Garceau: Pro Football Hall Of Fame's Class of 2016
Greetings from San Francisco where the weather guys are predicting near record high's for Sunday's Super Bowl. Plenty of sunshine with temperatures in the mid 70's expected at game time.
A continental breakfast will be served at 6:00 am Saturday and shortly after the 46 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee will get down to the business of selecting the Hall of Fame class of 2016. It's a responsibility I take seriously, in the 12 years I've had the privilege of making these tough decisions I realize what a life-changing event the Hall of Fame honor is to those who earn The Gold Jacket. I also realize the annual agony for those players and their families who come so close but are still waiting to get called to Canton.
We'll huddle for some 9 hours Saturday morning on the 3rd floor of the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco, when we leave we'll know who the five finalists are but won't get the final verdict until the class of 2016 is revealed later on the televised Honors Show (9:00 Eastern CBS). There are 18 worthy finalists for a maximum of 8 spots.
Here's one voters GUESS on who might be getting fitted for a Gold Jacket this weekend.
Brett Farve -- The only lock of this class. There are a couple others that I'm sure will be in Canton but Farve is the only lock first-ballot selection.
There was a lot of drama in his final years but Favre is one of the greatest to ever play the game. And how he played it, with the enthusiasm of a 12 year-old and toughness that saw him start 297 consecutive games over 19 years.
Marvin Harrison, Terrell Owens-- I've listed these 2 as an entry because both wide receivers will be in the Hall but history tells me it's likely only one gets called this year. I don't care what Mike Martz thinks, T.O. has a HOF resume. When he retired he was second all time in yards receiving and third all time with 153 touchdowns. Marvin Harrison was as quiet as Owens was loud but Harrison ranks 7th all-time in receiving yards. Fellow selector Peter King had an interesting comparison of these two; in the average of Harrison's 13 seasons and TO's 15 seasons Harrison averaged nearly 85 catches to Owens 75, Harrison also has an edge in yards per seasons (1,122 to 1,062) Owens had a slight advantage in touchdowns 10.2 to 9.85. Harrison has been left out the last two years, not this time, they both might make it but if only one of the two get in this year my gut says it'll be Marvin Harrison.
Kevin Greene-- Overdue! He's been a semifinalist for the past 10 years a finalist the past 4 years, lets get this done. Kevin Greene had 160 career sacks only Bruce Smith and Reggie White had more, enough said, sorry it took this long.
Orlando Pace-- A finalist in his first year of eligibility he didn't make it a year ago but I like his chances this time. Ravens fans think Jon Ogden when you think what Pace meant at left tackle to the Rams "Greatest Show on Turf". Seven Pro Bowls, five time All-Pro and the top protector in a Rams offense that was top 5 in passing 8 straight seasons. Guard Alan Franeca has to get consideration in his first year of eligibility, Faneca is a 6-time All-Pro and a 9 time Pro Bowl pick, Redskins tackle Joe Jacoby will also get support.
The fifth and final modern-era spot is a wildcard, if the two wide receivers or more than one of the o-lineman listed above get in that's fills the card. If not coaches Tony Dungy and Don Coryell are finalists so too are Kurt Warner, Terrell Davis, John Lynch and the NFL's all-time leading scorer Morten Anderson. There's more Hall of Famers then there are spots but that's what makes it The Hall of Fame.
Three others could get the ultimate honor Saturday, The Senior candidates are former Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler and Dick Stanfel a guard with the Lions and Redskins in the '50's. Former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. is the Contributor candidate and is expected to get the 80 percent of the votes needed for election.
