Dallas Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bengals / Image: Zuma Press

The Bengals are appearing in their first Hall of Fame Game since 1988, while the Cowboys last appeared in 1999 with a roster that included new enshrinee Emmitt Smith. The Hall of Fame Game will follow an enshrinement of the Hall’s Class of 2010 on Saturday, August 7. (For the seventh straight year, I will be covering the Enshrinement.) In addition to Emmitt, the 2010 Hall of Fame Class includes Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Dick LeBeau, Floyd Little, John Randle and Jerry Rice.

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Cowboys to Face Bengals in HOF Game

Jerry Rice, Floyd Little, Emmitt Smith / Image: Zuma Press

Outside of Dick LeBeau, I remember seeing all these guys play. And I do know modern day Dick LeBeau as “coach” LeBeau, so that makes this a very familiar class for me. One thing I found interesting was that Rickey Jackson will be the first New Orleans Saints player inducted into the Hall. On the eve of the Saints participating in their first Super Bowl, it’s a great day in Saints history.

Here are mini bios for each player:

RUSS GRIMM
Guard … 6-3, 273 … Pittsburgh … 1981-1991 Washington Redskins … 11 seasons, 140 games … Selected in third round (69th player overall) in 1981 NFL Draft … Originally pegged to play center, moved to left guard as rookie … Immediate starter on line that earned nickname “The Hogs” … Teaming with tackle Joe Jacoby, formed perhaps most punishing side of an offensive line in football at the time … With Grimm’s speed and strength, Redskins rode success of dominating running attack to victory in Super Bowl XVII in which John Riggins rushed for then-record 166 yards … During playoff run that year, team averaged 152 yards rushing … Following 1983 season, Grimm was selected to first of four straight Pro Bowls … Also marked start of four consecutive years (1983-86) of All-Pro recognition … Also named All-NFC in each of those seasons … In 1987 moved to center and started five games before being sidelined until season finale with knee injury … Missed 11 games in 1988 with knee injury … Appeared in five NFC championship games and four Super Bowls including wins in Super Bowls XVII, XXII, XXVI … Elected to NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team … Born May 2, 1959 in Scottdale, Pennsylvania.

RICKEY JACKSON
Linebacker … 6-2, 243 … Pittsburgh … 1981-1993 New Orleans Saints, 1994-95 San Francisco 49ers … 15 playing season, 227 games … Selected by Saints in 2nd round (51st player overall) in 1981 draft … One of key players that fueled New Orleans transition from perennial losers into contenders in late 1980s … Made immediate impact as rookie when he led team with franchise rookie record eight sacks and was leading tackler … In 1983 established himself as elite pass rusher recording 12 sacks … That year marked first of six double-digit sack totals in career … Also earned Jackson first of six trips to Pro Bowl … Named first-team All-Pro 1986, 1987, 1992, 1993 … In 1987, Saints first winning season, Jackson recorded 9.5 sacks, 74 tackles, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions … Saints captured their first-ever division title in 1991 and Jackson recorded 11.5 sacks, 59 tackles, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and three passes defensed … Team never finished below .500 during Jackson’s final seven years … Jackson finished NFL career with two seasons with 49ers who converted him to defensive end and pass rush specialist … Retired after 1995 season with 128 career sacks that does not include rookie total since sack did not become official statistic until 1982 … Also intercepted eight passes during career … Born March 20, 1958 in Pahokee, Florida.

DICK LEBEAU
Cornerback … 6-1, 185 … Ohio State … 1959-1972 Detroit Lions … 14 playing seasons, 185 games … Selected by Cleveland Browns in 5th round (58th overall) in 1959 draft … Cut by Browns during rookie training camp … Signed with Lions, earned place in starting lineup final six games of rookie year … Didn’t miss another game until late in 1971 season … Started 171 consecutive games, an NFL record for his position … In 1960, began to make mark by intercepting four passes, starting string of 12 straight seasons with three or more interceptions … In 1963, intercepted five passes which he returned for career-high 158 yards, including 70-yard TD return against Rams … It was one of three interceptions he returned for touchdowns in career … The following year, intercepted five passes and was voted to first of three consecutive Pro Bowls … Also earned All-NFL second-team accolades, an honor earned again in 1965, 1966, 1970 … Finest season came in 1970 when he recorded NFC-leading nine interceptions for 96 yards … In all, recorded 62 picks for 762 yards … Ranked second among pure cornerbacks at retirement with 62 interceptions, third overall … Currently ranks third all-time among pure cornerbacks … Born on September 9, 1937 in London, Ohio.

FLOYD LITTLE
Running Back … 5-10, 196 … Syracuse … 1967-1975 Denver Broncos … Nine playing seasons, 117 games … Selected by Denver in first round (6th player overall) of 1967 AFL-NFL Draft … Initially used mostly as return specialist . . . As rookie, led AFL in punt returns with 16.9 average on 16 returns … Scored only touchdown on a punt return that season in AFL, 72 yards against the Jets … Also returned career-high 35 kickoffs for 942 yards … In third year averaged league-high and career best 5.0 yards per carry rushing … In 1971, became Broncos’ first 1,000-yard rusher … Won NFL rushing title that year with 1,133 yards on 284 carries and 6 TDs … Receiving threat out of backfield, caught 25-plus passes in each of final five seasons … Had knack for finding end zone … During three-year stretch, 1971-1973 scored combined 32 TDs rushing and receiving … Named to two AFL All-Star Games, three AFC-NFC Pro Bowls … Named All-AFL/NFL twice, All-AFC first- or second-team four straight years … Amassed more than 12,000 all-purpose yards and 54 TDs … Gained 6,323 yards on 1,641 career carries, scored 43 TDs … Added 215 receptions for 2,418 yards, 9 TDs … Totaled 893 yards on 81 career punt returns, 2 TDs; returned 104 kickoffs for 2,523 yards in his nine-season career … Born July 4, 1942 in New Haven, Connecticut.

JOHN RANDLE
Defensive Tackle … 6-1, 278 … Trinity Valley Community College (TX); Texas A&I … 1990-2000 Minnesota Vikings, 2001-03 Seattle Seahawks … 14 playing seasons, 219 games … Little All-America pick as a senior at Texas A&I … Signed by Vikings as an undrafted free agent … Played in all 16 games as a rookie … Recorded 137.5 sacks during career . . Had eight consecutive seasons (1992-99) with 10-plus sacks and a ninth in 2001 … In 1997 had career best and league leading 15.5 sacks, and career high 71 tackles (39 solo) … Signed a free agent contract with Seahawks in 2001 and turned in one of most productive seasons in team history with 11 sacks, four forced fumbles and fumble recovery in end zone for a TD … Named first-team All-Pro/All-NFC six consecutive years (1993-98) and once All-AFC with Seahawks (2001) … Selected to play in seven Pro Bowls (1994-99, 2002) … Led Minnesota defensive line recording double digit sack totals in three of four years that Vikings won NFC Central Division titles and eight sacks in fourth … Born December 12, 1967 in Hearne, Texas.

JERRY RICE
Wide Receiver … 6-2, 200 … Mississippi Valley State … 1985-2000 San Francisco 49ers, 2001-04 Oakland Raiders, 2004 Seattle Seahawks … 20 playing seasons, 303 games … Selected by 49ers in first round (16th player overall) of 1985 draft … Averaged 18.9 yards per catch on 49 receptions for 927 yards and 3 TDs as rookie … In 1986 caught 86 passes for a league-leading 1,570 yards and led the NFL in touchdown catches with 15 … Marked first of 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons … Also recorded double-digit receiving touchdowns in nine of next 10 seasons … In 1987 set the NFL record for touchdown receptions in season with 22 … Four seasons with 100-plus catches … Led NFL in receiving yards six times including NFL record 1,848 yards in 1995 … Led NFL in touchdown receptions six times … Owns virtually every significant receiving mark including receptions (1,549); receiving yards (22,895); most 1,000-yard receiving seasons (14); total touchdowns (208); combined net yards (23,546) … Holds multiple playoff and Super Bowl records … Played in eight conference championships and four Super Bowls … Earned three Super Bowl rings with 49ers and was named MVP in Super Bowl XXIII … Named first-team All-Pro 11 consecutive seasons and voted to 13 Pro Bowls … A member of NFL’s All-Decade Teams of 1980s and 1990s and NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team … Born October 13, 1962 in Starksville, Mississippi.

EMMITT SMITH
Running Back … 5-9, 207 … Florida … 1990-2002 Dallas Cowboys, 2003-04 Arizona Cardinals … 15 playing seasons, 226 games … Selected by Dallas in first round (17th player overall) of 1990 draft … Rushed for 937 yards, 11 touchdowns to earn Offensive Rookie of the Year honors … Second season rushed for league-leading 1,563 yards … Won rushing crowns in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995 … Led NFL in rushing touchdowns three times and accumulated 277 pass receptions during that same five-season period … In 1995, recorded career highs for rushing yards (1,773), rushing touchdowns (25), and receptions (62) … Major contributor to Cowboys Super Bowl XXVII, XXVIII, XXX victories … Named first-team All-Pro 1992-95 … In 1993, named NFL’s MVP and MVP in Super Bowl XXVIII … After narrowly missing the 1,000-yard mark as rookie, embarked on a record run of 11 straight seasons with 1,000 yards rushing … Streak came to end in 2002 when he missed the 1,000-yard mark by 25 yards … On Oct. 27, 2002 in game vs. Seattle Seahawks, he supplanted Walter Payton as the NFL’s all-time rushing leader … Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s … Career totals of 18,355 yards and a 164 touchdowns rushing, 515 receptions for 3,224 yards and 11 touchdowns … Born May 15, 1969 in Pensacola, Florida.

Source: ProFootballHOF.com

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Pro Football HOF Class of 2010 Announced

Emmitt Smith, Pro Football HOF Class of 2010 Finalist / Image: Zuma Press

The official Hall of Fame Selection Committee’s 17 finalists (15 Modern-Era and two Senior Nominees*) with their positions, teams, and years active follow:

• Tim Brown – WR/KR – 1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Cris Carter – WR – 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins
• Don Coryell – Coach – 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers
• Roger Craig – RB – 1983-1990 San Francisco 49ers, 1991 Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-93 Minnesota Vikings
• Dermonti Dawson – C – 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers
• Richard Dent – DE – 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles
• Russ Grimm – G – 1981-1991 Washington Redskins
• Charles Haley – DE/LB – 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys
• Rickey Jackson – LB – 1981-1993 New Orleans Saints, 1994-95 San Francisco 49ers
• Cortez Kennedy – DT – 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks
• Dick LeBeau* – CB – 1959-1972 Detroit Lions
• Floyd Little* – RB – 1967-1975 Denver Broncos
• John Randle – DT – 1990-2000 Minnesota Vikings, 2001-03 Seattle Seahawks
• Andre Reed – WR – 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins
• Jerry Rice – WR – 1985-2000 San Francisco 49ers, 2001-04 Oakland Raiders, 2004 Seattle Seahawks
• Shannon Sharpe – TE – 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens
• Emmitt Smith – RB – 1990-2002 Dallas Cowboys, 2003-04 Arizona Cardinals

I can tell you right now, Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith are absolute first ballot locks. That allows as many as four more. And at least one of those will be Dick LeBeau or Floyd Little—maybe both, but I seriously doubt it. Then I would have to go with Cris Carter—he’s been wrongfully passed up the past two years. You can take your pick for the remaining two spots.

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Pro Football HOF Class of 2010 Finalists

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

On the surface, Super Bowl XLIII has been touted as the Cardinals offense vs. the Steelers defense. The Cards had the NFL’s 4th best offense (in total yards) and the Steelers had the NFL’s top defense (fewest yards allowed). But there are so many other storylines and, of course, sports writers and fans have spent the past two weeks dissecting all the possibilities.

Certainly, I believe strength against strength is the most intriguing of tonight’s matchups. But, a few others quickly come to mind. I think the Cardinals are a completely different football team when they get off to a quick start (meaning getting an early lead). And they need to have a balanced attack — running the football with Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower to compliment their high-octane passing game that features the NFL’s two best receivers, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, as well as Steve Breaston. I think both teams will have some trick plays up their sleeves. And I wonder about the familiarity of the Cardinals coaches (Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm) with the Steelers defensive personnel — if that will have any affect on the outcome of this game. Those are all things to examine when the game is over. But I believe this Super Bowl boils down to turnovers. And that may sound very obvious, but keep in mind this game is no different than any other NFL game in that regard. If you win the turnover battle, there’s a good chance you’ll win the football game. To say the Cardinals have been an opportunistic defense during this postseason would be a severe understatement. They are an incredible +9 in turnover ratio in three playoff games. They will need to remain disciplined in their assigned responsibilities while trying to force Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger into making mistakes. The Steelers, on the other hand, will focus on forcing Cards QB Kurt Warner into turnovers. Kurt has been known to put the ball on the ground in the face of a frenzied pass rush. Kurt has been outstanding in these playoffs, but you know the Steelers understand his weaknesses and tendencies and will attack them accordingly.

I want to say that defense wins championships — which would lead me to pick the Steelers tonight — but something about Arizona tells me that destiny beats defense. I would be crazy to pick the Cardinals, but…..

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Steelers seek unprecedented sixth Super Bowl title; they won championships after 1974, ’75, ’78, ’79 and 2005 seasons … Steelers lost once in Super Bowl, after 1995 season to Dallas … Before Super Bowl era, they never made a championship game … Mike Tomlin is only third Steelers coach since 1969. Chuck Noll won four Super Bowls before being replaced in 1992 by Bill Cowher, who won one title … Eleven starters remain from 2005 champion, including Super Bowl MVP WR Hines Ward … Latest version of Steel Curtain, led by Defensive Player of Year LB James Harrison, allowed fewest points in league (223), to go with high rankings in yards allowed … Pittsburgh swept Baltimore in three games this season, including AFC championship, to get to Super Bowl … RB Willie Parker has rushed for two touchdowns and 193 yards in two playoff games. His 75-yard run in 21-10 win over Seattle three years ago is longest in Super Bowl history … Cardinals are in first Super Bowl. Their last title was in 1947 while representing Chicago. Their three postseason wins this year surpass previous total for playoffs (2) … Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt was offensive coordinator for Pittsburgh’s 2005 title team. He was passed over for head coaching job when Cowher retired two years ago for Tomlin, and is 1-0 vs. Steelers since … QB Kurt Warner won Super Bowl with Rams and was MVP of game after 1999 season. He was league MVP in ’99 and 2001 and lost Super Bowl to New England in February 2002 … RB Edgerrin James has been reborn in playoffs after losing starting job to rookie Tim Hightower during season. James has 203 yards rushing in playoffs … All-Pro WR Larry Fitzgerald already has set playoff record for yards receiving (419) and has five TD receptions.

Source: NFL Media

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Super Bowl XLIII Preview

And then there were 17. There are four first-year eligible players — John Randle, Shannon Sharpe, Bruce Smith, and Rod Woodson — among the 17 finalists who will be considered for election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The HOF’s Board of Selectors meets in Tampa on Saturday, January 31, the day before Super Bowl XLIII. There are nine modern-era players, two contributors and two players nominated earlier by the Hall of Fame’s Senior Committee. The nine modern-era players are Cris Carter; Dermontti Dawson; Richard Dent; Russ Grimm; Cortez Kennedy; Bob Kuechenberg; Randall McDaniel; Andre Reed; and Derrick Thomas. The contributors are former National Football League Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Buffalo Bills founder/owner Ralph Wilson, Jr. And the Senior Committee nominees are former Dallas Cowboys receiver Bob Hayes and former Atlanta Falcons defensive end Claude Humphrey.

This is a very interesting and diverse group. The first-year eligibility players alone are impressive enough to have a spot in the Hall. Rod Woodson is the NFL’s all-time leader in interceptions returned for touchdowns. Bruce Smith is the NFL’s all-time leader in sacks with 200. When Shannon Sharpe retired he was the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions for tight ends. He also went to eight Pro Bowls. And John Randle had 137.5 sacks and was a seven-time All-Pro. I can’t wait for the announcement. The Class of 2009 can be no more than seven and no fewer than four.

Source: ProFootballHOF.com

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17 Finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Four first-year eligible players — John Randle, Shannon Sharpe, Bruce Smith, and Rod Woodson — are among the 25 semifinalists being considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2009. The Hall of Fame’s Board of Selectors announced the 25 semifinalists today from the recently revealed list of 133 preliminary nominees. Even though he has been eligible since 1999, this is first time that Roger Craig has been a semifinalist. Each of the remaining 20 nominees has been on the semifinalist list at least once prior to this year. And while no coaches are among the semifinalists, the list includes three contributors — Art Modell, Paul Tagliabue and Ralph Wilson.

The complete list of 25 modern-era semifinalists is as follows:

• Cris Carter, WR
• Roger Craig, RB
• Terrell Davis, RB
• Dermontti Dawson, C
• Richard Dent, DE
• Chris Doleman, DE/LB
• Kevin Greene, LB/DE
• Russ Grimm, G
• Ray Guy, P
• Charles Haley, DE/LB
• Lester Hayes, CB
• Cortez Kennedy, DT
• Bob Kuechenberg, G
• Randall McDaniel, G
• Art Modell, Owner
• John Randle, DT
• Andre Reed, WR
• Shannon Sharpe, TE
• Bruce Smith, DE
• Ken Stabler, QB
• Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner
• Steve Tasker, Special Teams/WR
• Derrick Thomas, LB
• Ralph Wilson, Owner
• Rod Woodson, CB/S

The list of 25 semifinalists will be reduced by mail ballot to 15 modern-era candidates. That list increases to 17 finalist nominees with the inclusion of the two recommended candidates of the Hall of Fame’s Seniors Committee. The Seniors Committee nominees, who were announced in August, are Bob Hayes and Claude Humphrey. Bob Hayes is a three-time All-NFL pick spent 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (1965-1974) and one season with the San Francisco 49ers (1975). Claude Humphrey is a five-time, first-team All-Pro defensive end who played with the Atlanta Falcons (1968-1978) and Philadelphia Eagles (1979-1981). The results of the modern-era reduction vote to 15 finalists will be announced in early January.

To be considered for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a nominated player or coach must have been retired at least five years. A contributor, who is a nominee who has made outstanding contributions to pro football in capacities other than playing and coaching, may still be active in his career.

Although there is no set number for any class of enshrinees, the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s current ground rules do stipulate that between four and seven new members will be selected each year. No more than five modern-era nominees can be elected in a given year and a class of seven enshrinees can only be achieved if both senior nominees are elected.

The Class of 2009 will be determined at the Selection Committee’s annual meeting on Saturday, January 31, 2009, in Tampa, Florida the day before Super Bowl XLIII. The election results are announced immediately following the meeting at a press conference at the Super Bowl media headquarters.

Source: NFL Media, Photo: Newscom

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Pro Football HOF Modern-Era Semifinalists

Two first-year eligible players, wide receiver Cris Carter and cornerback Darrell Green, are among the 17 finalists who will be considered for election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame when the Hall’s Board of Selectors meets in Phoenix, AZ during Super Bowl XLII week on Saturday, February 2.

Joining the two first-year eligible players are 12 other modern-era players, one contributor and two players nominated earlier by the Hall of Fame’s Senior Committee. The contributor finalist is former National Football League Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. The Senior Committee nominees, announced in August 2007, are Chicago Cardinals back Marshall Goldberg and Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Emmitt Thomas. The other modern-era player finalists include defensive ends Fred Dean and Richard Dent; linebackers Randy Gradishar, Derrick Thomas and Andre Tippett; guards Russ Grimm, Bob Kuechenberg and Randall McDaniel; punter Ray Guy; wide receivers Art Monk and Andre Reed; and tackle Gary Zimmerman.

Dean, Dent, Goldberg, Gradishar, Grimm, Guy, Kuechenberg, Monk, Reed, Tagliabue, Derrick Thomas, Tippett, and Zimmerman have all been finalists in previous years. Although they have been previously eligible, this is the first time Emmitt Thomas and McDaniel have made the finalist list.

Of course, Marshall Goldberg and Emmitt Thomas were selected as senior candidates by the Hall of Fame’s Seniors Committee at their August 2007 meeting. The Seniors Committee reviews the qualifications of those players whose careers took place more than 25 years ago. The remaining 15 modern-era finalists were determined by a vote of the Hall’s 44-member Board of Selectors from a list of 124 preliminary nominees that earlier was reduced to a list of 26 semifinalists (that included a tie for the 25th semifinalist position). To be eligible for election, modern-era players and coaches must be retired at least five years while a contributor need not be retired.

Of the 2008 finalists, Goldberg has been eligible for 46 years (the Hall of Fame opened in 1963, at which time Goldberg would have been first eligible), Emmitt Thomas 25 years, Gradishar 20, Kuechenberg 19, Dean 18 years, Guy 17, Grimm 12, Tippett 10, Monk eight years, Dent and Zimmerman six years, Derrick Thomas four years, Reed three years, McDaniel two years, and Carter and Green are in their first year of eligibility. Contributors, such as Commissioner Tagliabue, need not to be retired to be considered for Hall of Fame election. Therefore there is no specific year at which he first became “eligible” for consideration.

This has been a hotly contested issue here at EMQB and I look forward to more of your comments and opinions about these final 17 names. All of these men had great careers and all are deserving of entry into the Hall. But obviously, not all of them will make it. Which of these players are on your final list?

Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

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Finalists For Hall Of Fame Election at 17

Wide receiver Cris Carter and cornerback Darrell Green are the only first-year eligible players to make the list of 26 semi-finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2008. The Hall of Fame’s Board of Selectors chose the 26 semi-finalists from the recently announced list of 124 preliminary nominees today. The list includes one more than the required 25 nominees since there was a tie for the twenty-fifth position. Hall of Fame selection by-laws provide for the inclusion of all ties for the twenty-fifth position on the ballot.

Nominees included on the semi-finalist list for the first time, although eligible prior to this year, include linebacker Rickey Jackson and defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy. Each of the remaining 22 nominees has been on the semi-finalist list at least once prior to this year. The complete list of 26 modern-era semi-finalists is as follows:

Cris Carter, Terrell Davis, Dermontti Dawson, Fred Dean, Richard Dent, Randy Gradishar, Darrell Green, Kevin Greene, Russ Grimm, Ray Guy, Lester Hayes, Rickey Jackson, Joe Jacoby, Cortez Kennedy, Bob Kuechenberg, Randall McDaniel, Art Monk, Andre Reed, Ken Stabler, Paul Tagliabue, Steve Tasker, Derrick Thomas, Andre Tippett, George Young, and Gary Zimmerman.

I know some of you have had very strong opinions about who should be in the 2008 class. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this latest round of finalists. The list of 26 semi-finalists will be reduced by mail ballot to 15 modern-era candidates (announced in mid-January). That list will increase to 17 finalist nominees with the inclusion of the two recommended candidates of the Hall of Fame’s Seniors Committee. The Seniors Committee nominees, who were announced in August, are Marshall Goldberg and Emmitt Thomas. The Class of 2008 will be determined at the Selection Committee’s annual meeting on Saturday, February 2, 2008, in Phoenix, AZ the day before Super Bowl XLII.

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Pro Football Hall of Fame Board Selects Semi-Finalists for Class of 2008