Who's Headed to Canton?

Now that they're doing it virtually instead of in-person, they actually have the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection meeting weeks in advance and travel all over the country to give the news to the inductees.  No more knocks on the door at the hotel on the day before the Super Bowl.  I wonder if that's going to be a permanent change or if they'll go back to the old way once they can (which is hopefully next year).

Although, whoever's on the committee in 2027 has had their job made both easier and harder with Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger both retiring.  And if Aaron Rodgers retires, too, man!  Three first-ballot quarterbacks in the same year!  Good luck to everyone else going after those other two spots!

Last year was like that.  They elected three first-ballot guys (Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, Calvin Johnson).  All of them were worthy of first-ballot election to be sure, but when you've only got five spots to fill and three are already taken, that sure makes it tough.

This year, there's no such problem.  There are three first-year eligibles among the 15 finalists, but I wouldn't consider any of them a first-ballot lock.  In fact, I think this could be a year where they do a lot of housekeeping and finally put in some guys who've been waiting a long time to be elected.

Tony Boselli, Tackle (1995-2001 Jaguars): Boselli is a finalist for the sixth consecutive year.  He has to finally get in this time, right?  They like their offensive linemen, but only two are finalists this year, and Boselli clearly has a stronger Hall of Fame case than Willie Anderson.  He's just gonna continue taking one of the 15 finalist spots until they finally put him in, which I really hope and think will be this year.  Frankly, it should've happened already.

Richard Seymour, Defensive End/Defensive Tackle (2001-08 Patriots, 2009-12 Raiders): Ditto about Richard Seymour.  It's his fourth straight year as a finalist, so they clearly have a ton of respect for his career.  As they should.  Because the two best defensive players on the Patriots dynasty were Ty Law and Richard Seymour.  Law's already in the Hall of Fame.  Time for Seymour to join him.

Ronde Barber, Cornerback/Safety (1997-2012 Buccaneers): They finally put John Lynch in after making him wait way too long.  Now it's Ronde Barber's turn.  He's the only remaining member of that Bucs defense who doesn't yet have a bust in Canton.  Which, frankly, is ridiculous.  Because Ronde Barber was just as good in his 15th year as he was in his rookie season.  He spent his entire career in Tampa and is the Bucs' all-time leader in so many defensive categories.  And let's not forget his longevity and durability, either.

Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver (2001-14 Colts): Only one of the three wide receivers will get in.  And that should be Reggie Wayne, who was the best of the three.  No offense to Torry Holt or Andre Johnson, but they're no Reggie Wayne.  Want to know why those Manning Colts teams were so good?  Wayne was their number TWO receiver behind Marvin Harrison for a lot of that time!  Like Barber, Wayne's the only one missing from a group that already has a bunch of Hall of Famers.  In this case, it's Manning, Harrison and Edgerrin James from the early 2000s Colts.

My final selection was a tough one.  I was tempted to go with Devin Hester, who I think has a very realistic chance of becoming the first-ever Hall of Fame kick returner (if not this year than soon).  I also think DeMarcus Ware is worthy of a serious look.  But ultimately, I don't think either first-ballot guy screams out "first-ballot Hall of Famer," which is why I'm not going with either one of them.  Instead, my choice is...

Jared Allen, Defensive End (2004-07 Chiefs, 2008-13 Vikings, 2014-15 Bears, 2015 Panthers): If not for that loaded group of fellow first-ballot candidates last year, it's very possible Jared Allen would've been voted in on the first try.  In the grand scheme of things, though, getting in on the second try isn't too shabby, either.  Allen was just too dominant for too long to overlook.  And, for me, the fact that he was great with the Chiefs, then went to the Vikings and got better only strengthens his case.

So, those are my five Modern Era selections.  The coach, contributor and senior nominees all have to be voted on, as well, but that's more of a formality.  I can't remember the last time any of the non-Modern Era candidates wasn't inducted.  Thus, I'm not even gonna pretend they won't get in.  We'll have a full class of eight that also includes...

Dick Vermeil, Coach (1976-82 Eagles, 1997-99 Rams, 2001-05 Chiefs): It'd be fitting if the Rams win their second Lombardi Trophy in the same weekend the man who led them to their first is elected to the Hall of Fame.  He led the Eagles to a Super Bowl out of nowhere, then won a title with the "Greatest Show On Turf" Rams out of nowhere.  Then he went to Kansas City and won a division title there.  Overall, Vermeil had 120 wins in 15 seasons spread over 30 years!

Cliff Branch, Wide Receiver (1972-86 Raiders): Like some of the players I mentioned among the Modern Era finalists, Cliff Branch was often overlooked on those great Raiders teams of the 70s.  Teams that included five other Hall of Famers on offense alone!  Branch should make it six.  He had "only" 501 catches in 14 years, but football was a different game then.  And he more than made up for it in the playoffs.  He won three rings in Oakland/Los Angeles and caught 73 passes with five touchdowns in 22 career postseason games.

Art McNally, Contributor (Official: 1968-90, 1996-2015): The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the only one of the four that hasn't honored any officials.  That'll change when longtime referee Art McNally becomes the first.  He was one of the contributor candidates for the Centennial Class in 2020, but didn't get in then.  He will this time.  McNally was an on-field official for nine years before becoming the Supervisor of Officials and coming up with a training program still in use today.  He'll be a fitting selection for the first official with a bronze bust.  Hopefully he's not the last, either.