Peyton Manning a finalist for Hall
Former Jet Faneca also among 15 candidates for the class of 2021
Peyton Manning, no surprise, is among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2021.
The star quarterback, owner of a record five NFL Most Valuable Player awards and two Super Bowl titles, was the first finalist revealed by the hall on Tuesday night.
Manning, of course, was one of the most prolific passers in NFL history. In 18 pro seasons and 265 starts out of 266 games played since being the top overall draft choice by Indianapolis in 1998, he had 14 seasons with 4,000-plus yards passing.
When he retired after leading Denver to the 2015 league title, Manning held NFL records for career passing yards (71,940), career passing touchdowns (539) and consecutive seasons with at least 25 passing touchdowns (13).
Joining Manning as a finalist was one of the players he threw to, wide receiver Reggie Wayne, a finalist for the second time. First-year eligible Calvin Johnson and second-time finalist Torry Holt also made the cut among receivers.
Wayne played in two Super Bowls with Manning.
Four defensive backs, including current 49ers general manager John Lynch, advanced. This will be Lynch’s eighth time as a finalist, while it’s the first for Charles Woodson, in his initial year of eligibility, and Ronde Barber, and the second for appearance in the finals for Leroy Butler.
Two of the NFL’S most dependable defensive linemen got to the finals: sack master Jared Allen and versatile Richard Seymour. Allen, who had 136 sacks and forced four safeties, is another first-year eligible player, while Seymour has made the finals for three of his four eligible years.
Zach Thomas, who also excelled on special teams, was one of three linebackers making the finals, joining Sam Mills — a star in the USFL and then the NFL — and Clay Matthews, who led some strong Cleveland defenses from 1978-1993 before playing three seasons in Atlanta. Thomas and Mills became secondtime finalists, and Matthews for the first time.
Two offensive linemen who have been frequent finalists round out the potential class of 2021: Alan Faneca and Tony Boselli. Faneca, who played guard and tackle and starred for three franchises (Steelers, Jets, Cardinals) made his sixth final in as many years of eligibility, while Boselli, a standout for Jacksonville, reached the finals for a fifth time.
Inductees will be announced in Super Bowl week. The ceremony is scheduled for August.
Giants: Defensive coordinator Pat Graham signed an extension and is adding the title of assistant head coach.
Falcons: Atlanta has interviewed two directors of college scouting, Brad Holmes of the Rams and Morocco Brown of the Colts, for their general manager position.
Panthers: A source said Carolina has requested permission to speak with Bears assistant director of player personnel Champ Kelly, Titans director of player personnel Monti Ossenfort, Chiefs assistant director of player personnel Ryan Poles, Chiefs director of football administration Brandt Tilis, Saints assistant general manager Jeff Ireland and 49ers vice president of player personnel Adam Peters about its vacant GM position. ... Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady is becoming a popular name for teams looking to fill head coaching vacancies. A source said the Chargers, Falcons and Texans have received permission to interview Brady for their head coaching jobs.