Class of 2020 Modern Era Semifinalists

LOOKING AHEAD
By John Turney

Today the Hall of Fame released its annual semifinalist list of the 25 modern-era candidates for the Hall of Fame. It will be trimmed to 15 in January and then the day before the Super Bowl five (maximum) will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

CLASS OF 2020 MODERN ERA SEMIFINALISTS
OFFENSE (11)
RUNNING BACK (3) – Edgerrin James, Fred Taylor, Ricky Watters.
WIDE RECEIVER (4) – Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne.
TACKLE (1) – Tony Boselli.
GUARD (2) – Alan Faneca, Steve Hutchinson.
SPECIAL TEAMS (WR/KR) (1) – Steve Tasker.

DEFENSE (14)
END (1) – Simeon Rice.
TACKLE (2) – Richard Seymour, Bryant Young.
LINEBACKER (5) – Carl Banks, Clay Matthews, Sam Mills, Zach Thomas, Patrick Willis.
CORNERBACK (1) – Ronde Barber.
SAFETY (5) – Steve Atwater, Leroy Butler, John Lynch, Troy Polamalu, Darren Woodson.

There are plenty of new names. Troy Polamalu, Patrick Willis, Reggie Wayne, Carl Banks, Bryant Young, Ricky Watters, and Fred Taylor made the semifinalists list for the first time

On offense, there are seven skill position players and three linemen. There are five linebackers and five safeties.