2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame: Predicting the Likely Favorites
By Erik Lambert
Strong cases:
These are made up of the men who might have a few question marks regarding their chances. Maybe they don’t have a ring or didn’t play long enough. Still, they should be able to get in at some point in the near future.
Kurt Warner
One of the greatest stories in NFL history. Went from bagging groceries to league and Super Bowl MVP. Took two different teams to a Super Bowl and led one of the top offenses of ever assembled.
Steve Atwater
One of the most notorious hitters ever. A ferocious safety who could knock out guys twice his size. Also an eight-time Pro Bowler with 25 interceptions and two Super Bowl rings.
Torry Holt
Was great from the moment he entered the league. Holt won a Super Bowl his rookie season then went on to make seven Pro Bowls in an eight-year span. Every box is checked for enshrinement.
Terrell Davis
He only played seven seasons and that holds many voters back. Thing is Davis did more in that span than most players do in 10 or more including two rings, an MVP and 2,000 yards in a season.
Roger Craig
A trailblazer. The idea of a running back functioning as an extra receiver didn’t start until Craig showed up. He has three rings and became the first-ever 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving back.
Ty Law
One of the great ball hawks of his era. People talk about Brady and Belichick but Law was a huge part of the Patriots’ rise to greatness. He has 59 interceptions and three rings. That’s enough.
John Lynch
Another of those notorious safeties who struck fear in the hearts of actual football players. Lynch had 28 interceptions, 13 sacks and won a ring with Tampa Bay. That’s accomplishment.
Jason Taylor
He never got a chance at a ring, but for a long period of time Taylor was one of the premier sack artists of a decade. He ranks 6th all-time with 139.5 sacks. More than Lawrence Taylor.