....and it shocked us a bit. Six names have been selected to enter Canton, Ohio as the newest Hall of Fame Class. As part of our tradition, let's take a look at who got in.....and who didn't.
IN: (with our ranking in brakets)
Curtis Martin. (#2)
Our highest ranked non-senior candidate was a stat machine for the Jets and Patriots and had the statistical resume to back it up. Easily, the offensive star of this class.
Willie Roaf. (#4)
It was only a matter of time for Roaf, and it had to be assumed that either he or Shields would get the call. We would bet that Roaf got the nod as he had already been on the ballot before.
Cortez Kennedy (#6)
Our highest rated player on the Defensive side of the ball rightfully enters. No argument here.
Dermontti Dawson (#9)
The star Steelers Center enteres at just the right time to escape the glut of Offensive Linemen entering the ranks of eligible.
Chris Doleman (#16)
A bit of a surprise, but far from out of place in our eyes. Again, with some stud defensive players becoming eligible this was a great time for Doleman to enter the Hall, as the window would have tightened.
Jack Butler (Unranked)
Butler enters as the lone Senior Candidate, and we ask ourselves.....did we mess up not ranking him?
OUT:
Will Shields. (#3)
Our highest ranked first time candidate surprised us a little by failing to get enshrined this year. With that said, there was belief that they would not rank put in both Shields and Roaf in the same year, and Roaf has already been on the ballot before. Larry allen and Jonathan Ogden however, now enter the equation which could muddy the waters for Shields.
Cris Carter (#5) Tim Brown (#13) Andre Reed (#15)
OK......None of these Wide Receivers got in? Seriously? With this logjam, we thought one would get in for sure, and frankly one of them should have. Maybe they could start a support group for each other.
Jerome Bettis (#14)
Not a shock. Bettis was not likely to get in before Martin, nor was he likely to get in at the same time. He now is the top Running Back eligible, so his chances have now improved.
Charles Haley (#19)
Five Super Bowl Rings is all the argument many needed to put in Haley. We thought there was some momentum gaining for him, but it looks like he will have to wait a bit longer.
Aeneas Williams (#23)
Why do we have a feeling that Williams will never get past the Finalist stage?
Kevin Greene (#45)
Sorry....never thought he should have been a Finalist.
Dick Stanfel (#54)
Senior Candidates rarely seem to get a second shot. This doesn;t look good for him.
Bill Parcells
Actually, we would have bet on him entering this year. This surprised us a bit.
Eddie DeBartolo
Not to be crass, but there is a reason we don't rank owners......Doesn't interest us.
So summing up........
Today's biggest losers are.....
Wide Receivers......again all three? Marvin Harrison enters the discussion in 2014, so if these three don't get in next year....well they are joined by another. Oh, and Isaac Bruce shows up in 2015.
Kevin Green. It will be hard for him to make it this far again.
So......Now it is time to look at next year......
Eligible now are
Jonathan Ogden
Michael Strahan
Larry Allen
Warren Sapp
Priest Holmes
Morten Andersen
Steve McNair
Looks like a major shuffle in the top ten for net year, don't you think?
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