Jan. 16, 2008

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the 17 finalists who will be considered for election into the Hall as members of the Class of 2008.

Two first-year eligible players, Cris Carter and Darrell Green, and two senior-committee nominees, Marshall Goldberg and Emmitt Thomas, will be joined by 12 other modern-day players and one contributor. The Hall’s Board of Selectors meets in Phoenix on Feb. 2 to vote for this year’s class.

To be elected, a finalist must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent.

The finalists are listed below in alphabetical order:

Cris Carter — Wide receiver — 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins

Fred Dean — Defensive end — 1975-81 San Diego Chargers, 1981-85 San Francisco 49ers

Richard Dent — Defensive end —1983-93, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles

Marshall Goldberg — Back — 1939-43, 1946-48 Chicago Cardinals

Randy Gradishar — Linebacker — 1974-83 Denver Broncos

Darrell Green — Cornerback — 1983-2002 Washington Redskins

Russ Grimm — Offensive guard —1981-91 Washington Redskins

Ray Guy — Punter — 1973-86 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Bob Kuechenberg — Offensive guard — 1970-84 Miami Dolphins

Randall McDaniel — Offensive guard — 1988-99 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-01 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Art Monk — Wide receiver — 1980-93 Washington Redskins, 1994 New York Jets, 1995 Philadelphia Eagles

Andre Reed — Wide receiver — 1985-99 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins

Paul Tagliabue — Commissioner — 1989-2006 National Football League

Derrick Thomas — Linebacker — 1989-99 Kansas City Chiefs

Emmitt Thomas — Cornerback — 1966-78 Kansas City Chiefs

Andre Tippett — Linebacker — 1982-93 New England Patriots

Gary Zimmerman — Offensive tackle — 1986-92 Minnesota Vikings, 1993-97 Denver Broncos