Modern cutdown: 50 names are in

[readjack]

The list of moderns has cut down to 50 and we're in uncharted territory now:

https://www.profootballhof.com/news/202 ... s-of-2025/

I've charted the Hall results since the semis started in 2004, and every first-ballot semifinalist has either made it to Canton or has been a returning semifinalist or finalist up thru last year. So we've never seen this 26-50 group and have no idea if that pattern will hold.

Also don't know if some of these late-eligibility guys will break through, but it's great to see these names:

Jimmy Smith
Ben Coates
Lomas Brown
Ruben Brown
Richmond Webb
Erik Williams
Steve Wiśniewski
Neil Smith
Simeon Rice
Cornelius Bennett
Brian Mitchell
Gary Anderson

Also these guys with more time remaining but we just haven't seen them yet:
Shaun Alexander
Olin Kreutz
Jeff Saturday
Logan Mankins
John Abraham
Kevin Williams

The full list:

QUARTERBACKS (2): Eli Manning, Steve McNair
RUNNING BACKS (6): Shaun Alexander, Tiki Barber, Eddie George, Marshawn Lynch, Fred Taylor*, Ricky Watters
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Anquan Boldin, Torry Holt*, Jimmy Smith, Steve Smith Sr., Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne*
TIGHT ENDS (2): Ben Coates, Antonio Gates*
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (12): Willie Anderson* (T), Lomas Brown (T), Ruben Brown (G), Jahri Evans* (G), Olin Kreutz (C), Logan Mankins (G), Jeff Saturday (C), Joe Staley (T), Richmond Webb (T), Erik Williams (T), Steve Wisniewski (G), Marshal Yanda (G)
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (8): John Abraham (DE also LB), Jared Allen* (DE), Robert Mathis (DE), Haloti Ngata (DT), Simeon Rice (DE), Neil Smith (DE), Vince Wilfork (DT/NT), Kevin Williams (DT)
LINEBACKERS (5): Cornelius Bennett, London Fletcher, James Harrison, Luke Kuechly, Terrell Suggs
DEFENSIVE BACKS (6): Eric Allen* (CB), Kam Chancellor (S), Rodney Harrison* (S), Earl Thomas (S), Troy Vincent (CB), Darren Woodson* (S)
SPECIAL TEAMS (3): Gary Anderson (K), Brian Mitchell (KR/PR also RB), Adam Vinatieri (K)

[Brian wolf]

Disappointed that Sproles, Nalen and Bowman didnt advance. Bowman's case is very similar to Kuechly's, though Luke played an extra season with an All-Pro recognition.

Hester's election hurts any returner, IMO.

[readjack]

Disappointed that Sproles, Nalen and Bowman didnt advance. Bowman's case is very similar to Kuechly's, though Luke played an extra season with an All-Pro recognition.

Hester's election hurts any returner, IMO.

Disappointed in no Nalen and Mangold, but happy about Olin (obviously) and Saturday, broadly because voters need to be evaluating centers. Bizarre that Mangold is not in here.

If Hester's election does anything, I think it helps, just because it's a reminder that returners *can* get in. But I don't think it has any impact because he's 1 of 1. He's by far the ceiling.

[JameisBrownston]

List all the 1st ballots. I see Eli, Beast Mode, Kuechly, Vinatieri at least?

[Brian wolf]

I feel this voting system will help Kuechly but he will be the only, possible first ballot candidate? If Manning gets in, its obviously recognition for his family more than anything else.

[readjack]

List all the 1st ballots. I see Eli, Beast Mode, Kuechly, Vinatieri at least?

1st ballot elected? Lynch and Vinatieri for sure won't be. I don't think Eli will be as his negatives are too high. Kuechly has a chance.

Remember though, the voting is new this year. They are going to bring 15 names to the room, cut that to 7 and vote on 5. Candidates need 80% for election, so five could hit 80%, but you could also see no one hit 80%. Bylaws say class must be at least three players, so if only four players hit 80%, the class is four. If three, three. If two, one or zero, they run a series of tiebreakers to get to the minimum of three.

I think there's only one player who is going to sail past 80%, and that's Antonio Gates. There will be questions on everyone else that could split or depress votes.

[readjack]

I feel this voting system will help Kuechly but he will be the only, possible first ballot candidate? If Manning gets in, its obviously recognition for his family more than anything else.

I agree that Kuechly has the best chance of election among the new guys.

[rewing84]

second that 100% readjack Kuechly will most likley get in on his first try for the hall meanwhile eli will hopefully wait a few years

[readjack]

second that 100% readjack Kuechly will most likley get in on his first try for the hall meanwhile eli will hopefully wait a few years

I won't say Kuechly will "likely" get in because there are too many questions remaining about how the process will play out with the new vote. But I do think he has easily the best chance among first-year-eligible players.

[rewing84]

gotcha im just wondering if this new process could favor players who have been in the queue for a while