2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame: Predicting the Likely Favorites
By Erik Lambert
The 2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame class is beginning to narrow. Canton awaits for the next eight members ready to be enshrined. So who will get in?
To help answer this question, the remaining 27 men up for the vote will be split in categories based on the strength of the cases they bring. Some of course will be almost shoe-ins while others might need a lot to break their way. In the end it will again prove that the Pro Football Hall of Fame is notoriously difficult to get in.
Locks:
Hall of Fame locks should be players who dominated their respective eras. League history can’t possibly be referenced without bringing up their names. Looking at this class, there are three that stand out the most.
LaDainian Tomlinson
Not only was he the best running back in the NFL for a good six or seven years, he was also one of the games’ great role models. Tomlinson was excellent on the field and off it. He compiled over 19,000 yards from scrimmage and 169 touchdowns. He never got a ring, but it won’t matter.
Brian Dawkins
The moment his name comes up, people immediately see his unforgettable entrances during player intros. Those are then followed by some of the best safety play of the modern era. Not only was Dawkins a fierce hitter, his 41 interceptions and 36 forced fumbles prove his greatness.
Terrell Owens
He would’ve been a slam dunk first ballot guy had he bothered to just shut his mouth and play football. As it stands Owens was frozen out by the voters because of his long history of being a distraction. He’s also the second leading receiver in NFL history. Lesson learned. Put him in.