Do Chris Doleman and Cris Carter belong in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Yes.
Will they both get elected when voting is held Saturday?
Not likely.
Doleman and Carter both are finalists for the Hall of Fame, but both have been on the ballot before and have failed to be elected.
Like hundreds of other sports writers, I get to vote for baseball's Hall of Fame. The Pro Football Hall of Fame has a 44-person selection committee. If I was in that group of 44, I'd vote for both Doleman and Carter.
I believe they have Hall of Fame credentials, but my opinion is swayed by having watched each of them in their prime.
Doleman was a fierce pass rusher and one of the best ever to chase down a quarterback. Offenses always had to account for him. Meantime, Carter was the best third-down receiver I ever saw. Nobody could make a sideline catch the way he could. I've talked to several of those folks who get to vote, and it appears Doleman has a better chance to be elected than Carter.
There are other very good players among the Hall of Fame finalists, and it is unlikely voters will support two players from the same team.
It helps Doleman that he made the Pro Bowl as a member of three different teams -- the Vikings, the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers. It also helps that he had eight interceptions and 24 fumble recoveries and had the talent and durability to play 15 seasons at a high level.
Carter isn't helped by being on the ballot along with two other impressive wide receivers -- Tim Brown and Andre Reed. It's likely they will split the vote, which has happened before, and all three could get the straight-arm from the selection committee.
So, it wouldn't be a surprise if Doleman gets into the Hall of Fame and Carter doesn't. Even though they both belong.
