2019 HOF Finalists

AB in DC

OG Football Writing
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Jul 10, 2002
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Didn't see this posted, sorry if I missed it in another thread.

FINALISTS
Tony Gonzalez, TE -- 1997-2008 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009-2013 Atlanta Falcons

Isaac Bruce, WR -- 1994-2007 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 2008-09 San Francisco 49ers

Edgerrin James, RB -- 1999-2005 Indianapolis Colts, 2006-08 Arizona Cardinals, 2009 Seattle Seahawks

Ed Reed, FS -- 2002-2012 Baltimore Ravens, 2013 New York Jets, 2013 Houston Texans

Steve Atwater, S -- 1989-1998 Denver Broncos, 1999 New York Jets

Champ Bailey, CB -- 1999-2003 Washington Redskins, 2004-2013 Denver Broncos

Ty Law, CB --1995-2004 New England Patriots, 2005, 2008 New York Jets, 2006-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009 Denver Broncos

John Lynch, FS -- 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos

Tony Boselli, T -- 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2002 Houston Texans (injured reserve)

Steve Hutchinson, G --2001-05 Seattle Seahawks, 2006-2011 Minnesota Vikings, 2012 Tennessee Titans

Alan Faneca, G -- 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals

Kevin Mawae, C/G -- 1994-97 Seattle Seahawks, 1998-2005 New York Jets, 2006-09 Tennessee Titans

Richard Seymour, DE/DT -- 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-2012 Oakland Raiders

Don Coryell, Coach -- 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers

Tom Flores, Coach -- 1979-1987 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-94 Seattle Seahawks
(Not counting the senior/contributor nominees)

Nice to see both Ty Law and Richard Seymour on the list, but I don't think they have much of a shot with shoo-ins like Gonzalez, Bailey, and Reed.
 

Dollar

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Random fact I had forgotten about: I was looking up Tony Boselli to try to remember why the Texans picked him with the first pick in their 2002 expansion draft even though it was doubtful he would ever play again, and I saw that the Patriots had exposed Willie McGinest as one of their five eligible players to be drafted. Had the Texans taken him, we never would have had his 2003 goal line stop against the Colts, his game-winning sack of Peyton on opening night 2004, his solid play in containing Donovan McNabb in the Super Bowl, or his 4.5 sacks in the 2006 playoff game against the Jaguars. His Patriots career would have ended with the hold on Marshall Faulk in the Super Bowl, and that along with his injury history would be his Patriot legacy. The Pats didn't even recall him from their exposure list after the Texans took Matt Stevens... they really wanted him off the roster.
 

Saints Rest

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That’s a really strong class.
I agree that Reed, Bailey, and González should be in.
I think all four OL deserve it, but they may split the vote a bit.
Reed’s inclusion may hurt Lynch and Atwater.
I think I’d go Coryell over Flores but it’s tight (Air Coryell vs racial barrier busting Flores).
I don’t see much of a prayer for Law or Big Sey.
 

Deathofthebambino

Drive Carefully
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Apr 12, 2005
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Geez, what a class that is. If I had an unlimited number of votes, I'd put in Reed, Law, Bailey, Hutchinson, Faneca and Gonzalez. Amazingly, I think arguments, solid arguments, could be made for every other guy on that list, especially the offensive linemen.
 

BaseballJones

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Oct 1, 2015
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Why does it seem like in MLB there are not that many guys I think of (in an annual HOF "class") as worthy HOFers, but in the NFL I feel like, man there's a ton of HOF-worthy guys?

Is it just me?
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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First glance/thought was that I have zero recollection of James playing for Seattle.

Beyond that I’d prob go with Reed, Gonzalez, Bailey, Mawae and Atwater
 

Super Nomario

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Why does it seem like in MLB there are not that many guys I think of (in an annual HOF "class") as worthy HOFers, but in the NFL I feel like, man there's a ton of HOF-worthy guys?

Is it just me?
I don't think it's you. There are twice as many football players as baseball players in the league and NFL careers are way shorter, so quality players are retiring all the time. Then you get a backlog, especially since they don't always pick six. They could probably up the limit to 12, or at least 10.
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
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Dec 16, 2010
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Or just do away with the limit, which can keep deserving candidates out for the reasons you mentioned--twice as many, etc.
 

DanoooME

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First glance/thought was that I have zero recollection of James playing for Seattle.
You didn't miss anything.

This is a hell of a list. I'd probably go Gonzalez, Reed, Bailey, Hutchinson, Faneca, Mawae, and Coryell if there was no limit. And you might be able to talk me into everyone.
 

MuppetAsteriskTalk

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Without going back to look at his stats, I have a hard time thinking about E. James in the hall. (My impressions must be wrong considering the several folks ITT who think all candidates have a case.)
 

E5 Yaz

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Just heard on Fox Sports Radio ... longest discussion among the semifinalists, over 22 min, was about Ty Law.

Announcement at 6 eastern, 53 hours from now
 

Captaincoop

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The Pats have been the most important story in the NFL for 20 years...the Hall really should reflect that. If Law didn't get in, which dynasty-era Patriots would?