Reed, Tasker make HOF cut

Bills all-time receiver Andre Reed and special teams great Steve Tasker were on the list of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Reed has been a finalist the past three years. Tasker never has made the list of finalists (which now numbers 17). It's the second straight year and fourth time overall Tasker has made the semifinal cut.

Also making the list of 25 modern semifinalists were: receivers Cliff Branch, Tim Brown, Cris Carter and Jerry Rice; tight end Shannon Sharpe; running backs Roger Craig, Terrell Davis and Emmitt Smith; offensive linemen Dermontti Dawson and Russ Grimm; defensive linemen, Richard Dent, Chris Doleman, Kevin Greene, Charles Haley, Cortez Kennedy and John Randle; linebackers Rickey Jackson; defensive backs Lester Hayes and Aeneas Williams; punter Ray Guy; coach Don Coryell; owner Art Modell and commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

Rice and Smith are the two big first-time eligible players on the list.

Two senior nominees - Floyd Little and Dick LeBeau - also will be among the finalists.

The list of 25 semifinalists will be cut down to 15 modern finalists on Jan. 7.

--Mark Gaughan

Comments

[t. gresh]

All the non-believers, especially chet and roy, need to see this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adDmdg5DD6Q

It's in 3 parts and trust me, it is worth your time. Enjoy!

[BobbB]

Reed should be in. Numbers are relevant to the man's era only. And when he left the Bills, he was 2nd ALL-time in receptions - behind only Rice, who we all agree is a wonder. Not sure about his yards, but I'd guess they were top 5 when he was done. Definitely better than Swan; definitely better than Stallworth. Largent's numbers turned out to be weak (and on a bad team), but I haven't heard anyone criticize his enshrinement.

[BuffaloHoosier]

Jerry Rice is a no brainer, unaminous pick. Reed as well, I know I'll get hounded for this one but Reed was my favorite player, and he still is. Tasker will have trouble, even though he deserves it as being the most dominant special teamer pretty much ever, they don't ever really vote in special teamers. Good Luck Andre and Steve.

[BR]

Lets not over think this one. (Some posters should not try to think at all.) Andre Reed ranks 11th all-time in yds and tds and 8th in recpts. If that ain't HOF credentials I don't know what is!

[rustle]

"Reed has no chance this year. By my quick count, there are at least 15 names on that list that belong in the Hall ahead of him." - Chet Zeshonski

"reed was TO lite: lucky to be where he was and whining all the time. a highlight reel of great catches would last about 3 seconds. he got hit in the chest for 10 years. he was about never the best player on the field and dominated very few games. he's not going while he can walk." - roy

"Reed should already be in!!! Fingers!!!" - Kelly

"One-fourth of the population is retarded and wants to believe conspiracy theories." - Kyle Broflowski, South Park, CO

Let's wait on the comment from the thirdtard.

[mike]

Put Tasker in the Hall. Then stop him from calling games!!! Have to turn on the radio every time hes on.

[Chet Zeshonski]

Reed has no chance this year. By my quick count, there are at least 15 names on that list that belong in the Hall ahead of him.

[roy]

reed was TO lite: lucky to be where he was and whining all the time. a highlight reel of great catches would last about 3 seconds. he got hit in the chest for 10 years. he was about never the best player on the field and dominated very few games. he's not going while he can walk.

[Kelly]

Reed should already be in!!! Fingers!!!