Can we say again, how much we love “Hall of Fame Season.”

Two weeks after the Baseball Hall of Fame announced the Class of 2025, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced their class, but it was not without controversy.

This was the first year under the new system, whereby the 15 Modern Finalists was cut to 10, and then to 7.  From there , the Committee cast their ballots for five of the seven, with a candidate needing 80 percent of the vote to enter.  As we suspected, and even warned about, a scenario could emerge where you would have a minimum of three elected, and that is what happened as only Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Antonio Gates receiving the call.

In a new wrinkle, those who made it to the final seven and did not enter (Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri) will be automatic Finalists in 2026.  Notably, those who made the cut to 10 were Jahri Evans, Marshal Yanda and Darren Woodson, meaning that the first five cut were Eli Manning, Steve Smith Sr., Terrell Suggs, Fred Taylor and Reggie Wayne.

What occurred in the Seniors/Coaches/Contributors was worse.  Five names were put forth with Seniors Maxie Baughan and Jim Tyrer, Coach Mike Holmgren and Contributor Ralph Hay falling short.  Only Sterling was selected.

Four.

That’s it.

This is the smallest class in decades, and we will have more to say on that on our corresponding shows on Notinhalloffame.

Nevertheless, let’s celebrate the newest members of the Pro Football of Fame.

Inducted are:

Eric Allen, Cornerback.  Philadelphia 1988-94, New Orleans 1995-97, Oakland 1998-2001.  Allen enters on his 19th year of eligibility and the six-time Pro Bowl Selection recorded 54 Interceptions with eight returned for Touchdowns.  A First Team All-Pro in 1989, Allen was named the UPI Defensive Player of the Year in 1993.

Jared Allen, Defensive End.  Kansas City 2004-07, Minnesota 2008-2013, Chicago 2014-15, Carolina 2015.  Allen was a Finalist in all five years of his eligibility and is now headed to Canton.  A four-time First Team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl Selection, Allen twice led the league in Sacks and had 136 in total.  He also had 171 Tackles for Loss, and was named by the Sporting News as their 2011 Defensive Player of the Year.

Antonio Gates, Tight End.  San Diego/Los Angeles 2003-18.  Gates enters the Hall of his second year, though many thought he should have entered on his first year.  Gates went to eight consecutive Pro Bowls (2004-11), three First Team All-Pros (2004-06) and had 11,841 Yards and 116 Touchdowns.

Sterling Sharpe, Wide Receiver.  Green Bay 1998-94.  Sharpe joins his brother Shannon, making them the first set of brothers to achieve this honor.  While his career was cut short by injury, Sharpe’s career was explosive netting him five Pro Bowls, there First Team All-Pros.  He also led the NFL in Receptions three times, Receiving Touchdowns twice and Receiving Yards once.

We will begin revisions on our notinhalloffame.com Football list of those to consider for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

As we are also revising our Baseball list, please be patient!

Thank you all for your continued support.

Days before the end of 2024, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the 15 Finalists who have advanced for possible Hall of Fame induction in 2025.

The class will be announced on February 6 as part of the NFL honors show

*Means they were a Finalist last year

**Means they are eligible for the first time.

The Finalists are:

Quarterbacks (1):

**Eli Manning: NYG 2005-19.  Manning went to two Super Bowls and won them, as did the Super Bowl MVPs.  A four-time Pro Bowl and Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, Manning passed for 57,023 Yards and 366 Touchdowns.  

It is no shock to see Manning here as the lone Quarterback, but his candidacy has some flaws.  Manning was never considered among the best three at QB in any year, and his overall record is .500.  Despite this, he is gaining the most attention of any candidate.  Ranked #99 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Running Backs (1):

*Fred Taylor:  JAX 1998-2008 & NWE 2009-10.  Taylor was a Pro Bowl Selection in 2007, and he accumulated 14,079 Yards from Scrimmage with 11,695 yards on the ground.   He also had 74 Touchdowns and is the only Running Back to make the finals, and he is now a two-time Finalist.  Ranked #167 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Wide Receivers (3)

**Torry Holt: STL 1999-2008 & JAX 2009.  A Super Bowl Champion with the St. Louis Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls and led the NFL in Receiving Yards twice (2000 & 2003).  The one-time First Team All-Pro finished his career with 13,382 Yards and 74 TDs.  Holt is now a six-time Finalist.  Ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Smith Sr.:  2001-16, CAR, BAL.  Smith led the NFL in Receptions (103), Receiving Yards (1,563), and Receiving Touchdowns (12) 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 and is a Finalist for the first time.  Ranked #24 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Reggie Wayne:  IND 2001-12.  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 (1,510) and has significantly more Yards (14,345) than any other Preliminary candidate.  He also has 82 Touchdowns, and like Holt, he is a Finalist for the sixth time.  Ranked #11 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tight Ends (1)

*Antonio Gates:  SDG 2003-16 & LAC 2017-18.  Gates went to the Pro Bowl every year from 2004 to 2011 and was a three-time First Team All-Pro.  A Finalist last year, he had 116 Touchdowns and 11,841 Yards.  It was a mild surprise that he was not inducted in 2024.  Ranked #1 on Norinhalloffame.com.

Offensive Lineman (3):

*Willie Anderson (T):  CIN 1996-2007 & BAL 2008.  Anderson was chosen for four Pro Bowls in a row (2003-06), with his last three being First Team All-Pro worthy.  Anderson has been a Finalist for the previous two years.  Ranked #115 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jahri Evans (G):  NOR 2006-16 & GNB 2017.  Evans went to six consecutive Pro Bowls (2009-14) and was a First Team All-Pro in the first four.  He is also a Super Bowl Champion with the Saints and is now a two-time Finalist.  Ranked #33 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Marshal Yanda (G):  BAL 2007-19. A Super Bowl Champion with Baltimore, Yanda went to eight Pro Bowls with two First Team and five Second Team All-Pros.  Like Manning, he is a Finalist in his first year on the ballot.  Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Defensive Linemen (1)

**Jared Allen (DE):  KAN 2004-07, MIN 2008-13, CHI 2014-15, CAR 2015.  Allen twice led the NFL in Sacks (2007 & 2011) and would have 136.0 in total.  Allen also was the 2011 runner-up for the AP Defensive Player of the Year, though he did win the Sporting News DPOY.  A five-time Pro Bowler and a First Team All-Pro in four of those years, Allen had been a Finalist in all five of his years of eligibility.  Ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Linebackers: (2)

**Luke Kucchly: CAR 2012-19.   Kuechly is a strong contender to enter Canton on his first year of eligibility as he is a former Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012) and Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.  A two-time leader in Combined Tackles, Kuechly was a seven-time Pro Bowl and five-time First Team All-Pro.  Kuechly is also a first-time Finalist in year one.  Ranked #2 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Terrell Suggs (Also DE):  BAL 2003-18, ARI 2019 & KAN 2019.  Suggs was the 2003 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, and eight years later, he was the consensus Defensive Player of the Year.  He went to seven Pro Bowls, was a one-time First Team All-Pro, and compiled 139 Sacks, 202 Tackles for Loss, and 200 Quarterback Hits.  He was also a huge part of Baltimore’s second Super Bowl, and as a veteran, he retired, winning a second one with Kansas City.  Like Kuechly, he is a Finalist in his first year of eligibility.  Ranked #13 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Defensive Backs: (2)

*Eric Allen (CB):  1988-01, PHI, NOR, OAK.  Allen secured 54 Interceptions and 787 Tackles and would have six Pro Bowl Seasons, with one earning a First Team All-Pro Selection and a UPI Defensive Player of the Year Award.  He was a Finalist last year.  Ranked #46 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Darren Woodson (S):  DAL 1992-03.  Woodson was part of the Cowboys’ three Super Bowl Titles in the early 90s, a five-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro.  He has been a Semi-Finalist multiple times before and has 23 career Interceptions with 11 Sacks and 967 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #70 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Special Teams: (1)

**Adam Vinatieri PK: NWE 1996-2005 & IND 2006-19.  Entering his first year on the ballot, Vinatieri was a clutch performer who won four Super Bowls and was a three-time First Team All-Pro.  He is the all-time leader in Points Scored (2,673) and Field Goals Made (599).  He is also a Finalist in his first year on the ballot. Ranked #93 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Failing to advance:  

Ricky Watters: SFO 1992-01, SFO, PHI, SEA.  Anquan Boldin:  ARI 2003-09, BAL 2010-12 & SFO 2014-15 & DET 2016.   Hines Ward:  PIT 1998-2011.  Richmond Webb (T):  MIA 1990-2000 & CIN 2001-02.  Steve Wisniewski (G):  RAI 1989-94 & OAK 1995-2001.  Robert Mathis (DE, Also LB):  IND 2003-16.  Vince Wilfork (DT/NT):  NWE 2002-14, HOU 2015-16.  James Harrison:  PIT 2002, 2003-12 & 2017 -17, CIN 2013, NWE 2017.  Rodney Harrison (S):  SFG 1994-2002 & NWE 2003-08.  Earl Thomas (S):  SEA 2010-18 & BAL 2019.

We at Notinhalloffame.com love that November is the peak of “Hall of Fame Season,” where debates run wild and cut-downs amp up. 

Less than 48 hours after the Baseball Hall of Fame unveiled its official 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the Semi-Finalists for the Class of 2025.

Two months ago, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 167 Preliminary Modern candidates for the Class of 2025, and this year, a special committee was tasked with reducing this group to 50 for the first vote.  These are the 25 Semi-Finalists.

*Means they were a Finalist last year

**Means they are eligible for the first time.

Let’s examine this group by position.

Quarterbacks (1):

**Eli Manning: NYG 2005-19.  Manning went to two Super Bowls and won them, as did the Super Bowl MVPs.  A four-time Pro Bowl and Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, Manning passed for 57,023 Yards and 366 Touchdowns.  

It is no shock to see Manning here as the lone Quarterback, but his candidacy has some flaws.  Manning was never considered among the best three at QB in any year, and his overall record is .500.  If Eli makes the Finals, look for his name to be the hottest debated.  Ranked #99 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Running Backs (2):

*Fred Taylor:  JAX 1998-2008 & NWE 2009-10.  Taylor was a Pro Bowl Selection in 2007, and he accumulated 14,079 Yards from Scrimmage with 11,695 yards on the ground.   He also had 74 Touchdowns.  Ranked #167 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ricky Watters: SFO 1992-01, SFO, PHI, SEA.  Watters was a Super Bowl Champion with the 49ers and 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 #47 on Notinhalloffame.com.

It was a mild shock not to see Marshawn Lynch make it as a semi-finalist. Tiki Barber and Eddie George also fell off, which was surprising, as they were semi-finalists last year, and it is rare that someone falls off that tier. 

Wide Receivers (5)

Anquan Boldin:  ARI 2003-09, BAL 2010-12 & SFO 2014-15 & DET 2016.  A three-time Pro Bowl Selection and AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, Boldin had seven 1,000 Yard Receiving seasons, tallying 13,779 in total with 82 Touchdowns.  He is also a past winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year (2015) and Alan Page Community Award.  Ranked #83 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Torry Holt: STL 1999-2008 & JAX 2009.  A Super Bowl Champion with the St. Louis Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls and led the NFL in Receiving Yards twice (2000 & 2003).  The one-time First Team All-Pro finished his career with 13,382 Yards and 74 TDs.  Holt has been a multi-time Finalist.  Ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Smith Sr.:  2001-16, CAR, BAL.  Smith led the NFL in Receptions (103), Receiving Yards (1,563), and Receiving Touchdowns (12) 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 and was a previous Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #24 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Hines Ward:  PIT 1998-2011.  Ward won two Super Bowls with the Steelers and was the MVP in one of them.  A multi-time Semi-Finalist, he has four consecutive Pro Bowls (2001-04), 85 Touchdowns, and 12,083 Yards on his resume.  Ranked #45 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Reggie Wayne:  IND 2001-12.  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 (1,510) and has significantly more Yards (14,345) than any other Preliminary candidate.  He also has 82 Touchdowns.  Ranked #11 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tight Ends (1)

*Antonio Gates:  SDG 2003-16 & LAC 2017-18.  Gates went to the Pro Bowl every year from 2004 to 2011 and was a three-time First Team All-Pro.  A Finalist last year, he had 116 Touchdowns and 11,841 Yards.  It was a mild surprise that he was not inducted in the previous year.  Ranked #1 on Norinhalloffame.com.

Offensive Lineman (5):

*Willie Anderson (T):  CIN 1996-2007 & BAL 2008.  Anderson was chosen for four Pro Bowls in a row (2003-06), with his last three being First Team All-Pro worthy.  Anderson has been a Finalist for the previous two years.  Ranked #115 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jahri Evans (G):  NOR 2006-16 & GNB 2017.  Evans went to six consecutive Pro Bowls (2009-14) and was a First Team All-Pro in the first four.  He is also a Super Bowl Champion with the Saints.  Ranked #33 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Richmond Webb (T):  MIA 1990-2000 & CIN 2001-02.  Webb was a Pro Bowl Selection in his first seven seasons, with two earning First Team All-Pro nods.  He was also named the Sporting News and the UPI Rookie of the Year.  Ranked #48 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Wisniewski (G):  EAI 1989-94 & OAK 1995-2001.  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 #21 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Marshal Yanda (G):  BAL 2007-19. A Super Bowl Champion with Baltimore, Yanda went to eight Pro Bowls with two First Team and five Second Team All-Pros.  Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Defensive Linemen (3)

**Jared Allen (DE):  KAN 2004-07, MIN 2008-13, CHI 2014-15, CAR 2015.  Allen twice led the NFL in Sacks (2007 & 2011) and would have 136.0 in total.  Allen also was the 2011 runner-up for the AP Defensive Player of the Year, though he did win the Sporting News DPOY.  In his first four years of eligibility, Allen was a Finalist, a five-time Pro Bowler, and a First Team All-Pro in four of those years.  Ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Robert Mathis (DE, Also LB):  IND 2003-16.  Mathis won a Super Bowl with the Colts, thrice led the NFL in Forced Fumbles, and is the all-time leader in that category with 54.  He had 123 career Sacks, leading the NFL in that category in 2013 with 19, and also earning his only First-Team All-Pro with a second-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting.  Mathis went to five Pro Bowls.  Ranked #108 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Vince Wilfork (DT/NT):  NWE 2002-14, HOU 2015-16.  A prior semi-finalist, 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.

Linebackers: (3)

James Harrison:  PIT 2002, 2003-12 & 2017 -17, CIN 2013, NWE 2017.  Harrison won two Super Bowls with the Steelers and had a five-year streak of Pro Bowls from 2007 to 2011.  The two-time First Team All-Pro won the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year Award and is a previous Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #42 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Luke Kucchly: CAR 2012-19.   Kuechly is a strong contender to enter Canton on his first year of eligibility as he is a former Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012) and Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.  A two-time leader in Combined Tackles, Kuechly was a seven-time Pro Bowl and five-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #2 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Terrell Suggs (Also DE):  BAL 2003-18, ARI 2019 & KAN 2019.  Suggs was the 2003 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, and eight years later, he was the consensus Defensive Player of the Year.  He went to seven Pro Bowls, was a one-time First Team All-Pro, and compiled 139 Sacks, 202 Tackles for Loss, and 200 Quarterback Hits.  He was also a huge part of Baltimore’s second Super Bowl, and as a veteran, he retired, winning a second one with Kansas City.  Ranked #13 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Defensive Backs: (4)

*Eric Allen (CB):  1988-01, PHI, NOR, OAK.  Allen secured 54 Interceptions and 787 Tackles and would have six Pro Bowl Seasons, with one earning a First Team All-Pro Selection and a UPI Defensive Player of the Year Award.  He was a Finalist last year.  Ranked #46 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Rodney Harrison (S):  SFG 1994-2002 & NWE 2003-08.  Harrison won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and was a Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro twice.  He would have 34 career Interceptions, 30.5 Sacks, and 1,206 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #150 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Earl Thomas (S):  SEA 2010-18 & BAL 2019.  A seven-time Pro Bowler, Thomas was selected for three straight First Team All-Pros (2012-14) and won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks.  The Safety had 30 Interceptions and 713 Tackles.  Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Darren Woodson (S):  DAL 1992-03.  Woodson was part of the Cowboys’ three Super Bowl Titles in the early 90s, a five-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro.  He has been a Semi-Finalist multiple times before and has 23 career Interceptions with 11 Sacks and 967 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #70 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Special Teams: (1)

**Adam Vinatieri PK: NWE 1996-2005 & IND 2006-19.  Entering his first year on the ballot, Vinatieri was a clutch performer who won four Super Bowls and was a three-time First Team All-Pro.  He is the all-time leader in Points Scored (2,673) and Field Goals Made (599). Ranked #93 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The following players failed to advance from 50 to 25.

QB.  Steve McNair:  HOU 1995-97, TEN 1997-2005 & BAL 2006-07.  In 1999, Steve McNair quarterbacked the Tennessee Titans to their first Super Bowl appearance, and in 2003, he was the AP MVP.  A three-time Pro Bowler, McNair threw for 31,204 Yards and 174 Touchdowns and rushed for 3,590 Yards and 37 TDs.  Ranked #125 on Notinhalloffame.com.

RB.  Shaun Alexander:  SEA 2000-08 & WAS 2008.  Alexander went to three straight Pro Bowls (2003-05), and in the last one, he won the Rushing Title (1,880) and was named the consensus MVP.  Alexander twice led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns and retired with 10,973 Yards From Scrimmage and 112 Touchdowns.  Ranked #81 on Notinhalloffame.com. 

RB.  Tiki Barber:  NYG 1997-06.  Barber played the entirety of his career with the Giants, where he went to the Pro Bowl in his final three seasons.  He led the NFL in Yards from Scrimmage twice, and in the second of those years (2005), he was a First Team All-Pro and fourth in AP MVP voting.  Barber rushed for 10,449 Yards and had 5,183 Receiving Yards with 67 TDs from Scrimmage.  Ranked #153 on Notinhalloffame.com.

RB.  Eddie George:  HOU 1996, TEN 1997-2003 & DAL 2004.  George went to four straight Pro Bowls (1997-2000) and was a First Team All-Pro in 2000.  He would rush for 10,441 Yards and had 12,688 Yards from Scrimmage with 78 TDs.  Ranked #174 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**RB.  Marshawn Lynch:  BUF 2007-10, SEA 2011-15 & 2019 & OAK 2018.  Lynch propelled Seattle to a Super Bowl and was a two-time leader in Rushing Touchdowns.  “Beast Mode” went to five Pro Bowls, earned a First Team All-Pro, and had 12,627 Yards from Scrimmage with 94 TDs.  Ranked #29 on Notinhalloffame.com.

WR.  Jimmy Smith:  DAL 1992, JAX 1995-2005.  Smith was chosen for five consecutive Pro Bowls (1997-01), and in 1999, he led the NFL in Receptions (116).  He would retire with 12,287 Receiving Yards and 67 Touchdowns.  Ranked #165 on Notinhalloffame.com.

TE.  Ben Coates:  NWE 1991-99 & BAL 2000.  Coates was a Pro Bowler for 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 #106 on Notinhalloffame.com.

OL.  Lomas Brown (T): DET 1985-95 ARI 1996-98, CLE 1999, NYG 2000-01 & TAM 2002.  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 #152 on Notinhalloffame.com.

OL.  Ruben Brown (G):  BUF 1995-2003 & CHI 2004-07.  Brown was a nine-time Pro Bowl Selection who started his 181 Games.  Ranked #119 on Notinhalloffame.com.

OL.  Olin Kreutz (C):  CHI 1998-2010 & NOR 2011.  Kreutz went to six straight Pro Bowls (2001-06) and was a one-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #109 on Notinhalloffame.com.

OL.  Logan Mankins (G):  NWE 2005-13 & TAM.2014-15   A seven-time Pro Bowler, Mankins started all of his 161 Games at. Left Guard.  Ranked #78 on Notinhalloffame.com.

OL.  Jeff Saturday (C):  IND 1999-2011 & GNB 2012.  Jeff Saturday won a Super Bowl with the Colts and was a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #75 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**OL.  Joe Staley (T):  SFO 2007-19   Staley started all 181 Games as a Left Tackle with San Francisco, where he went to the Pro Bowls.    Ranked #111 on Notinhalloffame.com.

OL.  Erik Williams (T):  DAL 1991-2000 & BAL 2001.  Williams won three Super Bowls with Dallas and went to four Pro Bowls.  He was also twice named a First Team All-Pro.

DL.  John Abraham (DE, also LB):  NYJ 2000-05, ATL 2006-12 & ARI 2013-14.  Recording 133.5 Sacks and 148 Tackles for Loss, Abraham was a five-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #62 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*DL.  Haloti Ngata (DT):  BAL 2006-14, DET 2015-17 &, PHI 2018.  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 #39 on Notinhalloffame.com.

DL.  Simeon Rice (DE):  ARI 1996-2000, TAM 2001-06, DEN 2007 & IND 2007.  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 #135 on Notinhalloffame.com.

DL.  Neil Smith (DE):  KAN 1988-96, DEN 1997-99 & SDG 2000.  Smith would go to six Pro Bowls and was also a First Team All-Pro in 1993 when he was the league leader in Sacks (15).  He would also win two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos and had 104.5 career Sacks.  Ranked #32 on Notinhalloffame.com.

DL.  Kevin Williams (DT/DE):  MIN 2003-13, SEA 2014 & NOR 2015.  Williams had six Pro Bowls and five First Team All-Pros in a career spent mainly in Minnesota.  He recorded 63 Sacks and 113 Tackles for Loss.  Ranked #25 on Notinhalloffame.com.

LB.  Cornelius Bennett:  1987-00, BUF, ATL, IND.  Bennett would go to five Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in 1988.  The two-time UPI Defensive Player of the Year helped Buffalo win four AFC Championships, and he had 71.5 Sacks and 1,190 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #95 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*LB.  London Fletcher:  STL 1998-2001, BUF 2002-06 & WAS 2007-13.  A previous Semi-Finalist. Fletcher would win a Super Bowl early in his career with the Rams, and later on in his career, he would make the Pro Bowl four years in a row (2009-12) as a Redskin. He accumulated 2,039 Combined Tackles over his career, 23 Interceptions, and 39 Sacks.  Ranked #55 on Notinhalloffame.com.

DB.  Kam Chancellor (S):  SEA 2010-17.  Chancellor won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks while going to do four Pro Bowls over his career.  He compiled 12 Interceptions with 607 Tackles.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

DB.  Troy Vincent (CB):  MIA 1992-95, PHI 1996-2003, BUF 2004-05 & WAS 2006.   Vincent’s five Pro Bowls would all come consecutively (1999-2003) when he was with the Eagles. He earned First Team All-Pro honors in 2002 and had 47 Interceptions and 893 Combined Tackles.  In 2002 he also won the Walter Payton Man of the Year and Alan Page Community Award.  Ranked #259 on Notinhalloffame.com.

PK.  Gary Anderson PK:  PIT 1982-94, PHI 1995-06, SFO 1997, MIN 1998-2002 & TEN 2003-04.  Anderson went to four Pro Bowls and was the all-time leader in Points Scored and Field Goals Made at the time of his retirement.  A member of the 1980s and 1990s All-Decade Team, Anderson is currently third all-time in Points (2,434).  Ranked #206 on Notinhalloffame.com.

PR/KR.  Brian Mitchell (Also RB): WAS 1990-99, PHI 2000-02, NYG 2003.  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.  He also won a Super Bowl with Washington.  Ranked #151 on Notinhalloffame.com.

This group will be cut down to 15 Finalists later this year.

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

Damn, we love this time of year!

A month ago, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 167 Preliminary Modern candidates for the Class of 2025. This year, a special committee was tasked with reducing this group to 50, and next month, they will be reduced to 25 Semi-Finalists.

*Means they were a Finalist last year

**Means they are eligible for the first time.

Let’s examine this group by position.

Quarterbacks (2):

**Eli Manning: NYG 2005-19.  Manning went to two Super Bowls and won them, as did the Super Bowl MVPs.  A four-time Pro Bowl and Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, Manning passed for 57,023 Yards and 366 Touchdowns.  Ranked #99 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve McNair:  HOU 1995-97, TEN 1997-2005 & BAL 2006-07.  In 1999, Steve McNair quarterbacked the Tennessee Titans to their first Super Bowl appearance, and in 2003, he was the AP MVP.  A three-time Pro Bowler, McNair threw for 31,204 Yards and 174 Touchdowns and rushed for 3,590 Yards and 37 TDs.  Ranked #125 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The eight Quarterbacks eliminated were:

Marc Bulger: STL 2002-09. 

Randall Cunningham:  PHI 1985-95, MIN 1997-99, DAL 2000 & BAL 2001.  Ranked #29 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jake Delhomme:  NOR 1999-2002, CAR 2003-09, CLE 2010 & HOU 2011. 

Doug Flutie: CHI 1986, NWE 1987-89 & 2005, BUF 1998-2000 & SDG 2001-04. 

Rich Gannon:  MIN 1987-92, WAS  1993, KAN 1995-98 & OAK 1999-2002.  Ranked #290 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jeff Garcia:  SFO 1999-2003, CLE 2004, DET 2005, PHI 2006 & TAM 2007-08.  

Donovan McNabb:  PHI 1999-2001, WAS 2002 & MIN 2003.  Ranked #80 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tony Romo:  DAL 2004-16.  Ranked #326 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The Chairmans Quarterback Notes:

Yep, we all knew Eli would be here, and his two Super Bowl rings clash with his .500 record, and we bluntly ask: was there ever a time when it could honestly be said that Manning was the best three any time at his position?  Shouldn’t that matter?  It feels like Eli is on a collision course for a Finalist spot (and maybe even an immediate induction), which feels wrong. 

The QB omission that worries me here is the influential Randall Cunningham, a multi-time Bert Bell Award winner whose time on the modern ballot is wasting away. An honorable mention here goes to Donovan McNabb, who, regardless of the venue or conversation, is criminally disrespected.

Running Backs (6):

Shaun Alexander:  SEA 2000-08 & WAS 2008.  Alexander went to three straight Pro Bowls (2003-05), and in the last one, he won the Rushing Title (1,880) and was named the consensus MVP.  Alexander twice led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns and retired with 10,973 Yards From Scrimmage and 112 Touchdowns.  Ranked #81 on Notinhalloffame.com. 

Tiki Barber:  NYG 1997-06.  Barber played the entirety of his career with the Giants, where he went to the Pro Bowl in his final three seasons.  He led the NFL in Yards from Scrimmage twice, and in the second of those years (2005), he was a First Team All-Pro and fourth in AP MVP voting.  Barber rushed for 10,449 Yards and had 5,183 Receiving Yards with 67 TDs from Scrimmage.  Ranked #153 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Eddie George:  HOU 1996, TEN 1997-2003 & DAL 2004.  George went to four straight Pro Bowls (1997-2000) and was a First Team All-Pro in 2000.  He would rush for 10,441 Yards and had 12,688 Yards from Scrimmage with 78 TDs.  Ranked #174 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Marshawn Lynch:  BUF 2007-10, SEA 2011-15 & 2019 & OAK 2018.  Lynch propelled Seattle to a Super Bowl and was a two-time leader in Rushing Touchdowns.  “Beast Mode” went to five Pro Bowls, earned a First Team All-Pro, and had 12,627 Yards from Scrimmage with 94 TDs.  Ranked #29 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Fred Taylor:  JAX 1998-2008 & NWE 2009-10.  Taylor was a Pro Bowl Selection in 2007, and he accumulated 14,079 Yards from Scrimmage with 11,695 yards on the ground.   He also had 74 Touchdowns.  Ranked #167 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ricky Watters: SFO 1992-01, SFO, PHI, SEA.  Watters was a Super Bowl Champion with the 49ers and 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 #47 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The 25 Running Backs eliminated were:

Terry Allen:  MIN 1991-92 & 94, WAS 1995-98, NWE 1999, NOR 2000 & BAL 2001. 

Jamal Anderson:  ATL 1994-01.

Larry Centers FB:  PHO 1990-93, ARI 1994-98, WAS 1999-2000, BUF 2001-02, & NWE 2003.  

Jamaal Charles:  KAN 2008-16, DEN 2017 & JAX 2018. 

Stephen Davis:  WAS 1996-06, CAR 2003-05 & STL 2006. 

Corey Dillon:  CIN 1997-2003 & NWE 2004-06.  Ranked #240 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Warrick Dunn:   Ranked #301 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Charlie Garner:  PHI 1994-98, SFO 1999-2000, OAK 2001-03 & TAM 2004. 

Priest Holmes:  BAL 1997-2000 & KAN 2001-05 & 07.  Ranked #131 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steven Jackson:  STL, 2004-12, ATL 2013-14, NWE 2015.  Ranked #196 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chris Johnson:  TEN 2008-13, NYJ 2014 & ARI 2015-17.  

Thomas Jones:  ARI 2000-03, TAM 2003, CHI 2004-06, NYJ 2007-09 & KAN 2010-11. 

John Kuhn (FB):  PIT 2006, GNB 2007-15, NOR 2017. 

Vonta Leach (FB): GNB 2004-06, 2004-13, HOU 2006-2010 & BAL 2011-13. 

Dorsey Levens:  GNB 1994-2001, PHI 2002 & 2003 & NYG 2004. 

Jamal Lewis:   Ranked #238 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Eric Metcalf (Also WR/PR/KR):  CLE 1989-94, ATL 1995-96, SDG 1997, ARI 1998, CAR 1999, WAS 2001 & GNB 2002.  

Glyn Milburn (Also WR & KR):  DEN 1993-95, DET 1996-97, CHI 1998-2001 & SDG 2001. 

Lorenzo Neal (FB):  NOR 1993-96, NYJ 1997, TAM 1998, TEN 1999-2000, CIN 2001-02, SDG 2003-07 & BAL 08.  

Clinton Portis: DEN 2002-03 & WAS 2004-10.  

Tony Richardson (FB):  KAN 1995-2005, MIN 2006-07, NYJ 2008-10. 

Robert Smith: MIN 1993-2000.

Darren Sproles:  SDG 2005-10, NOR 2011-13 & PHO 2014-19. 

Chris Warren:  SEA 1990-97, DAL 1998-2000, PHI 2000. 

Ricky Williams: NOR 1999-2001, MIA 2002, 2005 & 2007-10, BAL 2011. 

The Chairman’s Running Back Notes:

I love seeing Alexander here, but here is a question: Am I the only one who had Taylor sixth in this group? Taylor is like Eli, as I openly ask when he was seriously considered among the top three RBs in football.  Does first ballot Back Marshawn leapfrog him?

Wide Receivers (21): (Down From 23 Last Year)

Anquan Boldin:  ARI 2003-09, BAL 2010-12 & SFO 2014-15 & DET 2016.  A three-time Pro Bowl Selection and AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, Boldin had seven 1,000 Yard Receiving seasons, tallying 13,779 in total with 82 Touchdowns.  He is also a past winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year (2015) and Alan Page Community Award.  Ranked #83 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Torry Holt: STL 1999-2008 & JAX 2009.  A Super Bowl Champion with the St. Louis Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls and led the NFL in Receiving Yards twice (2000 & 2003).  The one-time First Team All-Pro finished his career with 13,382 Yards and 74 TDs.  Holt has been a multi-time Finalist.  Ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jimmy Smith:  DAL 1992, JAX 1995-2005.  Smith was chosen for five consecutive Pro Bowls (1997-01), and in 1999, he led the NFL in Receptions (116).  He would retire with 12,287 Receiving Yards and 67 Touchdowns.  Ranked #165 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Smith Sr.:  2001-16, CAR, BAL.  Smith led the NFL in Receptions (103), Receiving Yards (1,563), and Receiving Touchdowns (12) 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 and was a previous Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #24 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Hines Ward:  PIT 1998-2011.  Ward won two Super Bowls with the Steelers and was the MVP in one of them.  A multi-time Semi-Finalist, he has four consecutive Pro Bowls (2001-04), 85 Touchdowns, and 12,083 Yards on his resume.  Ranked #45 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Reggie Wayne:  IND 2001-12.  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 (1,510) and has significantly more Yards (14,345) than any other Preliminary candidate.  He also has 82 Touchdowns.  Ranked #11 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The 15 Wide Receivers eliminated are:

Donald Driver:  GNB 1999-12.  

Antonio Freeman:  GNB 1995-2001 & 2003 & PHI 2002.  

Irving Fryar: NWE 1984-92, MIA 1993-95, PHI 1996-97 & WAS 1999-2000.   Ranked #143 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Joe Horn: KAN 1996-99, NOR 2000-06 & ATL 2007.  

Chad Johnson:  CIN 2001-10, & NWE 2011.  Ranked #145 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Brandon Marshall:  DEN 2006-09, MIA 2010-11, CHI 2012-14, NYJ 2015-16, NYG 2017 & SEA 2018.  Ranked #172 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Derrick Mason:  TEN 1997-2004, BAL 2005-10, NYJ 2011 & HOU 2011.  Ranked #231 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Herman Moore:  DET 1991-2001 & NYG 2002.  Ranked #333 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Muhsin Muhammad:  CAR 1996-2004 & 2008-09 & CHI 2005-07.  

Jordy Nelson:  GNB: 2008-18. 

Andre Rison:  IND 1989, ATL 1990-94, CLE 1995, JAX 1996, GNB 1996, KAN 1997-99 & OAK 2000.  Ranked #202 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rod Smith:  DEN 1995-2006.  Ranked #61 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Wes Welker:  SDG 2004, MIA 2004-06, NWE 2007-12, DEN 2013-14 & STL 2015.  Ranked #170 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Roddy White:  ATL 2005-15. 

The Chairman’s Wide Receiver Notes:

I have no issues with the six who advanced, and the only mild disappointment is Fryar’s omission, as his time is running out.

Tight Ends (6): (Up 3 from Last Year)

Ben Coates:  NWE 1991-99 & BAL 2000.  Coates was a Pro Bowler for 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 #106 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Antonio Gates:  SDG 2003-16 & LAC 2017-18.  Gates went to the Pro Bowl every year from 2004 to 2011 and was a three-time First Team All-Pro.  A Finalist last year, he had 116 Touchdowns and 11,841 Yards.  It was a mild surprise that he was not inducted in the previous year.  Ranked #1 on Norinhalloffame.com.

The four Tight Ends eliminated were:

Vernon Davis: SFO 2006-15, DEN 2015 & WAS 2016-19. 

Jeremy Shockey:  NYG 2002-07, NOR 2009-10 & CAR 2011. 

Delanie Walker: SFO 2006-12 & TEN 2013-19.  

Wesley Walls:  1989-03, SFO, NOR, CAR, GNB.   Ranked #322 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The Chairman’s Tight End notes:

None.  These two belong, and Gates will enter this year.  Bank on it.

Offensive Lineman (12):

*Willie Anderson (T):  CIN 1996-2007 & BAL 2008.  Anderson was chosen for four Pro Bowls in a row (2003-06), with his last three being First Team All-Pro worthy.  Anderson has been a Finalist for the previous two years.  Ranked #115 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Lomas Brown (T): DET 1985-95 ARI 1996-98, CLE 1999, NYG 2000-01 & TAM 2002.  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 #152 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ruben Brown (G):  BUF 1995-2003 & CHI 2004-07.  Brown was a nine-time Pro Bowl Selection who started his 181 Games.  Ranked #119 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jahri Evans (G):  NOR 2006-16 & GNB 2017.  Evans went to six consecutive Pro Bowls (2009-14) and was a First Team All-Pro in the first four.  He is also a Super Bowl Champion with the Saints.  Ranked #33 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Olin Kreutz (C):  CHI 1998-2010 & NOR 2011.  Kreutz went to six straight Pro Bowls (2001-06) and was a one-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #109 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Logan Mankins (G):  NWE 2005-13 & TAM.2014-15   A seven-time Pro Bowler, Mankins started all of his 161 Games at. Left Guard.  Ranked #78 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jeff Saturday (C):  IND 1999-2011 & GNB 2012.  Jeff Saturday won a Super Bowl with the Colts and was a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #75 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Joe Staley (T):  SFO 2007-19   Staley started all 181 Games as a Left Tackle with San Francisco, where he went to the Pro Bowls.    Ranked #111 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Richmond Webb (T):  MIA 1990-2000 & CIN 2001-02.  Webb was a Pro Bowl Selection in his first seven seasons, with two earning First Team All-Pro nods.  He was also named the Sporting News and the UPI Rookie of the Year.  Ranked #48 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Erik Williams (T):  DAL 1991-2000 & BAL 2001.  Williams won three Super Bowls with Dallas and went to four Pro Bowls.  He was also twice named a First Team All-Pro.

Steve Wisniewski (G):  EAI 1989-94 & OAK 1995-2001.  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 #21 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Marshal Yanda (G):  BAL 2007-19. A Super Bowl Champion with Baltimore, Yanda went to eight Pro Bowls with two First Team and five Second Team All-Pros.  Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The 14 Offensive Linemen eliminated were:

Bruce Armstrong (T/G):  1987-00, NWE.  Ranked #209 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Matt Birk (C):  MIN 1998-2007 & BAL 2009-12.  Ranked #137 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Travis Frederick (C): DAL 2012-17 & 2019. 

Jordan Gross (T):  CAR 2003-13  

Ryan Kalil (C):  CAR 2007-18 & NYJ 2019. 

Lincoln Kennedy (T-G):  ATL 1993-95 & OAK 1096-2003. 

T.J. Lang (G):  GNB 2009-16 & DET 2017-18. 

Nick Mangold (C):  NYJ 2008-16.  Ranked #92 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tom Nalen (C): DEN 1994-07.  Ranked #132 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mark Schlereth (G/C):  WAS 1989-94 & DEN 1995-2000.  

Josh Sitton (G): GNB 2008-15, CHI 2016-17 & MIA 2018. 

Chris Snee (G):  NYG 2004-13.  

Dave Szott (G):  KAN 2990-3000, WAS 2001 & NYJ 2002-03. 

Brian Waters (G):  KAN 2000-10, NWE 2011 & DAL 2013.  Ranked #193 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The Chairman’s Offensive Line Notes:

It is nice to see the Browns here (Lomas and Ruben) and Webb and Wisniewski, who have limited time left and need to become a Finalist soon.  As for the Centers, while I have no issues with Kreutz and Saturday, Nalen and Mangold feel like better choices. 

Defensive Linemen: (8)

John Abraham (DE, also LB):  NYJ 2000-05, ATL 2006-12 & ARI 2013-14.  Recording 133.5 Sacks and 148 Tackles for Loss, Abraham was a five-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #62 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Jared Allen (DE):  KAN 2004-07, MIN 2008-13, CHI 2014-15, CAR 2015.  Allen twice led the NFL in Sacks (2007 & 2011) and would have 136.0 in total.  Allen also was the 2011 runner-up for the AP Defensive Player of the Year, though he did win the Sporting News DPOY.  In his first four years of eligibility, Allen was a Finalist, a five-time Pro Bowler, and a First Team All-Pro in four of those years.  Ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Robert Mathis (DE):  IND 2003-16.  Mathis won a Super Bowl with the Colts, thrice led the NFL in Forced Fumbles, and is the all-time leader in that category with 54.  He had 123 career Sacks, leading the NFL in that category in 2013 with 19, and also earning his only First-Team All-Pro with a second-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting.  Mathis went to five Pro Bowls.  Ranked #108 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Haloti Ngata (DT):  BAL 2006-14, DET 2015-17 &, PHI 2018.  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 #39 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Simeon Rice (DE):  ARI 1996-2000, TAM 2001-06, DEN 2007 & IND 2007.  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 #135 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Neil Smith (DE):  KAN 1988-96, DEN 1997-99 & SDG 2000.  Smith would go to six Pro Bowls and was also a First Team All-Pro in 1993 when he was the league leader in Sacks (15).  He would also win two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos and had 104.5 career Sacks.  Ranked #32 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Vince Wilfork (DT/NT):  NWE 2002-14, HOU 2015-16.  A prior semi-finalist, 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.

Kevin Williams (DT/DE):  MIN 2003-13, SEA 2014 & NOR 2015.  Williams had six Pro Bowls and five First Team All-Pros in a career spent mainly in Minnesota.  He recorded 63 Sacks and 113 Tackles for Loss.  Ranked #25 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The 9 eliminated Defensive Lineman were:

La’Roi Glover (DT/NT):  OAK 1996, NOR 1997-2001, DAL 2002-05 & STL 2006-08.   Ranked #212 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Casey Hampton (DT/NT):  PIT 2001-12.   Ranked #314 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chester McGlockton (DT):  RAI 1992-94, OAK 1995-97, KAN 1998-2000, DEN 2001-02 & NYJ 2003. 

Clyde Simmons: (DE/DT):  PHI 1986-92, ARI 1994-93, JAX 1996-97, CIN 1998 & CHI 1999-2000.   Ranked #330 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Henry Thomas (DT/NT):  MIN 1987-94, DET 1995-96 & NWE 1997-2000.  Ranked #266 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Justin Tuck (DE):  NYG 2005-13 & OAK 2014-15.  

Ted Washington (NT/DT):  SFO 1991-93, BUF 1995-2000, CHI 2001-02, NWE 2003, OAK 2004-05 & CLE. 2006-07.  Ranked #246 in Notinhalloffame.com.

Jamal Williams (DT/NT):  SDG 1998-2009 & DEN 2010. 

Pat Williams (DT):  BUF 1997-2004 & MIN 2005-10. 

The Chairman’s Defensive Lineman Notes:

Two names:  They got it right with Neil Smith and Kevin Williams, two Linemen who should have been Finalists years ago, both of whom have never been Semi-Finalists.  Hopefully, they both advance.

Linebackers: (5) (Down from 25 last year)

Cornelius Bennett:  1987-00, BUF, ATL, IND.  Bennett would go to five Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in 1988.  The two-time UPI Defensive Player of the Year helped Buffalo win four AFC Championships, and he had 71.5 Sacks and 1,190 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #95 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*London Fletcher:  STL 1998-2001, BUF 2002-06 & WAS 2007-13.  A previous Semi-Finalist. Fletcher would win a Super Bowl early in his career with the Rams, and later on in his career, he would make the Pro Bowl four years in a row (2009-12) as a Redskin. He accumulated 2,039 Combined Tackles over his career, 23 Interceptions, and 39 Sacks.  Ranked #55 on Notinhalloffame.com.

James Harrison:  PIT 2002, 2003-12 & 2017 -17, CIN 2013, NWE 2017.  Harrison won two Super Bowls with the Steelers and had a five-year streak of Pro Bowls from 2007 to 2011.  The two-time First Team All-Pro won the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year Award and is a previous Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #42 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Luke Kucchly: CAR 2012-19.   Kuechly is a strong contender to enter Canton on his first year of eligibility as he is a former Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012) and Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.  A two-time leader in Combined Tackles, Kuechly was a seven-time Pro Bowl and five-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #2 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Terrell Suggs (Also DE):  BAL 2003-18, ARI 2019 & KAN 2019.  Suggs was the 2003 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, and eight years later, he was the consensus Defensive Player of the Year.  He went to seven Pro Bowls, was a one-time First Team All-Pro, and compiled 139 Sacks, 202 Tackles for Loss, and 200 Quarterback Hits.  He was also a huge part of Baltimore’s second Super Bowl, and as a veteran, he retired, winning a second one with Kansas City.  Ranked #13 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The 15 Linebackers eliminated were:

Jessie Armstead:  NYG 1992-2001 & WAS 2002-03.  Ranked #263 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brendon Ayanbadejo:  MIA 2003-04, CHI 2005-07 &, BAL 2008-12. 

NaVorro Bowman:  SFO 2010-17 & OAK 2017.   Ranked #262 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Lance Briggs:  CHI 2003-14.   Ranked #123 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Keith Brooking:  ATL 1998-2012, DAL 2009-11 &, DEN.  Ranked #285 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tedy Bruschi:  NWE 1996-2008.  

Donnie Edwards:  KAN 1996-2001 & 2007-08 & SDG 2002-06. 

James Farrior:  NYJ 1997-2001 & PIT 2002-11.  Ranked #271 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Willie McGinest (Also DE):  NWE 1994-2005 & CLE 2006-08.  

Ken Norton Jr.:  DAL 1988-93 & SFO 1994-2000.  

Julian Peterson:  SFO 2000-05, SEA 2006-08 & DET 2009-10.  Ranked #313 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bill Romanowski: SFO 1988-93, PHI 1994-95, DEN 1996-2001 & OAK 2002-03. 

Takeo Spikes:  CIN 1998-2003, BUF 2002-06, PHI 2007, SFO 2008-10 & SDG 2011-12.  

Jessie Tuggle:  ATL 1987-2000.  Ranked #126 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mike Vrabel:  PIT 1997-2000, NWE 2001-08 & KAN 2009-10. 

Lee Woodall:  SFO 1994-99, CAR 2000 & DEN 2001. 

The Chairman’s Linebackers Notes:

I am thrilled that Bennett is here, as he is also among my most wanted defensive players to at least get into the Finalist room to have a deep discussion.  Kuechly is no surprise, and I expect him to enter immediately.   If there were any other former players, I would have liked to see advance would be Jessie Tuggle and Lance Briggs.

Defensive Backs: (6)

*Eric Allen (CB):  1988-01, PHI, NOR, OAK.  Allen secured 54 Interceptions and 787 Tackles and would have six Pro Bowl Seasons, with one earning a First Team All-Pro Selection and a UPI Defensive Player of the Year Award.  He was a Finalist last year.  Ranked #46 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Kam Chancellor (S):  SEA 2010-17.  Chancellor won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks while going to do four Pro Bowls over his career.  He compiled 12 Interceptions with 607 Tackles.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Rodney Harrison (S):  SFG 1994-2002 & NWE 2003-08.  Harrison won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and was a Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro twice.  He would have 34 career Interceptions, 30.5 Sacks, and 1,206 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #150 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Earl Thomas (S):  SEA 2010-18 & BAL 2019.  A seven-time Pro Bowler, Thomas was selected for three straight First Team All-Pros (2012-14) and won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks.  The Safety had 30 Interceptions and 713 Tackles.  Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Troy Vincent (CB):  MIA 1992-95, PHI 1996-2003, BUF 2004-05 & WAS 2006.   Vincent’s five Pro Bowls would all come consecutively (1999-2003) when he was with the Eagles. He earned First Team All-Pro honors in 2002 and had 47 Interceptions and 893 Combined Tackles.  In 2002 he also won the Walter Payton Man of the Year and Alan Page Community Award.  Ranked #259 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Darren Woodson (S):  DAL 1992-03.  Woodson was part of the Cowboys’ three Super Bowl Titles in the early 90s, a five-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro.  He has been a Semi-Finalist multiple times before and has 23 career Interceptions with 11 Sacks and 967 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #70 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The 12 Defensive Backs eliminated were:

Eric Berry (DB): KAN 2010-18.   Ranked #162 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Antoine Bethea (S): IND 2006-13, SFO 2013-16 & ARI 2017-19. 

Dre Bly (DB):  STL 1999-2002, DET 2003-06, DEN 2007-08 & SFO 2009. 

Nick Collins (S):  GNB 2005-11.  

Antonio Cromartie (CB):  2006-16, SDG, NYJ, ARI, IND.  

DeAngelo Hall (CB):  ATL 2004-07, OAK 2008 & WAS 2008-17

Eugene Robinson (DB):  Ranked #241 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Samari Rolle (CB):  TEN 1998-2004 & BAL 2005-08. 

Allen Rossum (CB):  PHI 1998-99, GNB 2000-01, ATL 2002-06, PIT 2007, SFO 2008-09 & DAL 2009.  

Bob Sanders (S):  IND 2004-10 & SDG 2011.  

Aqib Talib (CB): TB 2008-12, NEW 2012-13, DEN 2014-17 & LAR 2018-19.  Ranked #108 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Charles Tillman (CB):  CHI 2004-14 & CAR 2015.   Ranked #220 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The Chairman’s Defensive Backs Notes:

I was surprised to see Chancellor here, as I would have Eric Berry or Charles Tillman in this spot.  Thomas has had his past issues, and despite being (in my opinion) the best DB on the list, they could hold him back in favor of Allen.

Special Teams: (3)

Gary Anderson PK:  PIT 1982-94, PHI 1995-06, SFO 1997, MIN 1998-2002 & TEN 2003-04.  Anderson went to four Pro Bowls and was the all-time leader in Points Scored and Field Goals Made at the time of his retirement.  A member of the 1980s and 1990s All-Decade Team, Anderson is currently third all-time in Points (2,434).  Ranked #206 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brian Mitchell (Also RB): WAS 1990-99, PHI 2000-02, NYG 2003.  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.  He also won a Super Bowl with Washington.  Ranked #151 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Adam Vinatieri PK: NWE 1996-2005 & IND 2006-19.  Entering his first year on the ballot, Vinatieri was a clutch performer who won four Super Bowls and was a three-time First Team All-Pro.  He is the all-time leader in Points Scored (2,673) and Field Goals Made (599). Ranked #93 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The 18 Special Teams players eliminated were:

David Akers PK:  WAS 1998, PHI 1999-2010, SFO 2011-12 & DET 2013.  Ranked #280 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Darren Bennett P:  SDG 1995-2003 & MIN 2004-05. 

Jason Elam PK:  DEN 1993-2007 & ATL 2008-09.  

Jeff Feagles P:  NWE 1988-89, PHI 1989-93, ARI 1994-97, SEA 1998-2002 & NYG 2004-09.  

Jason Hanson PK:  DET 1992-12.

Sean Landeta P:  NYG 1985-93, RAM 1993-94, STL 1995-9 & 2003-046, TAM 1997, GNB 1998 & PHI 2000-01 & 05.  

Shane Lechler P:   Ranked #110 on Notinhalloffame.com.

John Kasay PK:  SEA, 1991-94, CAR 1995-2010 & NOR 2011.  

Pat McAfee P:  IND 2009-16.  

Josh Cribbs PR/KRWR:  CLE 2005-12, NYJ 2013 & IND 2014.  

Brian Moorman P: BUF 2001-13 & DAL 2012. 

Matt Stover PK:  CLE 1991-95, BAL 1996-2008 & IND 2009. 

Matt Turk P:  WAS 1995-99, MIA 2000-01 & 2003-03, NYJ 2002, STL 2006, HOU 2007-11, JAX 2011.  

Mike Vanderjadt PK:  IND 1998-2005 & DAL 2006. 

The Chairman’s Special Teams Notes:

Only one thing:  Will Vinatieri make it in year one? 

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

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

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 2025, a total of 167 former players, 16 of whom are first-time eligible.

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

This group will pared down to 25 names this fall by the 50-person Hall of Fame committee.

*Means they were a preliminary candidate last year.

**Means they are eligible for the first time.

Quarterbacks (10): (same number from last year)

*Marc Bulger: STL 2002-09.  Bulger went to two Pro Bowls and threw for 22,814 Yards and 122 Touchdowns in a career spent entirely with the St. Louis Rams.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Randall Cunningham:  PHI 1985-95, MIN 1997-99, DAL 2000 & BAL 2001.  Cunningham is a three-time Bert Bell Award winner and a four-time Pro Bowl Selection.  He also threw for nearly 30,000 Yards, had 207 Touchdown Passes, and rushed for 4,928 Yards and 35 Touchdowns.  Ranked #29 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jake Delhomme:  NOR 1999-2002, CAR 2003-09, CLE 2010 & HOU 2011.  Delhomme led the Panthers to an NFC Championship in 2003 and to the Pro Bowl in 2005.  He passed for 20,975 Yards and 126 Touchdowns.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Doug Flutie: CHI 1986, NWE 1987-89 & 2005, BUF 1998-2000 & SDG 2001-04.  Flutie played many years in the CFL and went to the Pro Bowl in his return year to the NFL (1998); he went to the Pro Bowl and was the Comeback Player of the Year.  He threw for 14,715 Yards and 86 Touchdowns.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rich Gannon:  MIN 1987-92, WAS  1993, KAN 1995-98 & OAK 1999-2002.  Gannon became a bona fide NFL star in his mid-30s when he joined his fourth team, Oakland.  Gannon was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection and two-time Bert Bell winner who won the 2002 AP MVP.  The two-time First Team All-Pro threw for 28,743 Yards and 180 Touchdowns and was 2002’s passing leader and the QB of the AFC Champions.  Ranked #290 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jeff Garcia:  SFO 1999-2003, CLE 2004, DET 2005, PHI 2006 & TAM 2007-08.  Garcia went to four Pro Bowls and would throw for 25,537 Passing Yards and 161 Touchdowns.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Donovan McNabb:  1999-01, PHI, WAS, MIN.  McNabb took the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance 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:  HOU 1995-97, TEN 1997-2005 & BAL 2006-07.  In 1999, Steve McNair quarterbacked the Tennessee Titans to their first Super Bowl appearance, and in 2003, he was the AP MVP.  A three-time Pro Bowler, McNair threw for 31,204 Yards and 174 Touchdowns and rushed for 3,590 Yards and 37 TDs.  Ranked #125 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Eli Manning: NYG 2005-19.  Manning went to two Super Bowls and won them, as did the Super Bowl MVPs.  A four-time Pro Bowl and Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, Manning passed for 57,023 Yards and 366 Touchdowns.  Ranked #99 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Tony Romo:  DAL 2004-16.  Romo went to four Pro Bowls and amassed 34,183 Passing Yards and 248 Touchdown Passes.  He was also the second runner-up for the AP MVP in 2014.  Ranked #326 on Notinhalloffame.com.

(Quarterbacks added: **Eli Manning.  Quarterbacks removed: Michael Vick.)

Running Backs (31): (Down from 33 last year)

*Shaun Alexander:  SEA 2000-08 & WAS 2008.  Alexander went to three straight Pro Bowls (2003-05), and in the last one, he won the Rushing Title (1,880) and was named the consensus MVP.  Alexander twice led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns and retired with 10,973 Yards From Scrimmage and 112 Touchdowns.  Ranked #81 on Notinhalloffame.com. 

Terry Allen:  MIN 1991-92 & 94, WAS 1995-98, NWE 1999, NOR 2000 & BAL 2001.  Allen went to one Pro Bowl and compiled 10,215 Yards from Scrimmage and 79 Touchdowns.  He also once led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns with 21. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jamal Anderson:  ATL 1994-01.  In 1998, Anderson was a First-Team All-Pro, a Pro Bowl Selection, and third in MVP voting. Over his eight seasons, he had 41 touchdowns and 6,981 Yards from Scrimmage.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Tiki Barber:  NYG 1997-06.  Barber played the entirety of his career with the Giants, where he went to the Pro Bowl in his final three seasons.  He led the NFL in Yards from Scrimmage twice, and in the second of those years (2005), he was a First Team All-Pro and fourth in AP MVP voting.  Barber rushed for 10,449 Yards and had 5,183 Receiving Yards with 67 TDs from Scrimmage.  Ranked #153 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Larry Centers FB:  PHO 1990-93, ARI 1994-98, WAS 1999-2000, BUF 2001-02, & NWE 2003.  Centers was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection and totaled 8,985 Yards from Scrimmage.  He was also a First Team All-Pro once, and in his final season, he won a Super Bowl with the Patriots.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jamaal Charles:  KAN 2008-16, DEN 2017 & JAX 2018.  Charles went to four Pro Bowls, was a two-time First Team All-Pro, and, in a career spent mainly in Kansas City, netted 10,156 Yards from Scrimmage with 64 Touchdowns. He also led the NFL in TDs in 2013 and was third in Offensive Player of the Year voting.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Stephen Davis:  WAS 1996-06, CAR 2003-05 & STL 2006.  Davis went to three Pro Bowls and compiled 9,548 Yards and 69 Touchdowns from Scrimmage.  He led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns and Touchdowns in 1999.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Corey Dillon:  CIN 1997-2003 & NWE 2004-06.  Dillon won the Super Bowl with the 2004 Patriots and was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection.  He accumulated 13,154 Yards from Scrimmage with 89 Touchdowns.  Ranked #240 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Warrick Dunn:  TAM 1997-2001 & 2008 & ATL 2002-07.  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.  He had another 15 TDs and 4,339 Yards from the air.  Ranked #301 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Charlie Garner:  PHI 1994-98, SFO 1999-2000, OAK 2001-03 & TAM 2004.  Garner was a one-time Pro Bowl honoree and had 10,808 Yards from Scrimmage with 51 Touchdowns. 

*Eddie George:  HOU 1996, TEN 1997-2003 & DAL 2004.  George went to four straight Pro Bowls (1997-2000) and was a First Team All-Pro in 2000.  He would rush for 10,441 Yards and had 12,688 Yards from Scrimmage with 78 TDs.  Ranked #174 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Priest Holmes:  BAL 1997-2000 & KAN 2001-05 & 07.  Winning the Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, Holmes had tremendous individual success with the Chiefs, where he was a three-time First Team All-Pro and the 2001 Rushing Champion and 2002 Offensive Player of the Year.  He led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns and Yards from Scrimmage in 2002 & 20023.  He would tabulate 11,134 Yards from Scrimmage and 94 TDs.  Ranked #131 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Steven Jackson:  STL, 2004-12, ATL 2013-14, NWE 2015.  A three-time Pro-Bowler, Jackson accrued 15,121 Yards from Scrimmage and 78 Touchdowns.  He is the Rams’ all-time leading rusher and was the top finisher in YFS in 2006.  Ranked #196 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Chris Johnson:  TEN 2008-13, NYJ 2014 & ARI 2015-17.  Johnson won the AP 2009 Offensive Player of the Year Award in a campaign where he set the single-season record for Yards from Scrimmage (2,509) and subsequently won the NFL Rushing Title (2,006).  A three-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro, Johnson compiled 64 Touchdowns and 11,906 YFS.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Thomas Jones:  ARI 2000-03, TAM 2003, CHI 2004-06, NYJ 2007-09 & KAN 2010-11.  Jones is a member of the 10,000 Yard Rushing Club (10,591) and has 68 TDs on the ground.  He has also been to one Pro Bowl when he was a Jet.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*John Kuhn (FB):  PIT 2006, GNB 2007-15, NOR 2017.  A pure Fullback in the modern game, Kuhn was a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time First Team All-Pro who won a Super Bowl with the Packers.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Vonta Leach (FB): GNB 2004-06, 2004-13, HOU 2006-2010 & BAL 2011-13.  Leach won a Super Bowl with the Ravens and was a three-time Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro at Fullback (2010-12).  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Dorsey Levens:  GNB 1994-2001, PHI 2002 & 2003 & NYG 2004.  Levens won a Super Bowl and went to a Pro Bowl as a Packer.  He would also accumulate 7,288 Yards from Scrimmage with 53 Touchdowns.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jamal Lewis:  BAL 2000 & 2002-06, CLE 2007-09.  In 2003, Lewis entered rarified air as he entered the 2,000 Yard club, rushing for 2,006 on the ground, and won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.  He would rush for 10,607 Yards and 58 Touchdowns.  Ranked #238 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Marshawn Lynch:  BUF 2007-10, SEA 2011-15 & 2019 & OAK 2018.  Lynch propelled Seattle to a Super Bowl and was a two-time leader in Rushing Touchdowns.  “Beast Mode” went to five Pro Bowls, earned a First Team All-Pro, and had 12,627 Yards from Scrimmage with 94 TDs.  Ranked #29 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Eric Metcalf (Also WR/PR/KR):  CLE 1989-94, ATL 1995-96, SDG 1997, ARI 1998, CAR 1999, WAS 2001 & GNB 2002.  Incredibly versatile, Metcalf was also used as a Wide Receiver and Returner, and the three-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro totaled 17,230 All-Purpose Yards.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Glyn Milburn (Also WR & KR):  DEN 1993-95, DET 1996-97, CHI 1998-2001 & SDG 2001.  Milburn went to two Pro Bowls as a Kick Returner and had 14,911 All-Purpose Yards.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Lorenzo Neal (FB):  NOR 1993-96, NYJ 1997, TAM 1998, TEN 1999-2000, CIN 2001-02, SDG 2003-07 & BAL 08.  Playing as a Fullback, Neal would go to four Pro Bowls and was named to two First Team All-Pros.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Clinton Portis: DEN 2002-03 & WAS 2004-10.   Portis was the 2002 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection with 80 Touchdowns and 11,941 Yards from Scrimmage.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Tony Richardson (FB):  KAN 1995-2005, MIN 2006-07, NYJ 2008-10.  Richardson was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection and a Second Team All-Pro twice.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Robert Smith: MIN 1993-2000.  Smith went to two Pro Bowls, retired in his prime, and had 6,818 Rushing Yards with 33 Touchdowns.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Darren Sproles:  SDG 2005-10, NOR 2011-13 & PHO 2014-19.  Sproles was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection as an Eagle who amassed 19,696 All-Purpose Yards and 69 TDs in Total.  Ranked #291 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Fred Taylor:  JAX 1998-2008 & NWE 2009-10.  Taylor was a Pro Bowl Selection in 2007, and he accumulated 14,079 Yards from Scrimmage with 11,695 yards on the ground.   He also had 74 Touchdowns.  Ranked #167 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Chris Warren:  SEA 1990-97, DAL 1998-2000, PHI 2000.  Warren went to three straight Pro Bowls (1993-95) and rushed for 7,696 Yards and 52 Touchdowns.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

*Ricky Watters: SFO 1992-01, SFO, PHI, SEA.  Watters was a Super Bowl Champion with the 49ers and 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 #47 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Ricky Williams: NOR 1999-2001, MIA 2002, 2005 & 2007-10, BAL 2011.  Williams won the 2002 Rushing Title, went to the Pro Bowl, and was named a First Team All-Pro that year.  He compiled 10,009 Rushing Yards with 66 Touchdowns.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Running Backs added: **Marshawn Lynch, Clinton Portis & **Darren Sproles.  Running Backs removed: Mike Alstott (FB), Michael Bates (KR), Ahman Green, Daryl Johnston (FB) (moved to Senior Pool) and Brian Westbrook)

Wide Receivers (21): (Down From 23 Last Year)

*Anquan Boldin:  ARI 2003-09, BAL 2010-12 & SFO 2014-15 & DET 2016.  A three-time Pro Bowl Selection and AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, Boldin had seven 1,000 Yard Receiving seasons, tallying 13,779 in total with 82 Touchdowns.  He is also a past winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year (2015) and Alan Page Community Award.  Ranked #83 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Donald Driver:  GNB 1999-12.  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 and 61 Touchdowns.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Antonio Freeman:  GNB 1995-2001 & 2003 & PHI 2002.  Freeman won a Super Bowl with Green Bay and was the leading receiver in 1998 with 1,424 Yards.  He amassed 7,251 Receiving Yards with 61 Touchdowns.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Irving Fryar: NWE 1984-92, MIA 1993-95, PHI 1996-97 & WAS 1999-2000.  Fryar was a five-time Pro Bowl Selection and a former First Overall Pick.  He accumulated 12,785 Receiving Yards with 84 Touchdowns.  Ranked #143 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Torry Holt: STL 1999-2008 & JAX 2009.  A Super Bowl Champion with the St. Louis Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls and led the NFL in Receiving Yards twice (2000 & 2003).  The one-time First Team All-Pro finished his career with 13,382 Yards and 74 TDs.  Holt has been a multi-time Finalist.  Ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Joe Horn: KAN 1996-99, NOR 2000-06 & ATL 2007.  Horn was a four-time Pro Bowler with the Saints and had 8,744 Receiving Yards with 58 Touchdowns.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Chad Johnson:  CIN 2001-10, & NWE 2011.  Johnson went to six Pro Bowls as a Bengal and accumulated 11,059 Receiving Yards, punching 67 of them into the end zone.  “Ocho Cinco” was also a First Team All-Pro twice and was the league leader in Receiving Yards once.  Ranked #145 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Brandon Marshall:  DEN 2006-09, MIA 2010-11, CHI 2012-14, NYJ 2015-16, NYG 2017 & SEA 2018.  Marshall was a six-time Pro Bowler, and one was a First Team All-Pro.  He amassed 12,351 Yards with 83 Touchdowns and had 1,000-yard seasons for four teams.  Ranked #172 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Derrick Mason:  TEN 1997-2004, BAL 2005-10, NYJ 2011 & HOU 2011.  Mason recorded 12,061 Receiving Yards and was twice chosen for the Pro Bowl.  Ranked #231 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Herman Moore:  DET 1991-2001 & NYG 2002.  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 (1995 & 1997) and had 9,174 Yards with 62 TDs.  Ranked #333 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Muhsin Muhammad:  CAR 1996-2004 & 2008-09 & CHI 2005-07.  Muhammad led all NFL Wide Receivers in Yards in 2004, the season he was chosen as a First-Team All-pro. He tallied 11,438 Receiving Yards and 62 TDs.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

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

*Andre Rison:  IND 1989, ATL 1990-94, CLE 1995, JAX 1996, GNB 1996, KAN 1997-99 & OAK 2000.  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 #202 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jimmy Smith:  DAL 1992, JAX 1995-2005.  Smith was chosen for five consecutive Pro Bowls (1997-01), and in 1999, he led the NFL in Receptions (116).  He would retire with 12,287 Receiving Yards and 67 Touchdowns.  Ranked #165 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Rod Smith:  DEN 1995-2006.  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 #61 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Steve Smith Sr.:  2001-16, CAR, BAL.  Smith led the NFL in Receptions (103), Receiving Yards (1,563), and Receiving Touchdowns (12) 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 and was a previous Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #24 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Hines Ward:  PIT 1998-2011.  Ward won two Super Bowls with the Steelers and was the MVP in one of them.  A multi-time Semi-Finalist, he has four consecutive Pro Bowls (2001-04), 85 Touchdowns, and 12,083 Yards on his resume.  Ranked #45 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Reggie Wayne:  IND 2001-12.  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 (1,510) and has significantly more Yards (14,345) than any other Preliminary candidate.  He also has 82 Touchdowns.  Ranked #11 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Wes Welker:  SDG 2004, MIA 2004-06, NWE 2007-12, DEN 2013-14 & STL 2015.  Welker led the NFL thrice in Receptions, and the five-time Pro Bowl Selection had 9,924 career Receiving Yards and 50 Touchdowns.  Ranked #170 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Roddy White:  ATL 2005-15.  White played the entirety of his career with the Falcons where he went to four consecutive Pro Bowls (2008-11) and was chosen for one First Team All-Pro in 2010 when he led the league in Receptions (115).  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Wide Receivers Added: Demaryius Thomas & Roddy White, Wide Receivers Removed: Troy Brown (Also KR), Dante Hall, Devin Hester (Also Kr/PR) (Inducted) & Andre Johnson (Inducted).

Tight Ends (6): (Up 3 from Last Year)

*Ben Coates:  NWE 1991-99 & BAL 2000.  Coates was a Pro Bowler for 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 #106 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Vernon Davis: SFO 2006-15, DEN 2015 & WAS 2016-19.  Davis won a Super Bowl in his brief time in Denver and was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection in San Francisco.  He compiled 63 Touchdowns and 7,562 Yards over his career. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Antonio Gates:  SDG 2003-16 & LAC 2017-18.  Gates went to the Pro Bowl every year from 2004 to 2011 and was a three-time First Team All-Pro.  A Finalist last year, he had 116 Touchdowns and 11,841 Yards.  It was a mild surprise that he was not inducted in the previous year.  Ranked #1 on Norinhalloffame.com.

Jeremy Shockey:  NYG 2002-07, NOR 2009-10 & CAR 2011.  Shockey won Super Bowls with New York and New Orleans, and the four-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro amassed 37 Touchdowns and 6,143 Yards.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Delanie Walker: SFO 2006-12 & TEN 2013-19.   Walker accumulated 36 Touchdowns and 5,888 Yards and was a three-time Pro Bowl Selectee in Tennessee.  Unranked on Notinhallofame.com.

*Wesley Walls:  1989-03, SFO, NOR, CAR, GNB.  Walls was named to the Pro Bowl five times with the Carolina Panthers.  He would have 5,291 Yards with 54 TDs in his career.  Ranked #322 on Notinhalloffame.com.

(Tight Ends added: **Vernon Davis, Jeremy Shockey & **Delanie Walker., Tight Ends Removed: None)

Offensive Lineman (26): (Up 1 from 25 Last Year)

*Willie Anderson (T):  CIN 1996-2007 & BAL 2008.  Anderson was chosen for four Pro Bowls in a row (2003-06), with his last three being First Team All-Pro worthy.  Anderson has been a Finalist for the previous two years.  Ranked #115 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bruce Armstrong (T/G):  1987-00, NWE.  Armstrong went to six Pro Bowls in a career spent entirely with the Patriots.  Ranked #209 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Matt Birk (C):  MIN 1998-2007 & BAL 2009-12.  Birk is a Super Bowl Champion with the Baltimore Ravens and would prior have six Pro Bowls as a Minnesota Viking.  Ranked #137 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Lomas Brown (T): DET 1985-95 ARI 1996-98, CLE 1999, NYG 2000-01 & TAM 2002.  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 #152 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Ruben Brown (G):  BUF 1995-2003 & CHI 2004-07.  Brown was a nine-time Pro Bowl Selection who started his 181 Games.  Ranked #119 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jahri Evans (G):  NOR 2006-16 & GNB 2017.  Evans went to six consecutive Pro Bowls (2009-14) and was a First Team All-Pro in the first four.  He is also a Super Bowl Champion with the Saints.  Ranked #33 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Travis Frederick (C): DAL 2012-17 & 2019.  Frederick competed only six seasons but was a Pro Bowl Selection for five.  Unranked on Notinhaloffame.com.

Jordan Gross (T):  CAR 2003-13   Gross was a three-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro Selection at Tackler with the Panthers.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Ryan Kalil (C):  CAR 2007-18 & NYJ 2019.  Kalil went to five Pro Bowls and was twice chosen as a First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #312 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Lincoln Kennedy (T-G):  ATL 1993-95 & OAK 1096-2003.  Kennedy went to three consecutive Pro Bowls (2000-02) and was a First Team All-Pro once.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Olin Kreutz (C):  CHI 1998-2010 & NOR 2011.  Kreutz went to six straight Pro Bowls (2001-06) and was a one-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #109 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*T.J.Lang (G):  GNB 2009-16 & DET 2017-18.  Lang won a Super Bowl with Green Bay and was twice a Pro Bowler. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Nick Mangold (C):  NYJ 2008-16. Mangold played his entire career with the Jets, where he went to seven Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros.  Ranked #92 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Logan Mankins (G):  NWE 2005-13 & TAM.2014-15   A seven-time Pro Bowler, Mankins started all of his 161 Games at. Left Guard.  Ranked #78 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Tom Nalen (C): DEN 1994-07.  Nalen won two Super Bowls with the Broncos, was chosen for five Pro Bowls, and was a two-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #167 on Notinhalloffame.com.  Ranked #132 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jeff Saturday (C):  IND 1999-2011 & GNB 2012.  Jeff Saturday won a Super Bowl with the Colts and he was a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #75 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Mark Schlereth (G/C):  WAS 1989-94 & DEN 1995-2000.  Schlereth won three Super Bowls (one with Washington and two with Denver) and went to two Pro Bowls.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Josh Sitton (G): GNB 2008-15, CHI 2016-17 & MIA 2018.  Sitton went to four Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl with Green Bay.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

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

**Joe Staley (T):  SFO 2007-19   Staley started all 181 Games as a Left Tackle with San Francisco, where he went to the Pro Bowls.    Ranked #111 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dave Szott (G):  KAN 2990-3000, WAS 2001 & NYJ 2002-03.  Szott was a First Team All-Pro in 1997.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Brian Waters (G):  KAN 2000-10, NWE 2011 & DAL 2013.  Waters would go to six Pro Bowls and was named to two First Team All-Pros.  Ranked #193 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Richmond Webb (T):  MIA 1990-2000 & CIN 2001-02.  Webb was a Pro Bowl Selection in his first seven seasons, with two earning First Team All-Pro nods.  He was also named the Sporting News and the UPI Rookie of the Year.  Ranked #48 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Erik Williams (T):  DAL 1991-2000 & BAL 2001.  Williams won three Super Bowls with Dallas and went to four Pro Bowls.  He was also twice named a First Team All-Pro.

*Steve Wisniewski (G):  EAI 1989-94 & OAK 1995-2001.  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 #21 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Marshal Yanda (G):  BAL 2007-19. A Super Bowl Champion with Baltimore, Yanda went to eight Pro Bowls with two First Team and five Second Team All-Pros.  Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Offensive Linemen Added: **Travis Frederick, Jordan Gross, **Ryan Kalil, Lincoln Kennedy, **Joe Staley, and **Marshal Yanda. Offensive Linemen Removed: Kevin Glover, Nate Newton, Mark Stepnoski, and Max Unger.

Defensive Linemen: (18) (Down 2 from 20 Last Year)

*John Abraham (DE, also LB):  NYJ 2000-05, ATL 2006-12 & ARI 2013-14.  Recording 133.5 Sacks and 148 Tackles for Loss, Abraham was a five-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #62 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jared Allen (DE):  KAN 2004-07, MIN 2008-13, CHI 2014-15, CAR 2015.  Allen twice led the NFL in Sacks (2007 & 2011) and would have 136.0 in total.  Allen also was the 2011 runner-up for the AP Defensive Player of the Year, though he did win the Sporting News DPOY.  In his first four years of eligibility, Allen was a Finalist, a five-time Pro Bowler, and a First Team All-Pro in four of those years.  Ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*La’Roi Glover (DT/NT):  OAK 1996, NOR 1997-2001, DAL 2002-05 & STL 2006-08.  Glover went to six straight Pro Bowls (2000-05), and in 2000, he would lead the NFL in Sacks (17.5), was second Defensive Player of the Year voting, and was a First Team All-Pro that year. He would have 83.5 career Sacks.  Ranked #212 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Casey Hampton (DT/NT):  PIT 2001-12.  Hampton played his entire career with the Steelers, winning two Super Bowls and being chosen for five Pro Bowls.  Ranked #314 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Robert Mathis (DE):  IND 2003-16.  Mathis won a Super Bowl with the Colts, thrice led the NFL in Forced Fumbles, and is the all-time leader in that category with 54.  He had 123 career Sacks, leading the NFL in that category in 2013 with 19, and also earning his only First-Team All-Pro with a second-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting.  Mathis went to five Pro Bowls.  Ranked #108 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chester McGlockton (DT):  RAI 1992-94, OAK 1995-97, KAN 1998-2000, DEN 2001-02 & NYJ 2003.  McGlockton went to four straight Pro Bowls as a Raider and was once a First Team All-Pro.  He amassed 51 Sacks.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Haloti Ngata (DT):  BAL 2006-14, DET 2015-17 &, PHI 2018.  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 #39 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Simeon Rice (DE):  ARI 1996-2000, TAM 2001-06, DEN 2007 & IND 2007.  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 #135 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Clyde Simmons: (DE/DT):  PHI 1986-92, ARI 1994-93, JAX 1996-97, CIN 1998 & CHI 1999-2000.  Simmons led the NFL in Sacks in 1992 (19) and was third in DPOY voting that year.  A two-time First Team All-Pro, Simmons recorded 121.5 Sacks and 966 Tackles.  Ranked #330 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Neil Smith (DE):  KAN 1988-96, DEN 1997-99 & SDG 2000.  Smith would go to six Pro Bowls and was also a First Team All-Pro in 1993 when he was the league leader in Sacks (15).  He would also win two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos and had 104.5 career Sacks.  Ranked #32 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Henry Thomas (DT/NT):  MIN 1987-94, DET 1995-96 & NWE 1997-2000.  Thomas was in the Pro Bowl twice and had 93.5 career Sacks.  Ranked #266 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Justin Tuck (DE):  NYG 2005-13 & OAK 2014-15.  Tuck was a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl Champion as a Giant.  He had 66.5 Sacks and 102 Tackles for Loss.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Ted Washington (NT/DT):  SFO 1991-93, BUF 1995-2000, CHI 2001-02, NWE 2003, OAK 2004-05 & CLE. 2006-07.  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.  Ranked #246 in Notinhalloffame.com.

*Vince Wilfork (DT/NT):  NWE 2002-14, HOU 2015-16.  A prior semi-finalist, 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):  SDG 1998-2009 & DEN 2010.  Williams had three Pro Bowls, with two First Team All-Pros.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

*Kevin Williams (DT/DE):  MIN 2003-13, SEA 2014 & NOR 2015.  Williams had six Pro Bowls and five First Team All-Pros in a career spent mainly in Minnesota.  He recorded 63 Sacks and 113 Tackles for Loss.  Ranked #25 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Pat Williams (DT):  BUF 1997-2004 & MIN 2005-10.  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.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Defensive Lineman added: Chester McGlockton & Clyde Simmons.  Defensive Lineman removed: Dwight Freeney (inducted), Leslie O’Neal (aged out), Julius Peppers (inducted). Justin Smith & Dana Stubblefield.

Linebackers: (20) (Down from 25 last year)

*Jessie Armstead:  NYG 1992-2001 & WAS 2002-03.  Armstead went to five straight Pro Bowls (1997-2001), the first of which he was a First Team All-Pro and third-place finisher for the Defensive Player of the Year.  He amassed 971 Tackles and 40.0 Sacks.  Ranked #263 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brendon Ayanbadejo:  MIA 2003-04, CHI 2005-07 &, BAL 2008-12.  Ayanbadejo went to three straight Pro Bowls (2006-08) and won a Super Bowl with Baltimore.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Cornelius Bennett:  1987-00, BUF, ATL, IND.  Bennett would go to five Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in 1988.  The two-time UPI Defensive Player of the Year helped Buffalo win four AFC Championships, and he had 71.5 Sacks and 1,190 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #95 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*NaVorro Bowman:  SFO 2010-17 & OAK 2017.  Bowman was a four-time First Team All-Pro with 798 career Tackles and was the leading tackler of the 2015 campaign.  Ranked #262 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Lance Briggs:  CHI 2003-14.  Briggs went to seven straight Pro Bowls (2005-11) and 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 #123 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Keith Brooking:  ATL 1998-2012, DAL 2009-11 &, DEN.  Brooking was a Pro Bowler for five straight years while playing for Atlanta (2001-05).  He had 1,440 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #285 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Tedy Bruschi:  NWE 1996-2008.  Bruschi won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and was a Pro Bowler in 2004.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Donnie Edwards:  KAN 1996-2001 & 2007-08 & SDG 2002-06.  Edwards went to one Pro Bowl and led the league in Tackles in 2004.  He had 1,501 career Tackles and 28 Interceptions and 23.5 Sacks. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*James Farrior:  NYJ 1997-2001 & PIT 2002-11.  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.  The two-time Pro Bowl Selection was the runner-up for the 2004 AP DPOY.  Ranked #271 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*London Fletcher:  STL 1998-2001, BUF 2002-06 & WAS 2007-13.  A previous Semi-Finalist. Fletcher would win a Super Bowl early in his career with the Rams, and later on in his career, he would make the Pro Bowl four years in a row (2009-12) as a Redskin. He accumulated 2,039 Combined Tackles over his career, 23 Interceptions, and 39 Sacks.  Ranked #55 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*James Harrison:  PIT 2002, 2003-12 & 2017 -17, CIN 2013, NWE 2017.  Harrison won two Super Bowls with the Steelers and had a five-year streak of Pro Bowls from 2007 to 2011.  The two-time First Team All-Pro won the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year Award and is a previous Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #42 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Luke Kucchly: CAR 2012-19.   Kuechly is a strong contender to enter Canton on his first year of eligibility as he is a former Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012) and Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.  A two-time leader in Combined Tackles, Kuechly was a seven-time Pro Bowl and five-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #2 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Willie McGinest (Also DE):  NWE 1994-2005 & CLE 2006-08.  Twice named to the Pro Bowl, McGinest won three Super Bowls with the Patriots.  He accumulated 86.0 Sacks over his career.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ken Norton Jr.:  DAL 1988-93 & SFO 1994-2000.   Norton Jr won three Super Bowls (two with Dallas and one with San Francisco) and went to three Pro Bowls.  He also had a First Team All-Pro and a third-place finisher for the DPOY (1995) and recorded 1,272 Tackles.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Julian Peterson:  SFO 2000-05, SEA 2006-08 & DET 2009-10.  Peterson went to five Pro Bowls, secured a First Team All-Pro, and had 51.5 Sacks and 809 Tackles,  Ranked #313 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bill Romanowski: SFO 1988-93, PHI 1994-95, DEN 1996-2001 & OAK 2002-03.  Romanowski was considered one of the dirtiest players in league history, a four-time Super Bowl winner (two with San Francisco and two with Denver).  He was twice chosen for the Pro Bowl and netted 1,118 career Tackles.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Takeo Spikes:  CIN 1998-2003, BUF 2002-06, PHI 2007, SFO 2008-10 & SDG 2011-12.  Spikes was chosen for two Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in 2004.  He was also one Interceptor shy of the 20-20 club and accumulated 1,431 combined career tackles.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.’

**Terrell Suggs (Also DE):  BAL 2003-18, ARI 2019 & KAN 2019.  Suggs was the 2003 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, and eight years later, he was the consensus Defensive Player of the Year.  He went to seven Pro Bowls, was a one-time First Team All-Pro, and compiled 139 Sacks, 202 Tackles for Loss, and 200 Quarterback Hits.  He was also a huge part of Baltimore’s second Super Bowl, and as a veteran, he retired, winning a second one with Kansas City.  Ranked #13 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jessie Tuggle:  ATL 1987-2000.  A Falcon for his entire career, Tuggle led the NFL in Tackles four times, retiring with 1,805.  He also went to five Pro Bowls.  Ranked #126 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Mike Vrabel:  PIT 1997-2000, NWE 2001-08 & KAN 2009-10.  Vrabel won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, and in one season (2007), he was a First Team All-Pro, a Pro Bowler, and was fifth in DPOY voting.  He had 57 Sacks and 762 Tackles over his career.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Lee Woodall:  SFO 1994-99, CAR 2000 & DEN 2001.  Woodall won a Super Bowl with the 49ers and was also a two-time Pro Bowl Selection.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

(Linebackers added: **Luke Kuechly, Bill Romanowski & **Terrell Suggs.  Linebackers removed: Karlos Dansby. Larry Izzo, Hardy Nickerson, Bryce Paup, Joey Porter, Al Wilson & Patrick Willis (Inducted).

Defensive Backs: (18) (Up 1 from 19 Last Year)

*Eric Allen (CB):  1988-01, PHI, NOR, OAK.  Allen secured 54 Interceptions and 787 Tackles and would have six Pro Bowl Seasons, with one earning a First Team All-Pro Selection and a UPI Defensive Player of the Year Award.  He was a Finalist last year.  Ranked #46 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Eric Berry (DB): KAN 2010-18.  Berry was a five-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro Safety with 14 Interceptions and 445 Tackles.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Antoine Bethea (S): IND 2006-13, SFO 2013-16 & ARI 2017-19.  Bethea was a three-time Pro Bowl at Safety with 25 Interceptions and 1,333 Tackles.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Dre Bly (DB):  STL 1999-2002, DET 2003-06, DEN 2007-08 & SFO 2009.  Bly won a Super Bowl with the Rams and was twice named to the Pro Bowl.  He had 43 career Interceptions and 528 Tackles.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Kam Chancellor (S):  SEA 2010-17.  Chancellor won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks while going to do four Pro Bowls over his career.  He compiled 12 Interceptions with 607 Tackles.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

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

*Antonio Cromartie (CB):  2006-16, SDG, NYJ, ARI, IND.  Cromartie went to four Pro Bowls and was named a First-Team All-Pro in 2007; the same season, he led the NFL in Interceptions with ten and was fourth in DPOY voting.  He had 31 picks over his career.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

DeAngelo Hall (CB):  ATL 2004-07, OAK 2008 & WAS 2008-17.  Hall was a three-time Pro Bowler, recording 43 career Interceptions and 814 Combined Tackles.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Rodney Harrison (S):  SFG 1994-2002 & NWE 2003-08.  Harrison won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and was a Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro twice.  He would have 34 career Interceptions, 30.5 Sacks, and 1,206 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #150 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Eugene Robinson (DB):  SEA 1985-95, GNB 1996-97, ATL 1998-99 & CAR 2000.  Robinson had 57 Interceptions, 1,413 Tackles, and a Super Bowl Ring with Green Bay.  He also went to three Pro Bowls.  Ranked #241 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Samari Rolle (CB):  TEN 1998-2004 & BAL 2005-08.  Rolle went to the Pro Bowl, had a First Team All-Pro in 2000, and had 31 career Interceptions.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

*Allen Rossum (CB):  PHI 1998-99, GNB 2000-01, ATL 2002-06, PIT 2007, SFO 2008-09 & DAL 2009.  Rossum is listed as a Cornerback but was more of a Returner.  He was a Pro Bowler in 2004 and had 15,046 All-Purpose Yards.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Bob Sanders (S):  IND 2004-10 & SDG 2011.  Sanders only played 50 Games but was the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year and owns a Super Bowl Ring with the Colts.  He is also a two-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Aqib Talib (CB): TB 2008-12, NEW 2012-13, DEN 2014-17 & LAR 2018-19.  Talib went to five consecutive Pro Bowls (2013-17) and won a Super Bowl with Denver.  He also had 35 Interceptions, returning 10 for Touchdowns.  This is his first year on the ballot.  Ranked #108 on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Earl Thomas (S):  SEA 2010-18 & BAL 2019.  A seven-time Pro Bowler, Thomas was selected for three straight First Team All-Pros (2012-14) and won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks.  The Safety had 30 Interceptions and 713 Tackles.  Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Charles Tillman (CB):  CHI 2004-14 & CAR 2015.  Tillman is in his first year of eligibility and was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection.  He would have 38 career Interceptions and 44 Forced Fumbles with 930 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #220 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Troy Vincent (CB):  MIA 1992-95, PHI 1996-2003, BUF 2004-05 & WAS 2006.   Vincent’s five Pro Bowls would all come consecutively (1999-2003) when he was with the Eagles. He earned First Team All-Pro honors in 2002 and had 47 Interceptions and 893 Combined Tackles.  In 2002 he also won the Walter Payton Man of the Year and Alan Page Community Award.  Ranked #259 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Darren Woodson (S):  DAL 1992-03.  Woodson was part of the Cowboys’ three Super Bowl Titles in the early 90s, a five-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro.  He has been a Semi-Finalist multiple times before and has 23 career Interceptions with 11 Sacks and 967 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #70 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Defensive Backs added: Eric Berry, **Antoine Bethea, DeAngelo Hall, **Aqib Talib & **Earl Thomas.  Defensive Backs removed: Merton Hanks (aged out), Carnell Lake, Tim McDonald (aged out) & Antoine Winfield.

Place Kickers: (8) (Up 1 from 7 Last Year)

David Akers:  WAS 1998, PHI 1999-2010, SFO 2011-12 & DET 2013.  Akers was a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro Selection.  He was also a two-time leader in Points Scored and Field Goals Made.  Ranked #280 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Gary Anderson:  PIT 1982-94, PHI 1995-06, SFO 1997, MIN 1998-2002 & TEN 2003-04.  Anderson went to four Pro Bowls and was the all-time leader in Points Scored and Field Goals Made at the time of his retirement.  A member of the 1980s and 1990s All-Decade Team, Anderson is currently third all-time in Points (2,434).  Ranked #206 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jason Elam:  DEN 1993-2007 & ATL 2008-09.  Elam went to three Pro Bowls, was a three-time Second Team All-Pro, and won two Super Bowl Rings with the Broncos.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

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

*John Kasay:  SEA, 1991-94,  CAR 1995-2010 & NOR 2011.  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.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com/

*Matt Stover:  CLE 1991-95, BAL 1996-2008 & IND 2009.  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.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mike Vanderjadt:  IND 1998-2005 & DAL 2006.  Vanderjadt was selected as a First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2003.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

**Adam Vinatieri: NWE 1996-2005 & IND 2006-19.  Entering his first year on the ballot, Vinatieri was a clutch performer who won four Super Bowls and was a three-time First Team All-Pro.  He is the all-time leader in Points Scored (2,673) and Field Goals Made (599). Ranked #93 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Place Kickers added: **Adam Vinatieri.  Place Kickers removed: None.

Punters: (7) (Down 1 from 8 last year)

Darren Bennett:  SDG 1995-2003 & MIN 2004-05.  Bennett was a First Team All-Pro as a rookie and was twice named to the Pro Bowl.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Jeff Feagles:  NWE 1988-89, PHI 1989-93, ARI 1994-97, SEA 1998-2002 & NYG 2004-09.  Feagles was a two-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl with the Giants.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Sean Landeta:  NYG 1985-93, RAM 1993-94, STL 1995-9 & 2003-046, TAM 1997, GNB 1998 & PHI 2000-01 & 05.  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.  Ranked #204 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Shane Lechler:  OAK 2000-12 & HOU 2013-17.  Lechler went to seven Pro Bowls and was an All-Decade Selection in the 2000s and 2010s.  He is also a four-time leader in Punting Yards and a five-time leader in Yards per Punt.  Ranked #110 on Notinhalloffame.com.

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

Brian Moorman: BUF 2001-13 & DAL 2012.  Moorman was chosen for two Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Matt Turk:  WAS 1995-99, MIA 2000-01 & 2003-03, NYJ 2002, STL 2006, HOU 2007-11, JAX 2011.  Turk’s three Pro Bowls were consecutive from 1996 to 1998.  He was a First Team All-Pro in ’95.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Punters added: None.  Punters removed: Brad Maynard.

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

Josh Cribbs (Also WR):  CLE 2005-12, NYJ 2013 & IND 2014.  Cribbs was a three-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro, collecting 15,453 All-Purpose Yards.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brian Mitchell (Also RB): WAS 1990-99, PHI 2000-02, NYG 2003.  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.  He also won a Super Bowl with Washington.  Ranked #151 on Notinhalloffame.com.

With all due respect to many of these candidates, several of these Preliminary Nominees have no realistic chance of being in 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 screened down to 50 Names, which will be announced in mid-October.

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

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

The problem with running a Hall of Fame-related website is that many of the big ones we cover all have announcements within months of each other.  The backbone of what we do is list-related, so this results in a long push to revise what we already have; specifically, now with our Football and Basketball Lists.

At present, we have a minor update as we have completed the fourth ten of the 2024 Football List, which you can comment on and vote on:

The new 41 to 50:

41. Dick Schafrath
42. James Harrison
43. Pat Harder
44. John Brodie
45. Hines Ward
46. Eric Allen
47. Ricky Watters
48. Richmond Webb
49. Harold Jackson
50. Pete Retzlaff

Rankings are impacted annually based on your comments and votes.

Thank you all for your patience. We will soon unveil more changes to the football and basketball lists.

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 100^th 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 100^th 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.

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 100^th 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.

There have been many great defensive stars for the Philadelphia Eagles through the years.  Perhaps one of their quickest was Eric Allen, who was a constant threat to intercept any football thrown in his vicinity, and stuff anyone who had the ball near him.

Eric Allen was an impact player immediately in the NFL, earning the starting job at Right Corner after he was taken with a high Second Round Pick in 1988 from Arizona State.  In his first eight years as a professional, Allen was named to the Pro Bowl six times and despite being a Cornerback, became a Sports Centre staple.  In 1993, Eric Allen had six picks, four of which he returned for touchdowns.  Allen was a glue defensive back in that he had his man covered like he was their Siamese twin.  Blessed with incredible instincts, Allen had 58 career Interceptions, with 9 pick-sixes.  Allen had 34 of his picks as an Eagle, but was still a productive player in his second half, which included three years in New Orleans and four in Oakland.

As one of the most exciting players and best athletes in the league history, Allen has the Hall of Fame profile but is running out of time on the modern ballot.