All-time NFL greats Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith were the biggest names on what had to be one of the most star-studded nominee lists in the NFL Hall of Fame history. The list of 131 players, coaches, and contributors eligible for the 2010 NFL Hall of Fame class was made public Saturday in Canton, Ohio.
Smith is the all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards. Rice is the leading all-time receiver with 22,895 yards.
From this preliminary list of modern-era nominees, Hall of Fame selectors will choose 25 candidates to advance as semifinalists, according to a Hall of Fame press release. Those names will be announced on November 27.
A mail ballot will reduce the list to 15 finalists who will be announced January 7. The Class of 2010 will be selected from 15 modern-era finalists and two senior candidates (Floyd Little and Dick LeBeau) during voting held the day before Super Bowl XLIV.
We encourage you to continue debating the merits of these Hall of Fame candidates as you have been at Zoneblitz.com. However, the Hall is taking feedback from fans at the Van Heusen Fan’s Choice Web site, where you can vote for the players you’d like to see enshrined or interact with other football fans.
When I checked the site this evening, the early leaders were the obvious ones. Rice and Smith are virtual shoe-ins to be inducted in 2010. Cris Carter and Shannon Sharpe are next in the fan balloting followed, surprisingly (in my opinion), by Ray Guy.
The site also claims to have some big-ticket items to give away, so while we hope you keep coming back here, it could benefit you to check in there once in awhile as well.
We’re working on learning more about the site, such as whether or not the fan vote will have any sway in who does get inducted next summer. As soon as we know more we’ll post an update.
In the meantime, who do you think should join Smith and Rice as members of the class of 2010?
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What I would like to see and what i think I will see are two different things, but if i had to vote with these nominations it would look like this.
1. Jerry Rice WR
2. Emmitt Smith RB
3. Lester Hayes CB
4. Shannon Sharpe TE
5. Dermonti Dawson C
6. Dick Lebeau DB
Just barely on the ouside looking in-
– Cortez Kennedy DT
– John Randle DT
– Cris Carter WR
– Tim Brown WR
– Richard Dent DE
– Russ Grimm G
– Kevin Greene LB
– Phil Simms QB
– Chris Doleman DE
– Charles Haley DE/LB
– Floyd Little RB
as glad to see Joe Klecko on the list once again. IMO,he should make it one day. He Pro Bowled in 3 different defensive lineman positions. Anyway, he is my top players from each position:
Offense
QB: Ken Anderson, Boomer Esiason, Jim Plunkett
RB: Emmitt Smith, Ottie Anderson, Terrell Davis, Ricky Watters
WR: Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, Cris Carter, Andre Reed
C: Dermonti Dawson
G: Russ Grimm, Steve Wisniewski
T: Tony Boselli
Defense
DE: Chris Doleman, Charles Haley(LB as well)
DT: Cortez Kenndey
LB: Kevin Greene, Matt Blair
CB: Lester Hayes, Aeneas Williams
S: Steve Atwater, Kenny Easley
Special Teams
K: Gary Anderson
P: Ray Guy
Steve Tasker
Here is my top players from each position
QB: Ken Anderson, Boomer Esiason, Jim Plunkett
RB: Emmitt Smith (1st year), Ottis Anderson, Terrell Davis, Ricky Watters
WR: Jerry Rice (1st year), Tim Brown, Cris Carter, Andre Reed
C: Dermonti Dawson
G: Russ Grimm, Steve Wisniewski
T: Tony Boselli
Defense
DE: Chris Doleman, Charles Haley(LB as well)
DT: Cortez Kenndey
LB: Kevin Greene, Matt Blair
CB: Lester Hayes, Aeneas Williams (1st year)
S: Steve Atwater, Kenny Easley
Special Teams
K: Gary Anderson (1st year)
P: Ray Guy
ST: Steve Tasker
Here is my “preseason” picks:
WR: Jerry Rice
RB: Emmitt Smith
TE: Shannon Sharpe
DT: John Randle
DB: Dick Lebeau
The reason why I didn’t pick Lester Hayes is because he used stick’em. Thats cheating. I don’t think he will be inducted because he used Stick’em. Here sparks another question: Could/is this the best HOF class of all time in Pro Football?
Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith should be mortal locks to get in. Beyond that, it could be anybody, though with so many good names here the chances that three other players from the regular candidates will get voted in is likely good. Richard Dent and Russ Grimm have been waiting a while, but they’re both borderline choices to varying degrees and may or may not make it.
And personally, I’m not at all taken with either Senior nominee. Dick LeBeau and Floyd Little continue the string of weak to terrible names put forth the last few years. And perhaps not surprisingly, the best nominee they’ve put forward recently, Claude Humphrey, got voted down. Total morons.
Hard to know if Lester Hayes’s use of stickum hurts his candidacy or not, but it might. His postseason profile of 1/5/80s is also a little thin for a DB — there is no shortage of DBs with better such profiles who haven’t even gotten a sniff yet.
I have a few questions. Does Chris Doleman have a chance to make the HOF this year because Jerry Rice and Emith are locks and theres no one thats a DL who has better stats than him. He has 150 sacks and nearly 1,000 tackles. Damn good.
And finally, does Aeneas Williams have a chance to be a 1st ballot HOF? He was an 8 Time Pro Bowler and was named to 3 All Pro Teams(5 Time 1st or 2nd Team All Pro). He has 9 Int TD’s and he has the most fumble recovery yards of all time.
You know who I like is Adrian Wilson of the Cardinals. I haven’t seen him play often but what I’ve seen is impressive. It’s probably a stretch but he reminds me a little bit of of Ronnie Lott. He looks like he’s made for SS position but he’s 30 and only a 2-time PB player. Anyone else like him?
I agree with bachslunch about the senior picks being sad choices lately. I can’t figure why they keep reaching when there are more obvious choices. Lynn Swann was one pick that was turned down 13 times for good reason IMO but there are others that they need to bring back for another look that need their day in the sunshine.
I think Doleman should make it but I keep thinking there are more players of note that deserve it before him. I know he had great years but I don’t really remember him as being a main defensive force for any team?? Maybe he was overshadowed? John Randle? Warren Sapp?
A Williams covered guys like glue and hit like a deamon. He’s certianly a HOFer but as far as 1st ballot I guess we’ll find out if playing for a loser will hurt him. I’m glad he finished a winner and I’ll go 50-50.
Some folks not to forget for HOF conderation are at the Nose Tackle position which as far as I know has never been represented which include: Curley Culp, Joe Klecko, Bob Baumhower and Fred Smerlas as the very best from the 1970’s-80’s. Really a shame none of the great players are in the HOF yet.
Also I believe OLB Isiah Roberston edges out Matt Blair as the best LB not in the HOF from the 70’s. When he and HC Knox left the Rams they instantly transformed Buffalo’s defense into one of the best along with NT Smerlas.
Although not quite of HOF caliber Robertson’s fellow LB Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds also deserves more noterity for being a great player. Those Ram’s Defenses had more than one HOFer IMO. I remember a game where they allowed like negative yards for the game. Help me out!! Does anyone remember that game vs, Seattle. Might of had 10 sacks or more? HOFer Jack Youngblood and Fred Dryer could be QB nightmares. At least the HOF Voters got it right on Youngblood!!!
Brad said: “Does Chris Doleman have a chance to make the HOF this year because Jerry Rice and Emith are locks and theres no one thats a DL who has better stats than him.”
John Randle and Cortez Kennedy were finalists last year, and am thinking one of these or Richard Dent stand a better chance of election than Doleman in the near future. And regarding Aeneas Williams, I think he’ll be elected eventually, but not for a few years.
Do you think there will be a push for Kevin Greene ‘s HOF induction in the near future? I really liked watching him play.
As far as Brad’s question about about the upcoming HOF Class being possibly the best, that’s a provacative question.
I doubt it but would need to review.
Kevin Greene has 160 sacks, 3 safeties, and people don’t mention him that much in general. I wonder why.
Does anyone think Clay Matthews have a chance ever for the Hall of Fame? 0/4 is weak though. If he had 1 or 2 First Team AP’s than he could have a case.
Why isn’t Bryce Paup ever on the ballot? He’s a 1/4, 75 sacks, Defensive Player of The Year in 1995.
I might put this years group as predicted by Brad in the top 10.
Here are my Top 5 Best HOF Classes since 1970:
1. Joe Greene, Gene Upshaw, Len Dawson, Larry Csonka, Don Maynard, Jim Langer and
John Henry Johnson. Can’t really beat this one for diversity and numbers. The picks are attractive and deserving from top to bottom. I wish the Voters could do this well every year!! It appears that Csonka and Riggins after him may be the last FB’s to get HOF recognition due to the position’s changing role. The game is less about power and more about quickness. It’s also nice to see the Voters reward the overachiever in Langer that was undrafted but still excelled through his hard work to be a 6-time PB and 4-time AP and recognized as one of the best Centers of all-time..
2. Johnny Unitas, Dick Butkis, Yale Lary and Ron Mix. This is the best of the FOUR that they’ve picked. A nice mix (no pun intended) of O and D and truly GREAT players.
3. Bob Lilly, Jim Otto, Deacon Jones and Herb Adderley. Another big time quality group with 36 Pro Bowls between them. Can’t go wrong with these men.
4. Dan Fouts, Walter Payton, Larry Little, Bill Walsh and Chuck Noll. Two of the most exciting players ever to play in Fouts and Payton. I bet Walsh could coach up an Offense with these guys. How about Little as pulling Guard for Sweetness while Fouts slips in his trademark Play-Action passing?
5. Mike Haynes, Mike Webster, Don Shula and Wellington Mara (Not sexy but each were at the top of what they did)
For the other classes, there are always a player or two to weaken their Class.
Nice list Tony P!!!! I agree with all of that. Don Manyard, my man, is in the best class of all time! Yes, finally the Jets get something lol. I believe Don was the first player to have 600 receptions. He also avg. 18.7 yards per catch and he has over 10,000 receiving yards.
You guys should make a topic that we can discuss whos the MVP, rookies of the year, Super bowl predictions, etc. Just a thought.
It just goes to what I’ve been saying about the older players not being talked about. Believe me, they talked a ton about Greene when he was getting all of those crazy sacks and TDs.
Matthews was a great Pro who played forever. He’s a ring of honor not a HOFer. Same with Paup. I know he was great for a few years but they have to do it for like 10 and than be lucky with the media liking you.
@Brad
Don’t give me that crap about stick’em. NFL gloves now days are just as equivalent to stick’em. Lester Hayes deserves to be in the H.O.F. He showed it on the field. Also what about his coverage skills? Did he cheat at covering WR’s too? Terry Bradshaw (A hall of fame QB) even admitted he was one of the greatest cornerbacks he ever played against. He said “You make a break and he is right there with you, you make a move, he is right there with you. He is like a shadow, it is amazing”.
Read this JOE WARREN: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stickum
Stickum use likely doesn’t help Lester Hayes’s HoF case. But note also that Hayes has postseason honors stats that don’t distinguish him above more-or-less contemporaries currently not in (1/5/80s). Compare him to Lemar Parrish, who was a first class KR, at 1/8/none. Compare him to a whole host of safeties such as Donnie Shell (3/5/none), Kenny Easley (4/5/80s), and Joey Browner (3/6/80s). None of these have even gotten a sniff, and am hard pressed to see why Hayes should be pushed in ahead of them.
Hayes is no slouch, but he’s not the worst HoF snub by any stretch of the imagination.
Joe Warren — in addition, comparing stickum to gloves is a poor analogy, especially since Hayes was known to smear stickum on his uniform as well as put it on his hands and arms.
I’m not sure about Lester Hayes for HOF or not. I do know that for one year he was the most exciting CB that I ever saw play the game. He also led the Raiders to one of the biggest upsets I can remember over the highly potent San Diego Chanrgers. I didn’t think the Raiders had a chance to win without Hayes. How often do we say that about a Cornerback’s impact on the game?? He was simply “marvelous” and I’ll never forget his GREAT year with his 13 interceptions !!!
No one thought the Raiders would continue their Cinderella season by beating the Chargers in the AFC Championship Game and become the first Wildcard team to win the Super Bowl. It was so improblable that they even made it that far with the Brown’s literally blowing the game before. All the Brown’s needed was a field goal but QB Brian Sipe got gready and threw the pick with only seconds on the clock if my memory serves my right. Heartbreak for all Brown’s fans and jubilation for a stunned Raiders team who in my mind were clearly not the best team in that game.
Than to go up against the mighty Charger’s offensive machine and beat them at their own game on their own field. Wow. It killed their owner and probably the rest of the NFL to see the villianess Al Davis “just win baby!”.
That Raider team was personally one of my All-time favorite teams and those Playoffs were some of the best. I rarely routed for them as a Dolphin’s fan but I did that year and again in 1983. With Plunkett, “The Stork” Hendrick and and the Tooz and many more it just seemed like the most unlikely bunch to win the Super Bowl. Other than OU’s RB Kenny King who became a SB hero and can’t even recall their Running backs. Maybe Van Eagan?
Really I think it was unfortunate for Lester that someone of Mike Haynes stature joined the team taking away much of the media attention. He was proclaimed the best cover guy in the NFL and Lester wasn’t mentioned alot except for about that stupid stick’em which I think was more psychological than anything. Hell, Freddie Belindokof is a HOF WR and he had just as much smear all over as Hayes. I’ve noticed through the years if a defensive can’t catch than he can’t catch. Period! The majority can’t, that’s why they play Defense. Some like Johnny Robinson can catch and they started out on Offense.
I went back and looked at the Raiders 1980 Playoff run for Lester Hayes.
1st game vs. Oilers = 2 int and 1 td ret
2nd game vs. Browns = 2 int on a bitter cold and snowy day. Mark Van Eagan had 2 rushing tds.
3rd game vs. Chargers = 1 int
No ints for Hayes in the Super Bowl but 18 ints in 20 games. Someone should research Interceptors in Modern day football to see who comes close to that great year. I think if they can put people like Floyd Little and Lynn Swann in for great plays and their impact on a community they should put Lester in too. It’s not like he didn’t follow it up with highly skilled play. Just not the same magnificance of that won year. I don’t see how his career production wise was much different than Gale Sayers or Terrell Davis?
LB Rod Martin had 3 ints in that SB. I sure liked that guy and Rod seemed like a better than 1/2 profile. Could he be a HOFer? I know it’s a reach. Martin had 33.5 sacks but many more uncounted. He had 14 ints 6 total ret for Tds (4 int and 2 fumble). He was so active so who knows about the total tackles.
WR Cliff Branch had two TD catches in the game and we all know how deserving he is.
Could Mark Van Eegan be a HOFer? I know it’s another reach. LOL!! He was a hell of an over achiever out of Colgate and one of the last of the great FB runners. He played for had good speed and lots of power. Seems like they could of thrown him a bone with one pro bowl?? His profile is 0/0 with 3 straight 1,000 plus yard seasons in the mid 70’s which is much like Larry Csonka. Mark had 6 straight 500 yds plus seasons which is very good for a FB. He started on 2 SB winning teams and his 6,651 yds rushing is better than Floyd Little but Floyd caught the ball more. Only one 1,000 yd rushing season for Little. Little was a 1/5 like Hayes. See where that’s going. I kind of hope Floyd doesn’t make it. Swann was confusing enough. The voters are creating too much gray area in my opinion. Can I have a nickle for everytime I’ve said that?
I think Josh Cribbs should be on the ballot when he retires.Hes a top notch KR/PR. And he is also a gunner(like Steve Tasker). He has 48 Special Team tackles. If he can get 8 KR TD’s, he should be on the ballot IMO.
Does Dante Hall have a shot to make the ballot?
Charles Woodson is def. playing up to his Heisman status. He will def. make the Pro Bowl this year. Does he have a shot at Defensive Player of The Year? And I think he has a good shot for the Hall Of Fame. What do you guys think?
Tony P said: “Also I believe OLB Isiah Roberston edges out Matt Blair as the best LB not in the HOF from the 70’s.”
Robertson has plenty of competition in Randy Gradishar, Chris Hanburger, and Robert Brazile (for three) for the honor of being the best LB from the ’70s not in the HoF. He might in fact be as far down as number 4 on the depth chart here — hard to say.
Oh, bachslunch,
Number 4 . “Come’on Man!!!” Not on my chart :) Maybe in name recognition only. You’re right it’s hard to say but for years the Rams had one of the best Defenses and he was a huge part as great all-around player and a spark with his 25 interceptions. If they ever would of had a QB they might of beaten the Vikings and Cowboys.
If I go according to Reference.com rating system
1.) Hanburger 9/4 = 60 best ever
2.) Robertson 6/2 = 74 best ever
3.) Howley 6/5 = 93 best ever
4.) Bergey 5/2 = 173 best ever
5.) Jordan 5/1 = 186
6.) Gradishar 7/2 =203 best ever
others Nobis 5/1 = 786 best ever
4.) Jordan 5/1 should all be in right now. And Bergey 5/2 and Brazile to follow and possibly Hanburger 9/4, Matt Blair and Nobis 5/1.
Is the great Bill Bergey on your depth chart? He was a beast for Paul Brown in Cinncy as a young man and than a grizzled veteran in Philly ending in the Super Bowl.
He’s among the all-time interception leaders for a LB which is lead by Jack Ham 32, Lee Roy Jordan 32, Nick Buoniconti 32, Sam Huff 30, Ray Lewis 28, Bill Bergey 27, Willie Lanier 27, Dave Robinson 27 and Isiah Robertson 25.
Really over 20 ints is rare air for a LB so 25 plus is no fluke. Bergey is in real good company. Everyone is in the HOF except Jordan and Robinson.
I hate Dallas but I don’t know what the Voters are thinking by not electing Jordan by now. I saw most of his games in the 70’s and he absolutley was the glue of that Defense. A great leader and QB. He played at a really high level right until the end when Bob Bruenig took over.
Possible my list of LB’s is not correct if I missed a LB before my time. Maybe you could look at the int. list on Pro-football-reference.com? I’ve always thought 32 was the top number?
Oh, bachslunch,
Number 4 . “Come’on Man!!!” Not on my chart :) Maybe in name recognition only. You’re right it’s hard to say but for years the Rams had one of the best Defenses and he was a huge part as great all-around player and a spark with his 25 interceptions. If they ever would of had a QB they might of beaten the Vikings and Cowboys.
If we go with Reference.com it looks about right to me except for the poor score for Nobis.
1.) Hanburger 9/4 = 60th best ever
2.) Robertson 6/2 = 74th best ever
3.) Howley 6/5 = 93rd best ever
4.) Bergey 5/2 = 173rd best ever
5.) Jordan 5/1 = 186th best ever
6.) Gradishar 7/2 = 203rd best ever
7.) Brazile 7/2 = 276th best ever
8.) Blair = 445 best ever
1 thru 6 should already be in the HOF!!!
Tommy Nobis 5/1 = 786th best ever
Ray Lewis = 11/7 = 17th best ever
Dick Butkis 8/5 = 159th best ever – hmm, they must of counted short career (only 119 games) against him?
Seems like a pretty good although not perfect grading system that rewards for acolades and making things happen on the field. Can’t figure in how hard they hit and other such style points though.
Is the great Bill Bergey on your depth chart? I’ve been touting my horn for him for a while now. He was a beast for Paul Brown in Cinncy as a young man and than a grizzled veteran in Philly ending in the Super Bowl.
He’s among the all-time interception leaders for a LB which is lead by Jack Ham 32, Lee Roy Jordan 32, Nick Buoniconti 32, Sam Huff 30, Ray Lewis 28, Bill Bergey 27, Willie Lanier 27, Dave Robinson 27 and Isiah Robertson 25.
Really over 20 ints is rare air for a LB so 25 plus is no fluke. Bergey is in real good company. Everyone is in the HOF except Jordan and Robinson.
I hate Dallas but I don’t know what the Voters are thinking by not electing Jordan by now. I saw most of his games in the 70’s and he absolutley was the glue of that Defense. A great leader and QB. He played at a really high level right until the end when Bob Bruenig took over.
Possible my list of LB’s is not correct if I missed a LB before my time. Maybe you could look at the int. list on Pro-football-reference.com? I’ve always thought 32 was the top number?