Tag: Anquan Boldin

Former Cardinal Dwight Freeney a Hall of Fame finalist; Anquan Boldin is not

Check out the finalists for the 2024 Hall of Fame class.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 15 finalists for the 2024 Hall of Fame class, which will be announced in February before the Super Bowl.

One former Arizona Cardinals player made the cut. Another did not.

Former Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin, was drafted by Arizona in 2003 and played for the Cardinals through 2009, was not one of the 15 finalists. He was a semifinalist.

The former Cardinal to make the final 15 is Dwight Freeney. Freeney spent most of the 2015 season with Arizona, getting eight of his 125.5 career sacks with the Cardinals.

The 15 finalists are below.

Former Cardinals Anquan Boldin, Dwight Freeney are Hall of Fame semifinalists again

Boldin was named one of 25 semifinalists for the third time. Freeney is a semifinalist for the second time.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Tuesday the 25 modern-day semifinalists to make the 2024 class. That group of 25 former players includes two former Arizona Cardinals — wide receiver Anquan Boldin and pass rusher Dwight Freeney.

Boldin is a semifinalist for the third time. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the second round in 2003 and played for them from 2003-2009.

After going on to play for the Ravens, 49ers and Lions, he finished his career with 1,076 receptions for 13,779 yards and 82 touchdowns.

Freeney played most of the 2015 season for the Cardinals and had eight sacks in 11 games. He finished his career with 125.5 sacks.

Freeney is a semifinalist for the second time.

The 25 semifinalists will be pared down to 15 finalists before the final vote.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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3 former 49ers among 25 semifinalists for 2024 Hall of Fame class

Three former #49ers landed among the 25 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists for the class of 2024.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame moved into the next phase of the selection process for the class of 2024 and named 25 modern-era finalists. Among the 25 semifinalists are three former 49ers.

That trio is made up of linebacker Patrick Willis, wide receiver Anquan Boldin and running back Ricky Watters.

Willis is a semifinalist for the fifth time in five years. He’s reached this stage every year he’s been eligible after spending all eight of his NFL seasons with the 49ers. Willis’ resume speaks for itself with seven Pro Bowl trips, five First-Team All-Pro nods, a Defensive Rookie of the Year award and a placement on the Hall of Fame All-Decade team for the 2010s.

Boldin was with San Francisco for three years from 2013-15. Despite being in his mid-30s he was a very productive receiver for the 49ers with 237 catches, 3,030 yards and 16 touchdowns in 46 games. Boldin finished his 14-year career with 1,076 receptions for 13,779 yards and 82 touchdowns. He was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2003 and a three-time Pro Bowler. This is his third time making the list of semifinalists in three years.

Watters has been a semifinalist four times now including once in 2020 and then every year from 2022-24. He was with the 49ers for his first four seasons and helped them win a Super Bowl in the 1994 campaign. Watters posted 2,840 rushing yards and 1,450 receiving yards across three years on the field for San Francisco. He also put up 33 total touchdowns while going to the Pro Bowl every year he was in red and gold. He finished his career with five total Pro Bowls, 10,463 rushing yards, 78 rushing touchdowns, 4,248 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns.

The next step in the selection process includes a cutdown to 15 finalists, and then the Hall of Fame class will be announced Feb. 8 during the NFL Honors ceremony.

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Two former Lions among 25 semifinalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2024

Two former Lions are among the 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, though neither spent much time in Detroit

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 25 semifinalists for the inauguration class of 2024. Two former Lions players are among those moving on in the process.

They’re probably not who most fans would expect, however. Dwight Freeney and Anquan Boldin are the two former Lions who made the semifinalist cut. Both finished their careers in Detroit after establishing their Hall of Fame bona fides with other teams.

Among the initial 2024 nominees known primarily as Lions, none advanced. That group includes Lomas Brown, Jason Hanson, Dre Bly and Herman Moore.

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Anquan Boldin, Dwight Freeney make the Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist list

Boldin and Freeney each played out the end of their illustrious careers in Detroit

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the list of 28 semifinalists for the class of 2023. Only two former Detroit Lions players made the list, and neither is best-known for their time in Detroit.

Wide receiver Anquan Boldin and defensive end Dwight Freeney are the only two players who ever suited up for the Lions who made the cut. Boldin played in Detroit in 2016, his final season. Freeney also ended his illustrious NFL career with the Lions a year later.

They were among the 28 players who moved on from the initial candidate pool of 129. That group also included a few other ex-Lions, notably LT Lomas Brown and K Jason Hanson. QB Jeff Garcia and LB Pat Swilling were also former Detroit players who missed the cut.

The semifinalist list gets trimmed to 15 finalists later this winter.

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Seahawks great Kam Chancellor among 129 Hall of Fame nominees for 2023

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced 129 modern-era nominees for the class of 2023.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced 129 modern-era nominees for the class of 2023. That list will be cut down to 25 in November and the final list of 15 will be revealed in January.

Seahawks greats Shaun Alexander and Kam Chancellor are among the names. Here’s the full list by position.

Former Eagles WR Torrey Smith calls A.J. Brown a more explosive Anquan Boldin

Former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith called A.J. Brown a more explosive version of retired NFL star Anquan Boldin

A.J. Brown has brought an increased physicality to the Eagles’ wide receiver group, and one former Philadelphia pass catcher believes he compares favorably to one of the best to play the position.

On Tuesday, Torrey Smith visited the Eagles training camp, and the Super Bowl champion made the media rounds when he discussed A.J. Brown with the guys at JAKIB Sports.

Smith talked about Brown’s physicality, telling Derrick Gunn that Philadelphia’s newest star is a more explosive version of former Cardinals and Ravens star Anquan Boldin.

Boldin played 14 seasons for four teams, logging 1,076 catches for 13,779 yards and 83 touchdowns.

Boldin was a three-time Pro Bowler who won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, and one Super Bowl in his career.

If Philadelphia can get that production from Brown during his tenure with the Eagles, another parade could be planned in the near future.

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Former Ravens WR snubbed from the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022

A former Ravens wide receiver was snubbed from the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2022

The Baltimore Ravens have had many great players suit up for the organization over the course of their franchise history. Some of those players spend their entire careers with Baltimore while others only spend a few years with the team, whether it be early or late in their playing days.

One veteran that had a brief stop with the Ravens back in 2016 was former wide receiver Devin Hester. The former pass catcher had flashes as a receiving option, but was much better known for his ability as a returner.

On Thursday night, the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022 was announced. Hester made an appearance on his first ballot as a finalist but didn’t make the final cut.

Hester is arguably the best returner in NFL history, as he accumulated over 10,000 total return yards and 19 total return touchdowns over his 12-year career. However, his time in Baltimore wasn’t so memorable, as he averaged 7.2 yards per punt return and 24.5 yards per kick return, scoring zero touchdowns and fumbling five times in 12 games.

Several former Lions are initial nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2022

Lomas Brown and Anquan Boldin are the headliners but Jason Hanson is somehow not on the list

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has released its initial modern-era nominees for the induction class of 2022. Among the initial nominees, several players spent at least part of their careers with the Lions.

Dre Bly (2003-2006)

Anquan Boldin (2016)

Lomas Brown (1985-1995)

Jeff Garcia (2005)

Kevin Glover (1985-1997)

Mel Gray (1989-1994)

Dave Krieg (1994)

Pat Swilling (1993-1994)

Not making the list is longtime kicker Jason Hanson, who retired in 2012. Hanson ranks fourth in NFL history in scoring, sixth in games and first in career extra points made. There are seven specialists nominated but none are Hanson. Also prominent among the snubs is former Lions wideout Herman Moore.

Of the ex-Lions, offensive tackle Lomas Brown and wide receiver Anquan Boldin appear to have the best chances to move forward in the nomination process.

The list of 125 modern-era nominees will be reduced to 25 semifinalists in November and subsequently down to 15 in January.

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