Less than two months after the Class of 2015 got their bronze busts and gold jackets, the process for next year has begun.
On Wednesday night, the Pro Football Hall of Fame named 108 nominees for induction in 2016.
Players on the list in their first year of eligibility include quarterback Brett Favre, receiver Terrell Owens, guard Alan Faneca, and safety Lawyer Milloy.
Also back on the docket are the finalists who didn’t achieve induction in 2015: kicker Morten Andersen, coaches Don Coryell, Tony Dungy, and Jimmy Johnson, running back Terrell Davis,
linebacker/defensive end Kevin Greene, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, safety John Lynch, tackle Orlando Pace, and quarterback Kurt Warner.
Other first-year-eligible players on the initial list are running backs Clinton Portis and Brian Westbrook, linebackers Keith Bulluck and Mike Vrabel, safety Darren Sharper, kicker John Carney, and long snapper Ethan Albright.
Surprisingly (and deservedly), defensive end Simeon Rice has made it to the list of 108. Last year, he wasn’t one of the nominees. Many believe he should be inducted, not just nominated.
As to Darren Sharper, many believe he should be disqualified from consideration due to his incarceration for rape. In theory, post-career misconduct (and any off-field misconduct) should not be considered. As a practical matter, Sharper won’t get much farther.