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POJO_Risin
02-04-2006, 11:37 AM
Here's a closer look for all the finalists...

Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists
Posted: Friday February 3, 2006 8:06PM; Updated: Friday February 3, 2006 9:17PM

A capsule look at the candidates for election Saturday into the Hall of Fame:

Troy Aikman, Quarterback, 6-4, 219
1989-2000, Dallas Cowboys. 12 seasons, 165 games.

Cowboys' first-round pick (No. 1 overall) in 1989 draft. ... Earned All-Rookie honors. ... Led team to three Super Bowl wins, was game MVP in 1993. ... Closed career with 94 regular-season wins, including 90 in 1990s, making him winningest starting quarterback of any decade. ... Held or tied 47 Dallas passing records, including career attempts (4,715), completions (2,898), passing yards (32,942), touchdowns (165) and completion percentage (61.5). ... Led Cowboys from behind 16 times in fourth quarter, including six times in final two minutes. ... His four 300-yard playoff passing days were third best in NFL history. ... Picked for six Pro Bowls.

Harry Carson, Linebacker, 6-2, 237
1976-88 New York Giants. 13 seasons, 173 games.

Giants' fourth-round pick in 1976 draft. ... Became Giants' starting middle linebacker halfway through rookie season. Earned All-Rookie honors. ... Led Giants defenders in tackles five seasons. ... Had career-high performance in 1982 vs. Green Bay with 20 solo tackles and five assists. ... Ferocious run stopper whose 14 career fumble recoveries ranks second in team record book. ... Made 11 career interceptions. ... Was a part of the famed Giants' linebacker trio of Carson, Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks. ... A big-play performer, his interception and 12 tackles vs. Redskins in 1986 virtually assured Giants of NFC East title. ... Made key goal-line stand play in 1987 Super Bowl against Broncos. Selected to play in nine Pro Bowls, including seven straight (1982-1988).

L.C. Greenwood, Defensive End, 6-6, 245
1969-1981 Pittsburgh Steelers. 13 seasons, 170 games.

Steelers' 10th-round pick in 1969 draft. ... Teamed with Hall of Famer Joe Greene to give Steelers superior left-side strength for their "Steel Curtain" defense. ... Possessed exceptional quickness. ... Used height to knock down passes or rush passers. ... Noted for his reckless, freewheeling style as a pass rusher, he had 73.5 sacks (unofficial) in 13 seasons. Six times he led his team in that defensive category. ... Also recovered 14 fumbles. Played in six AFC title games, four Super Bowls. ... Played a major role in Pittsburgh's 16-6 Super Bowl victory over Minnesota by batting down three of Fran Tarkenton's passes. ... In Pittsburgh's Super Bowl win over the Dallas Cowboys the next year, Greenwood sacked Roger Staubach three times. ... In 1991, he was named to the Super Bowl Silver Anniversary Team. ... Greenwood was picked All-Pro in 1974 and 1975.

Russ Grimm, Guard, 6-3, 273
1981-1991 Washington Redskins. 11 seasons, 140 games.

Redskins' third-round pick in 1981 draft. ... Originally pegged to play center, he moved to left guard where he earned a starting role as a rookie. ... Became a steadying force on Redskins' offensive line that earned nickname "The Hogs" ... Teaming with tackle Joe Jacoby, the pair formed what was perhaps the most punishing side of an offensive line in NFL at the time. ... He possessed speed and strength crucial to Redskins' dominating running attack. ... Grimm appeared in five NFC championship games and four Super Bowls. Selected to four straight Pro Bowls ... Elected to NFL's 1980s All-Decade Team.


Claude Humphrey, Defensive End, 6-4, 252
1968-74, 1976-78 Atlanta Falcons. 1979-81 Philadelphia Eagles. 13 seasons, 171 games.

Falcons' first-round pick (third player overall) in 1968 draft. ... Recorded 11.5 sacks his first year and was NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year. ... Credited with 122 career sacks. Led team in sacks nine of 13 seasons. ... Earned first-team All-Pro five times. Selected for six Pro Bowls. ... Missed just two games before season-ending knee injury in 1975. Rebounded with career-best 15 sacks in 1976 and was chosen team MVP. ... Traded to Eagles in 1979 for two fourth-round picks following brief retirement. ... In 1980, his team-high 14.5 sacks helped Eagles advance to 1981 Super Bowl.

Michael Irvin, Wide Receiver, 6-2, 207
1988-1999 Dallas Cowboys. 12 seasons, 159 games.

Cowboys' first-round pick (11th overall) in 1988 draft. ... Became the first rookie wide receiver to start a season opener for Dallas in more than 20 years. Irvin's 20.4 yard per catch average during his rookie year led the NFC. ... Led league with 1,523 yards on 93 catches in 1991. ... Recorded 1,000-yard seasons in all but one year from 1991-1998 ... In 1995, Irvin recorded his finest season as he caught 111 passes for 1,603 yards. He also established an NFL record with 11 100-yard games, and scored 10 touchdowns. ... Cowboys made four straight appearances in the NFC championship game (1992-1995) and won three Super Bowls. ... Finished career with 750 receptions for 11,904 yards and 65 TDs. ... Selected to five straight Pro Bowls. ... Picked for NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990s.

Bob Kuechenberg, Guard, 6-2, 253
1970-83 Miami Dolphins. 14 seasons, 196 games.

Selected by Philadelphia Eagles in fourth round of 1969 draft. ... Released by both the Eagles and Atlanta Falcons. Played semipro football before signing as free agent with Miami Dolphins in 1970. ... Played in more regular season games (196) than any other player in Dolphins history at the time of his retirement. Only player to play in all 19 playoff games in franchise's history at that time. ... Also spent time at tackle and center positions. In 1978 played eight games at guard and seven at tackle, earning Pro Bowl spot at guard and Sporting News All-AFC honors at tackle. ... In 1977, suffered a pair of fractures in back in August but returned to lineup after missing just two regular-season starts. ... Picked for six Pro Bowls. ... Had memorable performance in 1973 Super Bowl victory.

John Madden, Coach
1969-1978 Oakland Raiders.

Regular season record of 103-32-7. ... Postseason record of 9-7. ... Seniors Committee nominee. ... Led team to victory in the 1977 Super Bowl. ... Began pro coaching career as Raiders assistant, 1967-1968. ... Became one of youngest head coaches in history when Raiders hired him in 1969 at age 32. ... His .759 winning percentage during regular season ranks as highest ever among coaches with 100 career victories. ... Only Hall of Famers George Halas and Curly Lambeau reached 100 career wins at earlier age. ... In first year, led the Raiders to 12-1-1 record and American Football League Western Division title. ... Under Madden, Oakland never had losing record and claimed seven division titles and had eight playoff appearances.

Art Monk, Wide Receiver, 6-3, 210
1980-93 Washington Redskins; 1994 New York Jets; 1995 Philadelphia Eagles. 16 seasons, 224 games.

Redskins' first-round pick (18th player overall) in 1980 draft. ... Prototype for today's bigger, stronger receivers. Caught 58 passes as a rookie and was unanimous All-Rookie choice. ... Had 50 or more receptions in a season nine times. Gained 1,000 or more receiving yards in a season five times. ... Set then-NFL records for catches in a season (106), most consecutive games with at least one reception (164), and career receptions (820). Finished career with 940 catches. ... Finest season in 1984, catching eight or more passes in six games, five games of 100-plus receiving yards, and in one game caught 10 passes for 200 yards. ... Chosen as Redskins 1984 MVP. ... First Redskins player to produce three consecutive 1,000 receiving yard seasons. ... A three-time Pro Bowl selection, was All-Pro choice in 1984 and 1985.

Warren Moon, Quarterback, 6-3, 212
1984-1993 Houston Oilers, 1994-1996 Minnesota Vikings, 1997-1998 Seattle Seahawks, 1999-2000 Kansas City Chiefs. 17 seasons, 208 games.

Began pro career with CFL's Edmonton Eskimos (1978-1983), winning five straight Grey Cups. ... Signed with the Oilers as unrestricted free agent in 1984. ... In NFL career, completed 3,988 of 6,823 passes for 49,325 yards, 291 touchdowns, 233 interceptions. ... Rushed 543 times for 1,736 yards for 22 TDs, giving him 51,061 yards of total offense. ... At retirement, pass attempts, completions, yardage totals and total offense totals all ranked third all-time and 291 career touchdown passes were fourth. Holds record for quarterbacks with eight straight Pro Bowl selections 1988-1995, added ninth in 1997. ... Had four 4,000-yard passing seasons.

Derrick Thomas, Linebacker, 6-3, 243
1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs. 11 seasons, 169 games.

Chiefs' first-round pick (fourth player overall) in 1989 draft. ... Had 10 sacks as a rookie and added 75 tackles to earn Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. ... In 1990, led NFL with team record 20 sacks, including NFL record seven sacks in one game. ... Named to nine Pro Bowls. ... Accumulated most sacks in NFL during 1990s (116.5). ... Recorded 126.5 career sacks. Had had 10 or more in a season seven times and recorded multisack games 27 times. ... Forced 45 fumbles, recovered 19. Scored four touchdowns on fumble returns and added three safeties. ... In the 11 years that he anchored the defense, the Chiefs finished first or second in the AFC West 10 times, made seven playoff appearances, and won three division titles. ... All-NFL three times. ... All-AFC seven times. ... Selected to nine straight Pro Bowls. ... Member of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990s.

Thurman Thomas, Running Back, 5-10, 198
1988-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Miami Dolphins. 13 seasons, 182 games.

Selected in the second round of the 1988 draft. ... A key part of Bills' unprecedented run of four straight Super Bowl appearances. They lost all of them. ... Set record by leading NFL in total yards from scrimmage four consecutive seasons. ... In 1991, gained over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and was voted league's MVP. ... At time of retirement, ranked sixth all-time in career yards from scrimmage (16,532). ... Rushed for 12,074 yards. ... Only Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders ran for more yards in the 1990s. ... One of only three running backs (Walter Payton and Marcus Allen) to have over 400 receptions and 10,000 yards rushing. ... Played in six AFC title games and four Super Bowls. ... Set playoff records for career points (126), touchdowns (21), and consecutive games with a TD (9). ... Selected to play in five consecutive Pro Bowls.

Reggie White, Defensive End/Defensive Tackle, 6-5, 291
1985-1992 Philadelphia Eagles, 1993-1998 Green Bay Packers, 2000 Carolina Panthers. 15 seasons, 232 games.

Selected in the first round (fourth player overall) of 1984 supplemental draft. ... Nicknamed "Minister of Defense," joined Eagles after two years with USFL's Memphis Showboats. ... During eight seasons with Eagles recorded more sacks (124) than games played (121). ... In 1987, recorded 21 sacks, second most in NFL history at the time. ... Became only player to accumulate 20 or more sacks in just 12 games. ... His 1.75 average sacks per game in that season was also a record. ... In 1993, went to Green Bay and recorded another 68.5 sacks, becoming Packers' all-time sack leader. ... A dominant defensive performer, at time of retirement his 198 sacks were NFL record. ... Important contributor to Packers two Super Bowl appearances. ... Chosen the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1987 and 1998. ... Briefly retired following 1998 season. ... Signed with Carolina Panthers for 2000 season ... Elected to 13 straight Pro Bowls. ... Picked All-Pro 13 of 15 seasons, including 10 as first-team selection. ... Died Dec. 26, 2004 at age 43.

Rayfield Wright, Tackle, 6-6, 255
1967-1979 Dallas Cowboys. 13 seasons, 166 games.

Selected by Cowboys in seventh round of 1967 draft. ... Seniors Committee nominee. ... Used as a tight end, defensive end and offensive tackle during first three seasons. ... In 1969, replaced injured right tackle Ralph Neely in lineup. ... First opponent was Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones. ... Performance against Jones good enough that before 1970 training camp, became starting right tackle. ... One season later, he All-NFL. ... Known as "Big Cat," picked for Pro Bowl six consecutive times (1971-1976). ... Helped Cowboys to 10 division titles, six conference championships and two Super Bowl victories. ... Played in five Super Bowls.

Gary Zimmerman, Tackle, 6-6, 294
1986-1992 Minnesota Vikings, 1993-1997 Denver Broncos. 12 seasons, 184 games.

Selected in first round (third player overall) of 1984 supplemental draft. ... Originally chosen by Giants, signing rights traded to Vikings for two second-round picks in 1986 draft. ... Spent two seasons with the L.A. Express of USFL before reporting to Vikings. ... After joining Vikings, began streak of 169 consecutive starts that lasted until 1996 when surgery sidelined him. ... Anchored offensive line that helped Vikings lead NFC in rushing, 1991. ... One of just handful of players to earn honor of being named to two NFL All-Decade Teams, 1980s, 1990s. ... Earned first- or second-team All-Pro honors eight times. ... Selected to play in seven Pro Bowls.

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Nickdfresh
02-04-2006, 02:02 PM
I hope THURMAN gets in, even if he is kind of an alcoholic asshole....

POJO_Risin
02-04-2006, 02:49 PM
T.T. will get in eventually...he was to good not too...

ALinChainz
02-04-2006, 02:51 PM
Oh yeah, he'll get in eventually, he has the numbers and was one of the elite in his day.

Heavy versatility.

POJO_Risin
02-04-2006, 02:58 PM
...he'd probably be in right now...if he remembered where the fuck his helmet was......