Jerome Bettis, Marshall Faulk, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf and Deion Sanders -- the five players in their first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame -- will be among 15 modern-era finalists considered for election when the 44-member selection committee meets Feb. 5 in North Texas. Joining the five first-year-eligible players are nine other modern-era players and one contributor. Two senior nominees, announced last August, also will be considered. A finalist must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent to be elected. Here are the 17 finalists: Jerome Bettis, RB (1993-95 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 1996-2005 Pittsburgh Steelers) ; Tim Brown, WR/KR (1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers) ; Cris Carter, WR (1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins) ; Dermontti Dawson, C (1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers) ; Richard Dent, DE (1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles) ; Chris Doleman, DE/LB (1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers) ; Marshall Faulk, RB (1994-98 Indianapolis Colts, 1999-2005 St. Louis Rams) ; Charles Haley, DE/LB (1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys) ; Chris Hanburger, LB (1965-78 Washington Redskins) ; Cortez Kennedy, DT (1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks) ; Curtis Martin, RB (1995-97 New England Patriots, 1998-2005 New York Jets) ; Andre Reed, WR (1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins) ; Les Richter, LB (1954-62 Los Angeles Rams) ; Willie Roaf, OT (1993-2001 New Orleans Saints, 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs) ; Ed Sabol, Contributor (1964-1995 NFL Films) ; Deion Sanders, CB/KR/PR (1989-1993 Atlanta Falcons, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-99 Dallas Cowboys, 2000 Washington Redskins, 2004-05 Baltimore Ravens) ; Shannon Sharpe, TE (1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens). Source: NFL.com
