Charles Woodson & 7 NFL Players One More Great Season Away from the HOF

The 2011 season is inching ever closer as each passing day of negotiations between the NFLowners and the players continue. There are a few select players however that are viewing the 2011 season from a unique perspective.

These are the players that are considered to be on the verge of being deemed as worthy of a place in the Canton, Ohio NFL Hall of Fame.

Their careers are almost done, but with one or possibly two more solid seasons to complete their portfolio of accomplishments, these players are motivated to finish off their careers on a high note.

While there may be a wide range of opinions on who exactly is qualified for Hall of Fame consideration, we will attempt to single out the current active players that may only need one of two more solid years to gain entrance.

Please note that we are only considering players that have registered at least eight seasons in the NFL, as you need that much time to show enough longevity and producing at a high level over that time span to qualify for consideration. Being named to the 2000 NFL All-Decade team is a big plus.

Ray Lewis: Baltimore Ravens

We are going to start out with the active players that I believe have already done enough to warrant a spot in the Hall of Fame. Just didn't want to leave them out of the conversation.

Ray Lewis in entering the twilight of his NFL career. A veteran of 15 seasons, Lewis has done enough to earn his spot in Canton already, in my opinion.

Twelve Pro Bowls, AP First-Team seven times, Super Bowl MVP and twice named AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and member of the 2000 NFL All-Decade Team, cements Lewis in the Hall of Fame

Terrell Owens

Terrell Owens doesn't have an employer yet for the 2011 season, but as long as he continues to be the leading wide receiver for whatever team he joins, he will no doubt be getting game checks in 2011.

Owens ranks in the history of the NFL in the top-five wide receivers for both touchdown receptions and receiving yards. He has been named to six Pro Bowl teams and was an All-Pro selection five times. Owens was named to the NFL 2000 All-Decade team.

At this juncture, Owens really doesn't have much left to prove, but I am sure he would like to have a successful run in the playoffs, and possibly another Super Bowl appearance before he hangs up the cleats.

Payton Manning: Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning is another example of a player that has already done enough to warrant his place in Canton. Manning will be entering his 14th season in 2011.

During his first 13 years, he has been named to 11 Pro Bowls, five time First-Team All-Pro and four time AP NFL MVP.

Manning was awarded the AFC Player of the Year six times and was Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XLI. Manning was a member of the 2000 NFL All-Decade team. His bust in Canton is waiting to be unveiled after he retires.

Randy Moss

As embarrassing as the 2010 season turned out for Randy Moss, it hurt his pride more than it did his chances for Canton. Based on all the great seasons he turned in with the Minnesota Vikings and the New England Patriots, Moss is assured of a place in the Hall of Fame.

Moss will be entering his 14th NFL season, assuming that he finds a new employer. During his 13 years, Moss has been named to seven Pro Bowls, was a five time All-Pro selection and was a member of the NFL 2000 All-Decade team.

The list of records that Moss holds are too long to mention, so here is a link to his accomplishments and records on Wikipedia.

Ed Reed: Baltimore Ravens

Who is the best safety currently in the NFL? Is it Ed Reed or is it Troy Polamalu? Luckily we don't have to answer that debate today, because we get to endorse both players for enshrinement at the Hall of Fame.

Ed Reed is going to be entering his 10th season in the NFL. During that time, Reed has already been named to seven Pro Bowl teams, five First-Team All-Pro squads, and was AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

He was a member of the NFL 2000 All-Decade team. Reed has recorded touchdown returns that have covered 106 and 107 yards, the two longest in NFL history.  Reed has scored a total of 13 touchdowns in his career—three blocked punts, one punt return, two fumble returns and seven interception returns.

He is also the first person in NFL history to return an interception, punt, blocked punt, and fumble for a touchdown.

LaDainian Tomlinson: New York Jets

LaDainian Tomlinson got a chance to go further in the playoffs in 2010 than he has in a long time with the San Diego Chargers.

Tomlinson is the sixth leading rusher in the history of the NFL, and is another player that I feel has done enough already to warrant his place in Canton.

Tomlinson was named to five Pro Bowl teams, and was First-Team All-Pro four times. He was the AP NFL MVP in 2006. Tomlinson is a member of the elite 10,000 Rushing Yards Club and is a member of the 2000 NFL All-Decade team.

Tom Brady: New England Patriots

Tom Brady is already assured of a place in Canton, just like his contemporary Peyton Manning. Even though the Patriots are 0-2 in their last two playoff games, it does not diminish the fact that Brady continues to play as well as he ever did. In 2010, he was named the AP NFL MVP for the second time.

Brady is now entering his 12th season in the NFL. His accomplishments are quite long, which include: six-time Pro Bowl selections, two times First-Team All-Pro team, three time Super Bowl champion.

Brady also has NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2009. He is a member of the NFL 2000 All-Decade team.

Tony Gonzalez: Atlanta Falcons

Tony Gonzalez is going to be entering his 15th NFL season, but there was concern that we might not see him play again when he was starting to hint about the "r word" during the prolonged labor negotiations.

Gonzalez has been as consistent of a role model at tight end as you could possibly hope for. From 1998 - 2010, Gonzalez has registered 13 straight seasons of at least 59 pass receptions per year. In his career, Gonzalez has scored on 88 pass receptions, picked up 12,463 yards in receptions and averaged 11.7 yards per catch.

Gonzalez has 1,069 catches in his career and has only lost two fumbles during that time. That is an amazing statistic. Gonzalez has been named to 11 Pro Bowl teams, was a nine-time All-Pro selection and is a member of the NFL 2000 All-Decade team. He is the first tight end in NFL history to catch 1000 passes.

Adam Vinatieri: Indianapolis Colts

In recent memory, has there been any kicker that has come up with more big-time pressure kicks in the clutch than Adam Vinatieri?

Vinatieri has been the kicker for four Super Bowl Championship teams. He is a member of the NFL 2000 All-Decade team. He is a two time Pro Bowl selection and a two time All-Pro member. Is a member of the New England Patriots All-1990's team, as well as the Patriots All-2000's team.

Vinatieri is ranked in 11th place in NFL history for field goals made, as per Wikipedia.

Troy Polamalu: Pittsburgh Steelers

Troy Polamalu completes our first group of players for this slide show. He is the last of the current players in the NFL that have already done enough to ensure that they will be going to the NFL Hall of Fame.

Polamalu is going to be entering his 9th season in the NFL. He is on the cusp of longevity issue that I mentioned up front, but he has been playing at such an outstanding level throughout his career, I don't see how you can deny him a place in the Hall of Fame.

In eight seasons, Polamalu has been named to six Pro Bowl teams. He was a three-time First-Team All-Pro. He was a member of two Super Bowl Championship teams. He is a member of the NFL 2000 All-Decade team. In 2010, he was named as the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

1) Drew Brees: New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees is the first entry in the presentation (as well as all other players that follow him) that signifies a player that I believe is close to Hall of Fame caliber, but still needs to finish out their career with another strong season or two to improve their chances of enshrinement.

So far, Brees has been in the league for 10 years. During that time, he has amassed three different seasons of 3,000-plus yards in passing, four different seasons of 4,000-plus yards in passing and one season of 5,000-plus yards in passing. That shows how valuable and important that Brees has been to his team.

Brees has thrown for 34, 34 and 33 touchdowns in the last three years. The only troubling number from 2010 was that his interception total doubled from 11 to 22. Brees appears to be poised to have another big year in 2011. It would help his legacy and Hall of Fame chances if he could guide the Saints to one more appearance in the Super Bowl.

2) Charles Woodson: Gree Bay Packers

Charles Woodson is going to be entering his 14th year in the NFL. During his long and prolific career, Woodson has put up some strong numbers for Hall of Fame consideration.

He has made over 800 career tackles, recorded 13.5 sacks and forced 27 fumbles. He has made 47 interceptions, defended 160 passes and scored 10 touchdowns.

Woodson has been named to seven Pro Bowl teams, was named First-Team All-Pro three times and was AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2009.  Woodson was a member of the NFL 2000 All-Decade team. He is also a Super Bowl Champion and a Heisman Trophy winner. It seems fitting that he should also go to the Hall of Fame.

3) Antonio Gates: San Diego Chargers

Tony Gonzalez opened lots of eyes with his athletic play at tight end. Antonio Gates took the position to another level, with his athleticism and power.

Gates, a physical specimen at 6' 4" and weighs 260 pounds, is tough to defend against. He can use his body as a shield, and Philip Rivers loves to target him. So far in his career, Gates has caught 529 passes for 7,000 yards and 69 touchdowns. Gates has averaged 13.2 yards per catch over the course of his career, which will move quite a few first down chains.

Gates is entering his ninth season, but has already been named to seven Pro Bowl teams. He is a three time First-Team All-Pro member and also is a member of the NFL 2000 All-Decade Team.

4) Brian Urlacher: Chicago Bears

Brian Urlacher is the first of three current Chicago Bears that we will feature in this section. Urlacher is now entering his 12th season in the NFL.

After 11 seasons, he has amassed the following: 1,183 tackles, (of which 900 were the solo variety), 41.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles and 12 fumble recoveries, 18 interceptions and one career touchdown.

Urlacher is the Bears career tackles leader. He is a member of the NFL 2000's All-Decade team. He has been named to seven Pro Bowl teams and to four First-Team All-Pro teams. He was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2000 and was the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2005.

5) Olin Kreutz: Chicago Bears

Olin Kreutz has been playing for the Chicago Bears since 1998. A third-round draft pick, Kreutz has found a home as the Bears center.

During his 13 year career, Kreutz has been named to six straight Pro Bowl teams and is a member of the NFL 2000's All-Decade Team.

He is on the cusp however, as he was only a First-Team All-Pro selection one time in 2006, and hasn't been named to the Pro Bowl since 2006 either. If he can finish his career on top, that might be enough to get him in to the Hall of Fame.

6) Julius Peppers: Chicago Bears

Julius Peppers is our third and final current member of the Chicago Bears that has a chance to find himself in the NFL Hall of Fame one day. As you can see from the picture, Peppers has mastered the art of applying a "Bear Hug" to Aaron Rogers.

Peppers is now entering his 10th season in the NFL. In his career, Peppers has put his size and athleticism to good use, by coming up with the following stats in nine seasons: 89 career sacks, forced 33 fumbles, recovered seven fumbles, made eight interceptions, defended 53 passes and scored two touchdowns. He has been averaging just under 10 sacks per season during his career.

Peppers is a six time Pro Bowl selection and five time All-Pro selection. He was the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2002 and was named to the NFL 2000's All-Decade team.

7) Dwight Freeney: Indianapolis Colts

Dwight Freeney has been wrecking havoc on NFL quarterbacks ever since he joined the NFL in 2002.

Now a veteran of nine NFL seasons, Freeney has racked up 94 sacks, averaging slightly over 10.0 sacks per season. He has totaled 267 tackles, forced 41 fumbles, recovered three fumbles and defended 14 passes.

So far, Freeney has been named to six Pro Bowl teams, been a First-Team All-Pro three times and was the AFC Defensive Player of the Year in 2005. In 2004, he led the NFL with 16 sacks. Freeney is a member of the NFL 2000's All-Decade team.

8) Richard Seymour: Oakland Raiders

Looking at this picture, it seems that Richard Seymour is absolutely engulfing Matt Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck shouldn't feel alone, Seymour has been engulfing people for years.

The Oakland Raiders were delighted to sign Richard Seymour to a new deal to help control the line of scrimmage. During his 10 year NFL career, Seymour has amassed 452 tackles, 48.5 sacks, forced only four fumbles, recovered seven fumbles, made two interceptions and defended 31 passes.

In addition, Seymour has been a six time Pro Bowl selection, was First-Team All Pro three times, and played on three Super Bowl Championship teams. Seymour is a member of the NFL 2000's All-Decade team.