1995 NFL Re-Draft

It is time for another NFL Re-Draft. What would have happened if teams picked who they should have. Eventually we will get to all of the professional sports drafts of my lifetime.

You get the drill by now, but before we start here is....

1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992

1993

1994

This is the draft that set the Tampa Bay Buccaneers up for their eventual Super Bowl run. The entire landscape of the franchise changed with this draft, especially with what happened in the 1st round. It is not a draft that I want to see reversed in any way, but I can't skip this one.

1 Cincinnati Bengals

Select: LB       Derrick Brooks       Florida State

Brooks was actually selected with the 28th overall selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Actual Selection: RB      Ki-Jana Carter         Penn State

Remember, when I said I did not want to see this draft re-done. The Buccaneers stole this draft by getting the two best players in the draft. One of those players was the great Derrick Brooks, who was the best player in this draft by a substantial margin. For as good as Brooks was on the field, he was even better off of it. The Bengals could have really used this guy on and off the field. Instead, they took Carter who never came close to living up to the hype.

2 Jacksonville Jaguars

Select: DT     Warren Sapp     Miami

Sapp was actually selected with the 12th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Actual Selection: OT    Tony Boselli     Southern California

Boselli was a strong selection and has a pretty decent shot at making the Hall of Fame one day. However, the choice for the Jaguars in this re-draft is clear, they pick the second most productive player from this class in Warren Sapp. The Jaguars had to watch Sapp help the Buccaneers win a Super Bowl when he could have been theirs all along. Steve McNair would have been the pick for most teams, but the Jaguars already had a strong QB in Brunell, so they take Sapp here.

3 Houston Oilers

Select: QB      Steve McNair     Alcorn State

McNair was the Oilers actual selection.

There is absolutely no reason to change this pick now. Outside of the two hall of famers picked before him in the re-draft, McNair had the best career. Not to mention, he is a QB and he eventually led the franchise to the Super Bowl. Of course, when McNair pulled that off, the franchise had moved to Tennessee and became the Titans. Still, this guy was a great selection and a fun player to watch.

4 Washington Redskins

Select: CB      Ty Law        Michigan

Law was actually selected with the 23rd overall pick by the New England Patriots.

Actual Selection: WR      Michael Westbrook     Colorado

Michael Westbrook was a great college player that did very little as a pro. The Redskins had an opportunity to select a future hall of famer and pair him with the legendary Darrell Green. Washington would have been really tough to throw on if they had drafted Law. He helped lead the Patriots defense to several Super Bowls and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Redskins could have had two Hall of Fame corners together for a long time, but they selected Westbrook.

5 Carolina Panthers

Select: QB       Kerry Collins         Penn State

Collins was the Panthers actual selection.

The Panthers needed a QB, Collins was sitting there and was a good player. He had a good career and was the right selection for Carolina, then and now.

6 St. Louis Rams

Select: DE       Kevin Carter        Florida

Carter was the Rams actual selection. 

Carter was another really solid pick. He was a really good player for quite a while. Over his career, he totaled 104 career sacks. Good job here by St. Louis.

7 Philadelphia Eagles

Select: DE     Hugh Douglas      Central State University (Ohio)

Douglas was actually selected with the 16th overall pick by the New York Jets.

Actual Selection: DE       Mike Mamula      Boston College

The Eagles are the third team of this re-draft that really blew their first round pick. Mamula was a better player than Westbrook or Carter, but he was not worthy of being a 1st rounder. Curtis Martin is the best player available in the re-draft, but the Eagles had Ricky Watters at the time. This re-draft sees the team select a superior pass rusher to Mamula in Hugh Douglas. The defensive end spent his best seasons in Philadelphia and they look to get him earlier by taking him in the re-draft. Douglas would have 50 more career sacks than Mamula and would have been a much better pick.

8 Seattle Seahawks

Select: WR      Joey Galloway     Ohio State

Galloway was the Seahawks actual selection.

Curtis Martin is still the best player available in the re-draft, but the Seahawks had Chris Warren, who was coming off a Pro-Bowl, so its hard to see them going RB. They instead pick the guy they did pick in Galloway. The receiver was a solid pro for a number of seasons and helped the Seahawk offense tremendously.

9 New York Jets

Select: RB      Curtis Martin        Pittsburgh

Martin was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 74th overall pick by the Patriots.

Actual Selection: TE        Kyle Brady       Penn State

Jets fans always want the sexy pick and there is nothing that fits that better than a Hall of Famer. Especially, a hall of famer that would rush for 10,000 yards with the Jets. Before he ever got to the Jets though, Curtis Martin played for the hated Patriots and helped them reach the Super Bowl in 1996. This pick in the re-draft assures that one of the best players in New York Jet history stays a Jet his entire career.

10 San Francisco 49ers

Select: RB     Terrell Davis        Georgia

Davis was actually selected in the 6th round with the 196th overall pick by the Broncos.

Actual Selection: WR      JJ Stokes       UCLA

The 49ers had a Super Bowl contender in 1995, but were lacking a real running game. By picking the Hall of Fame RBTerrell Davis in the re-draft, they give themselves an increased chance to win another big game. One has to wonder how the balance of power would have shifted in the NFL if Davis had been in San Francisco instead of Denver. It's crazy to think how Davis fell until the 6th round, but it always happens with RBs.

11 Minnesota Vikings

Select: OT      Tony Boselli        Southern California

Boselli was actually selected with the 2nd pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Actual Selection: DE      Derrick Alexander     Florida State

There were a lot worse picks than Derrick Alexander in this draft, but he probably would have been a 2nd rounder if we did this draft today. Boselli on the other hand was long gone in the actual draft, but the Vikings would have loved for him to fall here to 11. The selection of Boselli would have made an incredible Vikings offensive line even better. Robert Smith would have really appreciated having Boselli around.

12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Select: WR       Antonio Freeman         Virginia Tech

Freeman was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 90th overall pick by the Green Bay Packers.

Actual Selection: DT     Warren Sapp     Miami

The Bucs had the best draft arguably ever in 1995 as they selected the two best players in the draft and two Hall of Famers in Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks. The re-draft can't possibly go as well. You can't replace that defensive value, but you can improve the offense that struggled for a really long time. Freeman would have been the best wideout Trent Dilfer would have had in Tampa and tremendously helped the offense.

13 New Orleans Saints

Select: QB      Kordell Stewart        Colorado

Stewart was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 60th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Actual Selection: LB     Mark Fields      Washington St. 

Kordell Stewart would be too hard to pass up here. Stewart would have given the Saints an exciting offense under coach Ditka if nothing else. Their quarterback in 1995 was Jim Everrett who was a solid NFL QB, but he only had 2 years left in his career. This selection gives Stewart some time to learn the offense and be ready to make an impact in New Orleans.

14 Buffalo Bills

Select: G        Ruben Brown     Pittsburgh

Brown was the Bills actual selection.

Ruben Brown was a heck of a pick by Buffalo in 1995. He had a wonderful career for the Bills and really bolstered their offensive line. They make the same selection here if it happened this way.

15 Indianapolis Colts

Select: G        Adam Timmerman       South Dakota State

Timmerman was actually selected in the 7th round with the 230th overall pick by the Packers.

Actual Selection: DT     Ellis Johnson      Florida

Another Florida Gator that was drafted way to high, what a shocker. These guys could have selected a guy that went 215 picks later and was much better. Timmerman would have improved one of the teams weakest spots at left guard. 

16 New York Jets

Select: OT        Korey Stringer           Ohio State

Stringer was actually selected with the 24th overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings.

Actual Selection: DE     Hugh Douglas      Central State University (Ohio)

Hugh Douglas is long gone in the re-draft, so the Jets would have to adjust accordingly. The Jets who already upgraded their running game with Curtis Martin, now continue to do that with Korey Stringer. The former Viking was a really good pro that died way too early back in 2000. He died of a heat stroke and is the biggest reason we have the safety precautions that we do today. Knowing what we do now about heat related illness we likely would be able to prevent his death if we go back.

17 New York Giants

Select: OT        Scott Gragg       Montana

Gragg was actually the Giants 2nd round selection, the 54th overall pick.

Actual Selection: RB     Tyrone Wheatley     Michigan

Tyrone Wheatley rushed for nearly 5,000 career yards, but he should not have been a top 20 pick. The Giants picked a guy in the 2nd round who had a better career at a harder position to replace. That guy is the pick with this selection. 

18 Oakland Raiders

Select: LB     Mark Fields      Washington St. 

Fields was actually selected with the 13th overall pick by the New Orleans Saints.

Actual Selection: RB      Napoleon Kaufman     Washington

Kaufman was very similar to Wheatley with near identical stats. He should not been selected in the top 20, but rushed for nearly 5,000 career yards. The Raiders benefit from the re-draft because Mark Fields is still available here, while he was gone in the actual draft. Fields helps sure up one of the Raiders weakest position groups at the time.

19 Jacksonville Jaguars

Select: DT       Gary Walker       Auburn

Walker was actually selected in the 5th round with the 159th pick by the Houston Oilers.

Actual Selection: RB      James Stewart     Tennessee

It feels like a broken record, a top 20 RB that did not provide top 20 value. Stewart was at least better as a pro than Wheatley and Kaufman, running for 1k more career yards, but he was still picked too high. This expansion team picks the same position group with both first round picks in the re-draft. They do this because they were by far the best players available at the time. These selections would have given the Jaguars an absolutely dominant defensive line. It would have been really fun to watch.

20 Detroit Lions

Select: DT      Luther Ellis       Utah

Ellis was the Lions actual selection.

The team did the right thing in 1995 with their selection of Ellis. He is the best player available in the re-draft. Ellis did really well in Detroit and played some strong defensive line for the Lions for 9 seasons. Detroit picks Ellis again in the re-draft.

21 Chicago Bears

Select: CB        Bobby Taylor        Notre Dame

Taylor was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 50th overall pick by the Eagles.

Actual Selection: RB      Rashaun Salaam       Colorado

Salaam was a terrible pick for Chicago who could have picked 100+ players with more productive careers. He was great as a rookie, but did nothing after his rookie year. The Bears struggled in the secondary and it perhaps cost Chicago a playoff spot. Bobby Taylor was a solid NFL corner and would have been a big upgrade for the Bears, but he would last all the way to 50 overall.

22 Carolina Panthers

Select: C       Barrett Robbins       Texas Christian

Robbins was actually selected in the 2nd round 49th overall by the Oakland Raiders.

Actual Selection: CB      Tyrone Poole      Fort Valley State

Tyrone Poole was a really solid pick and solid corner. However, the value of Barrett Robbins here is too good to pass up. He had an excellent career and was first team all-pro in 2002 helping the lead the Raiders to the Super Bowl. He ended up disappearing right before the game and his career was essentially over at that point. The Panthers happily select Robbins and assure that he receives the appropriate mental health support while making the selection.

23 New England Patriots

Select: LB        Ted Johnson       Colorado

Johnson was actually the Patriots 2nd round selection, with the 57th overall pick.

Actual Selection: CB     Ty Law      Michigan

You can't get hall of famers at 23 in the re-draft. The Buccaneers are the big losers in the re-draft, but the Patriots are not too far behind. New England also would draft two Hall of Famers in this draft. The team picks Ted Johnson a little earlier in the re-draft. He would help New England to several Super Bowls and be picked by them again in this scenario.

24 Minnesota Vikings

Select: CB      Tyrone Poole      Fort Valley State

Poole was actually selected with the 22nd overall pick by the Carolina Panthers.

Actual Selection: OT      Korey Stringer        Ohio State

Stringer was a great pick and an outstanding blocker, but he's gone in the re-draft. They selected Boselli already in the re-draft too, so they can pick away from the offensive line here. Minnesota selects Poole here to play corner for the Vikings. They had a rookie starting corner in 1995, but Poole had a slightly better career than Corey Fuller.

25 Miami Dolphins

Select: WR       Wayne Chrebet      Hofstra

Chrebet was actually undrafted in the 1995 draft.

Actual Selection: OT      Billy Milner         Houston

The Dolphins selected an offensive lineman in the 1st round in 1995 and it was not a terrible decision, but they could have picked a better player. There was a guy that could have been drafted here that didn't get drafted at all. The Dolphins needed to get younger at WR and Chrebet would have been a great fit in Miami. The dude put up numbers for Chad Pennington, just imagine what he would have done with Marino.

26 Atlanta Falcons

Select: CB        Corey Fuller         Florida State

Fuller was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 55th overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings

Actual Selection: DB       Devin Bush      Florida State

Devin Bush was a solid pro and did well for the Falcons, but they picked the wrong FSU DB in 1995. They correct that in the re-draft by picking Fuller over Bush. Atlanta knew they needed secondary help at the time and they even chose the right school. That being said, Fuller was clearly the better pro.

27 Pittsburgh Steelers

Select: OG       Zach Wiegert        Nebraska

Wiegert was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 38th overall pick by the St. Louis Rams.

Actual Selection: TE        Mark Bruener        Washington

Bruener was one of two rookie starters for the Super Bowl runner-up. The other position though was guard and there was a better guard available at the time that could have made their offensive line even better. Wiegert was a great offensive lineman that would have fit in well with the Steelers.

28 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Select: DT       Jason Fisk         Stanford

Fisk was actually selected in the 7th round with the 243rd overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings.

Actual Selection: LB       Derrick Brooks       Florida State

Have I mentioned that this is the one draft I want no business in a re-draft of. Derrick Brooks is my favorite football player ever and him not being a part of the Bucs would have been horrible. That's how the re-draft works though, teams make smarter choices. Unfortunately, that works against the Buccaneers this time. Fisk was not even close to the player Warren Sapp was at defensive tackle, but he was a really good pro and could have helped Tampa.

29 Carolina Panthers

Select: RB      James Stewart     Tennessee

Stewart was actually selected with the 19th overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Actual Selection: OT         Blake Brockermeyer       Texas

Brockermeyer was a solid pick and did well over the course of his career. Stewart provided more value and was a far better runner than the guy Carolina put on the field. He scored 48 touchdowns and rushed for nearly 6k yards over his career.

30 Cleveland Browns

Select: RB        Tyrone Wheatley         Michigan

Wheatley was actually selected with the 17th overall pick by the New York Giants.

Actual Selection: LB      Craig Powell       Ohio State

Powell was a complete waste of a 1st round selection. It was the team's last year in Cleveland and they could have done something to better send off the team before they left for Baltimore. Tyrone Wheatley was a better RB than LeRoy Hoard, and the Browns could have had a better RB to close out the franchise. Baltimore also would have been better in the beginning with that move.

31 Kansas City Chiefs

Select: WR     Frank Sanders        Auburn

Sanders was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 47th overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals.

Actual Selection: OT      Trezelle Jenkins       Michigan

The 1995 Chiefs won 13 games and could have won the Super Bowl. The problem was that they could not beat the Colts in the divisional round due to lack of production on offense. Another pass catcher could have changed that outcome and the narrative about Marty Schottenheimer. Frank Sanders would have made a huge difference for the Chiefs.

32 Green Bay Packers

Select: G      Matt O'Dwyer        Northwestern

O'Dwyer was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 33rd overall pick by the New York Jets.

Actual Selection: DB       Craig Newsome       Arizona State

Newsome did well with the Packers, but the team could have picked a better pro in O'Dwyer. The great offensive lineman went one pick later to the Jets. He would have been an outstanding pick, and is a great pick in the re-draft.

-Noland

Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists

Whenever a Hall of Fame ballot is released or a group of finalists is revealed, we immediately try to pick apart the candidates and decide who belongs and who does not. Things were no different recently when the group of Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists were announced. I take the task of ranking the finalists (just the players) from least deserving to most deserving. Only the players will be discussed, because I do not believe the other announced candidates really belong. Below are the 14 candidates ranked 14 - 1 and I make a clear line for who I think is a Hall of Famer and who is not...

14. Morten Andersen
Kicker (1982-2007)
0 Super Bowl Titles

Anderson has the career scoring record. That much is absolutely true. He has scored 2, 544 points for his career. That is extraordinary. However, he is still a kicker. He did not impact his team in any meaningful way. The guy was on terrible teams. Do you remember how bad those Saints teams were? Speaking of Saints, he was cut from the Saints in 1994 because he wasn't as accurate anymore. After he was cut from the Saints he made one more Pro Bowl in 1995. Following that pro bowl he was a short range kicker that could not do kickoffs and was no good past 40 yards. Had the current rule for extra points been in place during Andersen's era, he would be nowhere close to that record. He hit one clutch field goal in his entire career. That kick was the one that sent the Falcons to the Super Bowl in early 1998 (however it was only after a series of misses by Vikings kicker Gary Anderson). That game winner was from 39 yards away. What people conveniently forget is that Andersen missed a huge kick in week 17 of the 1996 season which allowed the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars to advance to the playoffs. This guy isn't Adam Vinatieri. The kicks were not clutch. He just had a high volume of kicks. Not a Hall of Famer.

13. Tony Boselli
Offensive Tackle (1995-2002)
0 Super Bowl Titles
Tony Boselli only played 7 seasons as he did not actually play in 2002 for the Texans. He was really good and played at a Hall of Fame level while he played. Only playing 7 seasons though, in my opinion he would have to be absolutely dominant to make the Hall of Fame (as in best at his position). The best tackle during that time was Walter Jones followed by Jonathan Ogden and maybe Orlando Pace. Boselli was 3rd or 4th best in his era. He was just All-Pro 3 times. To top all of this off the Jaguars left him unprotected in the expansion draft and he never even played for the expansion Texans. His career ended being picked in an expansion draft. Not a Hall of Famer.

12. Kurt Warner
Quarterback (1995-2009)
1 Super Bowl Title
Kurt Warner was a fantastic quarterback. He was very effective and was key in bringing two franchises to Super Bowls. That being said, he was best known for being the greatest show on turf QB. Warner was the 5th best player in that offense. He had two receivers that should be in the Hall of Fame. The Rams had the one of the greatest dual threat runningbacks in the history of the game. Finally, they had a tackle that is already in the Hall of Fame. When he advanced the the Super Bowl in Arizona he had one of the best 10 receivers in the history of the game and another WR that will likely make the Hall of Fame. So in each place he advanced to the Super Bowl, he had 2 Hall of Fame receivers. His other stop in New York he was horrendous (a New York team that Eli Manning led to 2 Super Bowl Titles). He was great and I have no problem if people want to put him in Canton, but Kurt Warner is incredibly overrated. Not a Hall of Famer in my book.

11. Kevin Mawae
Center (1994-2009)
0 Super Bowl Titles
Mawae was a 7x 1st team All-Pro. He was a 8x Pro Bowler. Considered by most to be the best center of the 2000s and it is hard to argue that. Was a very effective pro, but there were some centers that were much better. In fact, recently elected center Dermontti Dawson was far better than Mawae. Not a Hall of Famer in my book, but would be fine with his election and think he will get in eventually. I am actually a big proponent of offensive linemen, which you probably don't think with some of these write-ups on this post.

10. Alan Faneca
Guard (1998-2007)
1 Super Bowl Title
Faneca is where I draw the Hall of Fame line. I think he is a Hall of Famer, but does not deserve it above the guys to come and should not make it this year as a result. Had he just been a guard, I don't think he makes it despite his 9 Pro Bowls and 6 All-Pro selections. That is because Will Shields was so clearly better as a guard. However, Faneca was not just a guard, he was able to shift to tackle when necessary and lead a deadly Steelers rushing attack. Faneca anchored the Steelers offensive line following Dawson's retirement. He was very effective for a number of years.

9. Terell Davis
Runningback (1995-2001)
2 Super Bowl Titles

Davis only played seven years like Boselli. Why should he get included and not Boselli?
Well, Davis was the best player at his position for a few seasons and he was also the best player on a back to back Super Bowl Champion. Davis had 3 of the most incredible 3 year spans for a runningback and was 1st team All-Pro each season. He won an NFL MVP and was twice Offensive Player of the Year in the NFC. Davis only had 4 1000 yard seasons, but those seasons were 1117 yards, 1538 yards, 1750 yards, and 2008 yards. Davis is 3rd all-time in rushing yards per game behind only Jim Brown and Barry Sanders. He was an infinitely better back than Jerome Bettis (whom I adore and was one of my personal favorites) who is already a Hall of Famer. He was clearly a better player than Bettis and Martin, just has less career yards because the other two played longer. Davis got hurt, should he be penalized for that?
He was the best in the league before that. Not sure that should incur a penalty. He is this low though because he did not have the longevity. I get it, I just also think he should eventually be in the Hall.

8. John Lynch
Safety (1993-2007)
1 Super Bowl Title
John Lynch was an amazing  football player and one of my personal favorites. While being one of my favorites does not make him a Hall of Famer, his excellence makes him a worthy candidate. I would love to have him higher on the list, but there are a few more deserving candidates and he will likely have to wait a year or two. Lynch was a 9 time pro bowler and a 3 time all-pro. He was one of the anchors of the Buccaneers defense that led the team to the Super Bowl in 2002 and many playoff appearances. The safety was the 3rd or 4th best player on that dominant defense though. I personally believe he had more of an impact than Warren Sapp on the Buccaneers success and should be in, but he is close to a borderline candidate. Lynch will be remembered as one of the hardest hitting safety of all-time. He will be remembered for helping lead the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl. Lynch was inducted into the Ring of Honor for both the Buccaneers and the Broncos. Should Lynch be penalized because of how excellent Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber were.

7. Isaac Bruce
Wide Receiver (1994-2009)
1 Super Bowl Title
Bruce was one of those amazing playmakers that Warner had at his disposal for the greatest show on turf. He is a 4 time Pro Bowler and he has 15,208 career yards to go with 91 touchdowns. The yardage total is 4th all-time. His 91 touchdowns rank 12th all-time. Extraordinary numbers for the no doubt Hall of Famer. Bruce had 8 1,000 yard receiving seasons, two of which were before Kurt Warner's arrival, and two of which were after he left. Warner was only there for half of his 1,000 yard seasons. He led the league in receiving in 1996 before the arrival of Kurt Warner. He was an insturmental part of one of the most dynamic offenses in history and made his mark before the legendary QB even arrived. His all-time numbers deserve induction.

6. Jason Taylor
Defensive End (1997-2011)
0 Super Bowl Titles
Just on the surface I was thinking no on Taylor, but I dug a little deeper. I remembered the dominant season and thought that season was a Hall of Fame season, but did Taylor really have a Hall of Fame career?
The answer was a resounding yes. Taylor was a 2x AFC Defensive Player of the Year to go with his NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He's a 6x Pro Bowler and a 3x 1st team All-Pro. Taylor is the NFL's all-time leader in fumble return touchdowns. The defensive end also is the all-time leader in defensive touchdowns scored by a defensive lineman. Those are two legendary stats that deserve serious Hall consideration on their own. Taylor though is known best for hist ability to get to the quarterback. He did just that 139.5 times. That total ranks seventh all-time. All the players in front of Taylor on that list are in  the hall of fame with the exception of the not yet eligible Julius Peppers. There are several behind him that are known as sack masters that are also included. He is ahead of Richard Dent, John Randle, and even Lawrence Taylor on that list. Surely, Taylor belongs when you consider his entire body of work.

5. Terrell Owens
Wide Receiver (1996-2010)
0 Super Bowl Titles
Owens receives a very bad rap for his role as a "team obilterator." Some of that has merit and some of that does not. If he did not help his team win, that should hurt his Hall of Fame case. However, there are a few places that he obviously helped his team. Owens played in the Super Bowl on a severely sprained ankle and fractured fibula coming back much sooner than predicted (or than most possibly could). Not only that, but Owens caught 9 balls for 122 yards and nearly willed the Eagles to a victory over the Patriots. That performance added to the career body of work should make Owens a no doubter. I say he's in, but I understand the case against. Take out the media garbage and he is definitely in. Owens led the league in receiving touchdowns 3 times. The guy is 3rd all-time in receiving touchdowns and 2nd all-time in yards. It is hard to imagine him being kept out much longer. It is possible though.

4. Brian Dawkins
Safety (1996-2011)
0 Super Bowl Titles
We already talked about the Super Bowl Dawkins nearly won in the T.O. section, but let's talk about the winning legacy Dawkins had. Brian Dawkins anchored an Eagles defense that went to 4 straight NFC Championship games. 4 straight and winning the game once. We give the Bills a lot of credit for 4 straight Super Bowl losses, and history will eventually give this Eagles team credit for their success despite their ultimate failure. Dawkins was without a doubt the best player on that defense. He is a 9 time Pro Bowler and 4 time 1st team All-Pro. The Eagles retired his jersey, making him the 9th player in the 80 year franchise history to have his jersey retired. No doubt Hall of Fame guy.

3. Ty Law
Cornerback (1995-2009)
3 Super Bowl Titles

Law is a sneaky good corner that most don't realize how good he was. The Patriots Hall of Famer was the best player on that defense that won 3 Super Bowl Titles. He was a true shut down corner and absolutely shut down opposing receivers. Law was also a 5x Pro Bowler and 2x 1st Team All-Pro. A number that was low in part due to the excellence of Champ Bailey, Rod Woodson, and Deion Sanders who played in his era. Just remember best defensive player on a team that won 3 Super Bowls. Defense is said to win championships after all. Additionally, after winning 3 titles with Law, the Patriots did not win their next Super Bowl championship until 10 years after Law left New England. That despite the fact that they had arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time under center that entire time.

2. Joe Jacoby
Tackle (1981-1993)
3 Super Bowl Titles
Jacoby is long overdue for a Hall of Fame induction. The 1980s were partially defined as an era by the offensive line of the Redskins who were referred to as the hogs. That unit was led by its best player, Joe Jacoby. It led the Redskins to 3 Super Bowl Titles. It was one of the best front fives in NFL history. The fact that its best player has not yet been inducted is a joke. Jacoby absolutely should get in this year, and I believe that he FINALLY does.

1. LaDanian Tomlinson
Runningback (2001-2011)
0 Super Bowl Titles
If you do not believe LaDanian Tomlinson is a Hall of Famer, you must not have watched football in the last 20 years. LT was without a doubt top 5 RB all-time. I have seen Emmit, Barry, TD, Faulk, and many other greats in this era, but LT was only behind Barry in that group. Tomlinson is 5th all-time in rushing yards and 2nd all-time in touchdowns. He has a wide range of NFL records including most TDs in a single season. The guy is just as sure fire as you can get for a Hall of Famer.

So in summary I believe 10 guys eventually belong in. Since 5 get in annually, I believe those 5 this year should be LT, Jacoby, Law, Dawkins, and Owens. However, I suspect the 5 will be LT, Jacoby, Dawkins, Taylor, and Warner. We will see what the voters decide in a few short weeks.

-Noland