2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

[Discipline of Steel]

Both Bettis and Dawson. How much you want to bet Bettis makes it and Dawson doesnt?

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2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

A group of 15 modern-era players and contributors were named finalists for the 2011 NFL Hall of Fame class, joining a pair of senior nominees on the ballot. The Hall's selection committee will vote on this year's class on Feb. 5, 2011 in Dallas, one day prior to the Super Bowl.

For a nominee to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, he must earn 80 percent of the committee's vote.

Jerome Bettis, Marshall Faulk, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf and Deion Sanders -- all in their first year of Hall of Fame eligibility -- were among the finalists. The complete list of 2011 Hall finalists:

• Jerome Bettis, RB (1995-93 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 1996-2005 Pittsburgh Steelers)

• Tim Brown, WR/KR (1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

• Cris Carter, WR (1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins)

• Dermontti Dawson, C (1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers)

• Richard Dent, DE (1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles)

• Chris Doleman, DE/LB (1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers)

• Marshall Faulk, RB (1994-98 Indianapolis Colts, 1999-2005 St. Louis Rams)

• Charles Haley, DE/LB (1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys)

• Cortez Kennedy, DT (1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks)

• Curtis Martin, RB (1995-97 New England Patriots, 1998-2005 New York Jets)

• Andre Reed, WR (1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins)

• Willie Roaf, OT (1993-2001 New Orleans Saints, 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs)

• Ed Sabol, Contributor (1964-1995 NFL Films)

• Deion Sanders, CB/KR/PR (1989-1993 Atlanta Falcons, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-99 Dallas Cowboys, 2000 Washington Redskins, 2004-05 Baltimore Ravens)

• Shannon Sharpe, TE (1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens)

The two senior nominees are: Chris Hanburger, LB (1965-78 Washington Redskins); and Les Richter, LB (1954-62) Los Angeles Rams.

Names like Don Coryell, Roger Craig, Terrell Davis and Ray Guy did not make the cut from the semifinal round to the list of finalists.
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[steelz09]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

I think Bettis should and will get in to the HOF eventually. I just don't know if he'll make it as a 1st ballot guy.

[Ozey74]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

Deon Sanders is the only sure thing on this list to be inducted this year. Dawson should make it, but I don't think he will.

[papillon]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

Nobody should go in until Dawson is elected, period.

Pappy

[Discipline of Steel]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

Deon Sanders is the only sure thing on this list to be inducted this year. Dawson should make it, but I don't think he will.

I cant bear the thought of Meion in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

[SteelBucks]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

Nobody should go in until Dawson is elected, period.

Pappy

It's a crime he's not in already.

[Wolfhound45]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

I cant bear the thought of Meion in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

You and me both brother.

[Wolfhound45]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

Nobody should go in until Dawson is elected, period.

Pappy

It's a crime he's not in already.

Understatement of the year.

[DukieBoy]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

Donnie Shell !

[Starlifter]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

i think bus, deon and shannon (ugh) make it this year. that puts a steeler on the final list so dirt will have to wait again only to sooth the sportswriters sense of 'fairness'. figure they take a lineman and I think Dent is probably tops on that list. Add in a senior pick (don't care who) and Ed Sabol who helped make them all rich and that's 6 right there. If they go with 7, add marshall faulk.

there ain't nothing fair about the HOF.

[Discipline of Steel]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

Nobody should go in until Dawson is elected, period.

Pappy

It's a crime he's not in already.

Understatement of the year.

Looks kind of like Pouncey

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

Nobody should go in until Dawson is elected, period.

Pappy

It's a crime he's not in already.

Understatement of the year.

Looks kind of like Pouncey

A few less tats, though.



I hear that there is a guy down in Gainesville who looks even more like Maurkice...

[papillon]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

Donnie Shell !

I believe Shell should be in as well; but not before Dawson. When analysts, former players and former coaches talk about Dermonntti Dawson they mention him in the GOAT discussion at his position. Any player that is being recognized in the GOAT discussion shouldn't be on the outside looking in at the and that includes punters (Ray Guy) and kickers (whoever that is).

If you made a big enough name for yourself to be considered GOAT you should be in the HOF. So, until Dawson is enshrined the HOF is rather comical to me, too much emphasis on the skill queers and their stats and ignoring players like Dawson.

Pappy

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

I loved the Bus as much as anyone but he is not a 1st ballot HOFer. He is a borderline HOFer to begin with and probably makes it because of his personna when all is said and done.

Faulk is the only easy RB choice on that list. He was one of the best - if not the best - for a period of time and was a dual threat. Bettis and Martin are essentially the same guy. Very good RBs that could impact the game, but not that much above the pack.

And Dawson is an easy choice and an unfortunate omission to this point. He was clearly the best in his time and one of the greatest ever.

[DukieBoy]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

I cant bear the thought of Meion in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

You and me both brother.

Overhyped, overblown, overrated, overstated.