Hall of Fame finalists announced

[carcosa]

Who ya got?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300...2017-finalists

The 26 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017 were trimmed to 15 finalists during Tuesday's Gold Jacket Finalists special on NFL Network.

The 15 modern-era finalists join three other finalists to comprise 18 finalists under consideration for the Class of 2017.

Former Seahawks safety Kenny Easley was announced as a senior finalist last August by the Seniors Committee, which reviews the qualifications of those players whose careers ended more than 25 years ago.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue were announced as contributor finalists in August by the Hall of Fame's Contributor Committee that considers persons who made outstanding contributions to professional football other than players and coaches.


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)

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Being in a weak class, maybe so. I don't think it's obvious. He benefited from a ridiculously RB friendly era. Curtis Martin didn't get in on the first try. Roger Craig for some insane reason isn't in at all. These are guys who grinded in an era that was really tough for RBs and they won Super Bowls.

Tomlinson is essentially Curtis Martin in my mind. Good running back? Certainly. Productive? Certainly? Was he electrifying or fun to watch? Not really.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I would take Law or Lynch over Taylor.

Both those guys made a clear mark on the league. And Law was an elite playoff defender. Taylor didn't leave any mark. If Chris Doleman and Kevin Greene took a million years to get in, Taylor shouldn't get in first year.

I'm not sure of there has ever been a more naturally gifted pass rusher than Jason Taylor. He was so tall and so lean and so graceful. He had super model looks and chicks galore.

The problem is that he didn't love the game.

Jason Taylor played the game because he could, not because it was his obsession.

If you could put James Harrison or Tamba Hali in Jason Taylor's frame, we'd be looking at 250 sacks.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Very interesting.

I hate to admit it, but there's a whole raft of NFC safeties that I can't distinguish between. I'm pretty sure they were all the same guy who kept getting traded and changing his name: Brian Dawkins, Leroy Butler, Darren Woodson, Eugene Robinson, and so on. I remember Lynch differently because he had a reputation as a hitter, but otherwise I'd probably throw him into that crowd, too.

Butler not getting in is a snub. But I don't think that should stop Dawkins from getting in. Lynch may have been more memorable, but of that group Dawkins was by far the biggest difference maker. Jim Johnson's defense was flat out dominant and Dawkins was the lynchpin of that defense.

But I actually think Dawkins could get snubbed because Polamalu and Ed Reed are coming up and Safeties don't typically get much HOF respect. And of the 3, Dawkins is definitely the #3.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I'm not sure of there has ever been a more naturally gifted pass rusher than Jason Taylor. He was so tall and so lean and so graceful. He had super model looks and chicks galore.

The problem is that he didn't love the game.

Jason Taylor played the game because he could, not because it was his obsession.

That's my issue too. Ty Law wasn't the best CB of his time. But he was competitive as hell and elite in the postseason. If I'm a coach, I want more Ty Laws and less Jason Taylors. That standard should work for HOF too.

Hell, Ricky Watters has every right to be in HOF consideration. But he's rightfully blackballed because of comments he made about not laying out for catches.

[KChiefs1]

As long as Otis Taylor isn't in the HOF...its a flawed shrine which I don't care about.




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[BWillie]

If TO doesn't get in, it's a travesty.

[Pepe Silvia]

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

Take out Boselli and put in Jacoby.

I'll have to take your word on Jacoby, I didn't start watching football until his last years with the Skins.

[Rain Man]

I've made this argument about Terrell Owens before, so I'm repeating myself. Was he a great player? Yes, certainly. His stats are phenomenal. But you have to offset that with the fact that he dragged down the performance of his team and his teammates with his constant divisive behavior.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by PackerinMo

I'll have to take your word on Jacoby, I didn't start watching football until his last years with the Skins.

He definitely should be in.

[Demonpenz]

LT

[listopencil]

I picked Don Coryell, three guys who played for my team, and then randomly picked Bosselli.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Is it really a given?

Never won a Super Bowl. Was lousy in the playoffs. Only really coached offense. Do you make the HOF for being an innovator/outstanding coordinator on one side of the ball? Sure, he left an impact on the way offenses are run, but does his innovation overcome his lack of accomplishment, especially when he competes against head coaches who've won Super Bowls?

Coryell should already be in there.

[WhawhaWhat]

Brian Dawkins
LaDanian Tomlinson
Terrell Owens
Kevin Mawae

Dawkins was a beast in the middle of the field before they neutered defenses. Mawae was a great Center for a long time. Tomlinson and Owens are no brainers.

[milkman]

Don Coryell simply refined the downfield aspects of Sid Gillman's offense, and he never won anything.

Gillman is the only real offensive innovator of the last 60 years, and deserves HOF consideration before Coryell.

[Garcia Bronco]

Originally Posted by PackerinMo

I'll have to take your word on Jacoby, I didn't start watching football until his last years with the Skins.

He was great. Its not that TB isn't a HOF, but Joe was one of the best and its long overdue.