HOF Nominees

There were a total of 108 Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists, including the following notables:

QB: Drew Bledsoe (NE/DAL, below), Brett Favre (ATL/GB/MIN/NYJ, above), Steve McNair (TEN), Phil Simms (NYG), Kenny Stabler (OAK/HOU/NO), Kurt Warner (STL/ARIZ), and Vinny Testaverde (NYJ). Favre is a lock. Warner had three Super Bowl appearances in his brief career. Simms and Stabler won Super Bowls but are still borderline choices – especially Simms, whose New York Giant pedigree helps. Bledsoe made it to the Super Bowl but won't make the hall. 

RB: Shaun Alexander (SEA), Ottis Anderson (NYG), Tiki Barber (NYG), Roger Craig (SF), Stephen Davis (WASH), Terrell Davis (DEN), Eddie George (TEN), Priest Holmes (KC), Edgerrin James (IND), Daryl Johnston (DAL), Jamal Lewis (BALT), Clinton Portis (WASH), Herschel Walker NJ/DAL/MIN/PHIL/NYG (also KR), Ricky Watters (SF/PHIL), Brian Westbrook (WASH/PHIL). See my November post reviewing their numbers (HINT: Herschel's NFL numbers dwarf all the others).

WR: Isaac Bruce (STL), Gary Clark, Henry Ellard, Marvin Harrison (IND), Torey Holt (STL), Terrell Owens (SF/DAL/PHIL), Sterling Sharpe (GB), Jimmy Smith (JAX), Rod Smith (DEN). No way TO gets in, at least any time soon.

TE: Mark Bravaro (NYG), Jay Novacek (DAL). No Jim Mitchell?

K/P: Morten Andersen (NO/ATL), Gary Anderson (PIT/TEN/MIN), John Carney (SD/NO), Jason Elam (DEN/ATL), Sean Landeta (NYJ/NYG), Nick Lowery (KC). I'm sure at most one specialist per year would be voted in. Check back in a few days for a post breaking down the kickers.

Coaches: Don Coryell (SD), Bill Cowher (PITT), Tony Dungy (TB/IND), Tom Flores (OAK), Mike Holmgren (GB), Jimmy Johnson (DAL), Chuck Knox (LA), Buddy Parker, Richie Petitbon, Dan Reeves (DAL/DEN/ATL), Pete Rodriquez, Lou Saban (BUF), Marty Schottenheimer (KC), Clark Shaughnessy, and Dick Vermeil (PHIL/KC).

Owner: Edward DeBartolo Jr. (SF)

I left out all the linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs.

Question: Why do all the borderline nominees only come from major market teams?