Football fans will finally have say for HOF

Let the fur fly. Take the gloves off. This one's for you.

Last Saturday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 25 semifinalists for induction into the class of 2010, and they want to know what you think.

Will Cris Carter get your vote for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame? (Getty Images)

Specifically, they want your vote. Officially, it's called the Van Heusen Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan's Choice (there was nothing easier?), which will not put your guy in Canton, but will certainly have an impact.

"The selectors will absolutely be aware of the fan vote," said George Veras, President and CEO of Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprises. "We wanted the best way to represent social media -- the blogs, the twittering and chat rooms. For the fan, this is a formal way to make sure their voice is heard."

Do you think Tim Brown should get as much consideration as Cris Carter? Should punter Ray Guy become only the second kicker in Canton? Is Dermontti Dawson overdue? What about hybrid linebacker Charles Haley, a menace to all he faced?

In September, the Hall of Fame developed a website with profiles on all the candidates -- and not just statistics and information -- but graphics to tell you how other fans voted, by age and region, even gender. The voting at www.fanschoice.com will continue until the list is trimmed to 17 on Jan. 7 and the finalists are announced on Feb. 6 in Miami, the day before the Super Bowl.

"We want the fans to be more involved with their Hall of Fame," said Veras, the legendary former producer of CBS' NFL Today (1981-94). "The road to enshrinement should, in part, go through the fans."

And just to up the stakes, Veras took his show on the road. Since the start of the season, he's organized Fan's Choice Tour stops. Programs have included Hall of Famers from the representative team -- in New England, it was Andre Tippett, Mike Haynes and John Hannah, lobbying for Babe Parilli. In Denver, it was John Elway and Gary Zimmerman both passionate for Randi Gradishar, Floyd Little, Terrell Davis and, of course, Shannon Sharpe. Kellen Winslow, who spent his entire career with the Chargers, was also on hand.

Zimmerman (Class of 2008) said, "Shannon Sharpe obviously deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, but I would also like to see [defensive end] Chris Doleman."

Winslow (Class of 2005) added, noting his former coach, "Everyone runs a version of the West Coast offense today, the same terminology is being used from 20 years ago. Without a doubt, Don Coryell belongs.

Elway (Class of 2004) told the hundreds of fans who turned out for the event, "We're all in this together, especially you, the fans."

In Chicago, Dick Butkus promoted Richard Dent, the MVP of the Bears' 1985 Super Bowl win over the Patriots.

Butkus, of course, was one of the ferocious linebackers who were household names in the '50's and '60's, along with Ray Nitschke, Sam Huff and Willie Lanier. But in the past decade, only five linebackers have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Is this the year for Kevin Greene and the unheralded Rickey Jackson?

Receivers aren't often selected in their first year of eligibility (Steve Largent was the last in 1995). Michael Irvin was elected in his third year. Sharpe was a finalist last year. Many of the receivers get lost in a syllabus of statistics, which doesn't always tell the story of who is most qualified. Cris Carter has both numbers and highlights with the Eagles, Vikings and Dolphins in a 15-year career. Andre Reed has the same, mostly with the great Buffalo Super Bowl teams, but also with the Redskins. Jerry Rice needs no discussion, unless it's a debate over whether he's the greatest football player, ever.

Interestingly, there aren't any quarterbacks in the final 25, but there are two special teams players. In addition to Guy, former Buffalo great Steve Tasker is also a semifinalist. During CBS' Dolphins-Bills game on Sunday, announcer Gus Johnson voiced what many people have been thinking for years, that Tasker clearly belongs. Since being launched on Sept. 19, the top vote getters are, no surprise, Rice, Emmitt Smith and Carter. Sharpe is fifth in the voting, Tim Brown is sixth.

"This vote is intended to energize the debate," Veras said. "General managers, coaches and most columnists don't have a vote, but they certainly let their feelings known. We want the fans to do the same."

Tavern debates, verbal uppercuts and heavyweight stats aside, this is your chance to be heard. Vote early and often, and no low blows please; we don't want you charged with fanslaughter.