This has been making the rounds, so I figured I'd post it as well. The Pro Football Hall of Fame has narrowed down the eligible candidates for the 2010 class to 17 finalists. Among the finalists are five ex-49ers, including WR Jerry Rice, RB Roger Craig, DE/OLB Charles Haley, LB Rickey Jackson, and DE Richard Dent.
Rice is obviously not a shocker, but this group is also notable because it's the first time Roger Craig has made it to the finalist stage in his 12 years of eligibility. As 49ers fans know, he was the kind of all-purpose rushing/receiving back emulated by the likes of Marshall Faulk and Ladanian Tomlinson. His rushing numbers alone are certainly not enough to get him into the Hall. But when you factor in his all-around game, he is certainly worthy of entry into the Hall of Fame.
The other finalists are after the jump.
Tim Brown - Wide Receiver/Kick Returner
Cris Carter - Wide Receiver
Don Coryell - Coach
Dermonti Dawson - Center
Russ Grimm - Guard
Cortez Kennedy - Defensive Tackle
Dick LeBeau* - Cornerback
Floyd Little* - Running Back
John Randle - Defensive Tackle
Andre Reed - Wide Receiver
Shannon Sharpe - Tight End
Emmitt Smith - Running Back
*=Senior Nominees