Update: Bruce Smith, Rod Woodson, Randall McDaniel, Ralph Wilson, Derrick Thomas and Bob Hayes were elected to the Hall of Fame.
Update: Sports Illustrated's Peter King offered his odds of each Hall of Fame candidate being inducted. The five players he gives the best odds are Bruce Smith, Rod Woodson, Bob Hayes, Cris Carter and Shannon Sharpe.
Of the thousands of NFL players who retired before 2004, only 15 remain eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009. The Board of Selectors whittles nominations down over the course of a year -- this class began with 133 -- and will end up electing between four and seven of the candidates, announcing them the week before the Super Bowl.
Thirteen of this year's candidates are modern-day players and two were selected by the Senior Committee, which looks at players retired for at least 25 years. Two contributors, who do not have to be retired, are also up for election.
My view of the Hall of Fame is that it should be a historical representation of football, covering positions and eras in a reasonably equitable manner. If you don't watch a player's career with the thought, "He is a Hall of Famer" in the back of your mind, then he probably isn't -- except for the rare few who changed the game in subtler ways. The five modern-day players (the maximum allowed) and the one senior nominee I would select are:
Modern-day candidates
- Bruce Smith (DE; Bills, Redskins; 1985-2003): One of the most feared defensive ends in league history, Smith holds the NFL's career record with 200 sacks and will be regarded alongside Deacon Jones and Reggie White as the greatest to ever play the position.
- Rod Woodson (CB, S; Steelers, 49ers, Ravens, Raiders; 1987-2003): Was able to play three positions -- cornerback, safety and kick returner -- at the highest level and has the third-most interceptions in NFL history (71), returning an NFL-record 12 for touchdowns.
- Paul Tagliabue (Commissioner; 1989-2005): Former leader avoided work-related stoppages while presiding over the introduction of free agency and the salary cap, in addition to increasing revenue through the development of valuable television contracts and new stadiums.
- Randall McDaniel (OL; Vikings, Buccaneers; 1988-2001): Although primarily a guard, McDaniel displayed tremendous versatility by playing every position on the offensive line, and was recognized for his contributions by being named to 12 consecutive Pro Bowls.
- Cris Carter (WR; Eagles, Vikings, Dolphins; 1987-2002): Known for making impressive sideline and fingertip grabs, along with catching touchdowns almost at will, Carter finished his career second only to Jerry Rice in career receptions (1,101) and receiving touchdowns (130).
Senior class candidates
-Bob Hayes (WR; Cowboys, 49ers; 1965-1975): World-class sprinter fundamentally changed the way defense is played by stretching the field with his raw speed. The Olympic gold-medalist forced the creation of zone coverages before quickly proceeding to destroy them.
The rest of the modern-day nominees, in alphabetical order, are Dermontti Dawson (C; Steelers; 1998-2000); Richard Dent (DE; Bears, 49ers, Colts, Eagles; 1983-1997); Russ Grimm (G; Redskins; 1981-1991); Cortez Kennedy (DT; Seahawks; 1990-2000); Bob Kuechenberg (OL; Dolphins; 1970-1983); John Randle (DT; Vikings, Seahawks; 1990-2003); Andre Reed (WR; Bills, Redskins; 1985-2000); Shannon Sharpe (TE; Broncos, Ravens; 1990-2003); Derrick Thomas (LB; Chiefs; 1989-1999); Ralph Wilson (Owner; Bills; 1959-Present). The other senior class nominee is Claude Humphrey (DE; Falcons, Eagles; 1968-1981).
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