Football Hall

With the Steelers reporting to Latrobe next week for training camp, it's time for those of us in the McIlwain household to begin to get into "football mode" again. What a season it will be as the Steelers defend their Super Bowl title!

To set the mood, I'd like to post briefly about the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Of all the sports Halls, this seems the most "elite"; excellent players don't always make it into the Hall. Players need that certain "something extra" to enjoy induction.

As for future inductees, here are my picks as to "locks" (who are a sure thing) and other possibilities...

* Shaun Alexander, RB, Seattle Seahwaks - POSSIBLE (another few excellent seasons needed)
* Larry Allen, G, Dallas/San Francisco - LOCK
* Bill Belichick, Head Coach, Cleveland/New England - LOCK
* Jerome Bettis, RB, Rams/Pittsburgh - LOCK
* Brian Billick, Head Coach, Baltimore Ravens - POSSIBLE
* Drew Bledsoe, QB, New England/Buffalo/Dallas - LONGSHOT
* Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots - LOCK
* Cris Carter, WR, Minnesota Vikings - PROBABLE
* Bill Cowher, Head Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers - LOCK
* Dermotti Dawson, C, Pittsburgh Steelers - POSSIBLE
* Alan Faneca, G, Pittsburgh Steelers - POSSIBLE
* Marshall Faulk, RB, Indianapolis/St. Louis - LOCK
* Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay Packers - LOCK
* Dennis Green, Head Coach, Minnesota/Arizona - LONGSHOT
* Marvin Harrison, WR, Indianapolis Colts - PROBABLE
* Mike Holmgren, Head Coach, Green Bay/Seattle - POSSIBLE
* Michael Irvin, WR, Dallas Cowboys - LOCK
* Edgerrin James, RB, Indianapolis/Arizona - POSSIBLE
* Jimmy Johnson, Head Coach, Dallas/Miami - POSSIBLE
* Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts - PROBABLE (a few more astounding seasons or a Super Bowl ring will make him a lock)
* Curtis Martin, RB, New England/New York Jets - LOCK
* Steve McNair, QB, Houston/Tennessee/Baltimore - POSSIBLE
* Donovan McNabb, QB, Phildelphia Eagles - POSSIBLE (needs to win without T.O., and probably needs a Super Bowl ring)
* Randy Moss, WR, Minnesota/Oakland - POSSIBLE (maybe the most talented athlete in NFL history, he just hasn't produced enough)
* Terrell Owens, WR, San Francisco/Philadelphia/Dallas - POSSIBLE (a great playmaker who needs a bit more success)
* Bill Parcells, Head Coach, Giants/New England/Jets/Dallas - LOCK
* Willie Roaf, T, New Orleans/Kansas City - POSSIBLE (excellent stats but not a dominant figure)
* Deion Sanders, CB, Atlanta/San Francisco/Dallas/Washington/Baltimore - LOCK
* Marty Schottenheimer, Head Coach, Cleveland/Kansas City/Washington/San Diego - POSSIBLE
* Emmitt Smith, RB, Dallas/Arizona - LOCK
* Junior Seau, LB, San Diego/Miami - NEAR-LOCK
* Mike Shanahan, Head Coach, Raiders/Denver - POSSIBLE (needs to win the big one without Elway)
* Will Shields, G, Kansas City Chiefs - POSSIBLE (excellent stats but not a dominant figure)
* Michael Strahan, DE, New York Giants - PROBABLE (I'm not completely sold on his status as a "lock"...excellent player but not a dominant defender a la White or Taylor)
* Hines Ward, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers - PROBABLE (another great season or 2 will lock him in)
* Rod Woodson, DB, Pittsburgh/San Francisco/Baltimore - LOCK