Weeks ago, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 162 Preliminary Senior Candidates for the Class of 2026, which they then reduced to 52. The step after was a reduction to 32, and now, a week before the announcement of the Modern Semi-Finalists, we have the nine men who are the official Senior Semi-Finalists for the class of 2026.
The Semi-Finalists are:
Ken Anderson: Quarterback, CIN 1971-86. Anderson was the consensus MVP in 1981, and the four-time Pro Bowl would pass for 32,838 Yards and 197 Touchdowns. He was also the 1975 Walter Payton Man of the Year and, historically, led the Cincinnati Bengals to their first Super Bowl. Anderson was a Modern Finalist in 1996 and 1998. Ranked #8 on notinhalloffame.com.
Roger Craig: Running Back, SFO 1983-90, RAI 1991 & MIN 1992-93. The first player to accumulate 1,000 Yards Rushing and Receiving, Craig won three Super Bowls, was the Offensive Player of the Year, earned four Pro Bowls, and was a First Team All-Pro. From Scrimmage, he had 73 Touchdowns and 13,100 Yards. Craig was a Modern Finalist in 2010 and a Senior Finalist in 2020. Ranked #15 on notinhalloffame.com.
Henry Ellard: Wide Receiver, RAM 1983-93, WAS 1994-98 & NWE 1998. Ellard compiled 13,777 Yards and 65 Touchdowns in a career that included leading the NFL in Receiving Yards. He is also a three-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro. Ellard has never been a Finalist. Ranked #64 on notinhalloffame.com.
L.C. Greenwood: Defensive End, PIT 1969-81. Greenwood was a vital member of the Steelers' 1970s dynasty that won four Super Bowls. A six-time Prowl and two-time First Team All-Pro, Greenwood accumulated 78 Sacks, and was a six-time modern Finalist (1991, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2005 & 2006). Ranked #5 on notinhalloffame.com.
Joe Jacoby: Offensive Lineman, WAS 1981-93. A famed member of the Hogs, Jacoby was part of all three of Washington’s Super Bowl wins and was a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro. Jacoby is a three-time Finalist (2016, 2017 & 2018). Ranked #33 on notinhalloffame.com.
Eddie Meador: RAM 1959-70. Meador is one of the most prolific Defensive Backs in RMS history and was a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro. He amassed a franchise record of 46 Interceptions. Meador has never been a Finalist. Ranked #68 on notinhalloffame.com.
Stanley Morgan: NWE 1977-89 & IND 1990. A four-time Pro Bowl Selection, Stanley Morgan compiled 72 Touchdowns with 10,716 Receiving Yards. He was also a three-time leader in Yards per Reception. Morgan has never been a Finalist. Ranked #266 on notinhalloffame.com.
Steve Tasker: HOU 1985-86 & BUF 1986-97. Tasker went to four Super Bowls with Buffalo and was a seven-time Pro Bowl Selection. He has never been a Finalist. Ranked #144 on notinhalloffame.com.
Otis Taylor: KAN 1965-75. Taylor won two AFL Championships and a Super Bowl with Kansas City, who had 60 TDs and 7,467 Yards From Scrimmage. He was also a two-time First Team All-Pro. Taylor has never been a Finalist. Ranked #32 on notinhalloffame.com.
The group of 32 who did not make it as Semi-Finalists were Dick Anderson (DB), Carl Banks (LB), Maxie Baughan (LB), Bobby Boyd (DB), Charlie Conerly (QB), Isaac Curtis (WR), Lavvie Dilweg (E), Chuck Foreman (RB), Roman Gabriel (QB), Larry Grantham (LB), Cecil Isbel (RB), Harold Jackson (WR), Lee Roy Jordan (LB), Mike Kenn (OL), Bob Kuechenberg (OL), Albert Lewis (DB), Jim Marshall (DL), Clay Matthews Jr. (LB), Tommy Nobis (LB), Lemar Parrish (DB), Art Powell (SE), Jim Tyrer (OL), Everson Alls (DB), Al Wistert (OL), & Paul “Tank” Younger (FB).
Of note, Maxie Baughan and Jim Tyrer were Finalists last year and were unable to break the Semis this year. Also, all players who played before 1959 were cut.
We here at notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the candidates who have reached this stage.
Weeks ago, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 162 Preliminary Senior Candidates for the Class of 2026, which they then reduced to 52. Today, the PFHOF Blue Ribbon Seniors Committee has reduced this to 34.
The next step will be a reduction to nine.
The remaining candidates are:
Quarterbacks (3): (Reduced from 5)
Ken Anderson: CIN 1971-86. Anderson was the consensus MVP in 1981, and the four-time Pro Bowl would pass for 32,838 Yards and 197 Touchdowns. He was also the 1975 Walter Payton Man of the Year and, historically, led the Cincinnati Bengals to their first Super Bowl. Ranked #8 on notinhalloffame.com.
Charlie Conerly: NYG 1948-61. Conerly was a 1956 New York Giants NFL Championship Team member, was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection, and accumulated 19,488 Yards and 173 TDs. Ranked #50 on notinhalloffame.com.
Roman Gabriel: LAR 1962-72 & PHI 1973-77. Gabriel was the league MVP in 1969, earning four Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro, and he threw for 29,444 Yards and 201 TDs. Ranked #35 on notinhalloffame.com.
The Quarterbacks who were cut were Jack Kemp and Don Meredith.
The Chairman’s Gut Reaction:
There is no shock here, as Meredith was a long shot, and Kemp, as an AFL star, was expected to be dropped. Nevertheless, if I had to cut this group to three, that is who I would have gone with.
Running Backs (4): (Reduced from 6)
Roger Craig: SFO 1983-90, RAI 1991 & MIN 1992-93. The first player to accumulate 1,000 Yards Rushing and Receiving, Craig won three Super Bowls, was the Offensive Player of the Year, earned four Pro Bowls, and was a First Team All-Pro. From Scrimmage, he had 73 Touchdowns and 13,100 Yards, Ranked #15 on notinhalloffame.com.
Chuck Foreman: MIN 1973-79 & NWE 1980. Foreman went to the Pro Bowl in his first five seasons, and the 1973 Offensive Rookie of the Year was a two-time YFS TD leader. He compiled 9,106 Yards from Scrimmage. Ranked #79 on notinhalloffame.com.
Cecil Isbell: GNB 1938-42. Isbell only played five seasons, but was a four-time Pro Bowl selection, a two-time Touchdown leader, and a two-time leader in Passing Yards. He also helped Green Bay win the NFL Championship in 1939 and was named to the 1930s All-Decade Team. Ranked #72 on notinhalloffame.com.
Paul “Tank” Younger: RAM 1949-57 & PIT 58. Younger won an NFL Championship with the Los Angeles Rams and was a four-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro. Younger rushed for 3,640 Yards and 34 Touchdowns and was also a potent Linebacker. Ranked #196 on notinhalloffame.com.
The Running Backs who were cut were Ottis Anderson and Larry Brown.
The Chairman’s Gut Reaction:
I would have loved to see Larry Brown advance, but I am happy that Cecil Isbell is through. Bluntly, Roger Craig is my focus, as he should have been years ago.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends (7): (Reduced from 9)
Isaac Curtis: CIN 1973-84. Curtis was a Pro Bowl Selection in his first four years and a three-time Second-Team All-Pro. He had 7,101 Receiving Yards and 53 Touchdowns.
Lavvie Dilweg: MIL 1926 & GNB 1927-34. Dilwag was a three-time NFL Champion with Green Bay and was chosen for the 1920s All-Decade Team. Ranked #6 on notinhalloffame.com.
Henry Ellard: RAM 1983-93, WAS 1994-98 & NEW 1998. Ellard compiled 13,777 Yards and 65 Touchdowns in a career that included leading the NFL in Receiving Yards. He is also a three-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #64 on notinhalloffame.com.
Harold Jackson: RAM 1968 & 1973-77, PHI 1969-72, BEW 1978-81, MIN 1982 & SEA 1983. A five-time Pro Bowler, Jackson won two Receiving Yards Titles and compiled 10,372 Yards and 76 Touchdowns. Ranked #49 on notinhalloffame.com.
Stanley Morgan: NWE 1977-89 & IND 1990. A four-time Pro Bowl Selection, Stanley Morgan compiled 72 Touchdowns with 10,716 Receiving Yards. He was also a three-time leader in Yards per Reception. Ranked #266 on notinhalloffame.com.
Art Powell: PHI 1959, NYT 1960-62, OAK 1963-66, BUF 1967 & MIN 1968. Powell, who was a Finalist last year, was a two-time Receiving Yards leader in the AFL. A four-time AFL-All-Star and two-time First Team All-Pro, Powell had 8,046 Yards and 81 Touchdowns. Ranked #165 on notinhalloffame.com.
Otis Taylor: KAN 1965-75. Taylor won two AFL Championships and a Super Bowl with Kansas City, who had 60 TDs and 7,467 Yards From Scrimmage. He was also a two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #32 on notinhalloffame.com.
The Wide Receivers/Tight Ends who were cut were Mark Clayton and Billy “White Shoes” Johnson.
The Chairman’s Gut Reaction:
Of the two cuts, the side-eye goes to White Shoes, indicating that Special Teams need not apply.
Offensive Lineman (5): (Reduced from 11)
Joe Jacoby: WAS 1981-93. A famed member of the Hogs, Jacoby was part of all three of Washington’s Super Bowl wins and was a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #33 on notinhalloffame.com.
Mike Kenn: ATL 1978-94. Kenn is one of the finest offensive linemen in Falcons history, and the Left Tackle would earn five Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros. Ranked #61 on notinhalloffame.com.
Bob Kuechenberg: MIA 1970-83. The versatile Lineman was a significant component in Miami’s back-to-back Super Bowl Championships in the early 70s, and he was also named to six Pro Bowls and one First Team All-Pro. Ranked #30 on notinhalloffame.com.
Jim Tyrer: DTX 1961-62, KAN 1963-73 & WAS 1974. A three-time AFL Champion with the Texans/Chiefs, the Left Tackle was a six-time First Team All-Pro and nine-time AFL All-Star/Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #13 on notinhalloffame.com.
Al Wistert: PHI 1943-51. Wistert was an All-Decade player of the 1940s who propelled Philadelphia to two NFL Championships. He was also a four-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #31 on notinhalloffame.com.
The Offensive Linemen who were cut were Jay Hilgenberg, Chris Hinton, Marvin Powell, Dick Schafrath, Jerry Sisemore, and Walt Sweeney.
The Chairman’s Gut Reaction:
The omission of Dick Schafrath and Walt Sweeney feels criminal to me, but this is the Senior abyss that is the reality of the Senior Pool.
Defensive Linemen (2): (Reduced from 4)
L.C. Greenwood: PIT 1969-81. Greenwood was a vital member of the Steelers' 1970s dynasty that won four Super Bowls. A six-time Prowl and two-time First Team All-Pro, Greenwood accumulated 78 Sacks. Ranked #5 on notinhalloffame.com.
Jim Marshall: CLE 1960 & MIN 1961-78. The ironman of his day, Marshall brought the Vikings to four Super Bowl appearances and was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection along the way. He had 130.5 lifetime Sacks. Ranked #37 on notinhalloffame.com.
The Defensive Linemen who were cut were Ed “Too Tall” Jones and Harvey Martin.
The Chairman’s Gut Reaction:
If two Defensive Linemen were going to advance, Greenwood and Marshall were the two. Both have very solid Hall of Fame cases.
Linebackers (6): (Reduced from 8)
Carl Banks: NYG 1984-92, WAS 1993 & CLE 1994-95. A two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Giants, Banks was a one-time All-Pro with 860 career Tackles. Ranked #234 in notinhalloffame.com.
Maxie Baughan: PHI 1960-65, RAM 1966-70 & WAS 1974. Baughan was an NFL Champion with Philadelphia and was a nine-time Pro Bowl Selection. He was also a one-time First Team All-Pro and five-time Second Team All-Pro. Ranked #14 on notinhalloffame.com.
Larry Grantham: NYT 1960-62 & NYJ 1963-72. Grantham was a five-time AFL All-Star and three-time First Team All-Pro, who was part of the historical Jets team that won Super Bowl III. Ranked #60 on notinhalloffame.com.
Lee Roy Jordan: DAL 1963-76. Playing his entire career with the Cowboys, Jordan patrolled the interior and was a five-time Pro Bowler in the process. He also won a Super Bowl with Big D. Ranked #46 on notinhalloffame.com.
Clay Matthews Jr.: CLE 1978-93 & ATL 1994-96. Matthews Jr. was a three-time leader in Combined Tackles with 1,595 overall. A four-time Pro Bowl Selection, Matthews Jr. also had 82.5 Sacks and 16 Interceptions. Ranked #100 on notinhalloffame.com.
Tommy Nobis: ATL 1966-78. Nobis was the Rookie of the Year and a five-time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #36 on notinhalloffame.com.
The Linebackers who were cut were Mike Curtis and Matt Millen.
The Chairman’s Gut Reaction:
Realistically, Baughan and Nobis should be the focus here. In previous years, Maxie would have made the final round had he made it, but the numbers work against him (and really everyone on this list).
Defensive Backs (6): (Reduced from 8)
Dick Anderson: MIA 1968-77. Anderson was the 1968 Defensive Rookie of the Year, the 1973 Defensive Player of the Year, and won two Super Bowls. A two-time First Team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl Selection, Anderson had 24 Interceptions. Ranked #93 on notinhalloffame.com.
Bobby Boyd: BAL 1960-68. Boyd won an NFL Championship with the Colts and was a three-time First Team All-Pro. He led the league in Interceptions in 1965, with a total of 57. Ranked #39 on notinhalloffame.com.
Albert Lewis: KAN 1983-93, RAI 1994 & OAK 1995-98. Lewis went to four straight Pro Bowls (1987-90), was a two-time First Team All-Pro, and compiled 42 Interceptions. Ranked #104 on notinhalloffame.com.
Eddie Meador: RAM 1959-70. Meador is one of the most prolific Defensive Backs in RMS history and was a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro. He amassed a franchise record of 46 Interceptions. Ranked #68 on notinhalloffame.com.
Lemar Parrish: CIN 1970-77, WAS 1978-81 & BUF 1982. Parrish went to eight Pro Bowls with a First Team All-Pro while recording 47 Interceptions. Ranked #16 on notinhalloffame.com.
Everson Walls: DAL 1981-89, NYG 1990-92 & CLE 1992-93. Walls had 57 Interceptions and was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection with a Super Bowl ring with the Giants. Ranked #87 on notinhalloffame.com.
The Defensive Backs who were cut were Pat Fischer and Lester Hayes.
The Chairman’s Gut Reaction:
HOW THE HELL IS LESTER HAYES NOT HERE!?!?!?!?
Bluntly, I am disgusted by this omission, and he had the resume to enter as a Modern candidate years ago. Please explain this to me like I am five!
Special Teams (1)
Steve Tasker: HOU 1985-86 & BUF 1986-97. Tasker went to four Super Bowls with Buffalo and was a seven-time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #144 on notinhalloffame.com.
Nothing changed.
This group will be cut next month.
We here at notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the candidates who have reached this stage.
Weeks ago, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 162 Preliminary Senior Candidates for the Class of 2026. This has now been reduced to 52.
The remaining candidates are:
Quarterbacks (5):
Ken Anderson: CIN 1971-86. Anderson was the consensus MVP in 1981 and the four-time Pro Bowl would pass for 32,838 Yards and 197 Touchdowns. He was also the 1975 Walter Payton Man of the Year and historically brought the Cincinnati Bengals to their first Super Bowl. Ranked #8 on notinhalloffame.com.
Charlie Conerly: NYG 1948-61. Conerly was a 1956 New York Giants NFL Championship Team member, was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection, and accumulated 19,488 Yards and 173 TDs. Ranked #50 on notinhalloffame.com.
Roman Gabriel: LAR 1962-72 & PHI 1973-77. Gabriel was the league MVP in 1969, earning four Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro, and he threw for 29,444 Yards and 201 TDs. Ranked #35 on notinhalloffame.com.
Jack Kemp: PIT 1957, LAC/SD 1960-62 & BUF 1962-69. A seven-time AFL All-Star, Kemp led the Bills to two AFL Championships, where he was the MVP in both games. He is also a former AFL MVP. Ranked #118 on notinhalloffame.com.
Don Meredith: DAL 1960-1968. “Dandy Don” went to three Pro Bowls and won the 1966 Bert Bell Award. He threw for 135 Touchdowns and 17,199 Yards.
The Quarterbacks who were cut were John Hadl, Earl Morrall, Jim Plunkett & Doug Williams.
Running Backs (6):
Ottis Anderson: STL 1979-86 & NYG 1986-92. Anderson had a monster rookie campaign for St. Louis and would later win two Super Bowls with New York, where he was named a Super Bowl MVP. He had 10,273 Rushing Yards, 3,063 Receiving Yards, and 86 Touchdowns from Scrimmage. Ranked #69 on notinhalloffame.com.
Larry Brown: WAS 1969-76. Brown won the 1972 AP MVP and Offensive Player of the Year and was also a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro Running Back. He had 8,360 Yards from Scrimmage with 55 TDs. Ranked #109 on notinhalloffame.com.
Roger Craig: SFO 1983-90, RAI 1991 & MIN 1992-93. The first player to accumulate 1,000 Yards Rushing and Receiving, Craig won three Super Bowls, was the Offensive Player of the Year, earned four Pro Bowls, and was a First Team All-Pro. From Scrimmage, he had 73 Touchdowns and 13,100 Yards, Ranked #15 on notinhalloffame.com.
Chuck Foreman: MIN 1973-79 & NWE 1980. Foreman went to the Pro Bowl in his first five seasons, and the 1973 Offensive Rookie of the Year was a two-time YFS TD leader. He compiled 9,106 Yards from Scrimmage. Ranked #79 on notinhalloffame.com.
Cecil Isbell: GNB 1938-42. Isbell only played five seasons, but was a four-time Pro Bowl selection, a two-time Touchdown leader, and a two-time leader in Passing Yards. He also helped Green Bay win the NFL Championship in 1939 and was named to the 1930s All-Decade Team. Ranked #72 on notinhalloffame.com.
Paul “Tank” Younger: RAM 1949-57 & PIT 58. Younger won an NFL Championship with the Los Angeles Rams and was a four-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro. Younger rushed for 3,640 Yards and 34 Touchdowns and was also a potent Linebacker. Ranked #196 on notinhalloffame.com.
The ten Running Backs who were cut were Alan Ameche, Earnest Byner, John David Crow, Verne Lewellen, Jack Manders, Mercury Morris, Don Perkins, Billy Sims, Herschel Walker, and Byron “Whizzer” White.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends (9):
Mark Clayton: MIA 1983-92 & GNB 1993. Clayton was Dan Marino’s best weapon and had two years where he led the NFL in Touchdown Receptions. He had 84 TDs and 8,974 Yards. Ranked #269 on notinhalloffame.com.
Isaac Curtis: CIN 1973-84. Curtis was a Pro Bowl Selection in his first four years and a three-time Second-Team All-Pro. He had 7,101 Receiving Yards and 53 Touchdowns.
Lavvie Dilweg: MIL 1926 & GNB 1927-34. Dilwag was a three-time NFL Champion with Green Bay and was chosen for the 1920s All-Decade Team. Ranked #6 on notinhalloffame.com.
Henry Ellard: RAM 1983-93, WAS 1994-98 & NEW 1998. Ellard compiled 13,777 Yards and 65 Touchdowns in a career where he once led the NFL in Receiving Yards. He is also a three-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #64 on notinhalloffame.com.
Harold Jackson: RAM 1968 & 1973-77, PHI 1969-72, BEW 1978-81, MIN 1982 & SEA 1983. A five-time Pro Bowler, Jackson won two Receiving Yards Titles and compiled 10,372 Yards and 76 Touchdowns. Ranked #49 on notinhalloffame.com.
Billy “White Shoes” Johnson: HOU 1974-80, ATL 1982-87 & WAS 1988. One of the most prolific Returners in football history, Johnson had 10,795 All-Purpose Yards and was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #114 on notinhalloffame.com.
Stanley Morgan: NWE 1977-89 & IND 1990. A four-time Pro Bowl Selection, Stanley Morgan compiled 72 Touchdowns with 10,716 Receiving Yards. He was also a three-time leader in Yards per Reception. Ranked #266 on notinhalloffame.com.
Art Powell: PHI 1959, NYT 1960-62, OAK 1963-66, BUF 1967 & MIN 1968. Powell, who was a Finalist last year, was a two-time Receiving Yards leader in the AFL. A four-time AFL-All-Star and two-time First Team All-Pro, Powell had 8,046 Yards and 81 Touchdowns. Ranked #165 on notinhalloffame.com.
Otis Taylor: KAN 1965-75. Taylor won two AFL Championships and a Super Bowl with Kansas City, who had 60 TDs and 7,467 Yards From Scrimmage. He was also a two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #32 on notinhalloffame.com.
The twenty-one Wide Receivers/Tight Ends who were cut were Fred Arbanas, Todd Christensen, Gary Collins, Caroll Dale, Boyd Dowler, Mark Duper, Jimmy Giles, Charley Hennigan, Billy Howton, Keith Jackson, Brent Jones, Homer Jones, Steve Jordan, Eric Martin, Jay Novacek, Del Shofner, John Taylor, Lionel Taylor, Rick Upchurch, Bobby Walston, and Billy Wilson.
Offensive Lineman (11):
Jay Hilgenberg: CHI 1981-91, CLE 1992 & NOR 1993. Hilgenberg was the Center for the Super Bowl Shuffle-winning team, and the two-time First Team All-Pro also had a seven-year run of Pro Bowls from 1985 to 1991. Ranked #67 on notinhalloffame.com.
Chris Hinton: BAL 1984, IND 1984-89, ATL 1990-1993 & MIN 1994-95. Hinton went to six Pro Bowls, five of which were as a Colt. Ranked #166 on notinhalloffame.com.
Joe Jacoby: WAS 1981-93. A famed member of the Hogs, Jacoby was part of all three of Washington’s Super Bowl wins and was a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #33 on notinhalloffame.com.
Mike Kenn: ATL 1978-94. Kenn is one of the finest offensive linemen in Falcons history, and the Left Tackle would earn five Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros. Ranked #61 on notinhalloffame.com.
Bob Kuechenberg: MIA 1970-83. The versatile Lineman was a significant component in Miami’s back-to-back Super Bowl Championships in the early 70s, and he was also named to six Pro Bowls and one First Team All-Pro. Ranked #30 on notinhalloffame.com.
Marvin Powell: NYJ 1977-85 & TAM 1986-87. Powell went to five straight Pro Bowls (1979-83) with a First Team All-Pro Selection in three of them. Ranked #213 on notinhalloffame.com.
Dick Schafrath: CLE 1959-71. A Cleveland Brown for the entirety of his career, Schafrath was a six-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro at Left Tackle. He is also a former NFL Champion. Ranked #27 on notinhalloffame.com.
*Jerry Sisemore: PHI 1973-84. Sisemore went to two Pro Bowls and helped the Philadelphia Eagles reach their first Super Bowl.
Walt Sweeney: SDG 1963-73 & WAS 1974-75. Sweeney won an AFL Championship with San Diego, and the Guard was chosen for nine consecutive AFL All-Stars/NFL Pro Bowls (1963-72). He was also a two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #55 on notinhalloffame.com.
Jim Tyrer: DTX 1961-62, KAN 1963-73 & WAS 1974. A three-time AFL Champion with the Texans/Chiefs, the Left Tackle was a six-time First Team All-Pro and nine-time AFL All-Star/Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #13 on notinhalloffame.com.
Al Wistert: PHI 1943-51. Wistert was an All-Decade player of the 1940s who propelled Philadelphia to two NFL Championships. He was also a four-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #31 on notinhalloffame.com.
The twenty-four Offensive Linemen who were cut were Hunk Anderson, Bruce Armstrong, Stew Barber, Dick Barwegan, Ed Budde, Ox Emerson, Gale Gillingham, Buckets Goldenberg, Dennis Harrah, George Kunz, Riley Matheson, Max Montoya, Jon Morris, Ralph Nelly, John Niland, Bart Oates, Duane Putnam, Doug Smith, Bob Talamini, Fuzzy Thurston, Bob Vogel, Ed White, and Ray Wietcha.
Defensive Linemen (4):
L.C. Greenwood: PIT 1969-81. Greenwood was a vital member of the Steelers' 1970s dynasty that won four Super Bowls. A six-time Prowl and two-time First Team All-Pro, Greenwood accumulated 78 Sacks. Ranked #5 on notinhalloffame.com.
Ed “Too Tall” Jones: DAL 1974-78 & 1980-89. Jones had 106 Sacks over his career that netted him three Pro Bowls, a First Team All-Pro, and a Super Bowl ring. Ranked #283 on notinhalloffame.com.
Jim Marshall: CLE 1960 & MIN 1961-78. The ironman of his day, Marshall brought the Vikings to four Super Bowl appearances and was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection along the way. He had 130.5 lifetime Sacks. Ranked #37 on notinhalloffame.com.
Harvey Martin: DAL 1973-83. Martin won the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 1977 and was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection who won a Super Bowl with the Cowboys. He had 114 career Sacks. Ranked #119 on notinhalloffame.com.
The eleven Defensive Linemen who were cut were Houston Antwine, Gene Brito, Roger Brown, Earl Faison, Mark Gastineau, Leonard Marshall, Jerry Mays, Tom Sestak, Fred Smerlas, Neil Smith, and Bill Stanfill.
Linebackers (8):
Carl Banks: NYG 1984-92, WAS 1993 & CLE 1994-95. A two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Giants, Banks was a one-time All-Pro with 860 career Tackles. Ranked #234 in notinhalloffame.com.
Maxie Baughan: PHI 1960-65, RAM 1966-70 & WAS 1974. Baughan was an NFL Champion with Philadelphia and was a nine-time Pro Bowl Selection. He was also a one-time First Team All-Pro and five-time Second Team All-Pro. Ranked #14 on notinhalloffame.com.
Mike Curtis: BAL 1965-75, SEA 1976 & WAS 1977-78. Curtis helped Baltimore win Super Bowl V and, individually, was a one-time First Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl recipient. Ranked #183 on notinhalloffame.com.
Larry Grantham: NYT 1960-62 & NYJ 1963-72. Grantham was a five-time AFL All-Star and three-time First Team All-Pro, who was part of the historical Jets team that won Super Bowl III. Ranked #60 on notinhalloffame.com.
Lee Roy Jordan: DAL 1963-76. Playing his entire career with the Cowboys, Jordan patrolled the interior and was a five-time Pro Bowler in the process. He also won a Super Bowl with Big D. Ranked #35 on notinhalloffame.com.
Clay Matthews Jr.: CLE 1978-93 & ATL 1994-96. Matthews Jr. was a three-time leader in Combined Tackles with 1,595 overall. A four-time Pro Bowl Selection, Matthews Jr. also had 82.5 Sacks and 16 Interceptions. Ranked #100 on notinhalloffame.com.
Matt Millen: OAK 1980-81, RAI 1982-88, SFO 1989-90 & WAS 1991. The one-time Pro Bowler won four Super Bowls over his career.
Tommy Nobis: ATL 1966-78. Nobis was the Rookie of the Year and a five-time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #36 on notinhalloffame.com.
The thirteen Linebackers who were cut were Bill Bergey, Matt Blair, Joe Fortunato, Tim Harris, E.J. Holub, Vaughn Johnson, Seth Joyner, Greg Lloyd, Wilber Marshall, Rod Martin, Bud McFadin, Karl Mecklenberg, Isiah Robertson, Pat Swilling, Darryl Talley, and Keena Turner.
Defensive Backs (8):
Dick Anderson: MIA 1968-77. Anderson was the 1968 Defensive Rookie of the Year, the 1973 Defensive Player of the Year, and won two Super Bowls. A two-time First Team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl Selection, Anderson had 24 Interceptions. Ranked #93 on notinhalloffame.com.
Bobby Boyd: BAL 1960-68. Boyd won an NFL Championship with the Colts and was a three-time First Team All-Pro. He led the league in Interceptions in 1965, with a total of 57. Ranked #39 on notinhalloffame.com.
Pat Fischer: STL 1961-67 & WAS 1968-77. Fischer recorded 56 Interceptions (29 with St. Louis & 27 with Washington) and was twice named to the Pro Bowl. Ranked #132 on notinhalloffame.com.
Lester Hayes: OAK 1977-81 & RAI 1982-86. A two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Raiders, Hayes was the consensus Defensive Player of the Year in 1980. The Cornerback was a one-time First Team All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowl Selection, and had 39 picks over his career. Ranked #17 on notinhalloffame.com.
Albert Lewis: KAN 1983-93, RAI 1994 & OAK 1995-98. Lewis went to four straight Pro Bowls (1987-90), was a two-time First Team All-Pro, and compiled 42 Interceptions. Ranked #104 on notinhalloffame.com.
Eddie Meador: RAM 1959-70. Meador is one of the most prolific Defensive Backs in RMS history and was a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro. He amassed a franchise record of 46 Interceptions. Ranked #68 on notinhalloffame.com.
Lemar Parrish: CIN 1970-77, WAS 1978-81 & BUF 1982. Parrish went to eight Pro Bowls with a First Team All-Pro while recording 47 Interceptions. Ranked #16 on notinhalloffame.com.
Everson Walls: DAL 1981-89, NYG 1990-92 & CLE 1992-93. Walls had 57 Interceptions and was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection with a Super Bowl ring with the Giants. Ranked #87 on notinhalloffame.com.
The nineteen Defensive Backs who were cut were Dave Brown, Joey Browner, Butch Byrd, Thom Darden, Don Doll, Goose Gonsoulin, Dave Grayson, Cornell Green, Merton Hanks, Warren Lahr, Tim McDonald, Jimmy Patton, Eugene Robinson, George Saimes, Jake Scott, Dennis Smith, Jack Tatum, Charlie Waters, Abe Woodson, and Louis Wright.
Punters/Kickers (0)
All three Kickers were cut. Those players were Jim Bakken, Jim Breech, and Nick Lowery.
Special Teams (1)
Steve Tasker: HOU 1985-86 & BUF 1986-97. Tasker went to four Super Bowls with Buffalo and was a seven-time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #144 on notinhalloffame.com.
Only Mel Gray was cut.
This group will be cut to 25 next month.
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, resulting 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 thirteenth ten of the 2024 Football List, which you can comment on and vote on:
The new 121 to 130:
121. Steve Tasker
122. Harvey Martin
123. Lance Briggs
124. Gale Gillingham
125. Steve McNair
126. Jessie Tuggle
127. Jerry Smith
128. Pat Fischer
129. Jay Novacek
130. Joey Browner
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.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Season has begun as they have announced the Semi-Finalists for the Senior and Coaches/Contributor categories for the Class of 2024.
The 12-Person Senior Committee named 31 Semi-Finalists.
The 12-Person Coach/Contributor Committee named 29 Semi-Finalists.
The results of these committees will be revealed on July 27.
Here are the nominees:
Senior Committee Nominees:
Ken Anderson: Quarterback, CIN 1971-86: Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ottis Anderson: Running Back, STL 1979-86 & NYG 1986-92. Ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Carl Banks: Linebacker, NYG 1984-92, WAS 1993, CLE 1994-95. Ranked #253 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Maxie Baughan: Linebacker, PHI 1960-65, LAR 1966-70 & WAS 1972. Ranked #14 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Larry Brown: Running Back, WAS 1969-76. Ranked #109 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Mark Clayton: Wide Receiver, MIA 1983-92 & GNB 1993: Ranked #222 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Charlie Conerly: Quarterback, NYG 1948-61: Ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Roger Craig: Running Back, SF 1983-90, RAI 1991 & MIN 1992-93: Ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Henry Ellard: Wide Receiver, RAM 1983-93, WAS 1994-98 & NWE 1998: Ranked #71 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Randy Gradishar: Linebacker, DEN 1974-83. Ranked #2 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Lester Hayes: Cornerback, OAK/RAI 1977-86. Ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Chris Hinton: Offensive Lineman, BAL/IND 1983-89, ATL 1990-03 & MIN 1994-95. Ranked #152 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Cecil Isbell: Tailback, GNB 1938-42: Ranked #59 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Joe Jacoby: Offensive Lineman, WAS 1981-93: Ranked #41 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Billy “White Shoes” Johnson: Wide Receiver & Returner, HOU 1974-80, ATL 1982-87 & WAS 1988: Ranked #110 on Notinhalloffame.com
Mike Kenn: Offensive Lineman, ATL 1978-94. Ranked #85 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bob Kuechenberg: Offensive Lineman, MIA 1970-83: Ranked #35 on Notinhalloffame.com.
George Kunz: Offensive Lineman, ATL 1969-74 & BAL 1975-80: Ranked #98 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Albert Lewis: Cornerback, KAN 1983-93 & RAI/OAK 1994-98: Ranked #129 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jim Marshall: Defensive End, MIN 1960-79: Ranked #21 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Clay Matthews Jr.: Linebacker, CLE 1978-93 & ATL 1994-96: Ranked #99 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Steve McMichael: Defensive Tackle & Nose Tackle, NWE 1980, CHI 1981-93 & GNB 1994: Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Eddie Meador: Cornerback & Safety, RAM 1959-70. Ranked #81 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Stanley Morgan: Wide Receiver, NWE 1977-89 & NO 1990: Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Tommy Nobis: Linebacker, ATL 1966-76, Ranked #27 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Art Powell: Split End, Defensive Back & Wide Receiver, PHI 1959, NYT 1960-62, OAK 1963-66, BUF 1967 & MIN 1968: Ranked #171 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Sterling Sharpe: Wide Receiver, GNB 1988-94: Ranked #28 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Steve Tasker: Special Teams, HOU 1985-86 & BUF 1986-97: Ranked #112 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Otis Taylor: Wide Receiver & Flanker, KAN 1965-75: Ranked #13 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Everson Walls: Cornerback, DAL 1981-89, NYG 1990-92 & CLE 1992-93: Ranked #88 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Al Wistert: Tackle, Guard & Defensive End, 1943-51: Ranked #38 on Notinhalloffame.com.
The Coach/Contributor Finalists are:
Bud Adams Jr.
Roone Arledge
C.O. Brocato
Tom Coughlin
Alex Gibbs
Ralph Hay
Mike Holmgren
Bucko Kilroy
Eddie Kotal
Robert Kraft
Elmer Layden
Jerry Markbreit
Virginia McCaskey
Rich McKay
John McVay
Art Modell
Buddy Parker
Carl Peterson
Dan Reeves
Art Rooney Jr.
Marty Schoenheimer
Jerry Seeman
George Seifert
Mike Shanahan
Clark Shaughnessy
Seymour Siwoff
Jim Tunney
Lloyd Wells
John Wooten
A huge day is afoot for us as the Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced their 25 Semi-Finalists for the Class of 2021.
The 25 were pared down from 130 Preliminary nominees, which includes four first year eligible players:
They are:
Eric Allen: Cornerback: 1998-94 Philadelphia, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints & 1998-01 Oakland Raiders. Eligible since 2007, Allen cracked his way to Semi-Finals for the first time. He has 54 career Interceptions and is a six-time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #42 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jared Allen: Defensive End: 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-13 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears & 2016 Carolina Panthers. This is Allen’s first year of eligibility, and he was expected by many to make it to this round. Allen led the NHL in Sacks twice (2007 & 2011) and had 136.0 in total. He was also a five-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #19 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Willie Anderson: Tackle: 1996-07 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens. Anderson has been Hall of Fame eligible since 2014, but this is his first time making it as a Semi-Finalist. Ranked #283 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ronde Barber: Cornerback/Safety: 1997-12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Barber is a former Super Bowl Champion and was the 2001 leader in Interceptions. He has over 1,000 Solo Tackles with 47 career Interceptions. Barber is a Semi-Finalist for the fourth consecutive year, all beginning with his first year of eligibility. This has not yet translated into a Finalists appearance. Ranked #13 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Cornelius Bennett: Linebacker: 1987-95 Buffalo Bills, 1996-98 Atlanta Falcons & 1999-00 Indianapolis Colts. Bennett has been eligible since 2006 but this is the first time, he has made it to the Semi-Finals. Over his career, Bennett helped take Buffalo to four Super Bowls, had 71.5 Sacks and was a five-time Pro Bowler. Ranked #124 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Tony Boselli: Tackle: 1995-01 Jacksonville Jaguars & 2002 Houston Texans. The career of Boselli was short, but he is believed to be the greatest Jaguar of all-time. The Lineman has been a Finalist for the last four years. Ranked #45 on Notinhalloffame.com
LeRoy Butler: Safety: 1990-01 Green Bay Packers. Butler had 38 career Interceptions, won a Super Bowl and went to four Pro Bowls over his career. He is on a four-year streak of Semi-Finalist nods, and he was a Finalist last year. Ranked #73 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Alan Faneca: Guard: 1998-07 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets & 2010 Arizona Cardinals. A Super Bowl Champion with the Steelers, Faneca went to nine Pro Bowls and was a six-time First Team All-Pro. Faneca has been a Semi-Finalist and Finalist in his first five years of eligibility, and this is year six. Ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Rodney Harrison: Safety: 1994-02 San Diego Chargers & 2003-08 New England Patriots. Winning two Super Bowls with the Patriots, Harrison is also a two-time Pro Bowler. Eligible since 2014, Harrison is a Semi-Finalist for the first time. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Torry Holt: Wide Receiver: 1998-08 St. Louis Rams & 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars. Holt won a Super Bowl with the Rams, and he went to seven Pro Bowls with 12,832 career Receiving Yards. Holt made it to the Finals last year, and has been a Semi-Finalist every year, with this ballot making number seven. Ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Calvin Johnson: Wide Receiver: 2007-15 Detroit Lions. Johnson went to six Pro Bowls, three First Team All-Pros and was considered the most exciting Wide Receiver of his day. This is his first year on the ballot. Ranked #27 on Notinhalloffame.com.
John Lynch: Free Safety: 1993-03 Tampa Bay Buccaneers & 2004-07 Denver Broncos. Lynch went to seven Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay. He has been a Finalist the last seven years, and is likely set for an eighth. Ranked #25 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Peyton Manning: Quarterback: 1998-11 Indianapolis Colts & 2012-15 Denver Broncos. Manning took both the Colts and Broncos to a Super Bowl win, and he is a five-time MVP with 14 Pro Bowls and seven First Team All-Pros. He would throw for 71,940 Yards and 539 Touchdowns and this is his first year on the ballot. Ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Clay Matthews: Linebacker: 1978-93 Cleveland Browns & 1994-96 Atlanta Falcons. A four-time Pro Bowler, Matthews had 69.5 Sacks with 1,595 Combined Tackles. Matthews is a Semi-Finalist for the fifth straight time, but has never been a Finalist. This is his last year on the Modern Era ballot, so it is now or (likely) never. Ranked #75 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Sam Mills: Linebacker: 1986-94 New Orleans Saints & 1995-97 Carolina Panthers. A five-time Pro Bowler, Mills began his pro career in the USFL. A four-time Semi-Finalist, Mills made it to the Finals for the first time, last year, but only has two more years of Modern Era eligibility. Ranked #48 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Richard Seymour: Defensive End/Defensive Tackle: 2001-08 New England Patriots & 2009-12 Oakland Raiders. Seymour won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, went to seven Pro Bowls and was a three-time First Team All-Pro. He is a Semi-Finalist for the fourth straight year and was a Finalist the last two years. Ranked #39 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Steve Tasker: Special Teams/Wide Receiver: 1985-86 Houston Oilers & 1986-97 Buffalo Bills. Tasker went to seven Pro Bowls, and despite having never been a Finalist, he has been a Semi-Finalist seven other times. Ranked #106 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Fred Taylor: Running Back: 1998-08 Jacksonville Jaguars & 2009-10 New England Patriots. With 11,695 career Rushing Yards, Taylor is also a one-time Pro Bowl Selection. Taylor, who was first eligible in 2016, is on his second straight Semi-Finalist ballot. Ranked #171 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Zach Thomas: Linebacker: 1996-07 Miami Dolphins & 2008 Dallas Cowboys: Thomas led the NFL in Combined Tackles twice (2002 & 2006) and he is five-time First Team All-Pro. He also has 1,727 career Combined Tackles. A Semi-Finalist for the last three years, Thomas was a Finalist for the first time, last year. Ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com
Hines Ward: Wide Receiver: 1998-11 Pittsburgh Steelers. Ward won two Super Bowls with a Super Bowl MVP on his resume, and the four-time Pro Bowl Selection recorded an even 1,000 Receptions with 12,083 Yards with 86 Touchdowns. Ward has been a Semi-Finalist every year since eligibility, but it has not translated into a spot in the Finals. Ranked #33 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Reggie Wayne: Wide Receiver: 2001-14 Indianapolis Colts. A six-time Pro Bowl and one-time Super Bowl Champion, Wayne has 14,345 Receiving Yards with 82 Touchdowns. Wayne was a Finalist last year in what was his first year on the ballot. Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Patrick Willis: Linebacker: 2007-14 San Francisco 49ers. The Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2007, Willis went to five First Team All-Pros over his career. Willis was a Semi-Finalist last year in what was his first year of eligibility. Ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Charles Woodson: Cornerback/Safety: 1998-05 & 2013-15 Oakland Raiders & 2006-12 Green Bay Packers. Woodson is a Super Bowl Champion with the Packers and has 65 career Interceptions. The nine-time Pro Bowler is also a former Defensive Rookie of the Year (1998) and Defensive Player of the Year (2009). This is Woodson’s first year of eligibility. Ranked #2 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Darren Woodson: Safety: 1992-03 Dallas Cowboys. Woodson won three Super Bowls with Dallas and was a three-time First Team All-Pro. This is his fifth year as a Semi-Finalist but Woodson has yet to be named a Finalist. Ranked #94 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bryant Young: Defensive Tackle: 1994-07 San Francisco 49ers. Eligible since 2013, Young was a Semi-Finalist and Finalist last year for the first time. The career Niner had 89.5 Sacks, won a Super Bowl and went to four Pro Bowls. Ranked #164 on Notinhalloffame.com.
The only two eligible Semi-Finalists from last year who did not reach this stage are Ricky Watters and Simeon Rice.
This group will be shrunk to 15 in January.
We are in the preliminary stages of creating a Zoom meeting of football bloggers and Hall of Fame aficionados who will act as if we are the Pro Football Hall of Fame Committee and debate as to who we think should advance.