Torry Holt
FILE - Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas (73) walks on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Cleveland. Six-time All-Pro offensive lineman Joe Thomas, shutdown cornerback Darrelle Revis and speedy pass rusher Dwight Freeney headline the list of nine first-year eligible players picked among the 129 nominees for the 2023 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Thomas, Revis, Freeney headline 1st time Hall candidates

By Josh Dubow Sep. 20, 2022 01:17 PM EDT

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase answers questions during a press conference following the team's NFL football practice Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. The Cincinnati Bengals play the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl Sunday Feb. 13. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Super Bowl gives Chase chance to cap amazing rookie season

By Teresa M. Walker Feb. 11, 2022 08:16 PM EST

FILE -Kansas City Chiefs Jared Allen (69) celebrates a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter of a football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. Jared Allen is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2022.(AP Photo/Dick Whipple, File)
Hester, Ware, Andre Johnson 1st-year Hall of Fame finalists

By Barry Wilner Dec. 30, 2021 05:50 PM EST

Former Chicago Bears returner Devin Hester smiles during a retirement ceremony Monday, April 23, 2018 at Halas Hall. Seven first-time eligible former players, including wide receivers Andre Johnson, Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin, are among 26 modern day semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2022. Joining them as candidates for induction next year are outstanding kick returner Devin Hester; pass-rushing standouts Robert Mathis and DeMarcus Ware; and run-stuffing defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. Each last played in the 2016 season. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Andre Johnson, Steve Smith among Hall of Fame semifinalists

By Barry Wilner Nov. 24, 2021 01:04 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
NFL Today, Week 5

By The Associated Press Oct. 10, 2021 09:50 PM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Brady's 5 TD passes to pace Bucs' 45-17 rout of Dolphins

By Fred Goodall Oct. 10, 2021 04:28 PM EDT

Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores talks to the media before an NFL football practice at Baptist Health Training Complex in Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in Tampa, Fla. (David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP)
Tom Brady faces familiar foe outside AFC East for 1st time

By The Associated Press Oct. 07, 2021 01:55 PM EDT

FILE - This Oct. 30, 2016, file photo shows Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) smiling prior to an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Denver. Ten first-year eligible players, including defensive standout DeMarcus Ware, are among 122 nominees for the 2022 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, announced Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021.(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
Ware, Mathis among 1st-year eligibles for Pro Football Hall

Sep. 22, 2021 01:01 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 24, 2006, file photo, St. Louis Rams' Isaac Bruce (80) eludes Washington Redskins Sean Taylor after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game in St. Louis. Bruce feels the Rams set the groundwork – and the benchmark – for explosive offenses to follow. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam, File)
'Greatest Show on Turf' lands Bruce in HOF, Holt next?

By Mark Long Jul. 27, 2021 04:13 PM EDT

FILE - Minnesota Vikings' Jared Allen reacts after sacking Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, in this Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, file photo. The Vikings won 30-23. Allen is a 2021 finalist for entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid, File)
Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson top Hall of Fame candidates

By Barry Wilner Feb. 05, 2021 11:46 AM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2016, file photo, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in NFL football's Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, Calif. Manning, in his first-year of eligibility, was selected as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2021 on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
No surprise: Peyton Manning a Hall of Fame finalist

By Barry Wilner Jan. 05, 2021 06:02 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2009, file photo, Green Bay Packers' Charles Woodson reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Green Bay, Wis. Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, Jared Allen and Calvin Johnson are first-year eligible players to make the list of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2021. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching, File)
Manning, Woodson, Megatron are Hall of Fame semifinalists

By Barry Wilner Nov. 24, 2020 01:00 PM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2013, file photo, Oakland Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson (24) talks with Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) after an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif. Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson are among 14 first-year eligible candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson 2021 Hall of Fame candidates

By Barry Wilner Sep. 16, 2020 01:03 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2019, file photo, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense, left, lines up against the Los Angeles Rams' defense during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh. The NFL's decision to expand the playoffs from 12 to 14 teams this season could have a major impact on the league based on how things have played out in the past.(AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
How paths might have changed under expanded NFL playoffs

By Josh Dubow Mar. 25, 2020 02:41 PM EDT

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates with fans after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Buffalo Bills Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in Houston. The Texans won 22-19 in overtime.(AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Determining All-Decade team for 2010s no easy chore

By Barry Wilner Feb. 25, 2020 01:44 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2013, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers' Troy Polamalu follows the action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Pittsburgh. John Lynch, now the general manager of the 49ers who will play the Chiefs in Sunday's Super Bowl, is up for the seventh time. Steve Atwater is a finalist for the third time. LeRoy Butler and first-year eligible Troy Polamalu complete the quartet of safeties among the 15 final candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
4 safeties vying for Hall of Fame spot, 3 WRs and OLs

By Barry Wilner Jan. 31, 2020 12:53 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2014, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu watches from the bench in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Brownsin Cleveland. First-time eligibles Reggie Wayne and Polamalu are among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's modern-day 2020 class. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Wayne, Polamalu finalists for HOF 2020 in 1st year eligible

By Barry Wilner Jan. 02, 2020 07:04 PM EST

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) is congratulated by running back J.D. McKissic (41) and wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) during an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Lions 20-7. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
NFL Notes: From purgatory to Pro Bowl for Cowboys' Frederick

By The Associated Press Dec. 20, 2019 02:48 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) works in the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Jameis Winston keeps piling up TDs, INTs for Bucs

By Josh Dubow Nov. 28, 2019 02:44 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2009, file photo, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne, right, reaches out while attempting a catch under the defense of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Derek Cox in the second half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis. Safety Troy Polamalu, wide receiver Reggie Wayne and linebacker Patrick Willis are first-year eligible players among the 25 semifinalists of the modern era for the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
Polamalu, Wayne, Willis 1st year eligible for Hall of Fame

By Barry Wilner Nov. 26, 2019 01:03 PM EST