Hall of Fame Names Semifinalists for Class of 2026

Hall of Fame Names Semifinalists for Class of 2026

by | Nov 25, 2025 | Hall of Fame

The Pro Football Hall of Fame unveiled their list of 26 modern era players (the result of their being a tie for the 25th spot on the list) that are finalists to be inducted into the class of 2026 this morning.

On the list include:

QB Drew Brees – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
QB Eli Manning – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
QB Philip Rivers – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
RB Frank Gore – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
RB Fred Taylor – 7th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
WR Larry Fitzgerald – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
WR Torry Holt – 12th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
WR Steve Smith Sr. – 5th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
WR Hines Ward – 10th time as semifinalist
WR Reggie Wayne – 7th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
TE Jason Witten – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
OL Willie Anderson – 6th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
OL Lomas Brown – 1st time as a semifinalist
OL Jahri Evans – 4th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
OL Richmond Webb – 2nd time as semifinalist
OL Steve Wisniewski – 3rd time as semifinalist
OL Marshal Yanda – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
DL Robert Mathis – 5th time as semifinalist
DL Vince Wilfork – 5th time as semifinalist
DL Kevin Williams – 1st time as semifinalist
LB Luke Kuechly – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
LB Terrell Suggs – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
DB Rodney Harrison – 5th time as semifinalist
DB Earl Thomas – 2nd time as semifinalist
DB Darren Woodson – 10th time as semifinalist
K Adam Vinatieri – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025

Lomas Brown and Kevin Williams are the only first time semifinalists that are not in their first year of eligibility.  The list was culled form a list of 128 nominees announced in September, and will now be cut to a group of 15 finalists later this year, before being debated along with Coaches, Contributor and Senior nominees in advance of Super Bowl LX.  Between four and eight new members will be elected, per the HOF bylaws, announced at NFL Honors show in February, and inducted in Canton next August.

In depth 2013: New York Giants

by | Mar 27, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

In 2011, the New York Giants finished 9-7, but rode a hot streak at the end of the regular season into the playoffs and ended up winning the Super Bowl. In 2012, with an offense that scored more points and a defense that was stingier, the Giants went 9-7 … and missed the playoffs.

Talent abounds on this team, as evidenced by two Super Bowl championships in the Tom Coughlin era. But there are also a number of flaws that have kept the Giants from establishing more consistency and prevented them from being in the mix every year.

Ed Valentine, editor in chief of the Big Blue View, says New York should be right back in the thick of the NFC East race again in 2013, but acknowledges as well that there are still improvements to be made.

Zoneblitz: In 2011, 9-7 got the giants to the Super Bowl. In 2012, 9-7 didn’t make the playoffs. What kept the Giants from getting a chance to repeat last season? (more…)

NFL Best Bets: Week 13 – 2012

by | Nov 29, 2012 | 2012 season, NFL Gambling

We’re getting into the latter stages of the regular season and, with that, come rivalry games and divisional contests that are notoriously difficult to pick. And yes, that is a blatant excuse for why last week – which I predicted upfront would be a tough one – didn’t go so well.

Tony managed a split. His 2-2 mark brought him to 22-26 for the season. I hit my upset – Washington over Dallas on Thanksgiving – but after two straight 3-1 weeks, I managed only a push and two losses in my other bets during week 12. So I’m at 20-27-1 on the year.

Week 13 is tough again, but hopefully it can’t be any worse than last week. Here goes: (more…)

ZB Notebook 10-23-12

by | Oct 23, 2012 | 2012 season, NFL Random Thoughts

That Monday Night Football matchup between Chicago and Detroit was a barnburner.

Or not.

In one of the uglier games I’ve seen played in awhile, Detroit gave away opportunity after opportunity to take over the game in the red zone while Chicago took enough advantage early in the game to hold on for the win and continued sole possession of first place in the NFC North.

The Lions continued a pattern of playing putrid offense throughout the first three quarters and then making a mad dash at a comeback toward the end of the game.

Four turnovers in the red zone? Can’t win that way in the NFL. Matt Stafford looks lost for three quarters and Detroit has got to do something to get Calvin Johnson involved in games earlier. Right now that’s a bad team. (more…)

NFL Picks, 2012 season, Week 6

by | Oct 11, 2012 | 2012 season, NFL Picks

Sometimes it just takes one.

The New Orleans Saints finally got in the win column Sunday night with a victory over the ever-inconsistent San Diego Chargers. The Saints dug themselves a hole early, but at least one Saints blogger gives the team a chance at a mid-season turnaround, noting that outside of Atlanta, the NFC is devoid of dominant teams.

Thus Travis Dauro, a contributing writer for Canal Street Chronicles (Twitter: CSCTweet), thinks New Orleans still might have a playoff run in its future.

“Now that the Saints have finally gotten into the win column, I am still quite optimistic about the rest of the season,” Dauro says. “While they are only 1-4, there are not that many dominant teams in the NFC this year.”

Dauro joins us for the week six pick segment, which to this point has featured bloggers making the best picks of all. Here’s the wrap-up from last week. Andy and Raising Zona editor Scott Allen hit 10 of 14 games, one more than Tony. That gives our collection of celebrity bloggers a one game lead for the season over Tony and a two game cushion over Andy. Unlike our “Best Bets” our picks are turning out halfway decently this season.

Week five Season
Celebrity Blogger 10-4 47-30
Tony 9-5 46-31
Andy 10-4 45-32

So … here are the picks for week five.

(more…)