logjam moving. Ellard in his final year of eligibility and never making it to this point, could be a sentimental inductee, Johnson and Holt are both deserving as well.

 

I agree they probably won't. On the receivers I struggle to separate them. On stats - Steve Smith has them all beat. On eye test - Andre Johnson was at his peak the most dominant of that group. On personal preference - I loved Reggie Wayne's way of playing the position. On impact on championship teams - gotta be Torry Holt. 

 

I think I'd lean towards Johnson but I think both edge guys had longer, more dominant peaks.

[C.Biscuit97]

21 hours ago, WotAGuy said:

A lot of guys that belong in the Hall of Very Good. 
 

HOF: James Harrison, Revis, Andre Johnson, Henry Ellard. 

Yup. The hall of fame is so watered down. Absolutely love Fletcher and his career story but he should no one where close to the HOF.

12 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I agree they probably won't. On the receivers I struggle to separate them. On stats - Steve Smith has them all beat. On eye test - Andre Johnson was at his peak the most dominant of that group. On personal preference - I loved Reggie Wayne's way of playing the position. On impact on championship teams - gotta be Torry Holt. 

 

I think I'd lean towards Johnson but I think both edge guys had longer, more dominant peaks.

Receivers and qbs are going to be so watered down going forward wirh all the new rules. It’s going to be such a cluster. I never thought someone like Stafford should be a HOFer (pretty good, never close to great) but he is probably a no doubt. Slant boy Mike Thomas would have been if he didn’t get hurt. It should only be the best of the best.