Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists - My vote

The following are the 17 finalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame....the NFL writers will vote on this year's class on Saturday....
- Cris Carter - wide receiver - Eagles, Vikings, Dolphins
- Fred Dean - defensive end - Chargers, 49ers
- Richard Dent - defensive end - Bears, 49ers, Colts, Eagles
- Marshall Goldberg - back - Cardinals
- Randy Gradishar - linebacker - Broncos
- Darrell Green - cornerback - Redskins
- Russ Grimm - guard - Redskins
- Ray Guy - punter - Raiders
- Bob Kuechenberg - guard - Dolphins
- Randall McDaniel - guard - Vikings, Buccaneers
- Art Monk - wide receiver - Redskins, Jets, Eagles
- Andre Reed - wide receiver - Bills, Redskins
- Paul Tagliabue - commissioner
- Derrick Thomas - linebacker - Chiefs
- Emmitt Thomas - cornerback - Chiefs
- Andre Tippett - linebacker - Patriots
- Gary Zimmerman - tackle - Vikings, Broncos

There is no doubt that all 17 people are deserving to make the Hall of Fame....in fact, it is an honor to be a finalist...all these athletes made Pro Bowls and All-NFL Teams, therefore I made my own criteria in determining who I would vote for...I asked myself two questions, "Did this person make an impact?" and "Were they a difference maker?"....here is who I would vote into this year's class...

Paul Tagliabue - it is not if he will make the Hall, but when...he missed out last year...Tags was a good commissioner in which there was no work stoppage during his tenure and the NFL became global....

Ray Guy (photo) - he is overlooked and not respected because he was a punter....but Guy was the best punter ever...he was instrumental in the Raiders winning three Super Bowls over a stretch in the late 70s and early 80s....

Richard Dent - Dent was the best defensive end pass rusher that I have ever seen...Bruce Smith has more sacks than Dent...but just like Smith, Dent was a difference maker....as an extra boost, he was also a Super Bowl MVP...that surely can't hurt his case...

Russ Grimm - Grimm has been at this spot a few times and has never made it in...he was the anchor of the great Redskins offensive line known as the Hogs...

Darrell Green - this should be a no-brainer...Green was a shutdown corner who had the speed to rundown anyone who broke loose...Green also served as a punt returner...in his first NFL game, Green made an impact when he chased down Dallas running back Tony Dorsett, on Monday Night, to prevent a sure touchdown....

Randy Gradishar (photo) - the young bucks may have forgotten about this warrior...Gradishar was not flashy, but he was a rock solid linebacker who often did not get the recognition he deserved...