Given that in recent years those elected to Canton have been overwhelmingly black, I found it interesting that 8 of the 15 finalists this year are White. The inductees will be announced tonight.
The eight are K Morten Andersen, coach Don Coryell, G Alan Faneca, QB Brett Favre, LB Kevin Greene, T Joe Jacoby, S John Lynch, and QB Kurt Warner.
Favre should be a cinch in his first year of eligibility. All of the others are qualified, but it wouldn't surprise me if none make it. I think Lynch and Warner will eventually, but not this year. Faneca should be a cinch as he was a dominating player year in and year out but isn't well known. Jacoby, a mainstay on the Redskins' "Hogs" during their glory years, would be a veterans selection, same for Coryell. If kickers are going to be considered, then Andersen belongs in the Hall.
Kevin Greene has been a semi-finalist 10 times; this is the first year he's made it to the final cut. Greene is third in league history in sacks, but he's the only player in the top eight all-time who isn't in the Hall of Fame other than Jason Taylor, who isn't eligible until next year. Greene had 10 seasons of at least 10 sacks (third best in NFL history), made five Pro Bowls and was a three time All Pro. He was the Clay Matthews of his era, but is often disdained today as a "one trick pony," even though he was a three down linebacker and was effective in run defense.
The eight are K Morten Andersen, coach Don Coryell, G Alan Faneca, QB Brett Favre, LB Kevin Greene, T Joe Jacoby, S John Lynch, and QB Kurt Warner.
Favre should be a cinch in his first year of eligibility. All of the others are qualified, but it wouldn't surprise me if none make it. I think Lynch and Warner will eventually, but not this year. Faneca should be a cinch as he was a dominating player year in and year out but isn't well known. Jacoby, a mainstay on the Redskins' "Hogs" during their glory years, would be a veterans selection, same for Coryell. If kickers are going to be considered, then Andersen belongs in the Hall.
Kevin Greene has been a semi-finalist 10 times; this is the first year he's made it to the final cut. Greene is third in league history in sacks, but he's the only player in the top eight all-time who isn't in the Hall of Fame other than Jason Taylor, who isn't eligible until next year. Greene had 10 seasons of at least 10 sacks (third best in NFL history), made five Pro Bowls and was a three time All Pro. He was the Clay Matthews of his era, but is often disdained today as a "one trick pony," even though he was a three down linebacker and was effective in run defense.