The NFL has announced the 27 semi-finalists for the NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2018. There were some players who were surprisingly left out like Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, as well as some players who made it in who were interesting like Ty Law. I think both of these guys have the numbers to eventually be hall of famers some day, but for Johnson, that day isn’t today. For Law, that day might not be today either.
When the list of 108 nominees was dropped in September, I pared the list down to who I thought should be the semi-finalists. Now, we’re going to predict who will be the 15 members who get selected as finalists from these modern-era semi-finalists.
Quarter Back
(There were no semi-finalist QBs)
Running Back
Semi-Finalists: Roger Craig, Edgerrin James
Pick(s): Edgerrin James
Wide Receiver
Semi-Finalists: Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Hines Ward
Pick(s): Isaac Bruce, Randy Moss, and Terrell Owens
Tight End
(There were no semi-finalist TEs)
Offensive Line
Semi-Finalists: Tony Boselli, Alan Faneca, Steve Hutchinson, Joe Jacoby, Kevin Mawae
Pick(s): Alan Faneca, Steve Hutchinson, Kevin Mawae
Defensive Line
Semi-Finalists: Leslie O’Neal, Simeon Rice, Richard Seymour
Pick(s): Leslie O’Neal and Richard Seymour
Linebacker
Semi-Finalists: Ray Lewis, Karl Mecklenburg, Brian Urlacher
Pick(s): Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher
Defensive Back
Semi-Finalists: Steve Atwater, Ronde Barber, LeRoy Butler, Brian Dawkins, Ty Law, John Lynch, Everson Walls
Pick(s): Steve Atwater, Ronde Barber, Brian Dawkins, and John Lynch
Special Teams
(There were no semi-finalist STs)
Coach
Semi-Finalist: Don Coryell
Pick: NONE
Obviously, there’s a reason all of these guys have made it this far in the voting process. They’ve all had great careers. They’re a group of arguably the best players to ever play professional football. So, there’s a good chance all of these guys get in eventually. My voting is based on who should get in first. This is all off of merit, unlike the regular baseball hall of fame voting which tends to take into account time on ballot a little too much.
Feel free to debate me about my picks. I still think there are some players who got passed on in the original cut-down, so they’re already some issues for me. I’m here for it.