Of course, this year's Hall of Fame class is supersized. As a part of the NFL's Centennial Celebration, they've already announced 15 of the 20 honorees. Only Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson will join the five Modern Era Hall of Famers on the main Hall of Fame stage in August, while the historical players and contributors will be recognized at the special NFL Centennial event in September.
The super-sized element will change the dynamic of the induction ceremony, but it doesn't impact the traditional pre-Super Bowl Modern Era vote, which is good. Because, while very much a flawed process, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is unique in its presentation. And I hope that part never changes. I'd love to know who they are immediately, but there's definitely something special about seeing the class for the first time all at once.
Anyway, I have a feeling my streak of going 4-for-5 two years in a row may be in jeopardy. Because beyond obvious first-ballot choice Troy Polamalu, I have no idea who's getting in. Beyond Polamalu, though, it's wide-open. And, this election really does seem to be the best opportunity for many of the finalists. Especially with first-ballot locks Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson and Charles Johnson entering the fray next year.
It's also a very interesting combination of positions. Polamalu's one of four safeties on the final ballot. Safety is one of the most under-represented positions in Canton, so it's good that they're finally doing some clean up. But, since they'll all be compared relative to each other, it seems unlikely that more than one additional safety will be selected.
Likewise, there are a bunch of wide receivers. They did Randy Moss and Terrell Owens in the same year just two years ago, so I doubt they'll put multiple receivers in at the same time again so soon after. Which means they'll likely determine a pecking order and go with one. The others will probably have to wait at least two years, since Megatron will take next year's spot. I'll throw Edgerrin James in here, too, since he's the only non-wide receiver skill position player finalist.
We all know how much the Hall of Fame voters love their offensive linemen. There's only three this year. Which either bodes well or means this could be the rare year we don't get a Modern Era offensive lineman in the Hall of Fame class.
Which leaves us with the rest of the defensive guys. That group includes two linebackers and two defensive linemen. None jump off the page as an obvious "why isn't he in yet?" selection. But they were all solid defensive forces for an extended period, and none of them would be a remotely controversial choice. It seems likely at least one of the defensive players will get that knock on his door.
I broke it down into those four groups on purpose. Because that's exactly how I think the vote's going to break down. Polamalu and one guy from each group.
Troy Polamalu, Safety (2003-14 Steelers): If I had to guess, I'd say it's a safe bet the Pittsburgh Steelers will be playing in the Hall of Fame Game. Bill Cowher's going in, and Troy Polamalu will join him. I hope they already started sculpting his bust. Because they'll need these six months just to get the hair right! Polamalu wasn't as good as Ed Reed, last year's first-ballot safety. But he was pretty damn close! More importantly, he was the leader of that Steelers defense that led Pittsburgh to seven playoff appearances, five division titles and two Lombardi Trophies.
John Lynch, Safety (1993-2003 Buccaneers, 2004-07 Broncos): With the 49ers in the Super Bowl, I think now is the time for their General Manager's long wait to finally end. This is Lynch's seventh consecutive year as a finalist! The two best players on that Bucs defense were Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp. They've both been Hall of Famers for a while. Lynch should join them. Now that the safety backlog has been cleared up a bit, he's next in line. Put him in, then move on to the next deserving Bucs defensive back--Ronde Barber.
Isaac Bruce, Wide Receiver (1994-2007 Rams, 2008-09 49ers): He's the only one I missed on last year. Just like the safeties, that wide receiver group is getting a little crowded. And it's only going to get worse next year when Megatron becomes eligible. I can easily see Reggie Wayne getting the wide receiver nod, but I can also see them making Peyton's No. 2 receiver wait for his QB. And, frankly, Bruce deserves to go in first. He's been eligible for six years and a finalist four times. Bruce should certainly get in ahead of his "Greatest Show On Turf" sidekick Torry Holt. Holt and Wayne were both No. 2 receivers. Bruce was a No. 1. To me, that's what makes the difference.
Tony Boselli, Tackle (1995-2001 Jaguars): Do you sense a theme here? Boselli's been waiting a while. It's his 14th year on the ballot and fourth straight time as a finalist. This time, however, he's the best offensive lineman under consideration. His career was cut short by injury, but he's a huge reason why the Jaguars were so good out of the gate. Boselli was the face of an expansion franchise that went to the AFC Championship Game in its second season and the playoffs three straight years after that. (He's already in Miami to do the radio broadcast of the Super Bowl, which has nothing to do with the Hall of Fame, but is cool nonetheless.)
Sam Mills, Linebacker (1986-94 Saints, 1995-97 Panthers): Choosing the front seven defensive guy proved to be tougher than I thought. Zach Thomas is obviously the sentimental choice with the Super Bowl taking place in Miami. And I think Richard Seymour is likely to get in soon (if not this year, he probably gets one of those other two spots next year). But, for my final choice this year, I'm going with the late Sam Mills, who, incredibly, has never been a finalist before! When he and Chris Doleman showed up, the Saints went from also-rans to contenders. He then left New Orleans for expansion Carolina and the Panthers went to the NFC Championship Game in their second season. Simply put, Sam Mills was a difference-maker at middle linebacker.
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