Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

2017 Hall of Fame finalists

1. Brian Dawkins, safety (Philadelphia Eagles, 1996-2008; Denver Broncos, 2009-2011)

2. Jason Taylor, defensive end (Miami Dolphins, 1997-2007, '09, 2011; Washington Redskins, 2008; New York Jets, 2010)

3. LaDainian Tomlinson, running back (San Diego Chargers, 2001-09; New York Jets, 2010-11)

4. Morten Andersen, kicker (New Orleans Saints, 1982-1994; Atlanta Falcons, 1995-2000; 2006-07; New York Giants, 2001; Kansas City Chiefs, 2002-03; Minnesota Vikings, 2004)

5. Don Coryell, coach (St. Louis Cardinals, 1973-77; San Diego Chargers, 1978-1986)

6. Kurt Warner, quarterback (St. Louis Rams, 1998-2003; New York Giants, 2004; Arizona Cardinals, 2005-09)

7. Terrell Davis, running back (Denver Broncos, 1995-2001)

8. Isaac Bruce, wide receiver (Los Angeles Rams, 1994; St. Louis Rams, 1995-2007; San Francisco 49ers, 2008-09)

9. Terrell Owens, wide receiver (San Francisco 49ers, 1996-2003; Philadelphia Eagles, 2004-05; Dallas Cowboys, 2006-08; Buffalo Bills, 2009; Cincinnati Bengals, 2010)

10. Tony Boselli, offensive tackle (Jacksonville Jaguars, 1995-2001; Houston Texans, 2002)

11. Alan Faneca, guard (Pittsburgh Steelers, 1998-2007; New York Jets, 2008-09; Arizona Cardinals, 2010)

12. Joe Jacoby, offensive tackle (Washington Redskins, 1981-1993)

13. Ty Law, cornerback (New England Patriots, 1995-2004; New York Jets, 2005, '08; Kansas City Chiefs, 2006-07; Denver Broncos, 2009)

14. John Lynch, safety (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1993-2003; Denver Broncos, 2004-07)

15. Kevin Mawae, center (Seattle Seahawks, 1994-97; New York Jets, 1998-2005; Tennessee Titans, 2006-09)

No huge surprises, Don Coryell would have likely be in already if his teams performed better in the postseason. Others who didn't reach the finalist level will just take more time. Hoping the Veterans Committee finally nominates L.C. Greenwood next time.

My five picks would be:

Tomlinson
Taylor
Faneca
Dawkins
Owens

I am adamantly against both of the contributors being selected. Jerry Jones and Paul Tagliabue?

conace21 wrote:My five picks would be:

Tomlinson
Taylor
Faneca
Dawkins
Owens

I am adamantly against both of the contributors being selected. Jerry Jones and Paul Tagliabue?

Yeah, Jones and Tagliabue getting inducted would bother me just like Bud Selig in baseball.

If Greenwood were to ever get in, it would give the 1974-80 Steelers nine Hall of Famers (plus Chuck Noll and Art and Dan Rooney). (Blount, Bradshaw, Greene, Ham, Harris, Lambert, Stallworth, Swann and Webster.) I don't know that there are any others likely. I could maybe see Andy Russell, though he was only first-team all-NFL once.

I think the record for a single team is the 11 (plus Lombardi) on the 1961 Packers. (Adderley, Davis, Gregg, Hornung, Jordan, Nitschke, Ringo, Starr, Taylor, Tunnell and Wood.)

The 1953 Browns also had eight (plus PB, obviously). (Atkins, Ford, Gatski, Graham, Groza, Lavelli, Motley and Willis.)

LT seems like an obvious choice. At least one of the offensive linemen will get in, I'd guess Mawae and/or Faneca. I think Morten Anderson deserves it, don't know how it will go for him. And I'm biased toward Lynch, though I think he's at least marginally deserving.

It is not a given that a commissioner gets in (Rozelle and Bell are, obviously, but Gunsel and Layden are not.). I'm not sure Tagliabue has any particular claim to fame. (Or Fame.) Jones certainly was a consequential owner, but I don't know that he was as consequential as Hunt, Wilson, Halas, Rooney, Mara, Brown or many of the other owners.

I liked Coryell and thought he was an offensive innovator. But he never actually WON anything outside of the five division titles.

Interesting group...I think Tomlinson is the only "lock". Guys like Kurt Warner, Terrell Owens, Terrell Davis, Kenny Easley, Tony Boselli & Don Coryell should produce good debates. I agree that the contributors were incredibly lame. Maybe the commissioners and owners should have their own separate Hall of Fame, where each year they elect each other for enshrinement. Then after a few years, they'll all be in the Hall of Fame and that will be that.

Besides LaDainian, Easley, Coryell, Kurt Warner, to me at least, how many of the others are actually deserving of the Hall?

James wrote:Besides LaDainian, Easley, Coryell, Kurt Warner, to me at least, how many of the others are actually deserving of the Hall?

I find Dawkins, Taylor, Andersen, Owens, and Mawae to be deserving. I can see a good case to be made for all the others not mentioned by either you or me in this here post.

Thanks man. I am surprised that Joe Jacoby isn't in yet.

The problem in the HOF selections is not the modern-day finalists...the problem is strictly confined to the Veterans or Senior Committee. Those selectors need to have their heads examined. If Kenny Easley gets in before Johnny Robinson (which surely seems to be the case), then there is something drastically wrong with the selection process.
Joe Zagorski