Hall of Fame names 2026 Modern Era Finalists

Hall of Fame names 2026 Modern Era Finalists

by | Dec 30, 2025 | Hall of Fame

Nine of this year’s 15 modern-era finalists for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame are first- or second-year eligible players.

Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald highlight the list of first-year eligible candidates, which is rounded out by Frank Gore and Jason Witten.

Second-year eligibles up for enshrinement include Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Adam Vinatieri and Marshal Yanda.

The modern-era candidate list includes: (more…)

Hall of Fame Names Semifinalists for Class of 2026

Hall of Fame Names Semifinalists for Class of 2026

by | Nov 25, 2025 | Hall of Fame

The Pro Football Hall of Fame unveiled their list of 26 modern era players (the result of their being a tie for the 25th spot on the list) that are finalists to be inducted into the class of 2026 this morning.

On the list include:

QB Drew Brees – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
QB Eli Manning – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
QB Philip Rivers – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
RB Frank Gore – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
RB Fred Taylor – 7th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
WR Larry Fitzgerald – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
WR Torry Holt – 12th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
WR Steve Smith Sr. – 5th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
WR Hines Ward – 10th time as semifinalist
WR Reggie Wayne – 7th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
TE Jason Witten – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
OL Willie Anderson – 6th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
OL Lomas Brown – 1st time as a semifinalist
OL Jahri Evans – 4th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
OL Richmond Webb – 2nd time as semifinalist
OL Steve Wisniewski – 3rd time as semifinalist
OL Marshal Yanda – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
DL Robert Mathis – 5th time as semifinalist
DL Vince Wilfork – 5th time as semifinalist
DL Kevin Williams – 1st time as semifinalist
LB Luke Kuechly – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
LB Terrell Suggs – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
DB Rodney Harrison – 5th time as semifinalist
DB Earl Thomas – 2nd time as semifinalist
DB Darren Woodson – 10th time as semifinalist
K Adam Vinatieri – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025

Lomas Brown and Kevin Williams are the only first time semifinalists that are not in their first year of eligibility.  The list was culled form a list of 128 nominees announced in September, and will now be cut to a group of 15 finalists later this year, before being debated along with Coaches, Contributor and Senior nominees in advance of Super Bowl LX.  Between four and eight new members will be elected, per the HOF bylaws, announced at NFL Honors show in February, and inducted in Canton next August.

In depth 2013: San Diego Chargers

by | Mar 10, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

When the clock struck 0:00 on a 7-9 season that had, for all intents and purposes, ended in late November, San Diego ownership was quick to cut the cord on the Norv Turner/A.J. Smith era. And so a new run begins in 2013 – and this team is not devoid of talent.

Philip Rivers has been down the last couple years, but with some help at some key spots (offensive line anyone?), we may find that he still has game. Other pieces are injury prone and inconsistent. So who knows what this Chargers team is really all about.

Ernie Padaon, editorial director for Bolt Beat, told us what he thinks the Chargers need to do to get back on track.

Zoneblitz: What were your thoughts on the firings of Norv Turner and A.J. Smith? (more…)

ZB Notebook 11-1-2012

by | Nov 1, 2012 | 2012 season, NFL Random Thoughts

I didn’t fare well at the tables in Las Vegas last weekend so, while I was licking my wounds, I had plenty of time to follow the Sunday football games. Throughout the day and in the days that followed, what stuck with me is that there are a number of teams that have to be thinking about major changes, including potentially sacking their head coaches.

I wouldn’t have guessed heading into the season that Romeo Crennel in Kansas City would have topped my list. But not only did the Chiefs suffer yet another complete dismantling, this time at the hands of rival Oakland, but Crennel admitted after the game he had no idea why running back Jamaal Charles had just five rushes and eight total touches throughout the game.

Really? No idea at all? You are the head guy there. You have a certain  amount of say in stuff like that. If I was the owner of that team, I’m not sure I would have let Crennel out of the stadium without a better explanation.

There was talk of how the Raiders loaded the box against the run. Understandable. So throw Charles the ball. He is great out of the backfield too, isn’t he? When you’re having a bad day but the score is close your best players have to touch the ball.

It was a bad performance all the way around for an organization whose coach and general manager, Scott Pioli, are on the hotseat. But it was just one of many bad days for coaches.

Chargers ready to replace Norv Turner?: Heading into tonight’s game, perhaps the hottest seat of all belongs to Norv Turner, the oft-criticized head man in San Diego. The Chargers are being investigated by the NFL for the possibility that the team used stick ‘em in a game a couple weeks ago. If they don’t beat the Chiefs tonight, he might need some of that banned substance to hang onto his job. (more…)