Tag: modern-era finalists

Will the Seattle Seahawks have a Hall of Famer in 2021?

Now that Steve Hutchinson and Edgerrin James are both in, who will be the next Seattle Seahawks player or coach to make the Hall of Fame?

On Saturday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the five modern-era enshrinees in the Class of 2020, and two former Seattle Seahawks — guard Steve Hutchinson and running back Edgerrin James — were among those selected.

Hutchinson becomes the fifth Seahawks draft pick to join the Hall, and he and James are the 11th and 12th players who suited up for the Seahawks to get inducted.

James and Hutchinson were the only two former Seahawks to appear on the 15-man final ballot for the modern-era committee, which makes it harder to predict who will be the team’s next representative in the Hall.

Seattle had six other representatives among the 122 nominees for the Class of 2020: quarterback Dave Krieg; center Ray Donaldson; punter Jeff Feagles; and running backs Shaun Alexander, Ricky Watters and Chris Warren.

However, only Watters advanced to the round of 25 semifinalists, and he was not among the 15 finalists.

Without any former Seahawks expected to join the ballot as newcomers next year, it looks like Watters is the team’s best chance at having a new modern-era Hall of Famer in 2021.

Of course, with Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson locks to get in on their first ballot and Calvin Johnson also up for consideration, it will be an extremely difficult year for Watters or any of the other former Seahawks to get enshrined.

That doesn’t mean they’ll be without a representative, however — both Mike Holmgren and Tom Flores, two former Seattle coaches, will be up for consideration again. It seems far more likely the Seahawks will have a former coach inducted in 2021 rather than a former player.

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A look at the 15 Modern-Era Finalists who could make the Hall of Fame

Five Modern-Era Players will be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020 following the Selection Committee’s meeting on Saturday.

It’s the day before the Super Bowl – “Selection Saturday” – when the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee meets to determine the five Modern-Era Players to be named to the Class of 2020.

The 15 Finalists were initially whittled down from a list of 122 nominees named in September and further reduced to 25 Semifinalists in November.

Two former Seahawks have made the cut, guard Steve Hutchinson and running back Edgerrin James.

Here’s a look at the 2020 Modern-Era Player Finalists:

Steve Atwater, Safety – 1989-1998 Denver Broncos, 1999 New York Jets

Tony Boselli, Tackle – 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars

Isaac Bruce, Wide Receiver – 1994-2007 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 2008-09 San Francisco 49ers

LeRoy Butler, Safety – 1990-2001 Green Bay Packers

Alan Faneca, Guard – 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals

Torry Holt, Wide Receiver – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars

Steve Hutchinson, Guard – 2001-05 Seattle Seahawks, 2006-2011 Minnesota Vikings, 2012 Tennessee Titans

Edgerrin James, Running Back – 1999-2005 Indianapolis Colts, 2006-08 Arizona Cardinals, 2009 Seattle Seahawks

John Lynch, Free Safety – 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos

Sam Mills, Linebacker – 1986-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-97 Carolina Panthers

Troy Polamalu, Safety – 2003-2014 Pittsburgh Steelers

Richard Seymour, Defensive End/Defensive Tackle – 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-2012 Oakland Raiders

Zach Thomas, Linebacker – 1996-2007 Miami Dolphins, 2008 Dallas Cowboys

Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts

Bryant Young, Defensive Tackle – 1994-2007 San Francisco 49ers

The Hall of Fame Class of 2020 will be officially announced later on Saturday. Be sure and follow Seahawks Wire for the latest breaking news.

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Poll: Will Edgerrin James make the Hall of Fame in 2020?

Is this the year former Seattle Seahawks running back Edgerrin James gets inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

There are two former Seattle Seahawks among the 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame: guard Steve Hutchinson and running back Edgerrin James.

Both James and Hutchinson hope to be among the five candidates chosen for the Hall of Fame class of 2020, but a very competitive group of first time candidates and a solid group of returners will make it challenging to break through this year.

Led by Troy Polamalu, this year’s Hall of Fame finalists also include receivers Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce and Reggie Wayne, safeties Leroy Butler, John Lynch and Steve Atwater, linebacker Zach Thomas and tackle Tony Boselli, among others.

James is one of many Hall of Famers to finish out their careers in the Emerald City. He played in seven games with Seattle in 2009, rushing 46 times for 125 yards before calling it a career at age 31.

James was a four-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1999, his rookie season, when he lead the league in carries, rushing yards and total touchdowns.

He finished his career with 12,246 rushing yards, 13th all-time, along with 80 career rushing touchdowns.

James’ numbers are comparable to numerous other Hall of Fame running backs, making him appear on paper as a worthy candidate, but he has yet to see much support for enshrinement.

With a crowded ballot this year and only five spots available – four if you assume Polamalu will get one – will James sneak his way into Canton this year, or will he have to keep waiting?

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Poll: Will Steve Hutchinson make the Hall of Fame in 2020?

Is this the year former Seattle Seahawks guard Steve Hutchinson finally gets inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

There are two former Seattle Seahawks among the 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame: guard Steve Hutchinson and running back Edgerrin James.

Both James and Hutchinson hope to be among the five candidates chosen for the Hall of Fame class of 2020, but a very competitive group of first time candidates and a solid group of returners will make it challenging to break through this year.

Led by Troy Polamalu, this year’s Hall of Fame finalists also include receivers Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce and Reggie Wayne, safeties Leroy Butler, John Lynch and Steve Atwater, linebacker Zach Thomas and tackle Tony Boselli, among others.

Hutchinson is Seattle’s best chance at gaining an inductee this year, and really the only one who would count as James only played seven games with the Seahawks in the 2009 season.

Hutchinson was a seven-time Pro Bowler and was named an All-Pro five times in his illustrious career – which spanned 11 seasons and three different teams.

Hutch as part of the elite offensive line that also featured Walter Jones to his left, a group that allowed Shaun Alexander to win MVP in 2005.

Although Hutchinson’s departure from Seattle rubbed many the wrong way, his legacy is among the greatest linemen in franchise history, and he deserves a spot in Canton.

The ballot is crowded again this year, but Hutchinson has been a finalist before and it might finally be the year he breaks through the top five and finds himself in the Hall of Fame.

What do you think?

[polldaddy poll=10497324]

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3 former Seahawks among 25 Hall of Fame semifinalists

Former Seattle Seahawks Steve Hutchinson, Ricky Watters and Edgerrin James are among the 25 modern-era semifinalists for the Hall of Fame.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame reduced the list of 122 modern-era nominees to 25 on Tuesday, and three of the eight former Seattle Seahawks remain: guard Steve Hutchinson and running backs Ricky Watters and Edgerrin James.

The original class of 2020 ballot also included quarterback Dave Krieg; running backs Shaun Alexander and Chris Warren; center Ray Donovan; and punter Jeff Feagles.

Hutchinson is the likeliest of the trio to gain Hall of Fame status this winter, having finished as a finalist in each of the past two years. The guard was a seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro in his 12-year career.

James only appeared in seven games for the Seahawks in the 2009 season, rushing 46 times for just 125 yards. He is 13th all-time in rushing yards, however, and has a decent chance of hearing his name called this year.

Watters’ success came primarily as a member of the 49ers, but he did post four quality seasons with Seattle from 1998-2001, rushing 994 times for 4,009 yards and four touchdowns.

A Pro Bowler in each of his first five NFL seasons, Watters is 24th all-time in rushing yards and 22nd in rushing touchdowns.

The ballot will be pared down again, this time from 25 to 15, and they will be announced in January. The final ballot with five inductees will be announced the Saturday before the Super Bowl. As part of the Hall’s special 20-member class of 2020, they will be joined by 10 “senior” players (who have been retired for more than 25 seasons), three “contributors” (neither a player nor coach) and two coaches.

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