Days before the 2022 NFL Season is set to commence, we are pleased to unveil our Hall of Fame monitor of active players, ranked 1 through 150, and categorized by position.

This is the third year we have done this, and it is a fun task for us to follow the rises and falls of players as they make their way towards immortality, or in some cases, infamy.

Our Football Hall of Fame monitor for football looks at the following criteria:

The biggest factor we look at is how each active player measures up to the last five players at their position who were chosen.  To reflect the modern era and how stats have changed, Senior Inductees will not be considered as part of the last five inductees.  To keep everything simple, we are looking at Pro Bowl Selections, First Team All-Pro Selections, traditional statistics, games played, and approximate value. 

Obviously, there are other intangibles, such as playoff success, content of character etc. and we have adjusted where we think necessary due to those considerations.

While we don’t see this as a perfect system, these are the points that people make when determining whether or not someone is a Pro Football Hall of Famer, it does put forth a good baseline for us to work with.

The entire section can be found here, but here is a basic look at the list by position.

We start off with the Quarterbacks, which is the only position that has seen passing yards and Touchdown Passes rise so much ever over the last generation, that we have active pivots with better numbers than legends who played into the 2000s (See Ryan, Matt).

The Quarterbacks Section can be found here, but here is a quick look at the future candidates.

There are currently 19 Quarterbacks ranked, with no change in the two top spots with future first ballot HOF entrants, Tom Brady (#1) and Aaron Rodgers (#2).  Russell Wilson, who takes on his new challenge with the Denver Broncos, enters the top ten, with the #10 spot.  Others in the top 25 are new Indianapolis Colts, Matt Ryan (#13), Cam Newton (#17), and Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City (#21).  

Ryan has been at #13 for the third straight year, and Newton is a Free Agent.  Both are former MVPs, both lost in the Super Bowl, and both have impressive numbers; Ryan in Passing Yards and Newton with his rushing numbers.  Mahomes breaks the top 25 for the first time, and should climb at least five spots when we do this again next year.

Other notable notes from the QB section are Matthew Stafford’s rise (#59 to #37), and Josh Allen making his top 100 debut (#98).

The Running Backs Section can be found here, but here is a quick look at the future candidates.

Adrian Peterson is still ranked, as he has not yet retired, so let’s address one aspect of this list that might be confusing.  We know in the NFL, most players, including stars, rarely have farewell tours and they often retire a year or two (sometimes more) often when NFL teams stop calling them.  We have seen in the past players on this list (including Peterson), begin the year as a FA, only to see action during the year, so this is why AP is here (at #4), but this is not the most interesting fact about the RBs to us. 

Frank Gore’s official retirement took him off of the list, and with Peterson not on a roster, the player with the most Rushing Yards who appears on a roster is Mark Ingram (7,878).  When was the last time that there was not an active 10,000 Yard Rusher in the NFL?

This trickles down the list, as following Peterson, it takes until #33 for another RB, Alvin Kamara appears, and with Ezekiel Elliott at #47, there are only three rushers in the top 50.  There are 15 in total on the list, and a lot of potent young Running Backs who will rocket up this list if they are healthy.

The Wide Receivers Section can be found here, but here is a quick look at the future candidates.

Like we saw in Running Backs, the top WR is a Free Agent, Antonio Brown, at #8, but there is a toxic stench around him, and we easily could have place him in our futures section instead.  Right behind him is Julio Jones at #9, giving s two Wide Receivers in the to 10.  There are 22 at this position on the list, with nine in the top 50.  

Notably, Cooper Kupp, who had one of the best seasons by a WR ever, is the highest debut overall on this year’s list at #67.

The Tight Ends Section can be found here, but here is a quick look at the future candidates.

There are only four Tight Ends on this list, the highest being Travis Kelce, who shot up to #12.  As long as Rob Gronkowski stays retired, Kelce will remain the top ranked TE.

The Offensive Linemen Section can be found here, but here is a quick look at the future candidates.

There are only 21 on the O-Line who are ranked, but four are in the top 20, with them all between 11 and 20; Zack Martin (#11), Jason Peters (#14), Tyron Smith (#16) and Trent Williams (#20) holding those spots.  This is the first time that Martin is the top Lineman, overtaking Peters, who is currently a Free Agent.

The Defensive Linemen Section can be found here, but here is a quick look at the future candidates.

The top Defensive Lineman, and top defensive player is Aaron Donald, who holds he #3 overall spot, and will not be supplanted until he retires.  How he is not a bigger name with all of his accomplishments and transcendent figure is behind us.  He was ranked #5 last year.

The top ten also includes multi-time DPOY, J.J. Watt, who at #5, gives this group two top five players, the same as Quarterback.  The lower portion of the top 25 has Free Agent, Geno Atkins (#22), Ndamukong Suk (#23) and Cameron Jordan, who at #25, is making a push that we did not see coming three years ago.

There are 23 players in this group on the top 150, which also includes a rising Joey Bosa, who at #60, we expect to make a jump to make the top 40 on the next list.

The Linebackers Section can be found here, but here is a quick look at the future candidates.

The highest ranked Linebacker is Bobby Wagner at #6, and like it is with Russell Wilson, it will be surreal to witness Wagner in a uniform that is not a Seattle one.  Wagner overtook Von Miller (#7) as the top Linebacker, and it is not impossible for Wagner, who is now with Buffalo, to reclaim the top LB spot.

Notably, Khalil Mack, the third highest Linebacker is also with a new team, and the now-Charger is also in the top twenty for the first time with his #19 spot.  The biggest jump was T.J. Watt, who jumped from #68 to #24, and we could see the reigning Defensive Player of the Year repeat in 2022.

There are 19 Linebackers overall, with many of them as showing potential to eventual make the top ten.

The Cornerbacks Section can be found here, but here is a quick look at the future candidates.

You have to go to #15 until we have our first candidate, Patrick Peterson at #15, and while we know Richard Sherman’s career seems to be over based on his current gig, he openly said he could come back, and as such, he remains on the list.  He is the second highest Corner, and is #18 overall.

Overall, there are 14 Cornerbacks, but only three in the top fifty, with Jalen Ramsey holding the honor as the third, though only one of the three who has a bona fide shot at earning First Team All-Pro honors.

The Safeties Section can be found here, but here is a quick look at the future candidates.

Earl Thomas is the highest ranked Safety at #21, but like we have seen earlier with other top men at their position, Thomas is unemployed going into 2022, and we don’t see that changing.  We expect that we will move him to the futures next year.

There are ten Safeties overall who are ranked, but only Thomas is in the top 25.  It could be a half-decade or more before we have a serious Canton contender.

The Special Teams Section can be found here, but here is a quick look at the future candidates.

Please note that is comprises Place Kickers, Punters and all other Special Teams players.  There are six on this list, with Baltimore’s Justin Tucker holding the top spot at #29.  Ten-time Pro Bowl Selection, Matthew Slater, is also in a good spot at #34.

As always, we look forward to your feedback, and thank you for your support!

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced today that Don Coryell has advanced as the 2023 Coach/Contributor Finalist.

Coryell is one of the most innovative minds in the history of Pro Football, having developed the Air Coryell” offense which is the prototype for today’s modern offense.  A Finalist six times before, Coryell’s creativity has never been in question, but it did not yield a Title, which is likely the reason that he has not been enshrined yet, but that day seems to be coming.  While this is not a lock for Coryell to get in, patterns indicate that this is his time.

The other Finalists who Coryell beat out were:

Roone Arledge:  Arledge was a powerful television industry executive and producer whose creativity, leadership and technical innovations revolutionized the presentation of both news and sports.  He was the brainchild behind Monday Night Football, and has never been a Finalist.

Mike Holmgren: The Head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1992-98 and the Seattle Seahawks from 1999-2008, Holmgren was a Finalist in 2020.

Frank “Bucko” Kilroy:  Kilroy worked in player personnel and scouting for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys. He was the Patriots’ general manager from 1979 to 1982 and vice president from 1983 to 1993.  An outstanding player in his own right, Kilroy has a Finalist in 2020.

Robert Kraft: Kraft is the current Owner, Chairman and CEO of the New England Patriots since 1994. His teams have won six Super Bowls.  Kraft has never been a Finalist.

Art Modell:  Modell was the Owner of the Cleveland Browns from 1961-1995 and Baltimore Ravens from 1996-2011.  He has been a Finalist twice.

Buddy Parker: Parker was the Head Coach of the Chicago Cardinals (1949), Detroit Lions (1951-56) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (1957-1964), and a Finalist in 2020.

Dan Reeves:  Reeves was the Head Coach of the Denver Broncos (1981-1992), New York Giants (1993-96) and the Atlanta Falcons (1997-2003), and was a Finalist in 2020.

Art Rooney Jr.:  Employed with the Steelers since 1961, from 1964 through 1986, worked in the Steelers’ Scouting Department, Rooney is currently a Steelers Vice President and member of the Board of Directors.  He has never been a Finalist.

Mike Shanahan:  Shanahan was the Head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders (1988-89), Denver Broncos (1995-2008) and the Washington Redskins (2010-13).  He has never been a Finalist.

Clark Shaughnessy:  The former Head coach of the Los Angeles Rams from 1948-49 and longtime assistant coach for the Washington Redskins from 1944-47 and Chicago Bears from 1951-1962.  He was a three-time Finalist.

John Wooten:  A former nine-year Guard, Wooten was one of the first African-American executives in the NFL, working for the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens.

We here at Notinhalloffame would like to congratulate the late Don Coryell, for making it to this stage.

Football is one of the most watched sports in the world. The Super Bowl attracts over 50 million viewers yearly, with millions of gamblers betting on Super Bowl odds. These fans want to watch the best players, see the most remarkable plays, and cheer their teams to win trophies.

However, the fans are not the only ones that love winning; the players do too. As a professional athlete, especially in a competitive sport like football, you'll be remembered for the trophies and matches you win with your team.

The best way to be remembered as a football player is by getting inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It's the pinnacle of any footballer's career. After years of working hard on the pitch, the thought of having your name immortalized in gold at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Carson, Ohio, is absolutely wonderful.

For several decades, different NFL teams have played home to some iconic Hall of Famers, some more than others. This article will look at the NFL teams with the most Hall of Famers.

NFL Teams With the Most Hall of Famers

No athlete expects to play forever; some wish they could, but it's physically impossible. However, they hope to play at the highest level for as long as possible, and when they do retire, they hope to have created memories that fans will remember for years.

Even football players share this mentality, and what better way to remember a football player than being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Carson? Over the course of the NFL's history, some teams have built a reputation for being home to Hall of Famers. Here are some of the teams with the most.

1. Chicago Bears

Being one of the longest-running franchises in the NFL has its perks, including being the team with the most Hall of Famers. The nine-time NFL Championship winners have produced some of the greatest football legends. One of which is the great George Halas. He was the team's coach and owner for four solid decades.

The Chicago-born legend held the record for most regular-season wins and total victories in NFL's history for several years until they were broken in 1993 by Don Shula. He also won six NFL titles with the Bears and is a proud Hall of Famer.

At the time of writing, the Chicago Bears have the most inductees in Carson, with the current number at 34. Other legendary names include Brian Urlacher, Doug Atkins, and George Connor.

2. Green Bay Packers

With 33 Hall of Famers coming from their team, Green Bay Packers ranks second on our list today. The century-old franchise won the first two Super Bowl editions and is currently the team with the most NFL Championships wins.

Vince Lombardi is a name NFL fans can forget. His tenure as Packers coach was short-lived but filled with lots of success. In his nine years at the helm, he won an impressive five NFL Championships and the first and second editions of the Super Bowl. He has been credited with having laid the foundation for the team's current success.

3. New York Giants

Do not be deceived by the current and somewhat shaky form of the New York Giants; the franchise has one of the league's richest histories and has been home to some iconic figures. In fact, it has been home to 32 Hall of Famers. Some of the best names are:

• Kurt Warner
• Alphonse 'Tuffy' Leemans 
• Jim Thorpe
• Frank Tarkenton 
• Roosevelt Brown
• Lawrence Taylor
• Michael Strahan.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

For a franchise to hold the record for most Super Bowl titles, it's not uncommon that they have had some legendary players on their rosters. The Steelers currently have 30 names in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with the latest inductees being Alan Faneca and Troy Polamalu.

Some other iconic Steelers in the Hall of Fame are Jerome Bettis, Donnie Shell, Chuck Noll, Art Rooney, Mike Webster, Bobby Layne, and Terry Bradshaw.

The Bottom Line

The dream of every NFL player after retirement is to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. In Canton, their name will be immortalized, and their stories will be remembered for ages.

Fans also love to brag about their teams and the Hall of Famers that have played for them. Chicago Bears fans have all the bragging rights with 34 Hall of Famers. Green Bay Packers is second with 33 names, while the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers fill up the third and fourth with 32 and 30 inductees, respectively.

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One of the core lists for us at Notinhalloffame.com is our Football List, where we rank 300 former players who are deserving of Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration.  Unlike our other sports/hall related lists, those at the end of the countdown have significantly better enshrinement chances than the others.  As such, the glut of deserving Senior candidates dwarf that of any other sport, and we were thrilled that this year it was announced three would be named Finalists, though there are still so many snubs that remain.

It is not a lock that those selected will be elected, as they move on to the final vote, but based on recent precedents, we feel comfortable projecting the Finalists as 2023 Pro Football Hall of Famers.

The three player Finalists are:

Chuck Howley (Linebacker, 1958-59, 1961-1973): Howley is the only player to win a Super Bowl MVP on a losing team (Super Bowl VI), and he was a six-time Pro Bowler who played most of his career with Dallas.  He has never been a Finalist until now, and for many Cowboys fans, he is the most wanted.

Joe Klecko (Defensive End/Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle, 1977-1988): A member of the famed “New York Sack Exchange,” Klecko played all of his career with the New York Jets.  Klecko went to four Pro Bowls, and was the 1981 UPI Defensive Player of the Year.  He has never been a Finalist, but like Howley, this changed today.

Ken Riley (Cornerback, 1969-1983): Riley played his entire career with the Cincinnati Bengals and recorded 65 career interceptions, more than any other player not already in the Hall of Fame. Like Howley and Klecko, Riley is now a Finalist for the first time.  This is especially extraordinary, as he was never a Pro Bowl Selection.  Arguably, no Senior Candidate has seen his stock rise more than Riley.

Those who did not make the cut were:

Ken Anderson (Quarterback, 1971-1986):  Playing his entire career with Cincinnati, Anderson led them to their first Super Bowl appearance and individually was a four-time Pro Bowl.  Anderson was a Finalist in 1996 and 1998.

Maxie Baughan (Linebacker, 1960-1970, 1974):  Chosen for nine Pro Bowls, Baughan played for Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Washington.  A member of the 1960 Eagles NFL Championship team as a rookie, Baughan has never been a Finalist for the Hall.

Randy Gradishar (Linebacker, 1974-1983):  The heart of the “Orange Crush Defense,” Gradishar played all 10 seasons with the Denver Broncos, seven of which earned him a Pro Bowl nod.  He won the 1978 AP Defensive Player of the Year and he was a Finalist three times. For many, (including us), his failure to advance is one of the biggest shocks.

Cecil Isbell (Tailback/Defensive Back/Halfback, 1938-1942): Isbell played all of his career with Green Bay, where he was a one-time NFL Champion and four-time Pro Bowl selection.  He was a Finalist in 2020.

Bob Kuechenberg (Guard/Tackle/Center, 1970-1983):  Kuechenberg spent the entirety of his 14-year career as a member of the Dolphins, where he went to six Pro Bowls.  He was a Finalist eight times.

Eddie Meador (Cornerback, 1959-1970): Meador played his entire career with the Los Angeles Rams, where he earned six Pro Bowls. Meador’s 48 Interceptions remain a franchise record, but he has never been a Hall of Fame Finalist. 

Tommy Nobis (Linebacker, 1966-1976):  Atlanta’s first ever Draft Pick, Nobis won the NFL Rookie of the Year and went to five Pro Bowls.  He was a Finalist in 2020.

Sterling Sharpe (Wide Receiver, 1988-1994): Sharpe made five Pro Bowls and his Hall of Fame ring was likely delayed by severe injuries.  He has never been a Finalist.

Everson Walls (Cornerback, 1981-1993):  Walls played most of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, where he went to four Pro Bowls and led the NFL in interceptions three times while in Dallas. He finished his career with the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns and helped New York to victory in Super Bowl XXV.  He was a Finalist in 2018.

The Coach/Contributor Finalist will be announced next week.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate those who have made it this far.

It is a great day for us at Notinhalloffame.com, as the Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the 12 Senior Finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  This was pared down from 25.

Here are the 12 Finalists:

Ken Anderson (Quarterback, 1971-1986):  Playing his entire career with Cincinnati, Anderson led them to their first Super Bowl appearance and individually was a four-time Pro Bowl.  Anderson was a Finalist in 1996 and 1998.

Maxie Baughan (Linebacker, 1960-1970, 1974):  Chosen for nine Pro Bowls, Baughan played for Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Washington.  A member of the 1960 Eagles NFL Championship team as a rookie, Baughan has never been a Finalist for the Hall.

Randy Gradishar (Linebacker, 1974-1983):  The heart of the “Orange Crush Defense,” Gradishar played all 10 seasons with the Denver Broncos, seven of which earned him a Pro Bowl nod.  He won the 1978 AP Defensive Player of the Year and he was a Finalist three times. 

Chuck Howley (Linebacker, 1958-59, 1961-1973): Howley is the only player to win a Super Bowl MVP on a losing team (Super Bowl VI), and he was a six-time Pro Bowler who played most of his career with Dallas.  He has never been a Finalist.

Cecil Isbell (Tailback/Defensive Back/Halfback, 1938-1942): Isbell played all of his career with Green Bay, where he was a one-time NFL Champion and four-time Pro Bowl selection.  He was a Finalist in 2020.

Joe Klecko (Defensive End/Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle, 1977-1988): A member of the famed “New York Sack Exchange,” Klecko played all of his career with the New York Jets.  Klecko went to four Pro Bowls, and was the 1981 UPI Defensive Player of the Year.  He has never been a Finalist.

Bob Kuechenberg (Guard/Tackle/Center, 1970-1983):  Kuechenberg spent the entirety of his 14-year career as a member of the Dolphins, where he went to six Pro Bowls.  He was a Finalist eight times.

Eddie Meador (Cornerback, 1959-1970): Meador played his entire career with the Los Angeles Rams, where he earned six Pro Bowls. Meador’s 48 Interceptions remain a franchise record, but he has never been a Hall of Fame Finalist. 

Tommy Nobis (Linebacker, 1966-1976):  Atlanta’s first ever Draft Pick, Nobis won the NFL Rookie of the Year and went to five Pro Bowls.  He was a Finalist in 2020.

                                                                      
Ken Riley (Cornerback, 1969-1983): Riley played his entire career with the Cincinnati Bengals and recorded 65 career interceptions, more than any other player not already in the Hall of Fame. He has yet to be a Finalist.

Sterling Sharpe (Wide Receiver, 1988-1994): Sharpe made five Pro Bowls and his Hall of Fame ring was likely delayed by severe injuries.  He has never been a Finalist.

Everson Walls (Cornerback, 1981-1993):  Walls played most of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, where he went to four Pro Bowls and led the NFL in interceptions three times while in Dallas. He finished his career with the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns and helped New York to victory in Super Bowl XXV.  He was a Finalist in 2018.

Those that did not make it were: 

Mark Clayton (Wide Receiver, 1983-1993):  Clayton played all but his final year with the Miami Dolphins, and he went to five Pro Bowls.  He has never been a Finalist.

 
Roger Craig (Running Back, 1983-1993):  Craig made history as the first NFL player to total 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season and he won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers. Craig went to four Pro Bowls, won the 1988 Offensive Player of the Year, and is a two-time Finalist.

LaVern Dilweg (End, 1926-1934):  Dilweg was named first-team All-Pro for his first five seasons with the Green Bay Packers, and he helped lead them to three NFL Championships. He was a Finalist in 2020.

Lester Hayes (Cornerback, 1977-1986):  Hayes was a five-time Pro Bowler for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, spending his entire 10-year career with the squad.  He was a Finalist four times previously.

Chris Hinton (Guard/Tackle, 1983-1995): A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Hinton played for Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings.  He has never been a Finalist.

Joe Jacoby (Tackle, 1981-1993): During his 13-year tenure with the Washington Redskins (1981-1993), Jacoby won three Super Bowls and was named to the Pro Bowl for four consecutive years (1983-86).  He was a Finalist three times.

Billie “White Shoes” Johnson (Wide Receiver/Kick Returner/Punt Returner, 1974-1980, 1982-88): A prolific returner over his 14 season, Johnson went to three Pro Bowls and is a Finalist for the first time. 

Mike Kenn (Tackle, 1978-1994): Kenn played all 17 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, and he is a six-time Pro Bowler.  He has never been a Finalist.  

George Kunz (Tackle, 1969-1978, 1980): Kunz was named to the Pro Bowl seven times splitting his career between Atlanta and Baltimore. He has yet to be a Finalist.

Jim Marshall (Defensive End, 1960-1979): A Minnesota Viking for most of his career, Marshall’s 282 consecutive games played are the most by a defensive player, and his streak is 58 games longer than the next closest defensive lineman. A member of the Vikings famed “Purple People Eaters” Marshall went to two Pro Bowls.  He was a Finalist once before.

Clay Matthews Jr. (Linebacker, 1978-1996): Matthews played most of his career with the Cleveland Browns and was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection.  He was a Finalist once in 2021.

Stanley Morgan (Wide Receiver, 1977-1990): Morgan went to four Pro Bowls and is still the all-time Patriots leader in Receiving Yards.  He has never been a Finalist.

Otis Taylor (Wide Receiver, 1965-1975): Taylor won a Super Bowl IV ring with the Kansas City Chiefs, and earned two Pro Bowl selections, an AFL All-Star selection and two AFL Championships during his 10-year career.  He has never been a Finalist.

The Coach/Contributor category was also brought down to 12.

The Finalists are:

Roone Arledge:  Arledge was a powerful television industry executive and producer whose creativity, leadership and technical innovations revolutionized the presentation of both news and sports.  He was the brainchild behind Monday Night Football, and has never been a Finalist.

Don Coryell: Known for his innovative “Air Coryell” offense was the prototype for today’s modern offense.  He has been a Finalist six times.

Mike Holmgren: The Head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1992-98 and the Seattle Seahawks from 1999-2008, Holmgren was a Finalist in 2020.

Frank “Bucko” Kilroy:  Kilroy worked in player personnel and scouting for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys. He was the Patriots’ general manager from 1979 to 1982 and vice president from 1983 to 1993.  An outstanding player in his own right, Kilroy has a Finalist in 2020.

Robert Kraft: Kraft is the current Owner, Chairman and CEO of the New England Patriots since 1994. His teams have won six Super Bowls.  Kraft has never been a Finalist.

Art Modell:  Modell was the Owner of the Cleveland Browns from 1961-1995 and Baltimore Ravens from 1996-2011.  He has been a Finalist twice.

Buddy Parker: Parker was the Head Coach of the Chicago Cardinals (1949), Detroit Lions (1951-56) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (1957-1964), and a Finalist in 2020.

Dan Reeves:  Reeves was the Head Coach of the Denver Broncos (1981-1992), New York Giants (1993-96) and the Atlanta Falcons (1997-2003), and was a Finalist in 2020.

Art Rooney Jr.:  Employed with the Steelers since 1961, from 1964 through 1986, worked in the Steelers’ Scouting Department, Rooney is currently a Steelers Vice President and member of the Board of Directors.  He has never been a Finalist.

Mike Shanahan:  Shanahan was the Head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders (1988-89), Denver Broncos (1995-2008) and the Washington Redskins (2010-13).  He has never been a Finalist.

Clark Shaughnessy:  The former Head coach of the Los Angeles Rams from 1948-49 and longtime assistant coach for the Washington Redskins from 1944-47 and Chicago Bears from 1951-1962.  He was a three-time Finalist.

John Wooten:  A former nine-year Guard, Wooten was one of the first African-American executives in the NFL, working for the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens.

Those that did not make it were:

Bud Adams: In his 54 years as Founder, Owner, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of the Titans/Oilers franchise, Adams was an enduring figure in the NFL, and a Finalist in 2020.

C.O. Brocato:  A former scout for 40 years with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Oilers/Tennessee Titans, Brocato has never been a Finalist.

Otho Davis: Davis served as associate athletic trainer for the Baltimore Colts in 1971 and the head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973 to 1995.  He has never been a Finalist.

Ralph Hay:  Hay was the Owner of the Canton Bulldogs from 1918-1922 and hosted the NFL’s formational meeting in his automobile dealership in downtown Canton.  He was a Finalist in 2020.

Eddie Kotal:  A former Scout for the Los Angeles Rams from 1947-1961, Kotal was one of the first to scout Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  He has never been a Finalist.

Rich McKay:  McKay was the General Manager for Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1994-2003) and the Atlanta Falcons (2003-08) and is still their President and CEO.  He has never been a Finalist.

John McVay: McVay joined the 49ers in 1979 as the team's director of player personnel and spent 21 seasons with the Club, ultimately presiding over five Super Bowl-winning seasons as vice president/director of football operations.  He has never been a Finalist.

Clint Murchison:  Murchison was the founder of the Dallas Cowboys (1960) and owner through 1983.  He has never been a Finalist.

Carl Peterson: Peterson was the President, General Manager and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs from 1989-2008.  He has never been a Finalist.

Lee Remmel: Remmel was a sportswriter and columnist for the Green Bay Press-Gazette for 29 years, Green Bay Packers director of public relations from 1974 to 2004 and Packers historian from 2004-07.  He has never been a Finalist.

Marty Schottenheimer:  The former Head coach of the Cleveland Browns (1984-88), Kansas City Chiefs (1989-1998), Washington Redskins (2001) and the San Diego Chargers (2002-06), Schottenheimer has never been a Finalist.

Jerry Seeman:  Seeman was a Line Judge, Head Linesman, Referee and Director of Officiating from 1975-2000.  He has never been a Finalist.

Seymour Siwoff:  Siwoff was the Owner and President of Elias Sports Bureau, the official statisticians of the NFL, from 1952 until his death in 2019.  He was a Finalist in 2020.

Amy Trask: Trask was the CEO of the Oakland Raiders from 1997-2013, becoming the first woman in that capacity.

Jim Tunney: An NFL official from 1960-1991, he worked as a Field Judge from 1960-67 and a Referee from 1968-1991.

Jack Vainisi:  Vaisini was a Scout for the Green Bay Packers from 1950-1960 as well as their Business Manager from 1959-1960.

Lloyd Wells: Wells was a Scout for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1963-1974 and was the first full-time African American scout in the NFL.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate those who have made it this far.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced 54 Semi-Final Candidates in the Seniors. Coaches and Contributor categories.

Selected by the Hall’s 12-person committee (one for Seniors and one for Coaches/Contributors)

The names chosen will be put forth towards the selection committee and will vote to send 12 Seniors and 12 Coaches/Contributors to the Finals.  Those names will be chosen this month and announced on July 27.

Following that, the Seniors Committee will meet on August 16, with three being put forth as Finalists.  The Coach/Contributor committee will meet on August 23, and will select one in that category.

Here are the Player Semi-Finalists:

Ken Anderson (Quarterback, 1971-1986):  Playing his entire career with Cincinnati, Anderson led them to their first Super Bowl appearance and individually was a four-time Pro Bowl.  Anderson was a Finalist in 1996 and 1998.

Maxie Baughan (Linebacker, 1960-1970, 1974):  Chosen for nine Pro Bowls, Baughan played for Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Washington.  A member of the 1960 Eagles NFL Championship team as a rookie, Baughan has never been a Finalist for the Hall.

 
Mark Clayton (Wide Receiver, 1983-1993):  Clayton played all but his final year with the Miami Dolphins, and he went to five Pro Bowls.  He has never been a Finalist.

 
Roger Craig (Running Back, 1983-1993):  Craig made history as the first NFL player to total 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season and he won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers. Craig went to four Pro Bowls, won the 1988 Offensive Player of the Year, and is a two-time Finalist.

LaVern Dilweg (End, 1926-1934):  Dilweg was named first-team All-Pro for his first five seasons with the Green Bay Packers, and he helped lead them to three NFL Championships. He was a Finalist in 2020.

Randy Gradishar (Linebacker, 1974-1983):  The heart of the “Orange Crush Defense,” Gradishar played all 10 seasons with the Denver Broncos, seven of which earned him a Pro Bowl nod.  He won the 1978 AP Defensive Player of the Year and he was a Finalist three times.

Lester Hayes (Cornerback, 1977-1986):  Hayes was a five-time Pro Bowler for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, spending his entire 10-year career with the squad.  He was a Finalist four times previously.

Chris Hinton (Guard/Tackle, 1983-1995): A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Hinton played for Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings.  He has never been a Finalist.

Chuck Howley (Linebacker, 1958-59, 1961-1973): Howley is the only player to win a Super Bowl MVP on a losing team (Super Bowl VI), and he was a six-time Pro Bowler who played most of his career with Dallas.  He has never been a Finalist.

Cecil Isbell (Tailback/Defensive Back/Halfback, 1938-1942): Isbell played all of his career with Green Bay, where he was a one-time NFL Champion and four-time Pro Bowl selection.  He was a Finalist in 2020.

Joe Jacoby (Tackle, 1981-1993): During his 13-year tenure with the Washington Redskins (1981-1993), Jacoby won three Super Bowls and was named to the Pro Bowl for four consecutive years (1983-86).  He was a Finalist three times.

Billie “White Shoes” Johnson (Wide Receiver/Kick Returner/Punt Returner, 1974-1980, 1982-88): A prolific returner over his 14 season, Johnson went to three Pro Bowls and is a Finalist for the first time. 

Mike Kenn (Tackle, 1978-1994): Kenn played all 17 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, and he is a six-time Pro Bowler.  He has never been a Finalist.  

Joe Klecko (Defensive End/Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle, 1977-1988): A member of the famed “New York Sack Exchange,” Klecko played all of his career with the New York Jets.  Klecko went to four Pro Bowls, and was the 1981 UPI Defensive Player of the Year.  He has never been a Finalist.

Bob Kuechenberg (Guard/Tackle/Center, 1970-1983):  Kuechenberg spent the entirety of his 14-year career as a member of the Dolphins, where he went to six Pro Bowls.  He was a Finalist eight times.

George Kunz (Tackle, 1969-1978, 1980): Kunz was named to the Pro Bowl seven times splitting his career between Atlanta and Baltimore. He has yet to be a Finalist.

Jim Marshall (Defensive End, 1960-1979): A Minnesota Viking for most of his career, Marshall’s 282 consecutive games played are the most by a defensive player, and his streak is 58 games longer than the next closest defensive lineman. A member of the Vikings famed “Purple People Eaters” Marshall went to two Pro Bowls.  He was a Finalist once before.

Clay Matthews Jr. (Linebacker, 1978-1996): Matthews played most of his career with the Cleveland Browns and was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection.  He was a Finalist once in 2021.

Eddie Meador (Cornerback, 1959-1970): Meador played his entire career with the Los Angeles Rams, where he earned six Pro Bowls. Meador’s 48 Interceptions remain a franchise record, but he has never been a Hall of Fame Finalist. 

Stanley Morgan (Wide Receiver, 1977-1990): Morgan went to four Pro Bowls and is still the all-time Patriots leader in Receiving Yards.  He has never been a Finalist.

Tommy Nobis (Linebacker, 1966-1976):  Atlanta’s first ever Draft Pick, Nobis won the NFL Rookie of the Year and went to five Pro Bowls.  He was a Finalist in 2020.

                                                                      
Ken Riley (Cornerback, 1969-1983): Riley played his entire career with the Cincinnati Bengals and recorded 65 career interceptions, more than any other player not already in the Hall of Fame. He has yet to be a Finalist.

Sterling Sharpe (Wide Receiver, 1988-1994): Sharpe made five Pro Bowls and his Hall of Fame ring was likely delayed by severe injuries.  He has never been a Finalist.

Otis Taylor (Wide Receiver, 1965-1975): Taylor won a Super Bowl IV ring with the Kansas City Chiefs, and earned two Pro Bowl selections, an AFL All-Star selection and two AFL Championships during his 10-year career.  He has never been a Finalist.

Everson Walls (Cornerback, 1981-1993):  Walls played most of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, where he went to four Pro Bowls and led the NFL in interceptions three times while in Dallas. He finished his career with the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns and helped New York to victory in Super Bowl XXV.  He was a Finalist in 2018.

Here are the Coach/Contributor Semi-Finalists:

Bud Adams: In his 54 years as Founder, Owner, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of the Titans/Oilers franchise, Adams was an enduring figure in the NFL, and a Finalist in 2020.

Roone Arledge:  Arledge was a powerful television industry executive and producer whose creativity, leadership and technical innovations revolutionized the presentation of both news and sports.  He was the brainchild behind Monday Night Football, and has never been a Finalist.

C.O. Brocato:  A former scout for 40 years with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Oilers/Tennessee Titans, Brocato has never been a Finalist.

Don Coryell: Known for his innovative “Air Coryell” offense was the prototype for today’s modern offense.  He has been a Finalist six times.

Otho Davis: Davis served as associate athletic trainer for the Baltimore Colts in 1971 and the head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973 to 1995.  He has never been a Finalist.

Ralph Hay:  Hay was the Owner of the Canton Bulldogs from 1918-1922 and hosted the NFL’s formational meeting in his automobile dealership in downtown Canton.  He was a Finalist in 2020.

Mike Holmgren: The Head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1992-98 and the Seattle Seahawks from 1999-2008, Holmgren was a Finalist in 2020.

Frank “Bucko” Kilroy:  Kilroy worked in player personnel and scouting for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys. He was the Patriots’ general manager from 1979 to 1982 and vice president from 1983 to 1993.  An outstanding player in his own right, Kilroy has a Finalist in 2020.

Eddie Kotal:  A former Scout for the Los Angeles Rams from 1947-1961, Kotal was one of the first to scout Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  He has never been a Finalist.

Robert Kraft: Kraft is the current Owner, Chairman and CEO of the New England Patriots since 1994. His teams have won six Super Bowls.  Kraft has never been a Finalist.

Rich McKay:  McKay was the General Manager for Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1994-2003) and the Atlanta Falcons (2003-08) and is still their President and CEO.  He has never been a Finalist.

John McVay: McVay joined the 49ers in 1979 as the team's director of player personnel and spent 21 seasons with the Club, ultimately presiding over five Super Bowl-winning seasons as vice president/director of football operations.  He has never been a Finalist.

Art Modell:  Modell was the Owner of the Cleveland Browns from 1961-1995 and Baltimore Ravens from 1996-2011.  He has been a Finalist twice.

Clint Murchison:  Murchison was the founder of the Dallas Cowboys (1960) and owner through 1983.  He has never been a Finalist.

Buddy Parker: Parker was the Head Coach of the Chicago Cardinals (1949), Detroit Lions (1951-56) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (1957-1964), and a Finalist in 2020.

Carl Peterson: Peterson was the President, General Manager and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs from 1989-2008.  He has never been a Finalist.

Dan Reeves:  Reeves was the Head Coach of the Denver Broncos (1981-1992), New York Giants (1993-96) and the Atlanta Falcons (1997-2003), and was a Finalist in 2020.

Lee Remmel: Remmel was a sportswriter and columnist for the Green Bay Press-Gazette for 29 years, Green Bay Packers director of public relations from 1974 to 2004 and Packers historian from 2004-07.  He has never been a Finalist.

Art Rooney Jr.:  Employed with the Steelers since 1961, from 1964 through 1986, worked in the Steelers’ Scouting Department, Rooney is currently a Steelers Vice President and member of the Board of Directors.  He has never been a Finalist.

Marty Schottenheimer:  The former Head coach of the Cleveland Browns (1984-88), Kansas City Chiefs (1989-1998), Washington Redskins (2001) and the San Diego Chargers (2002-06), Schottenheimer has never been a Finalist.

Jerry Seeman:  Seeman was a Line Judge, Head Linesman, Referee and Director of Officiating from 1975-2000.  He has never been a Finalist.

Mike Shanahan:  Shanahan was the Head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders (1988-89), Denver Broncos (1995-2008) and the Washington Redskins (2010-13).  He has never been a Finalist.

Clark Shaughnessy:  The former Head coach of the Los Angeles Rams from 1948-49 and longtime assistant coach for the Washington Redskins from 1944-47 and Chicago Bears from 1951-1962.  He was a three-time Finalist.

Seymour Siwoff:  Siwoff was the Owner and President of Elias Sports Bureau, the official statisticians of the NFL, from 1952 until his death in 2019.  He was a Finalist in 2020.

Amy Trask: Trask was the CEO of the Oakland Raiders from 1997-2013, becoming the first woman in that capacity.

Jim Tunney: An NFL official from 1960-1991, he worked as a Field Judge from 1960-67 and a Referee from 1968-1991.

Jack Vainisi:  Vaisini was a Scout for the Green Bay Packers from 1950-1960 as well as their Business Manager from 1959-1960.

Lloyd Wells: Wells was a Scout for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1963-1974 and was the first full-time African American scout in the NFL.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate those who have made it this far.

Endorsements mean a lot, especially when it comes from a Hall of Famer.

Brian Urlacher, who played his entire NFL career with the Chicago Bears and entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first try in 2018, believes that he should be joined by another Linebacker, Zach Thomas.

He had this to say on the Pat McAfee Show, regarding Thomas.

“I’m going to give you one guy – Zach Thomas.  How the fuck is Zach Thomas not in the Hall of Fame? Put his stats up with mine Ray [Lewis], any other linebacker who’s even close to the Hall of Fame or been in the Hall of Fame. He’s right there with us, if not better in every category.  It pisses me off. Every year I advocate for him to get in, and he was a finalist a couple years, but they don’t put him in. I don’t understand. Maybe because he’s 5-10,” Urlacher said. “I don’t know. I have no idea. I don’t know. I don’t get it. It pisses me off.”

Urlacher is correct on everything.  An All-Decade Selection, Thomas was an eight-time Pro Bowl and five-time All-Pro, playing the bulk of his career with the Dolphins.  A Finalist the last three years, Thomas is currently ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame’s Football list of those to consider for the Hall.

Thomas will get eventually get in.  It is just a matter of when.

Is it that time again!

One of our core lists on Notinhalloffame.com, our list of those to consider for the Pro Footnall Hall of Fame has been revised.

The steps in our revisions are basic:

-Remove all of those who were inducted.  This included Cliff Branch (#11), Richard Seymour (#35), Tony Boselli (#36), Sam Mills (#40), Leroy Butler (#69) and Bryant Young (#159).

-Input those we think worthy who are now eligible.

-Adjust rankings based on your votes and comments.

The entire list can be found here, but here is our new top ten:

#1. Joe Thomas.  The career Cleveland Brown enters his first year of eligibility, and we expect that Thomas will walk in easily.  Although Thomas’ teams had way more losses than wins, he is a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team, a ten-time Pro Bowler and a six-time First Team All-Pro.  He should be a lock.

#2. Chuck Howley.  Ranked #3 last year, Howley starred at Linebacker for Dallas, where he helped them win Super Bowl VI, after winning the Super Bowl MVP in the Cowboys’ losing effort the year before.  A six-time Pro Bowler and five-time First Team All-Pro, Howley’s path has to come via the Senior’s Committee.  

#3. Randy Gradishar.  The star of the Orange Crush Defense, Gradishar was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, and went to seven Pro Bowls and had five First Team All-Pros.  Gradishar was a Finalist three times, most recently in 2020, on the Centennial Slate ballot.  He was ranked #2 last year.

#4. DeMarcus Ware.  Ware was ranked #1 last year, and while we thought he was going to enter last year on his first year on the ballot, it was not meant to be, although he reached the Finals.  The Linebacker played for Dallas and Denver, winning a Super Bowl in his final season.  A member of the 2000s All-Decade Team, Ware twice led the lead in Sacks, three times in Tackles for Loss, and went to nine Pro Bowls.  Ware is also a four-time First Team All-Pro.

#5. Darrelle Revis.  The New York Jets may not have had much to crow about over the last twenty years, but Darrelle Revis and “Revis Island” was one of the finest displays of Cornerback work over the last decade.  Revis was a four-time First Team All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowl Selection, and he won a Super Bowl with New England.  This is his first year of eligibility.

#6. L.C. Greenwood.  Greenwood helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls in the 1970s and he was a Finalist for the Hall six times.  A six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All Pro, the Defensive End was also chosen for the 1970s All-Decade Team.  He drops two spots this year.

#7. Torry Holt.  Holt is destined to follow his Hall of Fame Rams teammate and fellow Wide Receiver, Isaac Bruce into Canton.  A Super Bowl Champion with St. Louis, Holt was an All-Decade Selection, seven-time Pro Bowler and he has been a Finalist the last three years.  Holt slid one spot on this year’s rank.

8. Ronde Barber.  Moving up two spots, Barber played his entire career with Tampa Bay, where he won a Super Bowl.  A member of the 25-25 Club, Barber went to five Pro Bowls and was a 2010’s All-Decade Selection.  He has been a Finalist the last two years.

9. Roger Craig.  A former Offensive Player of the Year and three-time Super Bowl Champion with San Francisco, Craig made history as the first player to rush for 1,000 Yards and receive over 1,000 Yards in a season.  The four-time Pro Bowler was ranked at number five last year, and was a Finalist in 2020.

10. Zach Thomas.  Thomas has been a Finalist the last three years and likely will be again in 2023.  The Linebacker was an All-Decade Selection in the 2000s, a two-time leader in Combined Tackles, and was a five-time First Team All-Pro.  Thomas was ranked #21 last year.

There were many other new entries on our top 300.

Offensive Lineman, and Super Bowl Champion with New Orleans, Jahri Evans, enters at #36.  He was a four-time First Team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl Selection.

James Harrison went from undrafted to two-time Super Bowl Champion and Defensive Player of the Year with the Steelers.  The five-time Pro Bowler debuts at #51.

Defensive End, Dwight Freeney, went to seven Pro Bowls, was a three-time First Team All-Pro and won the Super Bowl with Indianapolis.  Freeney had 125.5 career Sacks and comes in at #61.

Shane Lechler, who is one of the best Punters ever makes his first appearance on the list at #110.

Rounding out the new entries are former Bears and Jets Running Back, Matt Forte (#215), former 49ers Linebacker, NaVorro Bowman (#231), and former Bengals and Cardinals Quarterback, Carson Palmer (#258). 

Thank you all for your support, and we encourage you to cast your votes and offer your opinions.

Last week, we here at Notinhalloffame.com had our mock Pro Football Hall of Fame Committee, where we debated came up with our Class of 2022, which consisted of Richard Seymour, Tony Boselli, LeRoy Butler, Devin Hester and Patrick Willis.

It was a transparent process, which you can see here, and like the actual Hall, we too, had previous shows where we debated who should reach the Semi-Finalists and Finalists. 

Tonight, the Pro Football Hall of Fame came up with a different five than we did, and they announced that during the NFL Honors.

Let’s get right into who they chose:

Tony Boselli:  Tackle: 1995-01 Jacksonville Jaguars & 2002 Houston Texans.  The career of Boselli was short but impactful, but he is believed to be the greatest Jaguar of all-time. The Lineman was a Finalist for six years in a row, and it was widely speculated that he would be the next Offensive Lineman to get in, which has now come to fruition.  Jacksonville now has Canton representation.  Ranked #36 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.  Entering on his third straight year as a Finalist, Butler’s HOF momentum has been the most gradual of any other former player who made it to the Finals.  Ranked #69 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, it was a now or never situation for Mills who was in his last year of eligibility. It turned out to be “now”, and Mills will not have to enter the bloated senior pool.  Ranked #40 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.  This was his fourth consecutive year as a Finalist.  Ranked #35 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bryant Young:  Defensive Tackle:  1994-07 San Francisco 49ers.  Young played his entire career with San Francisco where he won a Super Bowl as a rookie.  He went to four Pro Bowls, was a one-time First Team All-Pro and had 89.5 career Sacks.  This was arguably the biggest surprise, as his resume is not as strong as fellow Niner Finalist, Patrick Willis, but he is a worthy inductee.  Ranked #159 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The ten who did not make it:

Jared Allen: Defensive End:  2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-13 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears & 2016 Carolina Panthers.  This was Allen’s second year of eligibility, and was a Finalist last year, and anyone who makes it as a Finalist in his first year of eligibility will make it to Canton eventually.  Allen led the NFL in Sacks twice (2007 & 2011) and had 136.0 in total.  He was also a five-time First Team All-Pro.  His bust is impending.  Ranked #24 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Willie Anderson:  Right Tackle: 1996-07 Cincinnati Bengals & 2008 Baltimore Ravens:  Anderson is a three-time First Team All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowler, and was a Finalist for the first time after being eligible since 2014.  The Bengals success this year may not have translated into a Hall of Fame for Anderson, but he is on people’s radar exponentially more than it was two years ago.  That being said, Joe Thomas is eligible next year, and takes over as the biggest name Offensive Lineman on the ballot.  Ranked #268 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 was a Finalist for the second time, and was in his sixth year of eligibility.  He will eventually join his teammates, John Lynch and Warren Sapp in Canton, but the arrival of Darrelle Revis on next year’s ballot will likely impact next year’s candidacy.   Ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Devin Hester:  Wide Receiver/Returner:  2006-16 Chicago Bears. 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens & 2016 Seattle Seahawks.  Hester becomes a Finalist on his first year on the ballot, and he was the most feared returner of his day.  A three-time First Team All-Pro, Hester had 14,455 Return Yards and an all-time record 19 Return Touchdowns.  While he did not enter Canton this year, he will be the next Special Teams player to enter the Hall.  Ranked #103 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Andre Johnson:  Wide Receiver: 2003-16 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts 2016 Tennessee Titans.  Easily the best offensive player in Texans history, Johnson was a two-time leader in Receptions and Receiving Yards, and would amass 14,185 total Receiving Yards and 64 Touchdowns.  Johnson is a two-time First Team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl Selection and was a Finalist in his first year of eligibility.  As we stated before, nobody who achieved that failed to make Canton, so his time is coming, though he is one of many top flight Wide Receivers who are eligible.  Ranked #30 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 is now a four-time Finalist, but the Wide Receiver position is loaded with worthy candidates, and with no Wide Receivers getting inducted this year, he faces the exact same scenario as next year.  Ranked #6 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.  Thomas is now a three-time Finalist, and many expected that this would be his year.  Ranked #21 on Notinhalloffame.com

DeMarcus Ware:  Linebacker:  2005-13 Dallas Cowboys & 2014-16 Denver Broncos:  Ware is a four-time First Team All-Pro and two-time Sack leader who had 138.5 Sacks overall.  Also, a nine-time Pro Bowl Selection, Ware helped Denver win Super Bowl 50.  He was a Finalist on his first year of eligibility, and of all the first time Finalists, we thought Ware would have the best shot, but he will have to wait.   Ranked #1 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 is now a Finalist in his first three years on the ballot, so he is likely to get in.  The question is just whether he gets in before, or in the same group as Holt and Johnson.  Ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Patrick Willis:  Linebacker:  2007-14 San Francisco 49ers.  Willis played his entire career with San Francisco, and was a five-time First Team All-Pro Selection, went to seven Pro Bowls, and twice led the NFL in Tackles. He was in his third year of eligibility and was a Finalist for the first time, but the induction of Young should help him.  Ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The five chosen will join:

Cliff Branch: Wide Receiver:  1972-85 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.  Branch was this year’s Senior Candidate and finally enters after first being eligible in 1991.  A game-breaker for the Raiders, Branch led the NFL in Receiving Yards in 1974, and helped take his team to three Super Bowl wins.  Ranked #11 on Noinhalloffame.com.

Dick Vermiel: Head Coach:  Vermiel had a career record of 120-109, and was known for turning horrific teams into championship contenders.  He won Super Bowl XXXIV, leading the Rams to their first Super Bowl win.

Art McNally:  Referee:  Finally, a referee enters the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with McNally earning his spot as this year’s Contributors Nominee.  He was the Director of Officiating from 1968 to 1991, with the game becoming more complex and the need for competent officials skyrocketing.

We will now begin our revision of our Notinhalloffame.com Football List, which will involve the following:

Removing the six former players who were chosen.

Add those who are eligible in 2023.

Adjust ranking based on your votes and comments.

As always, we thank you for your support!

We all knew this was coming, but we didn’t want to believe it.

As era has come to the end, as Tom Brady, regarded as the greatest Quarterback in the history of the game officially retired, concluding an era of dominance that we might never see again.

Arriving as a sixth rounder from Michigan in 2000, Brady took over as the Patriots’ starting Quarterback early the season after following the injury to the incumbent QB, Drew Bledsoe.  Brady would go to the Pro Bowl, and take New England to their first Super Bowl win.

Over his nearly two-decade tenure as the Patriots' starting QB, he would not only win six Super Bowls but bring them to four others.  With New England, Brady was a four-time Super Bowl MVP, Brady won three AP MVPs, and went to the Pro Bowl fourteen times, with three years as a First Team All-Pro.  

Brady stunned the world when he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leaving Bill Belichick behind, and leaving fans wondering if he could win without him.  All doubters were proven wrong, with Brady winning his seventh Super Bowl and fifth Super Bowl MVPs, breaking his both of his existing records.  After another playoff year and a 15^th Pro Bowl Selection, Brady’s career is now over.

Brady leaves the National Football League as the all-time leader in Approximate Value (316), Quarterback Wins (243), Pass Completions (7,263), Passing Yards (84,520), Touchdown Passes 624), Playoff Pass Completions (1,165), Playoff Passing Yards (13,049) and Playoff Touchdown Passes (86),

Brady is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2027, and will enter immediately on his first ballot.  With Ben Roethlisberger already retiring, and Rob Gronkowski looking to follow suit, this will be a loaded group for 2027.  This is especially clogged if Adrian Peterson retires too.

We wish Tom Brady the best in his post-playing career, but he won’t need any luck from us.

Thank you, Tom!

Two Days ago, we here at Notinhalloffame.com had our mock Pro Football Hall of Fame Committee, where we debated and advanced the 15 we felt should be this year’s Finalists.  As much as we would love to be the deciders, we are not, but the process is always fun, and let’s get to was chosen by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Finalists pared down from 26 Semi-Finalists, who were chosen from 126 Preliminary Candidates.  

 They are:

Jared Allen: Defensive End:  2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-13 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears & 2016 Carolina Panthers.  This is Allen’s second year of eligibility, and was a Finalist last year, and anyone who makes it as a Finalist in his first year of eligibility will make it to Canton eventually.  Allen led the NFL in Sacks twice (2007 & 2011) and had 136.0 in total.  He was also a five-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #24 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Willie Anderson:  Right Tackle: 1996-07 Cincinnati Bengals & 2008 Baltimore Ravens:  Anderson is a three-time First Team All-Pro, four time Pro Bowler, and is a Finalist for the first time after being eligible since 2014.  Ranked #268 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 Finalist for the second time, and is in his sixth year of eligibility.  Ranked #10 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 now been a Finalist for six years in a row.  Ranked #36 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 five-year streak of Semi-Finalist nods, and he was also a Finalist the last two years.  In terms of gaining momentum over the past three years, Butler is in the upper-tier of the list.  Ranked #69 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Devin Hester:  Wide Receiver/Returner:  2006-16 Chicago Bears. 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens & 2016 Seattle Seahawks.  Hester becomes a Finalist on his first year on the ballot, and he was the most feared returner of his day.  A three-time First Team All-Pro, Hester had 14,455 Return Yards and an all-time record 19 Return Touchdowns.  Ranked #103 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Andre Johnson:  Wide Receiver: 2003-16 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts 2016 Tennessee Titans.  Easily the best offensive player in Texans history, Johnson was a two-time leader in Receptions and Receiving Yards, and would amass 14,185 total Receiving Yards and 64 Touchdowns.  Johnson is a two-time First Team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl Selection and is in his first year of eligibility.  Ranked #30 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 is now a four-time Finalist, but the Wide Receiver position is loaded with worthy candidates.  Ranked #6 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.  Mills made it as a Finalist for the first time three years ago, but is in his last year of eligibility.  It is now or never.  Ranked #40 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.  This is his fourth consecutive year as a Finalist.  Ranked #35 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.  Thomas is now a three-time Finalist.  Ranked #21 on Notinhalloffame.com

DeMarcus Ware:  Linebacker:  2005-13 Dallas Cowboys & 2014-16 Denver Broncos:  Ware is a four-time First Team All-Pro and two-time Sack leader who had 138.5 Sacks overall.  Also, a nine-time Pro Bowl Selection, Ware helped Denver win Super Bowl 50.  He is a Finalist on his first year of eligibility.   Ranked #1 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 in now a Finalist in his first three years on the ballot.  Ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Patrick Willis:  Linebacker:  2007-14 San Francisco 49ers.  Willis played his entire career with San Francisco, and was a five-time First Team All-Pro Selection, went to seven Pro Bowls, and twice led the NFL in Tackles. He is in his third year of eligibility and is a Finalist for the first time.  Ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bryant Young:  Defensive Tackle:  1994-07 San Francisco 49ers.  Like Willis, Young played his entire career with San Francisco where he won a Super Bowl as a rookie.  He went to four Pro Bowls, was a one-time First Team All-Pro and had 89.5 career Sacks.  Young was a Finalist before in 2020.  Ranked #159 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The ten men who were eliminated were Eric Allen, Anquan Boldin, Eddie George, Robert Mathis, Steve Smith, Steve Tasker, Fred Taylor, Hines Ward, Ricky Watters, Vince Wilfork and Darren Woodson.

We can’t wait to see who the Pro Football Hall of Fame selects, and a reminder that we will be doing our Mock Committee two Tuesdays before the Super Bowl.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced four new groups who will be honored by the Canton-based institution. 

The four new categories are Assistant Coaches, Athletic Trainers, Equipment Managers and Public Relations.  All winners will receive Awards of Excellence and their names will be displayed in a designated area starting in 2022.

There will be five members of the inaugural class for each group.

Committees have already been announced for each group.

Assistant Coaches Selection Committee:

Jimmy Raye, NFL consultant, retired offensive coordinator

Tony Dungy, NBC “Sunday Night Football” studio analyst, retired head coach

Bill Cowher, CBS studio analyst, retired head coach

Mike Holmgren retired NFL head coach and general manager

Terry Robiskie, retired offensive coordinator.

Athletic Trainer Selections Committee:

Justin Maher (Committee Chair), Physical Therapist/Assistant Athletic Trainer, New York Giants

Nate Weir Coordinator of Rehabilitation/Assistant Athletic Trainer, Green Bay Packers

James Collins Director of Football/Medical Services, Los Angeles Chargers

Jim Maurer, Head Athletic Trainer, Dallas Cowboys

Sonia Rauf Assistant Athletic Trainer, Pittsburgh Steelers

David Glover Assistant Athletic Trainer, Kansas City Chiefs

Katy Rogers Assistant Athletic Trainer, Carolina Panthers

Steve Antonopulos retired Director of Sports Medicine, Denver Broncos

Ronnie Barnes SVP of Medical Services/Head Athletic Trainer, New York Giants

Pepper Burruss retired Head Athletic Trainer, Green Bay Packers

H. Rod Martin retired Head Athletic Trainer, Oakland Raiders

Reggie Scott Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance, Los Angeles Rams

Equipment Managers Selection Committee

Dan Simmons retired Equipment Manager, New Orleans Saints, and current Alumni and Legends Development Coordinator for Saints

Tony Medlin Equipment Manager, Chicago Bears

Mike McCord Equipment Manager, Dallas Cowboys

Gordan Batty Equipment Manager, Green Bay Packers

Mike Davidson retired Equipment Manager, Kansas City Chiefs, and current Associate Historian and Curator of Chiefs Hall of Honor

Public Relations Selection Committee:

Pete Abitante National Football League executive

Kevin Byrne retired Baltimore Ravens Executive Vice President

Rich Dalrymple Senior Vice President Public Relations & Communications, Dallas Cowboys

Charlie Dayton retired Vice President Public Relations, Carolina Panthers

Bill Keenist retired Vice President Public Relations, Detroit Lions

Artis Twyman Vice President Communications, Los Angeles Rams

Gary Wright retired Vice President Public Relations, Seattle Seahawks

We here are Notinhalloffame.com are excited with the new developments within the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

It’s Thanksgiving week in the United States, and we here at Notinhalloffame.com have a lot to be thankful for.

Days after the 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot was released, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 26 men who gave advanced to the Semi-Final round.  This group was pared down form 123 Preliminary candidates.

The 26 Semi-Finalists are:

Eric Allen.  Cornerback, PHI 1988-94, NOR 1995-97 & OAK 1998-01.      Eligible since 2007, Allen has never been a Finalist, though is a returning Semi-Finalist, with his first coming last year.  Allen had 54 Interceptions over his career, 34 of which as an Eagle.  Five of his six Pro Bowls were with Philadelphia, and he was a First Team All-Pro in 1989. Ranked #43 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jared Allen.  Defensive End, KAN 2004-07, MIN 2008-13, CHI 2014-15 & CAR 2015.  Last year, Allen was a Finalist in his first year of eligibility, and it is expected he will be again in 2022.  A five-time Pro Bowl Selection and four-time First Team All-Pro, Allen twice led the NFL in Sacks, is a one-time leader in Tackles for Loss, and was the runner-up for the Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.  Allen is 4^th all-time in Tackles for Loss (171), 16^th all-time in Sacks (136.0), and 22^nd all-time in Forced Fumbles (32).  Ranked #24 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Willie Anderson.  Offensive Tackle, CIN 1997-07, BAL 2008.  Anderson has been eligible since 2013, and made the Semi-Finals for the first time last year.  He played in 195 Games, went to four Pro Bowls and is a three-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #268 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ronde Barber.  Cornerback/Safety, TB 1997-12.  Barber has been a Semi-Finalist all of the five years he has been eligible, and he broke through to the Finals for the first time last year.  A Super Bowl Champion, Barber was a three-time First Team All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowl Selection, and he led the NFL in Interceptions in 2001 (10).  Barber is in rare company as a 25/25 player (Sacks & Interceptions), accumulating 47 Interceptions and 28.0 Sacks.  Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Anquan Boldin.  Wide Receiver, ARI 2003-09, BAL 2010-12, SFO 2013-15 & DET 2016.  Boldin is eligible for the first time this year, and he is a three-time Pro Bowler.  He accumulated 13,779 Receiving Yards with 82 Touchdowns.  Ranked #73 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tony Boselli.  Offensive Tackle, JAX 1995-01.  Boselli is now a seven-time Semi-Finalist and has been a Finalist the last five years.  He went to five Pro Bowls and was a three-time First Time All-Pro.  Ranked #36 on Notinhalloffame.com.

LeRoy Butler.  Safety, GB 1990-01.  A Super Bowl Champion, Butler is a Semi-Finalist for the fifth consecutive year and has been a Finalist the last two years.  Butler was named to four Pro Bowls and four First Team All-Pros, and would record 38 Interceptions and 20.5 Sacks.  Ranked #69 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Eddie George.  Running Back, TEN 1996-03 & DAL 2004.  George has been eligible since 2010, but this is the first time that he has made the Semi-Final cut.  George rushed for 10,441 Yards, and had 12,668 Yards From Scrimmage with 78 Touchdowns.  Ranked #173 on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Devin Hester.  Wide Receiver, Punt Returner, Kick Returner, CHI 2006-13, ATL 2014-15, BAL 2016 & SEA 2016.  Hester is in his first year of eligibility, and was a three-time First Team All-Pro as a Returner.  Hester amassed 14,455 All-Purpose Yards and is 12^th all-time in Kick Return Yards (7,333), and 3^rd all-time in Punt Return Yards (3,695).  He is also the all-time leader in Punt Return Touchdowns (14).  Ranked #103 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Torry Holt.  Wide Receiver, STL 1999-08 & JAX 2009.  Holt is now an eight-time Semi-Finalist and was a Finalist the last two years.  Holt won a Super Bowl with the Rams, led the NFL in Receiving Yards twice, and went to seven Pro Bowls.  He totalled 13,382 Yards with 74 Touchdowns.  Ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Andre Johnson. Wide Receiver, HOU 2003-14, IND 2015 & TEN 2016.  Johnson is a Semi-Finalist on his first year of eligibility, and is a former two-time leader in Receiving Yards.  Johnson was a seven-time Pro Bowl Selection and two-time First Team All-Pro, and would amass 14,185 Yards and 70 Touchdowns.  Ranked #30 on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Robert Mathis.  Defensive End, IND 2003-16.  Entering his first year of eligibility, Mathis makes the Semi-Finals.  A Super Bowl Champion, five-time Pro Bowler and one-time First Team All-Pro, Mathis led the NFL in Forced Fumbles three times, and Sacks once, and had 123.0 Sacks in total.  Ranked #111 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Richard Seymour.  Defensive End/Defensive Tackle.  NE 2001-08 & OAK 2009-12.  Seymour has been a Semi-Finalist all five years of his eligibility and a Finalist the last three.  A three-time Super Bowl winner with the Patriots, Seymour went to seven Pro Bowls, was named to three First Team All-Pros, and had 57.5 Sacks.  Ranked #35 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Sam Mills.  Linebacker, NO 1986-94 & CAR 1995-97.  Mills in his last year of eligibility, and he is now a five-time Semi-Finalist, and was. A Finalist the last two years.  Mills had 20.5 Sacks, 1,265 Tackles and went to five Pro Bowls.  Ranked #40 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Smith.  Wide Receiver, CAR 2001-13 & BAL 2014-16.  Smith is a Semi-Finalist in his first year on the ballot, and he is a five-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.  He led the league in Receiving Yards and Receiving Touchdowns in 2005, and he had 14,731 Yards with 81 Touchdowns.  Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Tasker.  Special Teams/Wide Receiver.  HOU 1985-86 & BUF 1986-97.  Tasker is now a nine-time Semi-Finalist but has never been named a Finalist.  The Special Teams superstar is in his last year of eligibility and was named to seven Pro Bowls.  Ranked #108 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Fred Taylor.  Running Back, JAX 1998-08 & NE 2009-10.  Taylor is now a three-time Semi-Finalist but has never been a Finalist.   Taylor rushed for 11,695 Yards, had 14,079 Yards From Scrimmage and had 74 Touchdowns.  He was a one-time Pro Bowl Selection.  Ranked #169 on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Zach Thomas.  Linebacker, MIA 1996-07 & DAL 2008.  Thomas is now a four-time Semi-Finalist and was a Finalist the last two years.  The Linebacker twice led the NFL in Combined Tackles, was a five-time First Team All-Pro and went to seven Pro Bowls.  He would accumulate 17 Interceptions, 20.5 Sacks and 1,734 Combined Tackles, which is currently fifth all-time.   Ranked #21 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Hines Ward.  Wide Receiver, PIT 1998-11.   Ward has been named a Semi-Finalist all six of his years of eligibility but has never been a Finalist.  Ward won two Super Bowls, went to four Pro Bowls and has 12,083 Receiving Yards with 85 Touchdowns.  Ranked #32 on Notinhalloffame.com.

DeMarcus Ware.  Linebacker, DAL 2005-13 & DEN 2014-16.  Ware is in his first year of eligibility, and is a four-time First Team All-Pro as well as a nine-time Pro Bowler.  Twice leading the NFL in Sacks, Ware had 138.5 (13^th all-time) in total and was the runner-up in 2008 for the Defensive Player of the Year.  He is also a three-time leader in Tackles for Loss and is fourth all-time (171).  Ware is also 15^th all-time in Forced Fumbles (35).  Ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ricky Watters.  Running Back, SF 1992-94, PHI 1995-97 & SEA 1998-01.  Watters has been eligible since 2007, and this is the second time that he made the list of Semi-Finalists.  A five-time Pro Bowler, Watters had 14,891 Yards from Scrimmage with 91 Touchdowns.  Ranked #44 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Reggie Wayne.  Wide Receiver, IND 2001-14.  Wayne has been a Semi-Finalist all three years he has been eligible, and has been a Finalist the last two years.  A Super Bowl Champion, Wayne went to six Pro Bowls, is a one-time First Team All-Pro and has 14,345 Yards with 82 Touchdowns.  Ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Vince Wilfork.  Defensive Tackle, NE 2004-14 & HOU 2015-16.  Wilfork is eligible for the first time this year, and won two Super Bowls with New England.  He is a five-time Pro Bowler, one-time First Team All-Pro, and is one of best Nose Tackles of the last twenty years.  Ranked #145 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Patrick Willis.  Linebacker, SF 2007-14.  Willis has been a Semi-Finalist in all three years of his eligibility but has yet to be a Finalist.  He was a seven-time Pro Bowl, five-time First Team All-Pro and two-time leader in Tackles.  Ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Darren Woodson.  Safety, DAL 1992-03.  Woodson is a Semi-Finalist for the sixth time but has never been a Finalist.  He went to five Pro Bowls, was a three-time First Team All-Pro and had 23 Interceptions.  Ranked #89 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bryant Young.  Defensive Tackle, SF 1994-07.  Young is now a three-time Semi-Finalist, and was a Finalist two years ago.   A four-time Pro Bowler, Young had 89.5 Sacks over his career.  Ranked #159 on Notinhalloffame.com.

We will be doing our Mock Pro Football Hall of Fame Committee to decide who we would advance to the Finals.  A date for that will announced later.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the Semi-Finalists for making it to this stage.

This was sudden.

David Baker has just announced his immediate resignation as the President of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, citing that it was time to return home, and retire.  He held that post for eight years.

You will have to forgive us, as the timing seems very suspect.  We are a little more than a month away from the announcement of the 2022 Semi-Finalists, and are nearly a third into the NFL Season.  An abrupt retirement at this time, coinciding with the Washington Football Team scandal that saw the NFL go through over 60,000 e-mails raises red flags.

We have been open about our dislike of Baker making himself a star on the NFL programming, and wondered aloud if his desire to be on television elevated former coaches, Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson, ahead of others (namely Don Coryell and Tom Flores), as they were pre-game personalities on major networks.

With all of that being said, we hope this is not due to illness, and we do think that the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s stature, has been elevated under his tenure.

He will be replaced by Jim Porter, who previously was the Hall’s chief Marketing and Communications Officer.

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 2021, a total of 122 former players.  

To qualify, a player must have retired less than 25 years ago and at least 5 years ago:

The nominees are:

Quarterbacks:

Randall Cunningham: 1985-2001, 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.

Boomer Esiason: 1984-97, CIN, NYJ, AZ. Esiason was a four-time Pro Bowler, one-time First Team All-Pro, and he brought the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance.  He threw for 37,920 Yards and 247 Touchdowns.  Ranked #92 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.

Dave Krieg:  1980-98, SEA, KAN, DET, ARI, CHI, TEN.  Krieg went to three Pro Bowls with the Seahawks and threw for 38,147 Yards and 261 Touchdowns over a 19-year career.  Ranked #131 on Notinhalloffame.com.

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 #72 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 #112 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Running Backs:

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 #84 on Notinhalloffame.com. 

Mike Alstott:  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 #176 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 #156 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Earnest Byner:  1984-97, CLE, WAS, BAL.  Byner won a Super Bowl with the Washington Redskins and he was a two-time Pro Bowler. He would accumulate 12,866 Yards From Scrimmage with 71 Touchdowns over his career.

Larry Centers:  1990-03, PHO, ARI, WAS, BUF, NWE.  Centers was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection and totalled 8,985 Yards From Scrimmage

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.

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 #173 on Notinhalloffame.com.

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 #113 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steven Jackson:  2004-15, STL, ATL, NWE.  Jackson is nominated in his first year of eligibility and he accrued 15,121 Yards From Scrimmage and 78 Touchdowns.  He is the Rams’ all-time leading rusher.  Ranked #216 on Notinhalloffame.com.

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 #210 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.

Lorenzo Neal:  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.

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 #169 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Herschel Walker:  1986-97, DAL, MIN, PHI, NYG.  Walker was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection who had 13,084 Yards From Scrimmage with 82 Touchdowns.  He is also the best player in USFL history, though we aren’t sure how much (if at all) the Pro Football Hall of Fame cares about that.  Ranked #27 on Notinhalloffame.com.

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 #44 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.   

Wide Receivers:

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.  This is Boldin’s first year of eligibility.  Ranked #73 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.

Henry Ellard (Also PR):  1983-98, LAR, WAS, NWE.  Ellard led the NFL in Receiving Yards in 1988 and was a three-time Pro Bowl as well as a two-time First Team All-Pro.  He would have 13,777 Receiving Yards with 81 Touchdowns over his career.  Ranked #120 on Notinhalloffame.com.

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.  Ranked #103 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 #30 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 #93 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 #193 on Notinhalloffame.com.

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.

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 #167 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 #163 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 #55 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, who is in his first year of eligibility, accumulated 14,731 Yards with 81 TDs.  Ranked #12 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 #32 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Reggie Wayne:  2001-14, IND.  Wayne won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts and was the Receiving Yards leader in 2007.  A six-time Pro Bowler, Wayne’s 14,345 Yards ranks him 10^thall-time.  Ranked #9 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.  This is Welker’s first year of eligibility.  Ranked #158 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tight Ends: 

Dallas Clark:  2003-13, IND, TAM, BAL.  Clark would win the Super Bowl with the Colts and was a First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl Selection in 2009.  He would record 5,665 Yards with 53 Touchdowns.

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 #88 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brent Jones:  1987-97, SFO.  Jones went to four Pro Bowls in a row (1992-95) and he was a three-time Super Champion with San Francisco.  He accrued 5,195 Yards with 33 TDs over his career.

Heath Miller:  2005-15, PIT.  Playing his entire career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miller went to two Pro Bowls and helped his team win two Super Bowls.  In his first year of eligibility, Miller had 6,569 Yards and 45 Touchdowns.

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 #291 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Offensive Lineman:

Willie Anderson:  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 Semi-Finalist last year.  Ranked #268 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Matt Birk:  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 #104 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tony Boselli:  1995-01, JAX.  Boselli was a Finalist for the last four years and he was a five-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro Selection.  Ranked #36 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Lomas Brown:  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 #155 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ruben Brown:  1995-07, BUF, CHI.  Brown was a nine-time Pro Bowl Selection who started all of his 181 Games.  Ranked #112 on Notinhalloffame.com.

D’Brickashaw Ferguson:  2006-15, NYJ.  Playing his entire career with the Jets, Ferguson went to three Pro Bowls and started all of his 160 Games at Left Tackle.  This is his first year of eligibility.

Kevin Glover:  1985-99, DET, SEA.  Glover was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection at Center with the Lions.

Jordan Gross:  2003-13, CAR.  A career Carolina Panther, Jordan Gross went to three Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in 2008.

Olin Kreutz:  1998-11, CHI, NOR.  Kreutz went to six Pro Bowls and was also a one-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #90 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jake Long:  2008-16, MIA, STL, ATL, MIN.  Long is in his first year of eligibility and he was a Pro Bowl Selection in his first four seasons.

Nick Mangold:  2008-16, NYJ.  Mangold played his entire career with the Jets, where he went to seven Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros.  This is his first year of eligibility.  Ranked #253 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Logan Mankins:  2005-15, NWE, TAM.  A seven-time Pro Bowler, Mankins started all of his 161 Games at. Left Guard.  This is his first year of eligibility.  Ranked #126 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jesse Sapolu:  2000-09, SFO.  Sapolu is in his last year of eligibility, and was a two-time Pro Bowler.  He won four Super Bowls with the Niners.

Jeff Saturday:  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 #99 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chris Snee:  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.  

Brian Waters:  2000-13, KAN, NWE, DAL.  Waters would go to six Pro Bowls and was named to two First Team All-Pros.  Ranked #149 on Notinhalloffame.com

Richmond Webb:  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 #60 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Erik Williams:  1991-01, DAL, BAL.  Williams won three Super Bowls with Dallas and he went to four Pro Bowls.

Steve Wisniewski:  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 #18 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Defensive Linemen:

John Abraham (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 #51 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jared Allen:  2004-15, KAN, MIN, CHI, CAR.  Allen twice led the NFL in Sacks and would have 136.0 in total.  In his first year 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 #24 on Notinhalloffame.com.

La’Roi Glover:  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 #180 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Casey Hampton:  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 #280 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Robert Mathis:  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.  The five-time Pro Bowler is in his first year of eligibility.  Ranked #111 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Leslie O’Neal:  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 #102 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Michael Dean Perry:  1988-97, CLE, DEN, KAN.  In his last year of eligibility, Perry went to five of his six Pro Bowls as a Brown, the team of which he was also twice a First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #214 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Simeon Rice:  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 #141 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Richard Seymour:  2001-12, NWE, OAK.  Seymour won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and was a seven-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro Selection.  Seymour was a Finalist the last two years.  Ranked #35 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Justin Smith:  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 #148 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Neil Smith:  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 #42 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Greg Townsend:  1983-97, RAI, PHI, OAK.  Townsend is a Super Bowl Champion with the Raiders and would be named to two Pro Bowls.  He would have 109.5 career Sacks.

Justin Tuck:  2005-15, NYG, OAK.  Tuck was a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl Champion as a Giant.  This is his first year of Hall of Fame eligibility.

Kevin Williams:  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 #75 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bryant Young:  1994-07, SFO.  Young won a Super Bowl with the 49ers and he would be chosen for four Pro Bowls and one First Team All-Pro.  He had 89.5 career Sacks.  Ranked #159 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Linebackers:

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 #115 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 #94 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tedy Bruschi:  1996-08, NWE.   Bruschi won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and was a Pro Bowler in 2004.

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 #58 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Seth Joyner:  1986-98, PHI, ARI, GNB, DEN.  Joyner was a three-time Pro Bowler and would win a Super Bowl late in his career with the Packers.  He would have 1,123 career Combined Tackles and 52.0 Sacks.

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.

Sam Mills:  1986-97, NOR, CAR.  Mills was chosen for five Pro Bowls and one First Team All-Pro. He had 1,265 Combined Tackles and 20.5 career Sacks.  Ranked #40 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Hardy Nickerson: 1987-02, PIT, TAM, JAX, GNB.  Nickerson went to five Pro Bowls, was a two-time First Team All-Pro and was the league’s leading tackler in 1993.  Nickerson amassed 1,586 Tackles in total.  Ranked #124 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.

Pat Swilling:  1986-98, NOR, DET, OAK.  Swilling was the 1991 Defensive Player of the Year, and he was a five-time Pro and two-time First Team All-Pro.  Over his career, Swilling had 107.5 Sacks.  Ranked #85 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Zach Thomas:  1996-08, MIA.  Thomas is an eight-time Pro Bowl and five-time First Team All-Pro who has twice led the NFL in Tackles.  He was a Finalist last year.  Ranked #21 on Notinhalloffame.com.

DeMarcus Ware:  2005-16, DAL, DEN.  Ware enters his first year of eligibility, and he debited number one on our list of those to consider for Canton.  Ware went to the Pro Bowl in nine of his 12 seasons, and was a First Team All-Pro in four of them.  Twice an NFL leader in Sacks, Ware got to the Quarterback 138.5 times, 117 of with Dallas.  Ware would win a Super Bowl late in his career with Denver.  Ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Patrick Willis:  2007-14, SFO.  Willis retired before the age of 30 and is now in his second year of eligibility. The career 49er led the league in Tackles twice and is a seven-time Pro Bowl and five-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Defensive Backs:

Eric Allen:  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 #43 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ronde Barber:  1997-12, TAM.  Barber helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win their only Super Bowl and he would record 47 Interceptions and 1,231 Tackles.  A five-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro, Barber was a Finalist last year. Ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dre Bly:  1999-09, STL, DET, DEN, SFO.  Bly was a two-time Pro Bowl with the Lions, and a Super Bowl Champion with the Rams.  He had 43 Interceptions over his career.

LeRoy Butler:  1990-01, GNB.  Butler won a Super Bowl with the Packers and in all four of his Pro Bowl Selections, he would also be named a First Team All-Pro.  Butler had 38 career Interceptions and 889 Combined Tackles and he was been a Finalist the last two years last year.  Ranked #69 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Nick Collins:  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:  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:  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:  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.

Albert Lewis:  1983-98, KAN, RAI, OAK.  Lewis would record 42 Interceptions and he was a four-time Pro Bowler.  He also had two First Team All-Pro Selections and grabbed 42 Interceptions, 12.5 Sacks and 832 Combined Tackles.  Ranked #300 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tim McDonald:  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 #238 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Allen Rossum:  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.

Asante Samuel:  2003-13, NEW, PHI, ATL.  Samuel was a four-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro.  Twice a Super Bowl Champion with New England, Samuel had 51 career Interceptions.  Ranked #172 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bob Sanders:  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:  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:  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 #281 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Adrian Wilson:  2001-12, ARI.  Wilson was a five-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro who had 27 career Interceptions and 903 Combined Tackles.

Darren Woodson:  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 #89 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Place Kickers:

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 #237 on Notinhalloffame.com.

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.

Ryan Longwell:  1997-12, GNB, MIN, SEA.  Longwell is 17^thall-time in Field Goals Made.

Punters:

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.

Reggie Roby:  1983-98, MIA, WAS, TAM, HOU, TEN, SFO.  Roby went to three 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.

Special Teams:

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.  

Mel Gray (Also WR): 1986-97, NOR, DET, HOU, TEN, PHI.  Gray was chosen for four Pro Bowls and three First Team All-Pros.  He would accrue 13,279 All-Purpose Yards.  Ranked #260 on Notinhalloffame.com.

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 #142 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Tasker (ST/WR): 1985-97, HOU, BUF. Tasker is a seven-time Pro Bowl Selection at Special Teams.  This is his last year of eligibility  Ranked #108 on Notinhalloffame.com.

There are ten first-year nominees in this group consisting of Anquan Boldin, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Steve Smith, Jake Long, Nick Mangold, DeMarcus Ware, Robert Mathis, Vince Wilfork and Antonio Cromartie.

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 much better list than last year, where there were some obvious omissions.  

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 Finalist, Cliff Branch, Contributor Finalist, Art McNally and Coach Finalist, Dick Vermiel.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the 122 former players who made it to this stage.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced that Art McNally is the Contributor Nominee for the Class of 2022.

McNally is considered to be the “Father of Modern Officiating”, and if elected would be the first official to enter Canton.  Considering how important the officiating crew is in football in relation to other sports, it is surprising that nobody in stripes has yet to be honored with a bust

McNally began his NFL career in 1959 as a field judge, and would be a referee from 1960 to 1968.  Afterward, McNally would become the supervisor of officials, and he modernized the role through extensive training.  In 1986, McNally brought in instant replay, and helped to bring modern technology to the role.  McNally, who is now 96, was a consultant up until six years ago.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our congratulations to Art McNally for achieving this step, and we hope that he will be inducted in 2022.

As always, it is onward and upwards for us at Notinhalloffame.com.

As Pro Football players often delay their retirement, hoping to latch on to another team, it leads to staggering additions to our Notinhalloffame.com Football Futures List.

As such, we have new add-ons in the 2025 Section, and are pleased to unveil our 2026 Section.

Here are the add-ons of former players eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025:

Antoine Bethea:  Bethea was a Super Bowl champion as a rookie with the Indianapolis Colts, and the Cornerback went on to be a three-time Pro Bowler.

Brynden Trawick:  Trawick was a Pro Bowler in 2017 when he was with Tennessee.

Cameron Wake:  Wake went to five Pro Bowls after a late start considering he had to begin his pro career in Canada.  The Linebacker had 100.5 career Sacks.

C.J. Anderson:  Anderson was a Pro Bowl Running Back who helped Denver win Super Bowl 50.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie:  Rodgers-Cromarte was a 12-year vet at Cornerback who was twice a Pro Bowl, once with Arizona (2009) and once with the Giants (2015).

Donald Penn:  Penn was a three-time Pro Bowl at Offensive Tackle.

Matt Bryant:  Bryant was a Kicker best known for his time in Atlanta.  He was a Pro Bowler in 2016.

Mike Pouncey:  Pouncey played most of his career at Center, going to three Pro Bowls as a Dolphin and one as a Charger.

Patrick Chung:  Chung played his entire pro career with the Patriots where he the Safety won three Super Bowls.

Patrick DiMarco:  DiMarco was an undrafted Fullback who went to the 2015 Pro Bowl as a Falcon.

The entire 2025 list of eligible candidates can be found here.

The 2026 list of eligible candidates that have been profiled are:

Alex Smith:  Smith had over 35,000 Passing Yards and was a three-time Pro Bowler.  He played for San Francisco, Kansas City and Washington.

Anthony Costanzo:  Costanzo played ten seasons in the NFL, where the Offensive Lineman played exclusively with the Colts.

Anthony Sherman:  Sherman was an excellent blocking Fullback who was a member of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV winning team.  He went to the Pro Bowl in 2018.

Drew Brees:  Brees is currently the all-time leader in Passing Yards (80,358) and is second in Touchdown Passes (571).  The former Offensive Player of the Year led the Saints to a win at Super Bowl XLIV.

Greg Olson:  Olson was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection who was best known for his tenure in Carolina.  The Tight End accumulated 8,683 Yards and 60 Touchdowns.

Jason Witten:  Witten played most of his career with Dallas, and is one of the most successful Tight Ends ever.  The 11-time Pro Bowler had 13,046 Yards and 74 Touchdowns.

Jordan Reed:  Reed was a Pro Bowl in 2016 who played for San Francisco and Washington.

Julian Edelman:  Edelman played his entire pro career for New England and the Wide Receiver helped them win three Super Bowls.  He is second all-time in playoff Receiving Yards.

Matt Schaub:  Schaub was a Pro Bowl Quarterback in 2009, but was a backup more years than not.

Maurkice Pouncey:  Pouncey played at Center his entire pro career with the Steelers, where he was a nine-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.

Mike Iupati:  Iupati went to four straight Pro Bowls (2012-15), and was a First Team All-Pro in 2012.  The Offensive Linemen played for San Francisco, Arizona and Seattle.

Philip Rivers:  Rivers played all but his final year with the Chargers, and he was an eight-time Pro Bowler who threw for 63,440 Yards and 421 Touchdowns.

Sean Lee:  Lee played his entire career with the Cowboys, and the Linebacker went to two Pro Bowls (2015 & 2016).

Thomas Davis:  Davis played his best years in Carolina, and was a three-time Pro Bowler at Linebacker.

We will continue to add players as they retire.

You know what we want you to do!

Cast your vote, and give us your comments.

As always, we thank you for your support.

Recently we wrote about the retirement of Julian Edelman, who has been the topic of Hall of Fame discussion, as countless publications have prognosticated about his chances.  It has ranged from good to zero, and if we can give our pair of pennies on it, it is this.

The New England Patriots Hall of Fame will nominate him, and the voting public will induct him.  When it happens, it should be celebrated by the Patriot fan base, and it will be.

As for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we have said often and will say it here bluntly:  Edelman has no chance to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Zero.

Not only that, he will NEVER even be a Pro Football Hall of Fame semi-finalist.

This is not to diminish Edelman’s accomplishments, which is punctuated by his post-season accomplishments. He won three Super Bowls, won a Super Bowl MVP, and is second behind Jerry Rice in playoff Receiving Yards.  He produced more significant gridiron memories than many Hall of Famers, but his overall body of work falls well short of the bar, and that is one lofty horizontal plane.

For a football player to make the Hall, they have to be one of five chosen.  Edelman is not even in the top five of those who have already retired this year, as he is behind Drew Brees, Maurkice Pouncey, Jason Witten, Philip Rivers without question, and arguably a level below Greg Olson, Mike Pouncey and Mike Iupati.   Frank Gore and Adrian Peterson could be done.  It is also projected that Larry Fitzgerald could be done, meaning Edelman is not even close to being the top Wide Receiver to retire this year.

The glut of talent that retires exceeds those who are fighting to get in.  

What year will Julian Edelman be among the top five eligible players for the Hall?   For that matter, how about the top 15?  The top 25?  

It isn’t happening.

Running Back, LeSean McCoy, who also could be calling it a career, meaning that his eligibility will also be 2026, was asked about Edelman’s Hall of Fame chances by Yahoo Sports, and also his own:

Hall of Famer? No, come on, man

You have 16 weeks to showcase who you are, what you can do each year. The playoffs matter but a lot of guys don’t get a chance to play in the playoffs.  I won’t discredit him because I think he’s a great player, plays with a lot of heart, a lot of attitude, a lot of passion. I don’t want to rain on his parade because he’s retiring and he’s a hell of a player, but I don’t know about Hall of Fame

I think I’ve got a good shot at it.  I put my numbers up with any other running backs. In my decade I was the lead dog. I’ve got good numbers, touchdowns, yards, yards per carry, all those things. And you add two Super Bowls with it

In our 2020 pre-season list of active players based on Hall of Fame credentials, McCoy was ranked #31and #3 among Running Backs. McCoy, who was also chosen to the 2010’s All-Decade Team has a much better shot than Edelman, but he is not a lock.