Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 - Finalists

[4th and Long]

Which 5 are deserving of induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025?

• Eric Allen, Cornerback — 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders

• Jared Allen, Defensive End — 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers

• Willie Anderson, Tackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens

• Jahri Evans, Guard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers

• Antonio Gates, Tight End — 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers

• Torry Holt, Wide Receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars

• Luke Kuechly, Linebacker — 2012-19 Carolina Panthers

• Eli Manning, Quarterback — 2004-2019 New York Giants

• Steve Smith Sr., Wide Receiver — 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens

• Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs

• Fred Taylor, Running Back — 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots

• Adam Vinatieri, Kicker — 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts

• Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts

• Darren Woodson, Safety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys

• Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

It’s interesting when you apply the same comparison to RBs in their first 4 seasons.

I'd probably never champion anyone that only made it 4 seasons. At least 7 gets a lot of players to around 30 years old. The greats tend to hang on until they are 35 but age 30 usually begins a decline until the end. Four seasons just isn't enough for anyone for me though. Even Jamaal Charles had 5 seasons of greatness and it's hard for me to argue him in.

[Over Yonder]

The wife and I changed one of our vacations this year so we can attend the ceremony. Gotta see Jared get inducted. Has anybody ever been to an induction ceremony before? I was in town for the 2018 induction but I didn't attend.

Any recommendations? Is it worth it to do a package deal or just go it on our own and wing it? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Over Yonder

The wife and I changed one of our vacations this year so we can attend the ceremony. Gotta see Jared get inducted. Has anybody ever been to an induction ceremony before? I was in town for the 2018 induction but I didn't attend.

Any recommendations? Is it worth it to do a package deal or just go it on our own and wing it? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I went to the Derrick Thomas one. I just got tickets to the speech, and I probably wouldn't do it again just for that. I saw some dignitaries in the crowd, if you assume that Neil Smith is a dignitary, but I'm not the type to meet and mingle. So I basically just sat on bleachers and listened to speeches. If you're the type to circulate in the crowd at group events, maybe you'll get more out of it than I did.

I would call the trip a success, though, because I've always wanted to visit the actual Hall of Fame, and we also went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and did a Lake Erie tourist cruise. It made for a good weekend.

[Over Yonder]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I went to the Derrick Thomas one. I just got tickets to the speech, and I probably wouldn't do it again just for that. I saw some dignitaries in the crowd, if you assume that Neil Smith is a dignitary, but I'm not the type to meet and mingle. So I basically just sat on bleachers and listened to speeches. If you're the type to circulate in the crowd at group events, maybe you'll get more out of it than I did.

I would call the trip a success, though, because I've always wanted to visit the actual Hall of Fame, and we also went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and did a Lake Erie tourist cruise. It made for a good weekend.

This will be our 3rd time in the Cleveland area so we have done most all of the other stuff. I figured the enshrinement ceremony and the Hall of Fame game would be musts. But I don't really know what all goes on during the weekend. Probably need to do some more research.

Thanks for commenting.

[chiefzilla1501]

I know the field is super competitive but I’m still surprised Torry holt isn’t on the radar.

It feels like he’s getting dinged for the rams offense being too good and not wanting to overaccomplish their successes. But holt was arguably a better WR much of his career than hall of famer Isaac Bruce and was crazy productive even behind martz and bulger. And he has an impressive playoff resume. I know he’s more of a bubble guy, but at this rate I don’t think he has a shot.