gold star for USAHOF
 

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We love this week.

As all football fans are pumped for this Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, we get most excited for the Pro Football Honors, which not only gives out the end of season awards, but the announcement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

The Hall selected seven names, five modern (Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, and Patrick Willis) and two Senior (Randy Gradishar and Steve McMichael).

Dwight Freeney is a surprise entering on his second year.  The Defensive End won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts, and spent most of his career there, where he earned seven Pro Bowls and three First Team All-Pros.  Last year, he was in the 10-15 category, and jumped not only fellow pass rusher, Jared Allen, but a few others. 

Devin Hester gets in year three, and the member of the NFL 100th Anniversary Team likely will be the last player inducted whose main contribution was a returner.  We are unlikely to ever see anyone follow in his footsteps.

Andre Johnson is this year’s Wide Receiver and arguably, he might have received the spot that Tight End, Antonio Gates was expected to get.  Nevertheless, the position of WR will be clogged for some time, and Johnson is worthy with stats and accolades.

Julius Peppers was ranked #1 when he debuted last year as an eligible player, and the Carolina legend has arrived to Canton in year one.  A nine-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro, Peppers has a whopping 159.5 Sacks spread over a career with Carolina, Chicago and Green Bay.  This was the easiest one to call.

Patrick Willis finally gets in after (we felt) he was jumped by Bryant Young.  The Linebacker played only eight years (all in San Francisco) where he was a Pro Bowl in seven and First Team All-Pro in five of them.  This is was his fifth year on the ballot.

Randy Gradishar finally gives the Orange Crush Hall of Fame representation.  The former Defensive Player of the Year was. Two-time Finalist as a Modern Candidate and is also was a Finalist in the Centennial Class.  This was a long time coming and the most rewarding (for us) of all the Finalists).

Steve McMichael was a member of the Chicago Bears Super Bowl Championship team, and is battling ALS.  We are hopeful that he will be able to attend the ceremony.

Arguably the biggest surprise on the modern side was Tight End, Antonio Gates, who many pegged as a First Ballot entry.  He will get in soon, just not on year one.

While Johnson enters, fellow Wide Receivers, Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne remain on the wait list after they were passed Houston’s first inductee.

Also failing to advance are Eric Allen (Cornerback), Jared Allen (Defensive End), Jahri Evans (Guard), Rodney Harrison (Safety), Fred Taylor (Running Back) and Darren Woodson.

The Senior category was where the biggest surprise, as they turned down Coach nominee, Buddy Parker, and Senior Player nominee, Art Powell.  Both failed to get the necessary 80 percent, and as per Clark Judge, the Parker discussion was over an hour.  With Parker’s multiple titles, his omission feels callous. 

What the 12-person Senior Committee has to feel at this time that much of their effort was wasted to put forth four candidates, only to see half of them rejected. 

Next month, we will begin work on revising the Notinhalloffame.com Football List, where we rank those who are eligible and worthy of consideration. 

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the impending members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Happy Holidays!

The Holiday season continues, but for us at Notinhallofame.com., this is the equivalent of Santa Claus looking down the chimney.

Tonight, Canton told us who has taken the next step to join their hallowed halls and here we are! 

These are the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists in alphabetical order:

Eric Allen: Cornerback.  1988-94 PHI, 1995-97 NO, 1998-2001 OAK. Allen became a Finalist for the first time and needs the momentum as his eligibility window in the modern era is closing.  A six-time Pro Bowl Selection, who has 54 career Interceptions, Allen is ranked #49 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jared Allen: Defensive End.  2004-07 KC, 2008-13 MIN, 2014-15 CHI, 2015 CAR.  Allen is now four-for-four in eligibility years as a Finalist.  A two-time Sack leader with 136 career Sacks, Allen also has 171 Tackles for Loss.  A five-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro, Allen is ranked #17  on Notinhalloffame.com,

Willie Anderson: Offensive Tackle.  1996-2007 CIN, 2008 BAL. Anderson was eligible for the first time in 2013, and eight years later, he was a Semi-Finalist for the first time.  He is now a three-time Finalist.  Anderson went to four Pro Bowls, was a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #137 on Notinhalloffame.com. 

Jahri Evans: Offensive Guard.  2006-16 NO, 2017 GB.  Evans makes it as a Finalist in his second yer, and is the first player from the New Orleans Super Bowl winning team to make it here.  The Guard was a six-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #31 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dwight Freeney: Defensive End.  2002-12 IND, 2013-14 SD, AZ 2015, 2016 ATL, 2017 SEA, 2017 DET.  Freeney is a Finalist for the second straight year and won a Super Bowl with the Colts, had 125.5 Sacks and went to seven Pro Bowls earning three First Team All-Pros.  Freeney is ranked #48 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Antonio Gates: Tight End.  2003-18 SD/LAC.  Gates is an unsurprising Finalist on his first ballot.  He will enter the Hall soon, and the only question is whether the eight-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro enters this year.  Odds are that he will.  He is ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rodney Harrison: Safety.  1994-2002 SD, 2003-08 NE.  Eligible since 2014, Harrison is now a three-time Semi-Finalist, and is a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Patriots.  Also, a two-time Pro Bowl Selection, Harrison had 30.5 Sacks and 30 Interceptions.  Harrison is ranked #211 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Devin Hester: Punt Returner, Kick Returner & Wide Receiver.  2006-13 CHI, 2014-15 ATL, 2016 BAL.  Hester is now a three-time Finalist, and has been one all three of eligible years, so it is only a matter of time before he is modeling for that Canton bust.  A three-time First Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, Hester is a member of the 100th Anniversary Team.  Hester is ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Torry Holt: Wide Receiver.  1999-08 STL, 2009 JAX.  A ten-time Semi-Finalist, Holt is now a five-time Finalist.  A Super Bowl Champion with the Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls, and was a two-time Receiving Yards leader.  Holt is ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame.com, and it appears that he is the next WR in queue, but strange things can happen.

Andre Johnson: Wide Receiver.  2003-14 HOU, 2015 IND, 2016 TEN.  Johnson is now a Finalist in his first three years on the ballot.  Named to seven Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros, Johnson had well over 14,000 Receiving Yards and twice led the league in that category.  Johnson is ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Julius Peppers: Defensive End.  2002-09 & 2017-18 CAR, 2010-13 CHI, 2014-15 GB.  Peppers is a Finalist in year one, and has an excellent chance to be a first-year inductee.  A nine-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro, Peppers has a whopping 159.5 Sacks. Peppers is ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Fred Taylor: Running Back.  1998-08 JAX, 2009-10 NE.  Taylor is now on a five-year streak of Semi-Final Selections, and he broke through finally as a Finalist.  He only had one Pro Bowl under his belt, but is highly believed to be the best offensive skill player that Jacksonville ever had.  Taylor is ranked #186 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Reggie Wayne: Wide Receiver.  2001-14 IND.  Wayne won a Super Bowl with the Colts and has been a Semi-Finalist all five of his years on the ballot, is now a five-time Finalist.  A former Receiving Yard leader and six-time Pro Bowler, Wayne is ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com,  Could Wayne be the next WR in the Hall?

Patrick Willis: Linebacker.  2007-14 SF.  Willis is now a five-time Semi-Finalist, and is now a three-time Finalist.  Willis only played eight years but was a Pro Bowl in seven and a First Team All-Pro in five of them.  He is ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com

Darren Woodson: Safety.  1992-03 DAL.  Woodson becomes a Finalist for the second time, and time is elapsing on his candidacy.  He was a three-time Super Bowl winner, a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #77 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Those left off were Tiki Barber, Anquan Boldin, London Fletcher, Eddie George, James Harrison, Robert Mathis, Steve Smith, Hines Ward, Ricky Watters and Vince Wilfork

So, who is going to get in!!! 

These Finalists will join Senior Candidates, Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell, and Coaches/Contributor Finalist, Buddy Parker, and over Super Bowl weekend we will learn who will comprise the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

The last two weeks of November have always been special for Hall of Fame watchers.  The Baseball Hall of Fame puts forth their official ballot for the modern candidates, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame reduces their preliminary candidates to 25 Semi-Finalists.

For the first time (at least that we are aware of) the PFHOF made their declaration in the AM, and we have two former players, who are debuting on their first year of eligibility.

Here are the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Semi-Finalists in alphabetical order:

Eric Allen: Cornerback.  1988-94 PHI, 1995-97 NO, 1998-2001 OAK. Allen is now a Semi-Finalist for the fourth straight year, and he needs this momentum as he has been eligible since 2007, but has yet to become a Finalist.  A six-time Pro Bowl Selection, who has 54 career Interceptions, Allen is ranked #49 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 25 selected by our mock committee.

Jared Allen: Defensive End.  2004-07 KC, 2008-13 MIN, 2014-15 CHI, 2015 CAR. Allen returns as a Semi-Finalist for the fourth straight year, and considering he was a Finalist the last three years, it is expected that he will advance again.  A two-time Sack leader with 136 career Sacks, Allen also has 171 Tackles for Loss.  A five-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro, Allen is ranked #17  on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 25 selected by our mock committee

Willie Anderson: Offensive Tackle.  1996-2007 CIN, 2008 BAL. Anderson was eligible for the first time in 2013, and eight years later, he was a Semi-Finalist for the first time.  Now a four-time Semi-Finalist, “Big Willie” was a Finalist for the last two years.  Anderson went to four Pro Bowls, was a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #137 on Notinhalloffame.com.  He was also one of the 25 selected by our mock committee.

Tiki Barber: Running Back.  1997-06 NYG.  Barber has been eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for twelve years and he is now a first time Semi-Finalist.  One of three Running Backs who have made it this far, Barber was a three-time Pro Bowl and one time First Team All-Pro, and twice led the league in Yards From Scrimmage.  He is ranked #165 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Anquan Boldin: Wide Receiver.  2003-2009 AZ, 2010-12 BAL, 2013-15 SF, 2016 DET.  A Semi-Finalist in his first three year of eligibility, the former Wide Receiver is seeking his first trip to the Finals.  With 13,779 Yards and 82 Touchdowns, Boldin won a Super Bowl with Baltimore, and was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection.  Boldin is ranked #89 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jahri Evans: Offensive Guard.  2006-16 NO, 2017 GB.  Evans makes the Semis in his first two year of eligibility, and is the first player from the New Orleans Super Bowl winning team to make it here.  The Guard was a six-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #31 on Notinhalloffame.com.

London Fletcher: Linebacker.  1998-01 STL, 2002-06 BUF, 2007-13 WAS.  Eligible since 2019, Fletcher is now a two-time Semi-Finalist who recorded over 2,000 Tackles over his career and is a Super Bowl Champion with the Rams.  A four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro is ranked #56 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Antonio Gates: Tight End.  2003-18 SD/LAC.  Gates is an unsurprising Semi-Finalist on his first ballot, and he is a lock to be a Finalist.  He will enter the Hall soon, and the only question is whether the eight-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro enters this year.  Odds are that he will.  He is ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com and was one of the 25 selected by our Mock Committee.

Eddie George: Running Back.  1996-03 HOU/TEN, 2004 DAL.  George is a Semi-Finalist for the second time after first making this stage two years ago.  The four-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro is ranked #168 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dwight Freeney: Defensive End.  2002-12 IND, 2013-14 SD, AZ 2015, 2016 ATL, 2017 SEA, 2017 DET.  Freeney is one of the five first year eligible players to make the Semi-Finals, a huge accomplishment for a Hall of Fame path.  Freeney won a Super Bowl with the Colts, had 125.5 Sacks and went to seven Pro Bowls earning three First Team All-Pros.  Freeney is ranked #48 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 25 selected by our Mock Committee.

James Harrison: Linebacker.  2002-12 PIT, 2013 CIN, 2014-17 PIT, 2017 NE.  Harrison is a Semi-Finalist on his first year on the ballot and was a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Steelers.  The 2008 AP Defensive Player of the Year, Harrison went to five Pro Bowls and earned two-time First Team All-Pros.  Harrison is ranked #52 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rodney Harrison: Safety.  1994-2002 SD, 2003-08 NE.  Eligible since 2014, Harrison is now a three-time Semi-Finalist, and is a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Patriots.  Also, a two-time Pro Bowl Selection, Harrison had 30.5 Sacks and 30 Interceptions.  Harrison is ranked #211 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Devin Hester: Punt Returner, Kick Returner & Wide Receiver.  2006-13 CHI, 2014-15 ATL, 2016 BAL.  Hester was a Semi-Finalist and Finalist in his first two years n the ballot, so it is only a matter of time before he is modeling for that Canton bust.  A three-time First Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, Hester is a member of the 100th Anniversary Team.  Hester is ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.*

Torry Holt: Wide Receiver.  1999-08 STL, 2009 JAX.  A ten-time Semi-Finalist, Holt has been a Finalist the last four years, and likely will add a fifth.  A Super Bowl Champion with the Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls, and was a two-time Receiving Yards leader.  Holt is ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 25 selected by our Mock Committee.  It appears that he is the next WR in queue, but strange things can happen.

Andre Johnson: Wide Receiver.  2003-14 HOU, 2015 IND, 2016 TEN.  Johnson was a Finalist in his first two years of eligibility and should be again this year.  Named to seven Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros, Johnson had well over 14,000 Receiving Yards and twice led the league in that category.  Johnson is ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

Robert Mathis: Defensive End & Linebacker.  2003-16 IND.  A Super Bowl Champion with Indianapolis, the team he spent his entire career with, Mathis is on his third year of eligibility, and is now a three-time Semi-Finalist.  With 123 career Sacks, six Pro Bowls and one First Team All-Pro, Mathis is ranked #108 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Julius Peppers: Defensive End.  2002-09 & 2017-18 CAR, 2010-13 CHI, 2014-15 GB.  Peppers is a Semi-Finalist n year one, and it should be expected that he will advance as a Finalist.  A nine-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro, Peppers has a whopping 159.5 Sacks. Peppers is ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 25 selected in our Mock Committee.

Steve Smith: Wide Receiver.  2001-13 CAR, 2014-16 BAL.  A five-time Pro Bowl and 14,000 Receiving Yards Club member, Smith is one of the greatest offensive players in Panthers history.  Smith has been eligible for three years, and is now a Semi-Finalist in all of them, though he has yet to be a Finalist.  He is ranked #24 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Fred Taylor: Running Back.  1998-08 JAX, 2009-10 NE.  Taylor is now on a five-year streak of Semi-Final Selections, though he has yet to be a Finalist.  He only had one Pro Bowl under his belt, but is highly believed to be the best offensive skill player that Jacksonville ever had.  Taylor is ranked #186 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Hines Ward: Wide Receiver.  1998-2011 PIT.  Ward has been a Semi-Finalist all right years of eligibility, but this has yet to get him to the Finals.  Could this be the year?  If so, we are talking about a Super Bowl MVP, a two-time Super Bowl Champion and four-time Pro Bowler.  Ward is ranked #42 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ricky Watters: Running Back.  1992-94 SF, 1995-97 Ricky Watters, 1998-2001 SEA.  Watters is running out of time as this his third last year on the ballot.  A Semi-Finalist four times before, he won a Super Bowl with San Francisco and went to five Pro Bowls.  Watters is ranked #43 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 25 in our Mock Committee.

Reggie Wayne: Wide Receiver.  2001-14 IND.  Wayne won a Super Bowl with the Colts and has been a Semi-Finalist all five of his years on the ballot, and likely will be a five-time Finalist in a month.  A former Receiving Yard leader and six-time Pro Bowler, Wayne is ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com,  Could Wayne be the next WR in the Hall?

Vince Wilfork: Defensive Tackle & Nose Tackle.  2004-12 NE, 2015-16 HOU.  The mountain of a man helped New England win a Super Bowl and is now three-for-three in Semi-Final appearances, though this has not translated into a berth in the Finals.  The five-time Pro Bowler is ranked #140 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Patrick Willis: Linebacker.  2007-14 SF.  Willis is now a five-time Semi-Finalist, and was a Finalist the last two years.  Willis only played eight years but was a Pro Bowl in seven and a First Team All-Pro in five of them.  He is ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com*

Darren Woodson: Safety.  1992-03 DAL.  Woodson is now a seven-time Semi-Finalist, but it was not until last year that he made the Finals.  He was a three-time Super Bowl winner, a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #77 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 25 selected by our Mock Committee.

*Please note that Hester and Willis were not included in our Mock Committee Semi-Finalists as we have already “inducted” them in previous discussions.

It should be noted that we will be holding our Mock Committee meeting tonight on YouTube to name and debate out Finalists.

So, who is going to get in!!! 

This group witll pared down to 15 in January, and those Finalists will join Senior Candidates, Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell, and Coaches/Contributor Finalist, Buddy Parker

For us at Notinhalloffame.com, this is our march toward our Christmas.  The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the Modern-Era Preliminary Nominees for the Class of 2024, a total of 173 former players, which we believe has to be a record.

To qualify, a player must have retired less than 25 years ago and at least 5 years ago:

*means they were a preliminary candidate last year.

**means they are eligible for the first time.

Quarterbacks (10): (up from 6 last year)

Marc Bulger: 2002-09: STL.  Bulger went to two Pro Bowls and threw for over 22,000 Yards.

*Randall Cunningham: 1985-01, PHI, MIN, DAL, BAL. Cunningham is a three-time Bert Bell Award winner a four-time Pro Bowl Selection.  Ranked #26 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jake Delhomme: 1999-11, NOR, CAR, HOU. Delhomme went to the Pro Bowl in 2005 and he would throw for over 20,000 Yards.

Doug Flutie: 1986-89 & 1998-05.  Flutie played many years in the CFL and went to the Pro Bowl in his return year in 1998.

Rich Gannon:  1987-04, MIN, WAS, KAN, OAK.  Gannon was a four-time Pro Bowler who won the 2002 AP MVP.  The two-time First Team All-Pro threw for 28,743 Yards and 180 Touchdowns.  Ranked #291 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jeff Garcia:  1999-09, SFO, CLE, DET, PHI, TAM.  Garcia was a four-time Pro Bowler and would throw for over 25,000 Passing Yards.

*Donovan McNabb:  1999-01, PHI, WAS, MIN.  McNabb took the Eagles to the Super Bowl and was a six-time Pro Bowler.  He threw for 37,276 Yards with 234 Touchdowns and ran for another 3,459 Yards and 29 TDs.  Ranked #80 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Steve McNair:  1995-2007, HOU, TEN, BAL.  McNair was a three-time Pro Bowl and former MVP.  He threw for 31,204 Yards and 174 Touchdowns.  Ranked #121 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tony Romo:  2004-16, DAL.  Romo went to four Pro Bowls and amassed 34,183 Passing Yards and 248 Touchdown Passes.

Michael Vick:  2001-06 & 2009-15, ATL, PHI.  Vick went to four Pro Bowls and won the 2010 Bert Bell Award.  He threw for 22,464 Yards and 133 Touchdowns, and rushed for 6,109 Yards and 36 Touchdowns.  Ranked #269 on Notinhalloffame.com.

(Quarterbacks added: Marc Bulger, Doug Flutie, Rich Gannon, Tony Romo & Michael Vick.  Quarterbacks removed: Dave Krieg.)

Running Backs (33): (Up from 17 last year)

*Shaun Alexander:  2000-08, SEA, PHI.  Alexander went to three straight Pro Bowls and in the last one he won the Rushing Title and was named the AP MVP.  Alexander retired with 10,973 Yards From Scrimmage and 112 Touchdowns.  Ranked #79 on Notinhalloffame.com

Terry Allen:  1991-01, MIN, WAS, NEW, NOR, BAL.  Allen went to one Pro Bowl and compiled 10,215 Yards From Scrimmage and 79 Touchdowns.

Jamal Anderson:  1994-01, ATL.  In 1998, Anderson was a First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl Selection who had 5,336 career Rushing Yards.

*Mike Alstott (FB):  1996-06, TAM.  Alstott won a Super Bowl with the Bucs and was a six-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro.  He would total 7,373 Yards From Scrimmage with 71 Touchdowns.  Ranked #150 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Tiki Barber:  1997-06, NYG.  Barber rushed for over 10,000 Yards and was a three-time Pro Bowler.  He also caught another 5,000 Yards and was a two-time leader in Yards From Scrimmage.  Ranked #165 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Michael Bates (KR):  1993-03, SEA, CLE, CAR, WAS, DAL, NYJ.  Bates went to five Pro Bowls as a Kick Returner and compiled 9,348 All-Purpose Yards.

*Larry Centers:  1990-03, PHO, ARI, WAS, BUF, NWE.  Centers was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection and totalled 8,985 Yards From Scrimmage.

**Jamaal Charles:  2008-18, KAN, DEN, JAX.  Charles went to four Pro Bowls, was a two-time First Team All-Pro and in a career spent mostly in Kansas City, would net 10,156 Yards From Scrimmage.

Stephen Davis:  1996-06, WAS, CAR, STL.  Davis rushed for just over 8,000 Yards and 65 Touchdowns while going to three Pro Bowls.

*Corey Dillon:  1997-06, CIN, NWE.  Dillon won the Super Bowl with the Patriots and was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection.  Dillon accumulated 13,335 All-Purpose Yards over his career.

Warrick Dunn:  1997-08, TAM, ATL.  Dunn was the 1997 Offensive Rookie of the Year and was a three-time Pro Bowler who rushed for 10,957 Yards and 49 Touchdowns.

Charlie Garner:  1994-04, PHI, SFO, OAK, TAM.  Garner was a one-time Pro Bowl honoree and would rush for 7,097 Yards with 39 Touchdowns. 

*Eddie George:  1996-04, HOU, TEN, DAL.  George went to four straight Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in 2000.  He would rush for 10,441 Yards.  Ranked #171 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ahman Green:  1998-08, GB, HOU.  Green went to four consecutive Pro Bowls (2001-04) and accrued 12,088 Yards From Scrimmage with 74 Touchdowns.

*Priest Holmes:  1997-07, BAL, KC.  Winning the Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, Holmes had greater individual success with the Chiefs where he was a three-time First Team All-Pro.  He would tabulate 11,134 Yards From Scrimmage.  Ranked #130 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Steven Jackson:  2004-15, STL, ATL, NWE.  Jackson accrued 15,121 Yards From Scrimmage and 78 Touchdowns.  He is the Rams’ all-time leading rusher.  Ranked #193 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Chris Johnson:  2008-17, TEN, NYJ, ARI.  Johnson won the 2009 Offensive Player of the Year Award in a campaign where he set the single-season record for Yards From Scrimmage (2,509).  He rushed for 9,651 Yards over his career.

Daryl Johnston (FB):  1998-98, DAL.  Johnston was the Fullback for the three Super Bowl Championship Teams in Dallas, and he also went to two Pro Bowls.

Thomas Jones:  2000-11, ARI, TAM, CHI, NYJ, KAN.  Jones is a member of the 10,000 Yard Rushing Club (10,591) and also had 68 TDs on the ground.  He also went to one Pro Bowl.

John Kuhn (FB):  2006-17, PIT, GNB, NOR.  Kuhn was a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time First Team All-Pro who won a Super Bowl with the Packers.

*Vonta Leach (FB): 2004-13, GNB, NO, HOU, BAL.  Leach won a Super Bowl with the Ravens and was a three-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro at Fullback.

Dorsey Levens: 1994-04, GNB, PHI, NYG.  Levens won a Super Bowl and went to a Pro Bowl as a Packer.  He would also accumulate 7,288 All-Purpose Yards with 53 Touchdowns.

*Jamal Lewis:  2000-09, BAL, CLE.  In 2003, Lewis entered rarified air as he entered the 2,000-Yard club when he went for 2,006.  He would rush for 10,607 Yards.  Ranked #227 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Eric Metcalf (Also WR/PR/KR):  1989-02, CLE, ATL, SDG, ARI, CAR, WAS, GNB.  Incredibly versatile, Metcalf was also used as a Wide Receiver and Returner and the three-time Pro Bowler would total 17,230 All-Purpose Yards.

Glyn Milburn (Also WR & KR):  1993-01, DET, CHI, SDG.  Milburn went to two Pro Bowls as a Kick Returner and had 14,911 All-Purpose Yards.

*Lorenzo Neal (FB):  1993-08, NOR, NYJ, TAM, TEN, CIN, SDG, BAL.  Playing at Fullback, Neal would go to four Pro Bowls and was named to two First Team All-Pros.

Tony Richardson (FB):  1995-10, KAN, MIN, NYJ.  Richardson was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection

Robert Smith: 1991-00, MIN.  Smith went to two Pro Bowls, retired in his prime, and had 6,818 Rushing Yards with 33 Touchdowns.

*Fred Taylor:  1998-10, JAX, NWE.  Taylor was a Pro Bowl Selection in 2007 and would accumulate 14,079 Yards From Scrimmage, 11,695 on the ground.  Ranked #186 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chris Warren:  1990-00, SEA, DAL, PHI.  Warren went to three straight Pro Bowls (1993-95) and rushed for 7,696 Yards and 52 Touchdowns.

*Ricky Watters:  1992-01, SFO, PHI, SEA.  Watters was a Super Bowl Champion with the 49ers and he would go to the Pro Bowl in his first five years in the NFL.  He would lead the NFL in Yards From Scrimmage in 1996 and would have 14,891 in total.  Ranked #50 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Brian Westbrook:  2002-10, PHI, SFO.  Westbrook went to two Pro Bowls and led the NFL in Yards From Scrimmage in 2007.  He had over 11,000 All-Purpose Yards.   

Ricky Williams:  1999-11, NO, MIA, BAL.  Williams won the 2002 Rushing Title and went to the Pro Bowl and was named a First Team All-Pro that year.  He compiled 10,009 Rushing Yards with 66 Touchdowns.

(Running Backs added: Terry Allen, Jamal Anderson, Michael Bates, Jamaal Charles, Stephen Davis, Charlie Garner, Ahman Green, Daryl Johnston, Thomas Jones, John Kuhn, Dorsey Levens, Glyn Milburn, Tony Richardson, Robert Smith, Chris Warren and Ricky Williams.  Running Backs removed: None.)

Wide Receivers (23): (Up From 20 Last Year)

*Anquan Boldin:  2003-16, ARI, BAL, SFO.  A three-time Pro Bowl Selection, Boldin had seven 1,000 Yard Receiving seasons, tallying 13,779 in total with 82 Touchdowns.  Ranked #89 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Troy Brown (Also PR/KR):  1993-07, NWE.  A Pro Bowler in 2001, Brown had 6,366 Receiving Yards with another 4,487 Yards in the return game.  Brown won three Super Bowls with the Patriots.

*Donald Driver:  1999-12, GNB.  Driver was a Super Bowl Champion with the Packers where he would also go to three Pro Bowls.  He would accumulate 10,137 Receiving Yards.

Antonio Freeman:  1995-03, GNB, PHI.  Freeman won a Super Bowl with Green Bay and was leading receiver in 1998.  He amassed 7,251 Receiving Yards with 61 Touchdowns.

*Irving Fryar: 1984-00, NE, MIA, PHI, WAS.  Fryar was a five-time Pro Bowl Selection, and a former First Overall Pick.  He accumulated 12,785 Receiving Yards with 84 Touchdowns.  Ranked #141 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dante Hall (Also KR/PR):  2000-08, KAN, STL.  Hall was twice a Pro Bowler and a one-time First Team All-Pro as a Returner.  He compiled 14,386 All-Purpose Yards.

*Devin Hester (Also KR/PR):  2006-16, CHI, ATL BAL, SEA.  Hester might be listed first as a Wide Receiver, but his three First Team All-Pros and four Pro Bowls came as a Returner.  In his first year of eligibility, Hester had 14,455 All-Purpose Yards. He was a Finalist last year.  Ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Torry Holt: 1999-09, STL, JAX.  A Super Bowl Champion with the St. Louis Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls and led the NFL in Receiving Yards twice.  He finished his career with 13,382 Yards and 74 TDs.  Holt was a Finalist last year.  Ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Joe Horn: 1996-07, KAN, NOR, ATL.  Horn was a four-time Pro Bowler with the Saints, and had 8,744 Receiving Yards with 58 Touchdowns.  

*Andre Johnson:  2003-16, HOU, IND, TEN.  Johnson led the NFL in Receiving Yards twice with 14,185 in total, 13,597 of which was as a Texan.  Johnson went to seven Pro Bowls, earned two First Team All-Pros, and is his in his first year of eligibility.  Ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Chad Johnson:  2001-11, CIN, NWE.  Johnson went to six Pro Bowls as a Bengal and he would accumulate 11,059 Receiving Yards, punching 67 of them into the end zone.  “Ocho Cinco” was also a First Team All-Pro twice.  Ranked #146 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Brandon Marshall:  2006-18.  Marshall was a six-time Pro Bowler and one was a First Team All-Pro.  He amassed 12,351 Yards with 83 Touchdowns.  Ranked #166 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Derrick Mason:  1997-11, TEN, BAL.  Mason would record 12,061 Receiving Yards and was chosen for the Pro Bowl twice.  Ranked #224 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Herman Moore:  1991-02, DET, NYG.  Moore went to four consecutive Pro Bowls (1994-97) and earned three straight First Team All-Pros (1995-97).  He twice led the NFL in Receptions, and had 9,174 Yards with 62 TDs.

*Muhsin Muhammad:  1996-09, CAR, CHI.  Muhammad led all NFL Wide Receivers in Yards in 2004, which was the season he was chosen as a First Team All-Pro.  He would net 11,438 Receiving Yards in total.

Jordy Nelson:  2008-18, GNB. Nelson had 72 Touchdowns, 8,587 Yards and a Super Bowl Ring with Green Bay.  He also went to one Pro Bowl.

*Andre Rison:  1989-00, ATL, CLE, GNB, JAX, KAN, OAK.  Rison went to the Pro Bowls five times, four with Atlanta, where he led the NFL Touchdown Receptions in 1993.  He had 84 Touchdowns with 10,205 career Receiving Yards. Ranked #195 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jimmy Smith:  1992-05, DAL, JAX.  Smith was chosen for five consecutive Pro Bowls (1997-01) and in 1999 he led the NFL in Receptions.  He would retire with 12,287 Receiving Yards and 67 Touchdowns.  Ranked #179 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Rod Smith:  1995-06, DEN.  Smith would win two Super Bowls with the Broncos and was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection.  He recorded 11,389 Yards with 68 TDs.  Ranked #62 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Steve Smith:  2001-16, CAR, BAL.  Smith led the NFL in Receptions, Receiving Yards and Receiving Touchdowns in 2005, and he was a two-time First Team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler.  Smith accumulated 14,731 Yards with 81 TDs.  Ranked #24 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Hines Ward:  1998-11, PIT.  Ward won two Super Bowls with the Steelers and was the MVP in one of them.  A previous Semi-Finalist, he has four Pro Bowls, 85 Touchdowns and 12,083 Yards on his resume.  Ranked #43 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Reggie Wayne:  2001-12, IND.  Wayne was a career-Colt, winning a Super Bowl there, while earning six Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro.  He led the NFL in Receiving Yards in 2007, and has significantly more Yards (14,345) than any other Finalist.  He also has 82 Touchdowns.  Ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Wes Welker:  2004-15, MIA, SDG, NEW, DEN, STL.  Welker led the NFL three times in Receptions and the five-time Pro Bowl Selection had 9,924 career Receiving Yards.  Ranked #161 on Notinhalloffame.com.

(Wide Receivers Added: Antonio Freeman, Dante Hall, Brandon Marshall, Herman Moore & Jordy Nelson, Wide Receivers Removed: Henry Ellard & Roddy White)

Tight Ends (3): (No Change from Last Year)

Antonio Gates:  2003-18, SDG, LAC.  Gates went to the Pro Bowl every year from 2004 to 2011, and was a three-time First Team All-Pro.  He had 116 Touchdowns and 11,841 Yards.  Ranked #4 on Norinhalloffame.com.

*Ben Coates:  1991-00, NWE, BAL.  Coates was a Pro Bowler in five straight years from 1994 to 1998 and was a two-time First Team All-Pro.  He would accumulate 5,555 Yards with 50 Touchdowns.  Ranked #101 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Wesley Walls:  1989-03, SFO, NOR, CAR, GNB.  Walls was named to the Pro Bowl five times when he was with the Carolina Panthers.  He would have 5,291 Yards with 54 TDs in his career.  Ranked #297 on Notinhalloffame.com.

(Tight Ends added: Antonio Gates, Tight Ends removed, Dallas Clark)

Offensive Lineman (25): (Up from 20 Last Year)

*Willie Anderson (T):  1996-08, CIN, BAL.  Anderson was chosen for four Pro Bowls in a row (2003-06), with his last three being First Team All-Pro worthy.  Anderson was a surprise Finalist last year.  Ranked #137 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bruce Armstrong (T):  1987-00, NWE.  Armstrong went to six Pro Bowls in a career spent entirely with the Patriots.  Ranked #202 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Matt Birk (C):  1998-12, MIN, BAL.  Birk is a Super Bowl Champion with the Baltimore Ravens and would prior have six Pro Bowls as a Minnesota Viking.  Ranked #144 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Lomas Brown (T):  1985-02, DET, ARI, CLE, NYG, TAM.  Brown had seven straight Pro Bowls (1990-96) and in his last season in the NFL, he would win a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay.  Ranked #162 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Ruben Brown (G):  1995-07, BUF, CHI.  Brown was a nine-time Pro Bowl Selection who started all of his 181 Games.  Ranked #111 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jahri Evans (G): 2006-17.  Evans went to six Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in four of them.  He is also a Super Bowl Champion with the Saints and is in his first year of eligibility.  Ranked #31 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Kevin Glover (C/G):  1985-99, DET, SEA.  Glover was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection at Center with the Lions.

*Olin Kreutz (C):  1998-11, CHI, NOR.  Kreutz went to six Pro Bowls and was also a one-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #106 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**T.J Lang (T):  2009-18, GNB, DET.  Lang won a Super Bowl with Green Bay and was twice a Pro Bowler.

Matt Light (T):  2001-11, NWE.  Light won three Super Bowls with New England and was also a three-time Pro Bowl Selection.  He also has a First Team All-Pro on his ledger.

*Nick Mangold (C):  2008-16, NYJ.  Mangold played his entire career with the Jets, where he went to seven Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros.  Ranked #242 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Logan Mankins (G):  2005-15, NWE, TAM.  A seven-time Pro Bowler, Mankins started all of his 161 Games at. Left Guard.  Ranked #87 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Tom Nalen (C): 1994-07, DEN.  Nalen won two Super Bowls with the Broncos and was chosen for five Pro Bowls and was also a two-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #167 on Notinhalloffame.com.  Ranked #142 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Nate Newton (G/T): 1986-99 DAL.  Newton went to six Pro Bowls, two First Team All-Pros and won three Super Bowl Rings with the Cowboys.  Ranked #182 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jeff Saturday (C):  1999-02, IND, GNB.  Saturday won a Super Bowl with the Colts and he was a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #69 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Mark Schlereth (G/C):  1989-00, WAS, DEN.  Schlereth won three Super Bowls and went to two Pro Bowls.

**Josh Sitton (G):  2008-18, GNB, CHI, MIA.  Sitton went to four Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl with Green Bay.

*Chris Snee (G):  2004-13, NYG.  Snee was a two-time Super Bowl Champion who played all 141 of his Games starting at Right Guard.  He was also a four-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro.  

Mark Stepnoski (C):  1989-01, DAL, HOU, TEN.  Stepnoski won three Super Bowls with Dallas and had a five-year run of Pro Bowls (1992-96).  Ranked #181 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dave Szott (G):  1990-03, KAN, WAS, NYJ.  Szott was a First Team All-Pro in 1997.

Max Unger (C):  2009-18, SEA, NO.  Unger won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks and was a three-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro.  

*Brian Waters (G):  2000-13, KAN, NWE, DAL.  Waters would go to six Pro Bowls and was named to two First Team All-Pros.  Ranked #184 on Notinhalloffame.com

*Richmond Webb (T):  1990-02, MIA, CIN.  Webb was a Pro Bowl Selection in his first seven seasons with two of them earning First Team All-Pro nods.  Ranked #49 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Erik Williams (T):  1991-01, DAL, BAL.  Williams won three Super Bowls with Dallas and he went to four Pro Bowls.

*Steve Wisniewski (G):  1989-01, RAI, OAK.  A previous Semi-Finalist, Wisniewski played his entire career with the Raiders and he was an eight-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #20 on Notinhalloffame.com.

(Offensive Lineman added: Bruce Armstrong, T.J. Lang, Matt Light Josh Sitton, Mark Stepnoski, Dave Szott & Max Unger  Offensive Lineman removed: D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Jordan Gross & Joe Thomas)

Defensive Linemen: (20) (Up from 14 Last Year)

*John Abraham (DE, also LB):  2000-14, NYJ, ATL, ARI.  Recording 133.5 Sacks, Abraham was a five-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #64 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jared Allen (DE):  2004-15, KAN, MIN, CHI, CAR.  Allen twice led the NFL in Sacks and would have 136.0 in total.  In his first three years of eligibility, Allen was a Finalist, and he was a five-time Pro Bowler, and was a First Team All-Pro in four of those years.  Ranked #17 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Dwight Freeney (DE):  2002-17, IND, SD, ARI, DET, SEA.  Freeney won a Super Bowl with Indianapolis, the team he went to all seven of his Pro Bowls with.  A three-time First Team All-Pro, Freeney had 125.5 Sacks.  Ranked #48 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*La’Roi Glover (DT/NT):  1996-08, OAK, NOR, DAL, STL.  Glover was a six-time Pro Bowl Selection and in 2000 he would lead the NFL in Sacks and was also a First Team All-Pro that year. He would have 83.5 career Sacks.  Ranked #208 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Casey Hampton (DT/NT):  2001-12, PIT.  Hampton played his entire career with the Steelers where he won two Super Bowls and was chosen for five Pro Bowls.  Ranked #270 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Robert Mathis (DE):  2003-16, IND.  Mathis won a Super Bowl with the Colts, and thrice led the NFL in Forced Fumbles.  He had 123 career Sacks, leading the NFL in that category in 2013, which was also his only First Team All-Pro.  Mathis went to five Pro Bowls.  Ranked #108 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Haloti Ngata (DT):  2006-18, BAL, DET, PHI.  Ngata won a Super Bowl with Baltimore, where he went to five straight Pro Bowls (2009-13) and earned two First Team All-Pro Selections.  Ranked #44 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Leslie O’Neal (DE):  1986-99, SDG, STL, KAN.  O’Neal was a six-time Pro Bowler during his tenure with the Chargers and was the 1986 Defensive Rookie of the Year.  O’Neal had 132.5 career Sacks.  Ranked #93 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Julius Peppers (DE):  2002-18, CAR, CHI, GNB.  Peppers had nine Pro Bowls, three First Team All-Pros and 159.5 Sacks over his stellar career.   Ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Simeon Rice (DE):  1996-07, ARI, TAM, IND, DEN.  Rice won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers and was a three-time Pro Bowler.  He would have 122.0 Sacks over his career.  Ranked #133 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Justin Smith (DE):  2001-14, CIN, SFO.  Smith went on a five-year streak in the second half of his career of Pro Bowls (2009-14) and was a one-time First Team All-Pro in the middle of it.  He had 87.0 career Sacks.  Ranked #159 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Neil Smith (DE):  1988-00, KAN, DEN, SDG.  Smith would go to six Pro Bowls and was also a First Team All-Pro in 1993.  He would also win two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos and had 104.5 career Sacks.  Ranked #41 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dana Stubblefield (DT):  1993-03, SFO, WAS, OAK.  Stubblefield won the 1997 Defensive Player of the Year, and was a three-time Pro Bowler while with San Francisco, the team he won a Super Bowl ring with. 

Henry Thomas (DT/NT):  1987-00, MIN, DET, NWE.  Thomas was in the Pro Bowl and had 93.5 Sacks.

*Justin Tuck (DE):  2005-15, NYG, OAK.  Tuck was a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl Champion as a Giant. 

Ted Washington (NT/DT):  1991-07, SFO, BUF, CHI, NWE, OAK, CLE.  Washington won a Super Bowl early in his career with San Francisco, and later was named to four Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro.

*Vince Wilfork (DT/NT):  2004-16, NE, HOU.  Wilfork won two Super Bowls with the Patriots while individually earning five Pro Bowls and one First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #140 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jamal Williams (DT/NT):  1998-10, SDG, DEN.  Williams had three Pro Bowls in his career, with two First Team All-Pros.

*Kevin Williams (DT/DE):  2003-15, MIN, SEA, NOR.  Williams had six Pro Bowls and five First Team All-Pros in a career spent mostly in Minnesota.  He is entering his first year of eligibility.  Ranked #29 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Pat Williams (DT):  1997-10, BUF, MIN.  This Williams played with the above Williams to form the “Williams Wall” in Minnesota.  Williams was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection when he was a Viking.

(Defensive Lineman added: Haloti Ngata, Julius Peppers, Dana Stubblefield, Henry Thomas, Ted Washington, Jamal Williams & Pat Williams, Defensive Lineman removed: Clyde Simmons)

Linebackers: (25) (Up from 17 last year)

*Jessie Armstead:  1993-03, NYG, WAS.  Armstead went to five straight Pro Bowls and amassed 971 Tackles and 40.0 Sacks.

Brendon Ayanbadejo:  2003-12, MIA, CHI, BAL.  Ayanbadejo went to three straight Pro Bowls (2006-08).

*Cornelius Bennett:  1987-00, BUF, ATL, IND.  Bennett would go to five Pro Bowls and he was a First Team All-Pro in 1988.  He had 71.5 Sacks and 1,190 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #111 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*NaVorro Bowman:  2010-17, SF, OAK.  Bowman was a four-time First Team All-Pro with 798 career Tackles.  Ranked #241 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Lance Briggs:  2003-14, CHI.  Briggs went to seven straight Pro Bowls (2005-11) and he was a First Team All-Pro in the first year of that streak.  He had 1,181 career Combined Tackles, 16 Interceptions and 15.0 Sacks.  Ranked #118 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Keith Brooking:  1998-2012, ATL, DAL, DEN.  Brooking was a Pro Bowler in five straight years while playing for Atlanta (2001-05).  He had 1,440 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #261 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Tedy Bruschi:  1996-08, NWE.   Bruschi won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and was a Pro Bowler in 2004.

Karlos Dansby:  2004-17, ARI, CLE, CIN.  Dansby had 20 Interceptions and 43 Sacks over his long career.

Donnie Edwards:  1996-08, KAN, SDG.  Edwards went to one Pro Bowl and led the league in Tackles in 2004.  He had 1,501 career Tackles

*James Farrior:  1997-11, NYJ, PIT.  Farrior had 1,440 Tackles and 35.5 Sacks over his long career, and he was also a two-time Super Bowl winner with the Steelers.

*London Fletcher:  1998-13, STL, BUF, WAS.  Fletcher would win a Super Bowl early in his career with the Rams and late on his career, he would make the Pro Bowl four years in a row as a Redskin. He would accumulate over 2,000 Combined Tackles over his career.  Ranked #64 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*James Harrison:  2002-17, PIT, CIN, NEW.  Harrison won two Super Bowls with the Steelers, and had a five-year streak of Pro Bowls.  The two-time First Team All-Pro won the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year Award, and is in his first year of eligibility.  Ranked #52 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Larry Izzo:  1996-08, MIA, NWE, NYJ.  Izzo went to three Pro Bowls as a Special Teams player and he won three Super Bowls with New England.

*Willie McGinest (Also DE):  1994-08, NWE, CLE.  Twice named to the Pro Bowl, McGinest won three Super Bowls with the Patriots.  He accumulated 86.0 Sacks over his career.

Hardy Nickerson: 1987-02, PIT, TAM, JAX, GNB.  Nickerson was at his best in Tampa, obtaining all five of his Pro Bowls and both of his First Team All-Pros there.  He had 1,586 Tackles over his career.  Ranked #139 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ken Norton Jr.:  1988-00, DAL, SFO.   Norton Jr won three Super Bowls (two with Dallas and one with San Francisco), and he went to three Pro Bowls.  He also had a First Team All-Pro (1995), and recorded 1,272 Tackles.

Bryce Paup: 1990-00, GNB, BUF, JAX, MIN.  Paup was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1995, which was in the middle of his four consecutive Pro Bowls.  He had 75 Sacks over his career.

Julian Peterson:  2000-10, SFO, SEA, DET.  Peterson went to five Pro Bowls, secured a First Team All-Pro and had 51.5 Sacks   Ranked #286 on Notinhalloffame.com

Joey Porter:  1999-11, PIT, MIA, ARI.  A Four-time Pro Bowl, Porter added a First Team All-Pro and won a Super Bowl with the Steelers.  He had 98 Sacks over his career.  Ranked #194 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Takeo Spikes:  1998-12, CIN, BUF, PHI, SFO, SDG.  Spikes was chosen for two Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in 2004.  He was also one Interception shy of the 20-20 club and he accumulated 1,431 career Combined Tackles.

Jessie Tuggle:  1987-00, ATL.  A Falcon for his entire career, Tuggle led the NFL in Tackles four times, retiring with 1,805 in total.  He also went to five Pro Bowls.  Ranked #119 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mike Vrabel:  1997-10, PIT, NWE.  Vrabel won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and in one season, he was a First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler.  He had 57 Sacks over his career.

*Patrick Willis:  2007-14, SFO.  Willis had a brief but potent career where in his eight seasons he went to seven Pro Bowls and earned six First Team All-Pros.  He led the NFL in Combined Tackles twice and had 950 in total.  He was a Finalist last year.  Ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Al Wilson:   1996-06, DEN.  Wilson played his entire career with the Broncos where he was a five-time Pro Bowl Selection.  

Lee Woodall:  1994-01, SF, CAR, DEN.  Woodall won a Super Bowl with the 49ers where he was also a two-time Pro Bowl Selection.

(Linebackers added: Brendon Ayanbadejo, Keith Brooking, Karlos Dansby, Donnie Edwards, Larry Izzo, Hardy Nickerson, Ken Norton Jr., Bryce Paup, Julian Peterson, Joey Porter, Jessie Tuggle, Mike Vrabel & Lee Woodall.  Linebackers removed: Chad Brown, Seth Joyner, Pat Swilling, Zach Thomas & DeMarcus Ware)

Defensive Backs: (17) (Down from 19 Last Year)

*Eric Allen (CB):  1988-01, PHI, NOR, OAK.  Allen secured 54 Interceptions and would have six Pro Bowl Seasons, with one of them earning a First Team All-Pro Selection.  Ranked #49 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dre Bly (DB):  1999-09, ST, DET, DEN, SFO.  Bly won a Super Bowl with the Rams and was twice named to the Pro Bowl.  He had 43 career Interceptions.

*Kam Chancellor (S):  2010-17, SEA.  Chancellor is in his first year of eligibility, and the former Seahawk won a Super Bowl while going to do four Pro Bowls over his career.  

*Nick Collins (S):  2005-11, GNB.  Collins won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers and was a Pro Bowler three times. He would lead the NFL in Interception Return Yards in 2008 and had 21 career Interceptions.

*Antonio Cromartie (CB):  2006-16, SDG, NYJ, ARI, IND.  Cromartie went to four Pro Bowls, going to the First Team All-Pro in 2007, the same season he led the NFL in Interceptions with 10.  Cromartie had 31 picks over his career and is Hall of Fame eligible for the first time.

*Merton Hanks (S):  1991-98, SFO, SEA.  Hanks won a Super Bowl with the Niners and was also a Pro Bowl Selection four times.  He recorded 33 career Interceptions.

*Rodney Harrison (S):  1994-08, SDG, NWE.  Harrison won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and he was a Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro twice.  He would have 34 career Interceptions and 1,206 Combined Tackles.

Carnell Lake (S).  1988-01, PIT, BAL.   Lake was a five-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #211 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Tim McDonald (S):  1987-99, STL, PHO, SFO.  McDonald recorded 40 Interceptions and was a six-time Pro Bowler.  He would win a Super Bowl with the 49ers and had 40 Interceptions and 1,139 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #271 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Eugene Robinson (DB):  1985-00 SEA, GNB, ATL, CAR.  Robinson had 57 Interceptions, 1,413 Tackles, and a Super Bowl Ring with Green Bay.  He also went to three Pro Bowls.

Samari Rolle (DB):  1998-08 TEN, BAL.  Rolle went to the Pro Bowl and had a First Team All-Pro in 2000, and had 31 Interceptions.

*Allen Rossum (CB):  1998-09, PHI, GNB, ATL, PIT, SFO. DAL.  Rossum is listed as a Cornerback, but he was more of a Returner.  He was a Pro Bowler in 2004 and had 15,046 All-Purpose Yards.

*Bob Sanders (S):  2004-11, IND, SDG.  Sanders only played 50 Games but was the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year and is the owner of a Super Bowl Ring with the Colts.

*Charles Tillman (CB):  2004-11, CHI, CAR.  Tillman is in his first year of eligibility and he was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection.  He would have 38 career Interceptions with 930 Combined Tackles.

*Troy Vincent (CB):  1992-06, MIA, PHI, BUF, WAS.   Vincent’s five Pro Bowls would all come consecutively when he was with the Eagles. He would earn First Team All-Pro honors in 2002 and had 47 Interceptions and 893 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #259 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Antoine Winfield (DB):  1999-12, BUF, MIN.  Winfield went to three straight Pro Bowls (2008-10) and had 27 Interceptions with 1,094 Combined Tackles.

*Darren Woodson (S):  1992-03, DAL.  A part of the Cowboys three Super Bowl Titles in the early 90s, Woodson was a five-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro.  He has been a Semi-Finalist before and has 23 career Interceptions with 11 Sacks and 967 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #77 on Notinhalloffame.com.

(Defensive Backs added: Dre Bly, Carnell Lake, Eugene Robinson, Samari Rolle & Antoine Winfield  Defensive Backs removed: Ronde Barber, Albert Lewis, Terry McDaniel, Darrelle Revis, Asante Samuel &Adrian Wilson)

Place Kickers: (7) (Up from 5 Last Year)

David Akers:  1998-13 WAS, PHI, SFO, DET.  Akers was a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro Selection.  Ranked #246 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Gary Anderson:  1982-04, PIT, PHI, SFO, MIN, TEN.  Anderson went to four Pro Bowls and at the time of his retirement, he was the all-time leader in Points Scored and Field Goals Made.  Ranked #169 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jason Elam:  1993-09 DEN, ATL.  Elam went to three Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowl Rings with the Broncos.

*Jason Hanson:  1992-12, DET.  The longest tenured Lion in franchise history, Hanson went to two Pro Bowls and is fourth All-Time in Points Scored. 

*John Kasay:  1991-11, SEA, CAR, NOR.  Kasay was a 19-year veteran, who went to one Pro Bowl.  Kasay kicked 461 Field Goals over his career, and is ninth all-time in Points Scored.

Matt Stover:  1991-09, CLE, BAL.  Stover won a Super Bowl with the Ravens, and was twice the league leader in Field Goal Percentage.  He is sixth all-time in Field Goals Made and Points Scored.

Mike Vanderjadt:  1998-06, IND, DAL.  Vanderjadt was selected as a First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2003.

(Place Kickers added: David Akers, Matt Stover & Mike Vanderjadt. Place Kickers removed: Ryan Longwell)

Punters: (8) (Up from 5 last year)

Darren Bennett:   1995-05, SDG, MIN.  Bennett was a First Team All-Pro as a rookie and was twice named to the Pro Bowl.

*Jeff Feagles:  1988-09, NEW, PHI, ARI, SEA, NYG.  Feagles was a two-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl with the Giants.

*Sean Landeta:  1985-05, NYG, LAR, STL, TAM, GNB, PHI.  Landeta won two Super Bowls with the Giants and was chosen for three First Team All-Pros.  He is currently third all-time in Punting Yards.

*Shane Lechler:  2000-17, OAK, HOU.  Lechler went to seven Pro Bowls and was an All-Decade Selecion in both the 2000s and 2010s.  Ranked #102 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brad Maynard:  1997-11, NYG, CHI, CLE.  Maynard led the NFL in Punting Yards three times.

*Pat McAfee:  2009-16. IND.  McAfee went to two Pro Bowls and is a one-time leader in Yards per Punt.

Brian Moorman: 2001-13, BUF, DAL.  Moorman was chosen for two Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros.

*Matt Turk:  1995-11, WAS, MIA, NYJ, STL, HOU, JAX.  Turk’s three Pro Bowls were consecutive from 1996 to 1998.  He was a First Team All-Pro in ’95.

(Punters added, Brian Moorman, Brad Maynard & Darren Bennett.  Punters removed, Nons.)

Special Teams (2): (No Change from last year)

Josh Cribbs (Also WR):  2005-14, CLE, NYJ, IND.  Cribbs was a three-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro and collected 15,453 All-Purpose Yards.  

Brian Mitchell (Also RB): 1990-03, WAS, PHI, NYG.  Mitchell was a one-time Pro Bowl recipient and a four-time leader in All-Purpose Yards. He totaled 23,330 in APY, and is second all-time in that statistic.  Ranked #134 on Notinhalloffame.com.

With all due respect to many of these candidates, there are several of these Preliminary Nominees that have no realistic chance for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but it is a phenomenal process to test the waters overall on a player’s career.

This group will be pared down to 25 in November and reduced to 15 in January.

Whomever those 15 Modern Era Finalists are, they will be joined by Senior Finalists, Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael, Art Powell and Contributor/Coach Finalist, Buddy Parker.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the 173 former players who made it to this stage.

Last night, TCU was destroyed by Georgia in the National Championship Game, but for us at Notinhalloffame.com, the true story was the announcement of 18 new members chosen for the College Football Hall of Fame.

The inducted players are:

Eric Berry, Tennessee, 2007-09, Defensive Back:  Berry was a two-time All-American with the Volunteers, winning two Jack Tatum Awards as the nation’s top DB.  He also won the 2008 SEC Defensive Player of the Year and the 2009 Jim Thorpe Award.  Berry accumulated 241 Tackles and 14 Interceptions in his three college seasons, and he would professionally go to five Pro Bowls and collect three First Team All-Pros as a Kansas City Chief.

Michael Bishop, Blinn Junior College 1995-96 & Kansas State, 1997-98, Quarterback:  Bishop led Blinn to two consecutive NJCAA National Championships and he was given a chance at QB with the Wildcats.  With Kansas State, Bishop threw for 4,401 Yards and 36 Touchdowns and rushed for 1,314 and 23 TDs, and was the 1998 Heisman runner-up.  He won the Davey O’Brien Award as a Senior, and as a pro led the Toronto Argonauts to a Grey Cup win.

Reggie Bush, USC, 2003-05, Running Back:  Bush may have had his 2005 Heisman taken away due to his family receiving gifts during his time as a Trojan, but he is now a College Football Hall of Famer.  Bush had 6,890 All-Purpose Yards.  Leading USC to a now-vacated BCS National Championship in 2004, Bush not only won the Heisman, but also captured that year’s Doak Walker Award and Walter Camp Award, and was named the AP College Football Player of the Year.  Bush would all go on to win a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints and had 58 Touchdowns with nearly 9,000 Yards From Scrimmage.

Dwight Freeney, Syracuse, 1998-01, Linebacker:  Freeney recorded 36 Sacks and 104 Tackles with the Orange and was a two-time All-Big East Selection.  He played most of his pro career with the Indianapolis Colts, where he went to seven Pro Bowls and was the leader in Sacks in 2004.

Robert Gallery, Iowa, 1999-01, Offensive Lineman:  Gallery won the Outland Trophy and the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2003, and he was later taken second overall by Oakland and had an eight-year NFL career.

LaMichael James, Oregon, 2009-11, Running Back:  James won the Doak Walker Award in 2010 as the nation’s top Running Back and was third in Heisman voting.  In his three years as a Duck, James rushed for 5,082 Yards and 53 Touchdowns.  He would only rush for 193 Yards as a pro.

Derrick Johnson, Texas, 2001-04, Linebacker.  As a senior, Johnson won the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Dick Butkus Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Jack Lambert Trophy, and had 10.5 Sacks, 9 Interceptions and 458 Tackles over his four-year career.  Later, with the Kansas City Chiefs, he went to four Pro Bowls.

Luke Kuechly, Boston College, 2009-11, Linebacker.  Kuechly was the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2009, and the two-time All-American won the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.  It was a monster season for Kuechly, who also won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award, Lott Trophy, Butkus Award and Jack Lambert Award.  He went to be a five-time First Team All-Pro, a seven-time Pro Bowl and was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.

Terance Mathis, New Mexico, 1986-89, Wide Receiver.  Mathis accumulated 4,524 Receiving Yards and 36 Touchdowns for the Lobos.

Bryant McKinnie, Miami, 1998-2001, Offensive Lineman.  McKinnie was a member of Miami’s 2001 BCS National Championship Team, and would win the Outland Trophy and Jim Parker Award that year.  He later won a Super Bowl with the Ravens.

Corey Moore, Virginia Tech, 1996-99, Defensive Lineman.  In Moore’s senior year, he won the Big East Defensive Player of the Year (he also won it as a junior), Bronko Nagurski Award and Vince Lombardi Award.

Michael Stonebreaker, Notre Dame, 1986-90, Linebacker.  Stonebreaker was a two-time All-American and a key member of the 1988 undefeated NCAA Championship Team.

Tim Tebow, Florida, 2006-09, Quarterback:  Tebow was a phenom with the Gators, leading Florida to two BCS Championships (2006 & 2008), while also winning the 2007 Heisman.  The two-time All-American also added two Maxwell Awards (2007 & 2008), the Davey O’Brien Award (2007), Manning Award (2008), and the AP and Sporting News also named Tebow their 2007 Player of the Year.  He passed for 9,286 Yards and 88 Touchdowns while rushing for 2,947 Yards and 57 Touchdowns.  Tebow’s NFL career was not good, but there are few in his league collegiately. 

Troy Vincent, Wisconsin, 1988-91, Defensive Back:  Vincent was the co-winner of the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year in 1991, and would enjoy a long NFL career, that included the 2002 Walter Payton Man of the Year.

DeAngelo Williams, Memphis, Running Back, 2002-05.  Williams was a three-time Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year, and won the MVP in the 2005 Music City Bowl.  Rushing for 6,026 Yards and 55 Touchdowns as a Tiger, Williams was a two-time NFL leader in Rushing TDs.

The Inducted Coaches are:

Monte Cater, Lakeland 1981-86 & Shepherd 1987-2017.  Cater won 19 Conference Championships (3 IBFC, 12 WVIAC, 4 MEC) and was also a 12-time Conference Coach of the Year.  He had an overall record of 275-117-2.

Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech 1997-2001, Navy 2002-07 & Georgia Tech 2008-18.  Johnson had an overall record of 189-100, and he led Georgia Southern to back-to-back NCAA D-I-AA Titles in 1999 and 2000.  He was a seven-time Conference Coach of the Year.

Roy Kramer, Vanderbilt 1978-90, SEC Commissioner 1990-2002.  Kramer had a record of 83-32-2 with the Commodores but was more instrumental in his work as the SEC Commissioner where he elevated the conference.

Mark Richt, Georgia 2001-15 & Miami (FL) 2016-18.  Richt won three conference Coach of the Year Awards (SEC 2002 & 2005, ACC 2017), and was also named the 2017 Walter Camp Coach of the Year.  He had a 10-7 record in Bowls, including two Sugar Bowl wins, and Richt’s overall record was 171-64.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like congratulate the newest members of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Some say that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.  For us at Notinhalloffame.com, it is the month after, where “Hall of Fame Season” is in its apex, with the announcement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists.

We at Notinhalloffame.com, held our mock committee meeting last month, where we pushed through our 15, which differs from the actual Hall (as expected).

The 15 Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists of 2023 are:

Jared Allen: Defensive End.  2004-07 KC, 2008-13 MIN, 2014-15 CHI, 2015 CAR.  Allen advances for the third straight year, and has been a Finalist in all three of his eligible years.  A two-time Sack leader with 136 career Sacks, Allen also has 171 Tackles for Loss.  A five-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro, Allen is ranked #22 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Willie Anderson: Offensive Tackle.  1996-2007 CIN, 2008 BAL.  Anderson was eligible for the first time in 2013, and eight years later, he was a Semi-Finalist for the first time.  Big Willie is now on a two-year streak as a Finalist.  Anderson went to four Pro Bowls, was a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #137 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ronde Barber: Cornerback & Safety.  1997-2002 TB.  Barber has been on the ballot for six years and is now a three-time Finalist.  A member of Tampa’s first Super Bowl Title, Barber has 47 Interceptions, 20 Sacks and went to five Pro Bowls as well as earning three First Team All-Pros.  Barber is ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dwight Freeney: Defensive End.  2002-12 IND, 2013-14 SD, AZ 2015, 2016 ATL, 2017 SEA, 2017 DET.  Freeney was one of the five first year eligible players to make the Semi-Finals, and he is now a first-year Finalist; a huge accomplishment for a Hall of Fame path.  Freeney won a Super Bowl with the Colts, had 125.5 Sacks and went to seven Pro Bowls earning three First Team All-Pros.  Freeney is ranked #61 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Devin Hester: Punt Returner, Kick Returner & Wide Receiver.  2006-13 CHI, 2014-15 ATL, 2016 BAL.  Hester is a Finalist in his first two years of eligibility.  A three-time First Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, Hester is a member of the 100th Anniversary Team.  Hester is ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.

Torry Holt: Wide Receiver.  1999-08 STL, 2009 JAX.  A nine-time Semi-Finalist, Holt is no a four-time Finalist.  A Super Bowl Champion with the Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls, and was a two-time Receiving Yards leader.  Holt is ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.

Andre Johnson: Wide Receiver.  2003-14 HOU, 2015 IND, 2016 TEN.  Johnson is a two-time Finalist, which is the same number of years he has been eligible.  Named to seven Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros, Johnson had well over 14,000 Receiving Yards and twice led the league in that category.  Johnson is ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.

Albert Lewis: Cornerback.  1983-93 KC, 1994-98 LA/OAK.  Lewis makes the Finals on his last year of eligibility, and was only a Semi-Finalist once before, in 2013.  He was a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #259 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

Darrelle Revis: Cornerback.  2007-12 NYJ, 2013 TB, 2014 NE, NYJ 2015-16, KC 2017.  A Super Bowl Champion with the Patriots in the lone year he was there, Revis is best known for his time with the Jets.  Revis went to seven Pro Bowls, had four First Team All-Pros and is the 2009 leader in Approximate Value.  This is his first year on the ballot.  Revis is ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.

Joe Thomas: Offensive Tackle.  2007-17 CLE.  Thomas is without a doubt the best player in the second wave of the Cleveland Browns, but he did not have a lot of help.  This is his first year on the ballot, and he was pegged to be a first-year Finalist by EVERYONE!  The Lineman was a six-time First Team All-Pro, and went to ten Pro Bowls.  Thomas is ranked #1on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.

Zach Thomas: Linebacker.  1997-2007 MIA, 2008 DAL.  Thomas is now on a four-year streak of Finalist Selections.  He went to seven Pro Bowls, earned five First Team All-Pros and was a two-time leader in Combined Tackles.  Thomas is ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.

DeMarcus Ware: Linebacker & Defensive End.  2005-13 DAL, 2014-16 DEN.  Ware is on his second year of eligibility has been a Finalist both years.  A nine-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro, Ware twice led the NFL in Sacks, with 138.5 in total.  Ware is ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.

Reggie Wayne: Wide Receiver.  2001-14 IND.  Wayne won a Super Bowl with the Colts and this marks the fourth consecutive trip to the Finalist round.  A former Receiving Yard leader and six-time Pro Bowler, Wayne is ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Patrick Willis: Linebacker.  2007-14 SF.  Willis adds a second straight Finalist to his resume, and with teammate, Bryant Young out of the way, there should be less obstruction.  Willis only played eight years but was a Pro Bowl in seven and a First Team All-Pro in five of them.  He is ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.

Darren Woodson: Safety.  1992-03 DAL.  Woodson, who was a six-time Semi-Finalist, is finally a Finalist.  He was a three-time Super Bowl winner, a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #90 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The Semi-Finalists who did not advance are Anquan Boldin, Henry Ellard, Jahri Evans, London Fletcher, James Harrison, Rodney Harrison, Robert Mathis, Steve Smith, Fred Taylor, Hines Ward, Ricky Watters and Vince Wilfork.

It should be noted that we will be holding our Mock Committee meeting on January 17, 9:30 EST, and we will be combining the official Finalists with ours.

This means we will be adding Randall Cunningham, Henry Ellard, Tom Nalen, Leslie O’Neal, Pat Swilling, and Richmond Webb. 

So, who is going to get in!!! 

You know that we will be paying attention, and we are excited to see how this pans out.

A day after the Baseball Hall of Fame announced their official ballot for the 2023 Class, the Pro Football Hall of Fame counters with the Semi-Finalists for their 2023 Class

Normally they nominate 25 men, but likely due to a tie vote, we have 28 official Semi-Finalists.  This group includes five First Year eligible candidates.

Let’s take a look!

Eric Allen: Cornerback.  1988-94 PHI, 1995-97 NO, 1998-2001 OAK. Allen is now a Semi-Finalist for the third straight year, and he needs this momentum as he has been eligible since 2007.  A six-time Pro Bowl Selection, who has 54 career Interceptions, Allen is ranked #49 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jared Allen: Defensive End.  2004-07 KC, 2008-13 MIN, 2014-15 CHI, 2015 CAR. Allen returns as a Semi-Finalist for the third straight year, and considering he was a Finalist the last two years, it is expected that he will advance again.  A two-time Sack leader with 136 career Sacks, Allen also has 171 Tackles for Loss.  A five-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro, Allen is ranked #22 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

Willie Anderson: Offensive Tackle.  1996-2007 CIN, 2008 BAL. Anderson was eligible for the first time in 2013, and eight years later, he was a Semi-Finalist for the first time.  Now a three-time Semi-Finalist, “Big Willie” was a Finalist for the first time last year.  Anderson went to four Pro Bowls, was a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #137 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ronde Barber: Cornerback & Safety.  1997-2002 TB.  Barber has been on the ballot for six years and has been a Semi-Finalist for all of them, though only a Finalist the last two.  A member of Tampa’s first Super Bowl Title, Barber has 47 Interceptions, 20 Sacks and went to five Pro Bowls as well as earning three First Team All-Pros.  Barber is ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

Anquan Boldin: Wide Receiver.  2003-2009 AZ, 2010-12 BAL, 2013-15 SF, 2016 DET.  A Semi-Finalist last year in his first year of eligibility, the former Wide Receiver returns again, seeking his first trip to the Finals.  With 13,779 Yards and 82 Touchdowns, Boldin won a Super Bowl with Baltimore, and was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection.  Boldin is ranked #96 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Henry Ellard: Wide Receiver.  1983-93 LAR, 1994-98 WAS, NE 1998.  This is the last kick at the can for Ellard, who is a Semi-Finalist for the first time in his final year of eligibility.  Ellard had 65 Touchdowns and 13,777 Receiving Yards, which had fewer peers when he played than the other nominated Wide Receivers.  A three-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro,   Ellard is ranked #91 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

Jahri Evans: Offensive Guard.  2006-16 NO, 2017 GB.  Evans makes the Semis in his first year of eligibility, and is the first player from the New Orleans Super Bowl winning team to make it here.  The Guard was.  a six-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #36 on Notinhalloffame.com.

London Fletcher: Linebacker.  1998-01 STL, 2002-06 BUF, 2007-13 WAS.  Eligible since 2019, Fletcher is a first time Semi-Finalist who recorded over 2,000 Tackles over his career and is a Super Bowl Champion with the Rams.  A four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro is ranked #64 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dwight Freeney: Defensive End.  2002-12 IND, 2013-14 SD, AZ 2015, 2016 ATL, 2017 SEA, 2017 DET.  Freeney is one of the five first year eligible players to make the Semi-Finals, a huge accomplishment for a Hall of Fame path.  Freeney won a Super Bowl with the Colts, had 125.5 Sacks and went to seven Pro Bowls earning three First Team All-Pros.  Freeney is ranked #61 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

James Harrison: Linebacker.  2002-12 PIT, 2013 CIN, 2014-17 PIT, 2017 NE.  Harrison is a Semi-Finalist on his first year on the ballot and was a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Steelers.  The 2008 AP Defensive Player of the Year, Harrison went to five Pro Bowls and earned two-time First Team All-Pros.  Harrison is ranked #51 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rodney Harrison: Safety.  1994-2002 SD, 2003-08 NE.  Eligible since 2014, Harrison was a Semi-Finalist once before in 2021, and is a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Patriots.  Also, a two-time Pro Bowl Selection, Harrison had 30.5 Sacks and 30 Interceptions.  Harrison is ranked #211 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Devin Hester: Punt Returner, Kick Returner & Wide Receiver.  2006-13 CHI, 2014-15 ATL, 2016 BAL.  Hester was a Semi-Finalist and Finalist last year, which was his first year on the ballot.  A three-time First Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, Hester is a member of the 100th Anniversary Team.  Hester is ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

Torry Holt: Wide Receiver.  1999-08 STL, 2009 JAX.  A nine-time Semi-Finalist, Holt has been a Finalist the last three years, and likely will add a fourth.  A Super Bowl Champion with the Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls, and was a two-time Receiving Yards leader.  Holt is ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

Andre Johnson: Wide Receiver.  2003-14 HOU, 2015 IND, 2016 TEN.  Johnson was a Finalist last year in his first year of eligibility, and he is back one step away from doing it again.  Named to seven Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros, Johnson had well over 14,000 Receiving Yards and twice led the league in that category.  Johnson is ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

Albert Lewis: Cornerback.  1983-93 KC, 1994-98 LA/OAK.  Lewis is on his last year of eligibility, and was only a Semi-Finalist once before, in 2013.  He was a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #259 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

Robert Mathis: Defensive End & Linebacker.  2003-16 IND.  A Super Bowl Champion with Indianapolis, the team he spent his entire career with, Mathis is on his second year of eligibility, and is now a two-time Semi-Finalist.  With 123 career Sacks, six Pro Bowls and one First Team All-Pro, Mathis is ranked #112 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Darrelle Revis: Cornerback.  2007-12 NYJ, 2013 TB, 2014 NE, NYJ 2015-16, KC 2017.  A Super Bowl Champion with the Patriots in the lone year he was there, Revis is best known for his time with the Jets.  Revis went to seven Pro Bowls, had four First Team All-Pros and is the 2009 leader in Approximate Value.  Revis is ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

Steve Smith: Wide Receiver.  2001-13 CAR, 2014-16 BAL.  A five-time Pro Bowl and 14,000 Receiving Yards Club member, Smith is one of the greatest offensive players in Panthers history.  Smith has been eligible for two years, and is now a Semi-Finalist in both of them.  He is ranked #26 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Fred Taylor: Running Back.  1998-08 JAX, 2009-10 NE.  Taylor is now on a four-year streak of Semi-Final Selections, though he has yet to be a Finalist.  He only had one Pro Bowl under his belt, but is highly believed to be the best offensive skill player that Jacksonville ever had.  Taylor is ranked #180 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Joe Thomas: Offensive Tackle.  2007-17 CLE.  Thomas is without a doubt the best player in the second wave of the Cleveland Browns, but he did not have a lot of help.  This is his first year on the ballot, and many expect him to easily make it to the Finals.  The Lineman was a six-time First Team All-Pro, and went to ten Pro Bowls.  Thomas is ranked #1on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

Zach Thomas: Linebacker.  1997-2007 MIA, 2008 DAL.  Thomas is now on a five-year Semi-Finalist run, and he will likely add a fourth straight Final.  He went to seven Pro Bowls, earned five First Team All-Pros and was a two-time leader in Combined Tackles.  Thomas is ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

Hines Ward: Wide Receiver.  1998-2011 PIT.  Ward has been a Semi-Finalist all seven years of eligibility, but this has yet to get him to the Finals.  Could this be the year?  If so, we are talking about a Super Bowl MVP, a two-time Super Bowl Champion and four-time Pro Bowler.  Ward is ranked #42 on Notinhalloffame.com.

DeMarcus Ware: Linebacker & Defensive End.  2005-13 DAL, 2014-16 DEN.  Ware is on his second year of eligibility and was a Finalist last year.  A nine-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro, Ware twice led the NFL in Sacks, with 138.5 in total.  Ware is ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

Ricky Watters: Running Back.  1992-94 SF, 1995-97 Ricky Watters, 1998-2001 SEA.  Watters is running out of time as this his third last year on the ballot.  A Semi-Finalist three times before, he won a Super Bowl with San Francisco and went to five Pro Bowls.  Watters is ranked #50 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Reggie Wayne: Wide Receiver.  2001-14 IND.  Wayne won a Super Bowl with the Colts and has been a Semi-Finalist all four of his years on the ballot, and likely will be a four-time Finalist in a month.  A former Receiving Yard leader and six-time Pro Bowler, Wayne is ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

Vince Wilfork: Defensive Tackle & Nose Tackle.  2004-12 NE, 2015-16 HOU.  The mountain of a man helped New England win a Super Bowl and is now two-for-two in Semi-Final appearances.  The five-time Pro Bowler is ranked #148on Notinhalloffame.com.

Patrick Willis: Linebacker.  2007-14 SF.  Willis is now a four-time Semi-Finalist, and was a Finalist for the first time last year.  Willis only played eight years but was a Pro Bowl in seven and a First Team All-Pro in five of them.  He is ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

Darren Woodson: Safety.  1992-03 DAL.  Woodson is now a six-time Semi-Finalist, but has yet to break through to the Finals.  He was a three-time Super Bowl winner, a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #90 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

It should be noted that we will be holding our Mock Committee meeting on either December 13 or 14 (TBD), and we will be combining the official Semi-Finalists with ours.

This means we will be adding Shaun Alexander, Ruben Brown, Ben Coates, Randall Cunningham, Tom Nalen, Leslie O’Neal, Neil Smith, Pat Swilling, Richmond Webb, Kevin Williams and Steve Wisniewski to our discussion. 

So, who is going to get in!!! 

You know that we will be paying attention, and we are excited to see how this pans out.

Is it that time again!

One of our core lists on Notinhalloffame.com, our list of those to consider for the Pro Footnall Hall of Fame has been revised.

The steps in our revisions are basic:

-Remove all of those who were inducted.  This included Cliff Branch (#11), Richard Seymour (#35), Tony Boselli (#36), Sam Mills (#40), Leroy Butler (#69) and Bryant Young (#159).

-Input those we think worthy who are now eligible.

-Adjust rankings based on your votes and comments.

The entire list can be found here, but here is our new top ten:

#1. Joe Thomas.  The career Cleveland Brown enters his first year of eligibility, and we expect that Thomas will walk in easily.  Although Thomas’ teams had way more losses than wins, he is a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team, a ten-time Pro Bowler and a six-time First Team All-Pro.  He should be a lock.

#2. Chuck Howley.  Ranked #3 last year, Howley starred at Linebacker for Dallas, where he helped them win Super Bowl VI, after winning the Super Bowl MVP in the Cowboys’ losing effort the year before.  A six-time Pro Bowler and five-time First Team All-Pro, Howley’s path has to come via the Senior’s Committee.  

#3. Randy Gradishar.  The star of the Orange Crush Defense, Gradishar was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, and went to seven Pro Bowls and had five First Team All-Pros.  Gradishar was a Finalist three times, most recently in 2020, on the Centennial Slate ballot.  He was ranked #2 last year.

#4. DeMarcus Ware.  Ware was ranked #1 last year, and while we thought he was going to enter last year on his first year on the ballot, it was not meant to be, although he reached the Finals.  The Linebacker played for Dallas and Denver, winning a Super Bowl in his final season.  A member of the 2000s All-Decade Team, Ware twice led the lead in Sacks, three times in Tackles for Loss, and went to nine Pro Bowls.  Ware is also a four-time First Team All-Pro.

#5. Darrelle Revis.  The New York Jets may not have had much to crow about over the last twenty years, but Darrelle Revis and “Revis Island” was one of the finest displays of Cornerback work over the last decade.  Revis was a four-time First Team All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowl Selection, and he won a Super Bowl with New England.  This is his first year of eligibility.

#6. L.C. Greenwood.  Greenwood helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls in the 1970s and he was a Finalist for the Hall six times.  A six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All Pro, the Defensive End was also chosen for the 1970s All-Decade Team.  He drops two spots this year.

#7. Torry Holt.  Holt is destined to follow his Hall of Fame Rams teammate and fellow Wide Receiver, Isaac Bruce into Canton.  A Super Bowl Champion with St. Louis, Holt was an All-Decade Selection, seven-time Pro Bowler and he has been a Finalist the last three years.  Holt slid one spot on this year’s rank.

8. Ronde Barber.  Moving up two spots, Barber played his entire career with Tampa Bay, where he won a Super Bowl.  A member of the 25-25 Club, Barber went to five Pro Bowls and was a 2010’s All-Decade Selection.  He has been a Finalist the last two years.

9. Roger Craig.  A former Offensive Player of the Year and three-time Super Bowl Champion with San Francisco, Craig made history as the first player to rush for 1,000 Yards and receive over 1,000 Yards in a season.  The four-time Pro Bowler was ranked at number five last year, and was a Finalist in 2020.

10. Zach Thomas.  Thomas has been a Finalist the last three years and likely will be again in 2023.  The Linebacker was an All-Decade Selection in the 2000s, a two-time leader in Combined Tackles, and was a five-time First Team All-Pro.  Thomas was ranked #21 last year.

There were many other new entries on our top 300.

Offensive Lineman, and Super Bowl Champion with New Orleans, Jahri Evans, enters at #36.  He was a four-time First Team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl Selection.

James Harrison went from undrafted to two-time Super Bowl Champion and Defensive Player of the Year with the Steelers.  The five-time Pro Bowler debuts at #51.

Defensive End, Dwight Freeney, went to seven Pro Bowls, was a three-time First Team All-Pro and won the Super Bowl with Indianapolis.  Freeney had 125.5 career Sacks and comes in at #61.

Shane Lechler, who is one of the best Punters ever makes his first appearance on the list at #110.

Rounding out the new entries are former Bears and Jets Running Back, Matt Forte (#215), former 49ers Linebacker, NaVorro Bowman (#231), and former Bengals and Cardinals Quarterback, Carson Palmer (#258). 

Thank you all for your support, and we encourage you to cast your votes and offer your opinions.

As we approach the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, we have been working on our future eligible section.  As football players don’t always retire after they played their last game (usually to see if they can land another job while sitting out as a free agent) we aren’t able to immediately add them.  

With that being the case, we have added to our site, 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame eligible list.

The people eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame whom we are featuring are:

Alterraun Verner:  Verner would be named to the Pro Bowl at Cornerback in 2013 when he was with the Tennessee Titans.

Brian Cushing:  The Linebacker was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2009, but this would be the only year that the career Houston Texan would be named to the Pro Bowl.

Carson Palmer:  Palmer was a three-time Pro Bowl Quarterback who led the NFL in Touchdown Passes in 2005.

Chris Johnson:  Johnson was the Offensive Player of the Year in 2009 and the Running Back would go on to three Pro Bowls.

Cliff Avril:  Avril was a Pro Bowl Linebacker in 2016 and was a Super Bowl Champion with the Seattle Seahawks.

Danny Woodhead:  Woodhead was a popular and undrafted Running Back who would have nearly 5,000 Yards from Scrimmage.

Darrelle Revis:  Revis was the greeter of “Revis Island”, where the Cornerback would be named to seven Pro Bowls and four First Team All-Pros.  Revis would win a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots.

Darren McFadden:  McFadden played at Running Back where he would have 7,535 Yards from Scrimmage.

DeAngelo Hall:  Hall would become a three-time Pro Bowl Defensive Back.

DeMarco Murray:  Murray was explosive in 2014 where the Running Back would be named the Offensive Player of the Year.  He was also a three-time Pro Bowl Selection.

Dwight Freeney:  Freeney was a First Team All-Pro Defensive End three times and he would be named to seven Pro Bowls.  Freeney won the Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts and he retired with 125.5 Quarterback Sacks.

Elvis Dumervil:  At Defensive End, Dumervil was a five-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro who led the NFL in Sacks in 2009.  He retried with 105.5 Sacks over his career.

Eric Decker:  The Wide Receiver would have over 50 Receiving Touchdowns over his career.

Eric Weems:  Weems would record over 5,000 Return Yards and was 2010 Pro Bowl Selection.

Eric Wood:  Wood would be a Pro Bowl Selection at 2015 at the Center Position.

James Harrison:  Harrison was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 and was a five-time and two-time First Team All-Pro.  The Linebacker would help the Pittsburgh Steelers win two Super Bowls.

Jay Cutler:  Cutler would throw for over 35,000 Yards and was a Pro Bowl Selection in 2008.

Jeremy Maclin:  Maclin played at Wide Receiver and he had five straight years of 800 Yards.

Joe Thomas:  Thomas played his entire career at Left Tackle for the Cleveland Browns where he was an 11-time Pro Bowl and a six-time First Team All-Pro Selection.

John Kuhn:  Kuhn was a three-time Pro Bowl Fullback who would win two Super Bowls, one with Pittsburgh and one with the Green Bay Packers.

Julius Thomas:  Thomas was a two-time Pro Bowl Tight End.

Kam Chancellor:  Chancellor helped the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl and the Strong Safety was a four-time Pro Bowler. 

Martellus Bennett:  Bennett was a Pro Bowl Tight End in 2014 and a Super Bowl Champion with the New England Patriots.

Matt Forte:  Forte was a two-time Pro Bowl Running Back who retired with 9,796 Rushing Yards and another 4,672 Yards from Receiving.  

NaVorro Bowman:  Bowman was a First Team All-Pro Linebacker who would lead the NFL in Tackles in 2015.

Paul Pozluszny:  Pozluszny was a Pro Bowl Linebacker in 2013.

Shane Lechler:  Lechler was the best Punter of his era, going to seven Pro Bowls and earning six First Team All-Pro Selections.

Tamba Hali:  Hali would have 89.5 Sacks over his career and the career Kansas City Chief would go to five Pro Bowls.

Terence Newman:  Newman was a two-time Cornerback. 

The entire group eligible for 2023 can be found here.

As always, we encourage you to vote and state your opinion.

Thank you again for your support!

 

We have another major football retirement worth discussing and pass rusher extraordinaire Dwight Freeney is calling it quits. The Defensive End signed a one day contact with the Indianapolis Colts so he could retire with the team where he had his greatest success.

Selected 11th overall by the Colts in 2002, Freeney would become a starter midway through his rookie season and was the runner up for the Defensive Rookie of the Year. Notably, he would record 13 Quarterback Sacks and his elite spin move would baffle offensive lines and he would quickly become known as one of the top pass rushers. The next season, Freeney would again record more than 10 Sacks (11) and would go to his first Pro Bowl. The next two seasons were even better as not only was he named a Pro Bowler but also a First Team All Pro. His 16 Sacks in 2004were enough to lead the NFL and in 2006 he would help the Colts win the Super Bowl.

From 2008 to 2011 Freeney would be named to the Pro Bowl, netting him seven trips in total. The 2009 season would also be his third selection as a First Team All Pro. The Colts would not resign Sweeney after the 2013 season and he would spend the next four years playing for the San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions and Settle Seahawks.

Dwight Freeney retires from the National Football League with 125.5 Sacks, enough for 17th all-time. He will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023 and should receive Hall of Fame consideration and he will definitely land a solid spot on out Notinhalloffame.com Football list.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to thank Dwight Freeney for all of the gridiron memories and we wish him the best on his post-playing career.

Perhaps one of the most undervalued defensive players in history, Dwight Freeney and his patented spin move made many Offensive Linemen look silly on a regular basis.  Freeney was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection as a Colt and would lead the NFL in Quarterback Sacks in 2004 and is also a member of the 100 Sack Club, a total he reached in Indianapolis.

Frenney entered the Colts Ring of Honor in 2019.