Allen, Stabler, Hayes among 15 finalists

[BK]

[i:0d93466bf1]Allen, Stabler, Lofton, Monk among 15 finalists

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Associated Press[/i:0d93466bf1]


CANTON, Ohio -- Marcus Allen and Gary Zimmerman are the only first-time candidates among the 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Monday.

The nominees
Ken Stabler (QB)
Marcus Allen (RB)
James Lofton (WR)
Art Monk (WR)
Elvin Bethea (DE)
Harry Carson (LB)
Randy Gradishar (LB)
Lester Hayes (CB)
Claude Humphrey (DE)
Bob Kuechenberg (OG)
Joe DeLamielleure (OG)
Gary Zimmerman (OT)
Hank Stram (Coach)
Ralph Wilson (Founder/owner)
George Young (GM)


The Class of 2003 will be announced Jan. 25, the day before the Super Bowl. At least four and no more than seven new members will be inducted.

Other players nominated were quarterback Ken Stabler, wide receivers James Lofton and Art Monk, cornerback Lester Hayes, defensive ends Elvin Bethea and Claude Humphrey, linebackers Harry Carson and Randy Gradishar, and offensive linemen Joe DeLamielleure and Bob Kuechenberg.

Former New York Giants general manager George Young and Buffalo Bills founder and owner Ralph Wilson are also finalists.

Hank Stram, who coached the Kansas City Chiefs to the 1970 Super Bowl title, was nominated by the seniors committee.

Allen ran for 12,243 yards -- seventh on the career list -- and had more than 5,000 yards receiving, playing for the Raiders and Chiefs. The Heisman Trophy winner was NFL Rookie of the Year and was the MVP of the 1984 Super Bowl.

Zimmerman played in seven Pro Bowls while starring for the Vikings and Broncos from 1986-97.

Bill Parcells was dropped from consideration for the hall after becoming the Dallas Cowboys' coach last week. Parcells, who won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants, automatically had been a finalist because he was in the top seven in last year's voting but didn't get enough support to be elected.

But active players, coaches and administrators are ineligible.

Stabler, Lofton, Monk, Carson, Hayes, Kuechenberg and Wilson have been finalists before. Bethea, DeLamielleure, Gradishar, Humphrey, Stram, and Young have been eligible in the past, but they never were finalists.

The hall's 39-member board of selectors determined the 14 modern-era finalists from a preliminary group of 74 players, coaches and contributors.

Of the 2003 finalists, Stram has been eligible 25 years, Humphrey 17 years, Bethea, Gradishar, and Kuechenberg 15 years, Stabler 14 years, DeLamielleure 13 years, Hayes 12, Carson 10, Lofton five, and Monk three.

The class will be enshrined Aug. 3.


Damn, 3 raiders could be enshrined. I'd love to see Stabler and Hayes in there, you know Allen will make it.

[85inthehall]

art monk??? bull**** -- a possession reciever with alot of catches for minimal yards and TDs
My man Wesley Walker had more TD with fewer catches and over a 17 yard avg per catch over a 12 year career - 400 + receptions -- sure i am biased since he is family but art monk deserves the HOF as much as i do

[Hayes 37]

Marcus is a gimmee. Someone tell me how, and NO disrepect to Casper, love the ghost, but how do you put him in and not his QB?? Snakes gettin the shaft and its pissing me off. Wesley Walker was a great player,, ask Lester Hayes. They all belong!

[Bleed]

I can't wait for this! Sorry, for the double post, but Marcus has said he wants to represent both the Raiders & KC when he gets inducted in the HOF! Stand By!

[javdog2001]

I think M. Allen will be first ballot. While Stabler & Hayes should be in too, the NFL Raiders Haters may keep that from happening.

[ccRaider]

I'd like to see any eligible Raider get in, but I'm especially anxious to see Snake get his much-belated recognition.

[Rhode Raider]

He pissed off the journalistic community when he set up a reporter who was writing some bad **** about him. It seems the reporter went to snakes hometown to dig up dirt on him and snake got wind of it. The reporter was arrested when he was pulled over by the local law, who said they found drugs in his car.Snake denies this but can't stop grinning when it's brought up Hayes should get in.

[RaiderBlitz]

What are the odds three Raiders go into the HAll at the same time?? Marcus will make it because he has a split personality. Heck, there are 10 or more Raiders that should be there. Hayes and the Snake should have gotten the nod a while back. Good luck.