Our Football List has been revised. DeMarcus Ware now #1

As we are approaching the NFL Draft, our Notinhalloffame.com list of 300 former players to consider for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  

As always, whenever we do a revision, four things take place:

1. We remove the names who were chosen.  This took out six players, Peyton Manning (#1), Charles Woodson (#2), Alan Faneca (#4), John Lynch (#25), Calvin Johnson (#27) and Drew Pearson (#28).

2. We add the relevant players who are now eligible for the Hall of Fame.

3. We take into account your votes and comments.

4. We add any players who we should have had listed before.

So, let’s get to it!

Here is our new top ten:

#1. DeMarcus Ware.  Once again, we have a debut of a first-year eligible at the top, but unlike last year’s #1, Peyton Manning, Ware is not a lock to enter Canton immediately.  The Linebacker was a four-time First Team All-Pro, nine-time Pro Bowler and two-time leader in Sacks, and while Ware is mostly known for his work as a Dallas Cowboy, he won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos.

#2. Randy Gradishar. Gradishar moves up to #2 from #5, and this is the highest ever rank for the former Bronco.  The Linebacker was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, and was also a five-time First Team All-Pro, and in 2020 he was a Finalist in the Centennial Slate Class.  Gradishar was also a Finalist twice before, and is only eligible as a Senior Candidate.

#3. Chuck Howley.  Howley, who is a former #1, moves back near the top from last year’s #6 rank.  The third Linebacker in a row, was First Team All-Pro five times, and a Super Bowl MVP. Like Gradishar, his only path to the Hall is via the Senior Committee.

#4. L.C. Greenwood. Greenwood, who was chosen for the 1970s All-Decade Team, was a key member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ “Steel Curtain”, and is a four-time Super Bowl Champion.  The Defensive End slid one spot from #3.

#5. Roger Craig.  Craig is our highest rated offensive player, and the Running Back moves up two spots.  The former 49er was the 1988 Offensive Player of the Year and he was the first player to rush for 1,000 Yards and receive for 1,000 Yards.  Like Gradishar, Craig was a Centennial Slate nominee.

#6. Torry Holt.  Holt was a Finalist the last two years, and it should be only a matter of time, following the selection of his fellow Rams Wide Receiver, Isaac Bruce.  Holt is currently 16^thin Receiving Yards (12,382) and has been eligible for the Hall since 2016.  He was slotted at #9 last year.

#7. Ken Anderson. The former Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback was a Finalist in 1996 and 1998, and was the MVP in 1981.  Anderson is one of the best Quarterbacks not inducted, and arguably the best Bengal not inducted.  He moves up from #10.

#8. Lavvie Dilweg.  Dilweg won three NFL Championships with the Green Bay Packers (1929-31) and was also a Centennial Slate Finalist.  He moved up from #12.

#9. Reggie Wayne.  The former Colts Wide Receiver has been a Finalist the last two years and is tenth all-time in Receiving Yards (14,345). Wayne won a Super Bowl with Colts, went to six Pro Bowls but slipped one spot from last year.

#10. Ronde Barber.  Barber played his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where the Cornerback won a Super Bowl.  A three-time First Team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl Selection, Barber was a Finalist for the first time last year.

As mentioned, there are many new entries in our top 300.

Steve Smith makes his first appearance at #12.  The Wide Receiver is arguably the greatest offensive Carolina Panther ever, and the two-time First Team All-Pro is eighth all-time in Receiving Yards (14,731).

Another Wide Receiver, former Houston Texan, Andre Johnson, makes his first appearance at #30.  Johnson is currently eleventh overall in Receiving Yards (14,185).

We made a colossal error in overlooking Ken Riley, the former Cincinnati Cornerback who has 65 career Interceptions.  He comes in at #41.  

At #73 is another first-year eligible Wide Receiver,Anquan Boldin.  Boldin went to three Pro Bowls and has 13,779 career Receiving Yards.

Devin Hesterdebuts at #103, and could be the next Special Teams player to enter the Hall of Fame.  He was chosen for his returning acumen for the NFL 100^thAnniversary Team.

Former Colt Defensive End, Robert Mathis, enters at #111.  Mathis has over 100 Sacks, went to six Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl.

Exceptionally popular Nose Tackle and former New England Patriot, Vince Wilfolk, debuts at #145.

Wayne Walker, a former Detroit Lion, who should have consideration on this list before, is ranked at #222.  Walker played at Linebacker and Place Kicker.

Former San Francisco 49er Offensive Lineman, Randy Cross, also should have been ranked last year when we expanded to 300.  The three-time Super Bowl Champion is slotted at #229.

Another former Lion who we overlooked in our expansion is Jim David, who enters at #236.  David was a six-time Pro Bowl Defensive Back.

Seven-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro Center, Nick Mangoldis at #253.  

Defensive End, Ron McDole, also should have been on our list of 300. The two-time AFL Champion with Buffalo enters at #270.

The final new entry in Herman Moore, another Detroit Lion, who we missed out on.  He debuts at #295.

We thank you for your support, and look forward to your feedback.