2012 NFL Hall of Fame Nominees

[Auggie]

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee’s 17 finalists (15 modern-era and two senior nominees*) with their positions, teams, and years active follow:

Jerome Bettis – Running Back – 1993-95 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 1996-2005 Pittsburgh Steelers

Tim Brown – Wide Receiver/Kick Returner – 1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jack Butler* – Cornerback – 1951-59 Pittsburgh Steelers

Cris Carter – Wide Receiver – 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins

Dermontti Dawson – Center – 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers

Edward DeBartolo, Jr. – Owner – 1977-2000 San Francisco 49ers

Chris Doleman – Defensive End/Linebacker – 1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers

Kevin Greene – Linebacker/Defensive End – 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers

Charles Haley – Defensive End/Linebacker – 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys

Cortez Kennedy – Defensive Tackle – 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks

Curtis Martin – Running Back – 1995-97 New England Patriots, 1998-2005 New York Jets

Bill Parcells – Coach – 1983-1990 New York Giants, 1993-96 New England Patriots, 1997-99 New York Jets, 2003-06 Dallas Cowboys

Andre Reed – Wide Receiver – 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins

Willie Roaf – Tackle – 1993-2001 New Orleans Saints, 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs

Will Shields – Guard – 1993-2006 Kansas City Chiefs

Dick Stanfel* – Guard – 1952-55 Detroit Lions, 1956-58 Washington Redskins

Aeneas Williams – Cornerback/Safety – 1991-2000 Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, 2001-04 St. Louis Rams

STORY: http://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement/2012/1/7/class-of-2012-finalists/

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Wow -- seems like Bettis just retired. Time flies.

As grateful as I am for Eddie DeBartolo, no.

[JonLP24]

1. Woohoo! Aeneas Williams

I loved watching him play.

[Upton]

2. Why shouldn't Eddie be in the HoF?

He only resurrected a sometimes competitive franchise and brought the 49ers Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, 13 division titles, 16 playoff appearances, 10 NFC championship games, and 5 Super Bowls. If that isn't good enough..what is?

[Auggie]

3. Yes, he was a successful owner...

and if you were to guage just his hire of Bill Walsh that might be enough. But Eddie's winning solution was to throw piles of money and lavish gifts at players, and was catalyst for ushering in the salary cap (not that the cap is a bad thing either, but he was unwarrantedly tough on Walsh and may have hastened Bill's decision to leave earlier than he might otherwise have -- oh, and in the 80's he treated women like shit, though that's not my point here).

By enshrining DeBartolo it's my opinion you acknowledge an owner who won simply because he had deeper pockets than a lot of other owners. Do we really want to reward that?

If you're looking for a front-office hero to enshrine, try John McVay, vice president/director of football operations from 1980-1996. Five Super Bowls. That's your guy.

[madinmaryland]

4. He's also a convicted felon. nt