Let the debate begin. Who deserves it, and who does not?
Cris Carter – Wide Receiver – 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins
Fred Dean – Defensive End – 1975-1981 San Diego Chargers, 1981-85 San Francisco 49ers
Richard Dent – Defensive End – 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles
Marshall Goldberg – Back – 1939-1943, 1946-48 Chicago Cardinals
Randy Gradishar – Linebacker – 1974-1983 Denver Broncos
Darrell Green – Cornerback – 1983-2002 Washington Redskins
Russ Grimm – Guard – 1981-1991 Washington Redskins
Ray Guy – Punter – 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Bob Kuechenberg – Guard – 1970-1984 Miami Dolphins
Randall McDaniel – Guard – 1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Art Monk – Wide Receiver – 1980-1993 Washington Redskins, 1994 New York Jets, 1995 Philadelphia Eagles
Andre Reed – Wide Receiver – 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins
Paul Tagliabue – Commissioner – 1989-2006
Derrick Thomas – Linebacker – 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs
Emmitt Thomas – Cornerback – 1966-1978 Kansas City Chiefs
Andre Tippett – Linebacker – 1982-1993 New England Patriots
Gary Zimmerman – Tackle – 1986-1992 Minnesota Vikings, 1993-97 Denver Broncos
Tagliabue is in. I mean no disrespect to Goldberg, but I'm not sure the Hall needs more backs from the forties. I think Darrell Green is a pretty easy choice. Carter seems good. I love me some Derrick Thomas -- it is interesting to go back with DVOA and to see how dominant those Kansas City defenses were. We've had the Monk and Reed arguments over and over. I would like to see Gary Zimmerman and Russ Grimm in there. We need more linemen, although, as a Patriots fan, I would like to see Bob Kuechenberg left out.
By the way, it is the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and according to the bylaws it is supposed to encompass all American professional football players. Do you notice any words missing from Gary Zimmerman's career? That's right: "Los Angeles Express."