The news coming from Canton continues, as the Pro Football Hall of Fame has reduced their Modern Era Preliminary Nominees from 128 to 52.
To qualify, a player must have retired less than 25 years ago and at least five years ago:
This group will be pared down to 25 names this fall by the 50-person Hall of Fame committee.
*Denotes they were a Finalist last year.
**Denotes they are eligible for the first time.
Quarterbacks (2): (cut from 10)
**Drew Brees: SDG 2001-05 & NOR 2006-20. After five years in San Diego, Brees ascended to superstar status in New Orleans. Brees led the Saints to their first and only Super Bowl win, was a two-time Offensive Player of the Year, and was selected to 13 Pro Bowls. He threw for 80,358 Yards and 571 Touchdowns. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com. Ranked #1 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 #107 on notinhalloffame.com.
**Philip Rivers: SDG/LAC 2004-19 & IND 2020. A Charger for all but his final season, Rivers was chosen for eight Pro Bowls and was fourth in OPOY voting three years in a row (2008-10). He threw for 63,440 Yards and 221 Touchdowns. Ranked #21 on notinhalloffame.com.
The Quarterbacks who did not advance were Randall Cunningham, Jake Delhomme, Rich Gannon, Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb, Steve McNair & Alex Smith.
Last year, the three QBs who made it to this stage were Eli Manning and Steve McNair.
The Chairman’s gut reaction:
Cunningham and McNabb are in trouble, especially Cunningham, who now disappears into the Senior abyss. These are two QBs who clearly have no momentum to get a shot in the modern wing, and now there are two (Brees & Rivers) who have passed them. The wild card is Rivers, who, if he does not reach the Semis right away, will see a slew of similar QBs creeping up on him in the upcoming years.
Running Backs (8): (cut from 21)
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 #304 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 #175 on notinhalloffame.com.
**Frank Gore: SFO 2005-14, IND 2015-17, MIA 2018, BUF 2019 & NYJ 2020. Gore was a six-time Pro Bowl Selection, who amassed a whopping 16,000 Rushing Yards (third all-time), 19,985 APY, and 99 Touchdowns. Ranked #19 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 #44 on notinhalloffame.com.
**LeSean McCoy: PHI 2009-14, BUF 2015-18, KAN 2019 & TAM 2020. A six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro, McCoy won the 2013 Rushing Title, while also leading the NFL in Yards from Scrimmage. He was second in OPOY voting that year. Overall, he rushed for 11,102 Yards, had an even 15,000 Yards From Scrimmage, and had 89 Touchdowns. Ranked #110 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. Ranked #178 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 #157 on notinhalloffame.com.
Ricky Watters: SFO 1992-01, SFO, PHI, SEA. Watters was a Super Bowl Champion with the 49ers and made the Pro Bowl in his first five years in the NFL. He would lead the NFL in Yards from Scrimmage in 1996, totaling 14,891. Ranked #41 on notinhalloffame.com.
The Running Backs who did not advance were Shaun Alexander, Mike Alstott, Tiki Barber, Larry Centers, Jamaal Charles, Corey Dillon, Arian Foster, Priest Holmes, Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson, Thomas Jones, Jamal Lewis, and Eric Metcalf.
Last year, the three RBs who made it to this stage were Shaun Alexander, Tiki Barber, Eddie George, Marshawn Lynch, Fred Taylor, and Ricky Watters.
The Chairman’s gut reaction:
I honestly don’t know why former MVP Shaun Alexander can’t make it to this stage at the very least. Somehow, the MVP and over 100 TDs aren’t enough.
Also, where is Tiki Barber? I have never been sold on his HOF candidacy, but he was a Semi-Finalist two years ago. Both Alexander and Barber had made it to the last 50 last year, and what does this say about their chances from now on? Not too good.
With all due respect to Warrick Dunn, is he better than Tiki and Shaun?
Selfishly, happy to see Lorenzo Neal advance. There are a lot of people who want to see this, and they have turned me on to the case of this Fullback.
Wide Receivers (7): (Cut from 18)
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 #92 on notinhalloffame.com.
**Larry Fitzgerald: ARI 2004-20. Fitzgerald had a stellar career, earning 11 Pro Bowls, one First Team All-Pro selection, and was named the 2016 Walter Payton Man of the Year. Twice leading the league in Receptions as well as Touchdown Passes, Fitzgerald had 1,432 Receptions (Second all-time), 17,492 Yards (second all-time), and 121 Touchdowns (sixth all-time). Ranked #2 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 #9 on notinhalloffame.com.
Jimmy Smith: DAL 1992, JAX 1995-2005. Smith was selected to five consecutive Pro Bowls (1997-01) and, in 1999, led the NFL in Receptions (116). He would retire with 12,287 Receiving Yards and 67 Touchdowns. Ranked #170 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 #76 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 #25 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 #47 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 #23 on notinhalloffame.com.
The Wide Receivers who did not advance were Donald Driver, Chad Johnson, Brandon Lloyd, Brandon Marshall. Derrick Mason, Herman Moore, Mushin Muhammed, Jordy Nelson, Wes Welker, and Roddy White.
Last year, the three WRs who made it to this stage were Anquan Boldin, Torry Holt, Jimmy Smith, Steve Smith Sr., Hines Ward, and Reggie Wayne.
The Chairman’s gut reaction:
I don’t have any problem with the Wide Receivers being removed, but I will again go on record that Hines Ward will go 20-for-20 as a Hall of Fame Semi-Finalist without advancing to the final round.
Tight Ends (2): (Cut from 6)
**Greg Olsen: CHI 2007-10, CAR 2011-19 & SEA 2020. Olsen was at his best in Carolina, where he went to three consecutive Pro Bowls (2014-15). He compiled 8,683 Yards with 60 Touchdowns. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
**Jason Witten: 2003-17 & 2019 & LVR 2020. Witten went to a whopping 11 Pro Bowls, with two of those seasons netting him First Team All-Pros. The 2012 Walter Payton Award winner had 13,046 Yards with 74 TDs. Ranked #11 on notinhalloffame.com.
Last year, the TEs who made it to this stage were Ben Coates and Antonio Gates (who was inducted).
The Tight Ends who did not advance were Vernon Davis, Zach Miller, Delanie Walker, and Wesley Walls.
The Chairman’s gut reaction:
Is Greg Olsen better than I remember?
Offensive Lineman (12): (Cut from 22)
*Willie Anderson (T): CIN 1996-2007 & BAL 2008. Anderson was chosen for four consecutive Pro Bowls (2003-06), with his last three being First Team All-Pro worthy. Anderson has been a Finalist for the previous three years. Ranked #101 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 helped Tampa Bay win a Super Bowl. Ranked #138 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 #113 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 #29 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 #125 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 #85 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 #89 on notinhalloffame.com.
**Maurkice Pouncey (C) PIT 2010-20. Pouncey was one of the top Centers of the 2010s, who was a Pro Bowl Selection in nine of his ten seasons. He was also a two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #24 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 #43 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 named to the First Team All-Pro twice.
Steve Wisniewski (G): EAI 1989-94 & OAK 1995-2001. A former Semi-Finalist, Wisniewski played his entire career with the Raiders and was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #24 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 #4 on notinhalloffame.com.
The Offensive Linemen who did not advance were Matt Birk, Ryan Clady, David DeCastro, Jordan Gross, Ryan Kalil, Jeff Saturday, Josh Sitton, Joe Staley, and Brian Waters.
Last year, the OLs who made it to this stage were Willie Anderson, Lomas Brown, Ruben Brown, Jahri Evans, Olin Kreutz, Logan Mankins, Jeff Satruday, Joe Staley, Richmond Webb, Wrik Williams, Steve Wisniwski, and Marshal Yanda.
The Chairman’s gut reaction:
While I did not think David DeCastro would make the Semis, he would at least make this cut. Tom Nalen continues to get no love, but I'm happy that Nick Mangold has reached this level, unlike last year. It was also a mild surprise to see Jeff Saturday and Joe Staley fail to reach this stage, but three cheers for Richmond Webb and Steve Wisnieuski for their advancement. I am hoping to see both in the Semis.
Defensive Linemen: (6) (Cut from 13)
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 #77 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 #112 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 #45 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 #140 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 earning five Pro Bowls and one First Team All-Pro selection. Ranked #136 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 #26 on notinhalloffame.com.
The Defensive Linemen who did not advance were Geno Atkins, Jurrell Casey, Elvis Dumerville, La’Roi Glover, Jay Ratliff, Justin Smith & Ted Washington.
Last year, the DLs who made it to this stage were John Abraham, Jared Allen (Inducted), Robert Mathis, Haloti Ngata, Simeon Rice, Neil Smith (Moved to Seniors), Vince Wilfork, and Kevin Williams.
The Chairman’s gut reaction:
I would have lost a small wager regarding Geno Atkins, as I thought he could reach this stage. Beyond that, Kevin Williams NEEDS to get further than this stage.
Linebackers: (4) (Cut from 14)
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, 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 #58 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 was 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 #3 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 significant part of Baltimore’s second Super Bowl, and, as a veteran, he retired after winning a second one with Kansas City. Ranked #10 on notinhalloffame.com.
The Linebackers who did not advance were NaVorro Bowman, Lance Briggs, Tedy Bruschi, Thomas Davis, James Farrior, A.J. Hawk, Clay Matthews III, Dat Nguyen, Takeo Spikes, and Lee Woodall.
Last year, the LBs who made it to this stage were Cornelius Bennett (moved to the seniors), London Fletcher, James Harrison, Luke Kuechly, and Terrell Suggs.
The Chairman’s gut reaction:
There is no problem from my end as to the four Linebackers who advanced.
Defensive Backs: (6) (Cut from 15)
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 #159 on notinhalloffame.com.
Asante Samuel (CB): NWE 2003-07, PHI 2008-11 & ATL 2012-13. A four-time Pro Bowl Selection and one-time First Team All-Pro, Samuel led the NFL in Interceptions twice and has 51 in total. He also won two Super Bowls with the Patriots. Ranked #190 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 #11 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 #222 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 #260 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 a 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 #65 on notinhalloffame.com.
The Defensive Backs who did not advance were Eric Berry, Kam Chancellor, Nick Collins, DeAngelo Hall, James Hasty, Carnell Lake, Allen Rossum, Patrick Surtain, and Adrian Wilson.
Last year, the DBs who made it to this stage were Eric Allen (Inducted), Kam Chancellor, Rodney Harrison, Earl Thomas, Troy Vincent, and Darren Woodson.
The Chairman’s gut reaction:
This is similar to last year, with Peanut advancing further than he ever has. Could the Peanut Punch become a Semi-Finalist for the first time?
Place Kickers: (2) (Cut from 5)
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 #209 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 #88 on notinhalloffame.com.
The Place Kickers who did not advance were David Akers, Jason Hanson, and John Kasay.
Last year, the PKs who made it to this stage were Gary Anderson and Adam Vinatieri.
Punters: (1) (Cut from 2)
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 #111 on notinhalloffame.com.
The lone Punter who did not advance was Sean Landeta.
Last year, there were no Punters at this stage.
Special Teams (1): (Cut from 2)
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 #160 on notinhalloffame.com.
The lone Special Teams player who did not advance was Josh Cribbs.
Last year, only Brian Mitchell was at this stage.
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 have reached this stage.
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