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.

Bet the Mortgage: Week 15, 2015 – Best Bets

by | Dec 17, 2015 | 2015 season, NFL Gambling

Well, at least it’s now a contest.
weekly-bets

Andy took it in the shorts last week, losing his three big bets, but saving a little bit of face on his upset pick, but finishing down a whopping $3,700 for the week. Tony managed to go 3-1, but his one loss was his biggest bet, for a net gain of $267.

That pulls Tony within $1,000 of Andy–or rather drops Andy to within $1.000 of Tony–for the season.

And we’re back at it again…

Here is where we stand:

Last week Last week $ Overall Overall $ Bankroll
Andy 1-3 – $3,700 24-31-1 – $6,224 $ 3,776
Tony 3-1 + $267 26-29-1 – $6,954 $ 3,046

With the end of the season in sight, there’s some antsy-ness setting in. They look like they might be ready to ramp things up a notch as we pass the final quarter pole. (more…)

In depth 2013: Carolina Panthers

by | Mar 17, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

In a season where Carolina hoped to build on optimism created by Cam Newton’s electric rookie season, the Panthers stumbled to a 1-6 record out of the gate in 2012. Newton himself started slowly as well, throwing just five touchdowns to go with eight interceptions through those first seven games.

But the Panthers and Newton both went on a run during the season’s second half. The team won five of its last six to finish at 7-9 and Newton improved to 14 touchdowns and four picks in the second half of the season.

Furthermore, seven of Carolina’s nine losses were by six or fewer points. So what do the Panthers have to do to start winning some of those close games and turn themselves into a playoff contender? Slate Schwertner, freelance Panthers analyst and former editor of Cat Crave, shared his thoughts on what has to happen before that can become reality.

Zoneblitz: Cam Newton was a different quarterback the second half of the season than he was the first. What are your thoughts about his development and how good he can be? (more…)