Here are the 26 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2011—with my take …
• Deion Sanders—As 100 percent as any player has ever been.
• Jerome Bettis—I think no. Always excellent, but all-time excellent? No.
• Marshall Faulk—The ultimate all-weapon tailback. It makes me feel old to see him on this list, because I vividly recall him as an up-and-comer at San Diego State.
• Curtis Martin—I loved Martin when he played for the Jets, and clearly he belongs. But was he more all-time great or consistently excellent? I vote for B.
• Terrell Davis—Too short of a career. No.
• Roger Craig—I’d probably vote yes. The guy was an all-around weapon and one of the three or four best running backs of his era.
• Cris Carter—Yes, because the numbers are there and he was great. But is he a Top 20 all-time wideout? No.
• Andre Reed—Really, really good, but not legendary. No.
• Tim Brown—Same as Reed.
• Shannon Sharpe—One of the three or four best tight ends ever. I vote yes.
• Willie Roaf—Definite yes. Dominant.
• Dermontti Dawson—Excellent, but not that excellent. No.
• Charles Haley—Yes, yes, yes. One million times, yes. Guy won five Super Bowls and rushed the passer as well as anyone.
• Chris Doleman—Nah. Just especially good.
• Kevin Greene—No shot.
• Cortez Kennedy—Nope, nope, nope.
• Richard Dent—The Sack Man was awfully good. But not good enough.
• Aeneas Williams—Doesn’t belong on this list.
• Lester Hayes–Wildly overrated.
• Ray Guy—Should have been voted in 10 years ago. A legendary leg.
• Commissioner Paul Tagliabue—Absolutely, 100 percent yes. A monumental figure.
• Art Modell—Ha, ha, ha … uh, no.
• Ed DeBartolo Jr.—Ha, ha, ha … uh, no-no.
• George Young—Absolutely. A brilliant GM who made the Giants a great franchise.
• Don Coryell—I would argue yes. Revolutionized offensive football.
• Ed Sabol—I love flicks as much as the next guy. So—sure. Why not?
