Former Colts Tony Dungy, Marvin Harrison, and Edgerrin James Named Hall of Fame Finalists

The NFL announced on Thursday that former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, and running back Edgerrin James have been named Hall of Fame finalists.

They were among the 15 Modern Era Finalists who were determined by the Hall’s Selection Committee. The Annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Committee will meet on February 6, 2016, to elect the Class of 2016. It’s worth noting that in order to be elected, a player must receive at least 80% of the vote during the annual selection meeting.

During his 7 seasons as Colts head coach (2002-08), Dungy was 85-27 (.759), having never missed the playoffs during his coaching tenure with the team. Of course, his biggest coaching accomplishment came in 2006, when the Colts became Super Bowl XLI Champions. Dungy was inducted into the Colts Ring of Honor in 2010.

Dungy is credited with finally bringing a resemblance of a defense to Indianapolis. By implementing his signature “Cover 2” system, Dungy gave the Colts prolific offense the help it desperately needed on the other side of the football to finally win a Super Bowl Championship. He’s always been highly regarded for his character, as a great leader of men, and is one of the most widely respected people in the game of football.

Harrison finished his Colts career with 1,102 receptions for 14,580 receiving yards, and 128 receiving touchdowns in 13 seasons. That ranks 3rd (receptions), 7th (receiving yards), and 5th all-time (receiving touchdowns) respectively.

Harrison was an Super Bowl XLI Champion, 8x Pro Bowler, 3x First-Team All-Pro, NFL All-Decade Team Member of 2000’s, and was inducted into the Colts Ring of Honor in 2011.

Needless to say, he’s one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL History and should be a lock to make this year’s Hall of Fame Class after being clearly snubbed in recent years in favor of inferior wide receivers such as Andre Reed (2014) and Tim Brown (2015).

Many of Harrison’s top cornerback contemporaries such as Champ Bailey, Charles “Peanut Tillman”, and just recently Charles Woodson have said he’s the best wide receiver they’ve ever played against. There was a time when the 6’0″, 175 pound diminutive, yet incredibly dangerous wideout was nearly uncoverable, with his precision, hands, and speed working in-and-out of routes.

James is the Colts franchise’s all-time leading rusher with 9,226 career rushing yards, as well as touchdowns with 64 career rushing touchdowns. In his 7 seasons with the Colts (1999-2005), James had 2,188 carries for 9,226 rushing yards and 64 career touchdowns as mentioned.

He was a 1x 1st-Team All-Pro, 4x Pro Bowler, 2x NFL Rushing Champion, and was inducted into the Colts Ring of Honor in 2012.

In my opinion, James is one of the most complete running backs in NFL history with his running, hands, and blocking ability. Quite frankly, prior to his ACL injury in 2001, James was one of the best running backs I’ve ever seen. He was a joy to watch from a rushing perspective.

Even after the injury, he remained one of the top running backs in football. Known for his signature dreads, James dazzled with his exceptional vision and ability to make cuts, always seemingly churning for positive yards.

While Harrison appears to be a lock to make this year’s Hall of Fame Class, all 3 Colts candidates are highly deserving of such honors. It will be interesting to see who the Annual Pro Hall of Fame Committee ultimately elects: