Former Rams Jerome Bettis, Kevin Greene and Aeneas Williams were all selected again this year as semifinalists for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Also on the list are former St. Louis Cardinals head coach and offensive innovator Don Coryell and safety Steve Atwater, who attended high school in St. Louis.
3 of last year's semifinalists - Ray Guy, Lester Hayes and Art Modell - did not repeat this year.
8 candidates were not semifinalists last year: Atwater, Clay Matthews, Karl Mecklenberg, Bill Parcells, Donnie Shell, Will Shields, Steve Tasker and Ron Wolf. The voters continue to taint the process by making semifinalists out of Paul Tagliabue and Edward DeBartolo Jr. again this year.
Bettis would seem to have a strong chance at induction this year; the fifth-leading rusher of all time was a finalist last year. The semifinalists will be reduced to 15 finalists in January, then up to five will be selected on Super Bowl weekend for the Hall of Fame. (These are just the modern-day players; they can be joined in the Class of 2012 by one or both of the Seniors Committee selections, Jack Butler and Dick Stanfel.)
My guesses today for the final 5: Bettis, Parcells, four-time finalist Cris Carter, #4 all-time rusher Curtis Martin and 11-time Pro Bowl tackle Willie Roaf.
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