The Pro Football Hall of Fame has whittled its list of 26 semifinalists down to 15 finalists, five of whom will be voted in during Super Bowl Week and inducted into Canton this coming summer.
The list of 15 features three big-name newcomers who were eligible for the first time — running back LaDainian Tomlinson, safety Brian Dawkins and defensive end Jason Taylor. Tomlinson, as one of the best two-way backs of his generation, is a near-mortal lock; Dawkins and Taylor figure to get in eventually, if not this year.
But the debate will run hot for some others who deserve strong debate to get in, including finalists from last year’s crop: running back Terrell Davis, quarterback Kurt Warner, wide receiver Terrell Owens, offensive tackle Joe Jacoby, safety John Lynch, offensive guard Alan Faneca, coach Don Coryell and kicker Morten Andersen.