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Here we are about one month before the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, which is more or less the unofficial kickoff to the upcoming NFL season.  As a way to pass the time (and hopefylly give you something to ponder), I submit to you some current active NFL players who may have a shot at being inducted.  I graded on the following system:  A Lock, Good Chance, Too Early To Tell, and Don’t Think So.

As always, the views here are not necessarily those of NFL GRIDIRON GAB.  Here they are:

1- Shaun Alexander, RB, Seattle

    Grade – Good Chance

Right now, he is 25th alltime in rushing yardage.  Now if he can revert to 2005 standards and stay healthy (his foot), then he can possibly get in.

2- Larry Allen, OG, San Francisco

   Grade – A Lock

He was, during his tenure at Dallas, probably the best guard in the game.  Canton awaits him.

3- Champ Bailey, CB, Denver

   Grade – A Lock

We know already what he can do.  He will be a 10 year player in a couple of years, so assuming he puts up his usual numbers (and you know he will), he will be enshrined.

4- Ronde Barber, CB, Tampa Bay

   Grade – Don’t Think So

Don’t get me wrong, Ronde’s a very serviceable corner.  The problem is – he is a beneficiary of the Cover-2 defense that the Bucs employ.  So the numbers can be deceiving.  Ronde has lotsa work to do.

5- Tom Brady, QB, New England

   Grade – A Lock

As you all know already, I am a Colts fan.  And our pastime and passion is dissing Tom Brady (you watch – the Manning/Brady feud will start again this season).  But I’m not here to do that actually.  Just look at his overall body of work (3 Super Bowl rings, above-average stats).  That in and of itself should pave the way for Brady to get enshrined.

6- Isaac Bruce, WR, St. Louis

   Grade – A Lock

Bruce has the numbers that should get him in (7th in career receptions and receiving yards).  If he has a good season, he should be in the TOP 5.

7- Brian Dawkins, S, Philadelphia

   Grade – Too Early To Tell

Simply put, he’s one of the top safeties out there.  The thing is, safeties rarely get inducted.  But anything’s possible.  A couple more seasons of his usual should enhance his chances.

8- Warrick Dunn, RB, Atlanta Falcons

   Grade – Don’t Think So

I like Dunn; I really do.  But the thing is is that his numbers probably will not be enough to merit an induction notice.  Granted he plays for a run-heavy team, but that’s not always enough.

9- Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay

   Grade – A Lock

Brett’s done it all – SB ring, big numbers.  A no-brainer.

10- Tony Gonzalez

     Grade – A Lock

One of the most productive tight ends ever.  Imagine how bad the Chiefs would be without him in the lineup.

11- Marvin Harrison, WR, Indianapolis

     Grade – A Lock

The model of consistency.  He’s 4th all-time in receptions and he already has the numbers to get in.  All that’s ahead for him are Jerry Rice’s stats.  See you at Canton, Marvin.

12- Torry Holt, WR, St. Louis

     Grade – Too Early To Tell

He’s still relatively young.  However, he still needs to produce.  And he flies under the radar which may or may not help him get inducted.  I can get a better gauge on him in 2-3 years.

13- Walter Jones, OT, Seattle

     Grade – A Lock

Jones is currently the best OT in the league right now, in my opinion.  Just a matter of time before Canton comes a’callin’.

14- Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis

   Grade- A Lock

This one’s as obvious as a Raiders loss.  He can retire right now and get in.  I wonder if there’s an Endorsement Hall of Fame?

15- Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia

     Grade – Too Early To Tell

McNabb is one of those QB’s who is difficult to figure.  When he’s good, he’s scary-good.  But injuries are his speed-bump, and his relationship with the media doesn’t exactly endear people to him.  Ask me again in 2 years (if he isn’t traded by then).

16- Randy Moss, WR, New England

     Grade – Too Early To Tell

I don’t know about Moss.  He has good numbers, but it seems that there’s a combination of issues that may stop him from getting inducted.  Such as: The Raider episodes, his work ethic (or lack thereof?).  With Minnesota, he was as good as they got.  But since leaving there, he has regressed, statistically.  Maybe the change of scenery will do him good.

17- Orlando Pace, OT, St. Louis

     Grade – Good Chance

There’s a good reason why Marshall Faulk and Marc Bulger succeeded (Bulger’s still there)in St. Louis.  That reason is Orlando Pace.  Faulk didn’t get to where he is by talent alone, and Jones always had Bulger’s back.  Not the best OT obviously but good enough to go to Canton.

18- Michael Strahan, DE, New York Giants

     Grade – A Lock

Let’s get one thing clear – Strahan isn’t Reggie White.  But he has two things going for him – he’s the all-time sack leader and the media loves him.  A shoo-in.

19- LaDanian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego

     Grade – A Lock

Simply put, another LT-type year will ensure his induction.  And he’s still young.  Nothing but upside, induction-wise for Tomlinson.

20- Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago

     Grade – A Lock

Here’s the thing:  Urlacher’s young, and we all know the Bears’ LB pedigree.  Assuming he produces at his usual rate, he’s bound for Canton.