Pro Football Hall of Fame - 27 semifinalists for the Class of 2018: Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...is-among-hall-of-fame-semifinalists-for-2018/

Randy Moss, Ray Lewis among Hall of Fame semifinalists for 2018
Posted by Charean Williams on November 21, 2017

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 27 semifinalists for the Class of 2018. It includes six first-year eligible candidates in defensive back Ronde Barber, guard Steve Hutchinson, linebackers Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher, wide receiver Randy Moss and defensive lineman Richard Seymour.

In addition, safety LeRoy Butler, defensive ends Leslie O’Neal and Simeon Rice and cornerback Everson Walls, although previously eligible for the Hall, are semifinalists for the first time. All other individuals on the 2018 list made the semifinal cut previously.

Hall of Fame bylaws call for 25 semifinalists plus all ties for the 25th spot.

The list includes 12 offensive players — but no quarterbacks — 13 defensive players and two coaches.

In January, selectors will reduce the list to 15 finalists, who will join seniors Robert Brazile and Jerry Kramer and contributor Bobby Beathard on the final ballot. The annual selection meeting will take place February 3, the day before Super Bowl LII.

Here is the complete list of semifinalists for the Class of 2018:

Steve Atwater, safety, 1989-1998 Denver Broncos, 1999 New York Jets

Ronde Barber, defensive back, 1997-2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tony Boselli, offensive tackle, 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2002 Houston Texans (injured reserve)

Isaac Bruce, wide receiver, 1994-2007 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 2008-09 San Francisco 49ers

LeRoy Butler, safety, 1990-2001 Green Bay Packers

Don Coryell, coach, 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers

Roger Craig, running back, 1983-1990 San Francisco 49ers, 1991 Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-93 Minnesota Vikings

Brian Dawkins, safety, 1996-2008 Philadelphia Eagles, 2009-2011 Denver Broncos

Alan Faneca, guard, 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals

Torry Holt, wide receiver, 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars

Steve Hutchinson, guard, 2001-05 Seattle Seahawks, 2006-2011 Minnesota Vikings, 2012 Tennessee Titans

Joe Jacoby, tackle, 1981-1993 Washington Redskins

Edgerrin James, running back, 1999-2005 Indianapolis Colts, 2006-08 Arizona Cardinals, 2009 Seattle Seahawks

Jimmy Johnson, coach, 1989-1993 Dallas Cowboys, 1996-99 Miami Dolphins

Ty Law, cornerback, 1995-2004 New England Patriots, 2005, 2008 New York Jets, 2006-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009 Denver Broncos

Ray Lewis, linebacker, 1996-2012 Baltimore Ravens

John Lynch, free safety, 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos

Kevin Mawae, center/guard, 1994-97 Seattle Seahawks, 1998-2005 New York Jets, 2006-09 Tennessee Titans

Karl Mecklenburg, linebacker, 1983-1994 Denver Broncos

Randy Moss, wide receiver, 1998-2004, 2010 Minnesota Vikings, 2005-06 Oakland Raiders, 2007-2010 New England Patriots, 2010 Tennessee Titans, 2012 San Francisco 49ers

Leslie O’Neal, defensive lineman, 1986, 1988-1995 San Diego Chargers, 1996-1997 St. Louis Rams, 1998-1999 Kansas City Chiefs

Terrell Owens, wide receiver, 1996-2003 San Francisco 49ers, 2004-05 Philadelphia Eagles, 2006-08 Dallas Cowboys, 2009 Buffalo Bills, 2010 Cincinnati Bengals

Simeon Rice, defensive end, 1996-2000 Arizona Cardinals, 2001-06 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2007 Denver Broncos, 2007 Indianapolis Colts

Richard Seymour, defensive lineman, 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-2012 Oakland Raiders

Brian Urlacher, linebacker, 2000-2012 Chicago Bears

Everson Walls, cornerback, 1981-89 Dallas Cowboys, 1990-92 New York Giants, 1992-93 Cleveland Browns

Hines Ward, wide receiver, 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers

 

[jetplt67]

Urlacher, Ray Lewis and John Lynch are certainly worthy.

 

[Karate61]

I don't see it happening this year for Bruce and Holt. Not with Ward, Owens & Moss still on the list.

 

[Picked4td]

way too early for holt, a little early for bruce.

 

[STLRam]

Don’t understand the HOF voting in any sport, don’t understand the posts in this topic, and don’t understand the reasoning behind media talking heads not voting certain people in until years later.

Explain to me why all time great players like Bruce and Holt need to be put aside because it’s “too early”. What the hell does this mean? And why? And I’m not being a homer, either. Players like Owens, Moss, Lynch, Lewis, and Urlacher deserve to have been in years ago aswell.

Stop being morons and just put the all time greats in as soon as they’re eligible instead of dragging it along just to start unnecessary controversy.

 

[MadGoat]

Bruce will likely get in soon. Holt is going to run into a recency and numbers problem. Pretty soon there is going to be a glut of WRs with similar career stats that are eligible, but played in more recent years. Hopefully the voters will look at his six year stretch from 2000-2006 that still stands as one of the most consistent and productive runs a WR has ever had.

 

[RamDino]

Hopefully the voters will look at his six year stretch from 2000-2006 that still stands as one of the most consistent and productive runs a WR has ever had.

Didn't "Big Game" Torry Holt have the record for most yards by a receiver for the entire decade? Oh, and he caught a TD pass in the Super Bowl. I also agree with STL Ram... why do we limit players/HOF's every year? Finally, Terrell Davis should never have made it because he only played for 4 years!! You should have to play at least 8 or 9 years. JMHO.

 

[DaveFan'51]

It would be nice to see a couple of WR's go in this year, to move things along, for Bruce and Holt to get their Turn. But they said on the TV broad cast of the announcement, that the last time two New Era WR's went in, in the same year was "1983" so don't hold your breath on that happening!