The Pro Football Hall of Fame has narrowed its list of candidates to 27, including first appearances for Ray Lewis and Randy Moss. The selections can often be tough to predict, with fleet receivers competing against massive linemen, but there are some clues that may tell us who will be enshrined this summer.
New nominees always tend to have an edge, and Moss and Lewis look particularly compelling. So does Brian Urlacher, the Bears linebacker. The other newly eligible names on the list are defensive back Ronde Barber, and offensive linemen Richard Seymour and Steve Hutchinson.
Returnees includes several who have made it this far many times before, including the longtime Chargers Coach Don Coryell (10 times a semifinalist), running back Roger Craig (10), tackle Joe Jacoby (8), safety Steve Atwater (7) and linebacker Karl Mecklenburg (7).