The Dolphins Make Me Cry.com - Forums

https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2024/11/25-modern-era-players-named-as-semifinalists-for-pro-football-hall-of-fame%E2%80%99s-class-of-2025/

It's good to see him get some recognition, even if he doesn't make it to the hall this time.

Easily the best LT Dan Marino had protecting his blindside in his career (along with Keith Sims at LG).

Hmmm.  The 25 semifinalists have to be cut down to a group of 15 finalists.  The first-timers in this group are:
Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Earl Thomas, Adam Vinatieri, Marshal Yanda

My guess for the 15 finalists:

Luke Kuechly
Eli Manning
Terrell Suggs
Adam Vinatieri
Eric Allen

Jared Allen
Anquan Boldin
Jahri Evans
Antonio Gates
James Harrison

Rodney Harrison
Torry Holt
Steve Smith Sr.
Reggie Wayne
Vince Wilfork

Is Eli HOF material?

I'm not even arguing one way or the other and I haven't looked at his stats.  But I just think back of him being a B-level talent.  A good B-level talent, but not an all-timer like Peyton.

Career passing yards:

8 Aaron Rodgers 61,497
9 Dan Marino+ 61,361
10 Matthew Stafford 58,604
11 Eli Manning 57,023
12 John Elway+ 51,475
13 Warren Moon+ 49,325
14 Fran Tarkenton+ 47,003

Career completions:
8 Aaron Rodgers 5,242
9 Matthew Stafford 5,066
10 Dan Marino+ 4,967
11 Eli Manning 4,895
12 John Elway+ 4,123
13 Joe Flacco 4,117
14 Warren Moon+   3,988

Career passing TDs:
8 Ben Roethlisberger 418
9 Matt Ryan 381
10 Matthew Stafford 370
11 Eli Manning 366
12 Fran Tarkenton+ 342
13 Russell Wilson 341
14 John Elway+   300

And Eli Manning is the only player listed with two Super Bowl MVPs.  Additionally, if you look at Pro Football Reference's career Approximate Value listings (https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/av_career.htm), every single eligible player ranked higher than Eli is already in, and you have to go 20 spots down to find an eligible player who isn't in (Ken Anderson).
  
He's getting in, almost certainly on the first ballot.

Yeah, hard to argue.  I am not going off anything other than sorta remember him being good, but not game-changing all-timer.

Plus throw in a (joint) Walter Payton Man of the Year award, along with many other nominations.

It's not a guarantee (as Ken Anderson can attest to) but quite a lot of them have wound up in the HOF.

Eli getting into the HOF to me is a no-brainer - it's just a question as to if it's in his first year of eligibility. I'd lean to more likely to yes than no.

Of that list I would probably slot out for someone else (or exclude for the next round)...

Eric Allen
Rodney Harrison (I know he has media connections like Kurt Warner, but compared to the others on the list, no way...)

Steve Smith Sr.
Reggie Wayne
Torry Holt
(Of the WR position up for consideration over the last few years, these are the most underwhelming)

James Harrison has baggage. Will they overlook it?

I'm really not sure Jared Allen has a body of work beyond the five short years he was a genuine star.

Adam Vinatieri - do kickers get in first year, no matter how good they are?

Suggs, Boldin and Jahri Evans are 50/50 prospects at best for me this year. Of them I'd lean towards Suggs, maybe Boldin.

That narrows it down...

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pro-football-hall-of-fame-announces-15-modern-era-finalists-for-2025-including-eli-manning-and-reggie-wayne/

Unfortunately, Webb didn't make the cut for the 15 finalists:

    CB Eric Allen (Eagles, Saints, Raiders)
    DE Jared Allen (Chiefs, Vikings, Bears, Panthers)
    OT Willie Anderson (Bengals, Ravens)
    OG Jahri Evans (Saints, Packers)
    TE Antonio Gates (Chargers)
    WR Torry Holt (Rams, Jaguars)
    LB Luke Kuechly (Panthers)
    QB Eli Manning (Giants)
    WR Steve Smith Sr. (Panthers, Ravens)
    EDGE Terrell Suggs (Ravens, Cardinals, Chiefs)
    RB Fred Taylor (Jaguars, Patriots)
    K Adam Vinatieri (Patriots, Colts)
    WR Reggie Wayne (Colts)
    S Darren Woodson (Cowboys)
    OL Marshal Yanda (Ravens)

I guessed 11 out of 15.

Players I thought would be finalists but weren't:
Anquan Boldin, James Harrison, Rodney Harrison, Vince Wilfork

Finalists I didn't expect:
Willie Anderson, Fred Taylor, Darren Woodson, Marshal Yanda

I'm surprised Richmond Webb isn't in already, I think the lack of a SB win really hurt his chance.

Class of 2025 is Jared Allen, Eric Allen, and Antonio Gates, with Sterling Sharpe getting in via the Senior Committee.