Rice, Smith lead HoF finalists

[Upton]

If ever two players seemed like locks to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility, Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith would be the choices.

Rice retired as the NFL's career receiving leader, and Smith finished as the top rusher. They were among 17 finalists announced Friday for the Hall of Fame, including two senior nominees. The voting for entry into the shrine by a 44-member panel will take place Feb. 6, the day before the Super Bowl. The Class of 2010 will be inducted in August in Canton, Ohio.

Rice finished his career with 1,549 catches for 22,895 yards and 197 touchdowns. He leads second place Marvin Harrison by 447 career receptions, and his 208 total TDs (11 rushing) are 33 more than runner-up Smith.

He is a two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year for his 21-year career and also holds numerous Super Bowl records.

Like Rice, Smith won three Super Bowls. He rushed for 18,355 yards and 164 touchdowns. He also caught 515 passes and scored on 19 receptions. Smith was the league MVP in 1993.

Rice was the Super Bowl MVP in 1989 and Smith in 1994.

Other finalists include receiver Tim Brown, also a first-time nominee, and fellow wideouts Cris Carter and Andre Reed.

Tight end Shannon Sharpe, running back Roger Craig, center Dermontti Dawson, guard Russ Grimm, defensive tackles John Randle and Cortez Kennedy, defensive end Richard Dent, DE/linebacker Charles Haley, LB Rickey Jackson, and coach Don Coryell also made the cut.


http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2010746200_apfbnhalloffame.html?syndication=rss

Jerry's looking to beat Emmitt one more time...by finishing with the most votes.

[madinmaryland]

1. They were both the greatest players at their position in their careers. Though

your last sentence reeks of douchitude.

[Upton]

2. I was actually being nice about Smith

meaning that your last few words were a little out of line.

[madinmaryland]

5. Humour us some more upton.

Your last sentence is classic douchitude.

[Yavin4]

3. I Agree with Upton

Jerry Rice Was The Greatest Player To Ever Play In The NFL.

[many a good man]

4. What about Dick?

In 1959, during his senior year, Schafrath left Ohio State University to become the second NFL draft pick and join the Cleveland Browns. Drafted by the legendary and innovative Paul Brown, Dick was only 220 lbs. when he arrived as a rookie. Immediately, Dick began a then new, and unpopular regiment, of weight lifting on a regular basis. He also began to enter eating contests across the state. Within a year, Dick was 270 lbs. In 1964, the team won the NFL Championship against the Baltimore Colts 27-0. Schafrath's career with the Browns spanned 13 seasons, in which he was a fixture at the left tackle position. He protected the blind side of the Browns quarterbacks and opened holes for Hall of Fame Running Backs Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, and Leroy Kelly. Dick was selected to the All Pro Team four times, played in the Pro Bowl seven times and was voted the Team’s Most Valuable Player in 1963, the last year they held the distinction. He blocked against sixteen Hall of Fame Defensive Ends and thirteen Hall of Fame Linebackers.





Why is he called Dick?

n 1983 Dick was recruited by President Ronald Reagan to coordinate and organize "Athletes for Reagan-Bush '84" in which celebrity athletes appeared at fundraisers and other functions in a re-election campaign effort. In 1986, with the help of longtime friend and coach Woody Hayes, Schafrath won a seat in the Ohio State Senate.