ESPN NFL reporter John Clayton in an appearance on Bills flagship station WGR Sportsradio 550 this week was asked to handicap the Hall of Fame voting on Saturday. He is one of the 46 Hall of Fame Selectors and believes this should be the year that Andre Reed is selected for enshrinement.
“I think Walter Jones has a great chance to be first ballot as does Derrick Brooks,” said Clayton. “I think Michael Strahan should and would make it. That takes care of three (out of a maximum of five). Everyone is going to be saying that Marvin Harrison should make it on the first ballot. But I would love it for Andre Reed to make it in before Marvin Harrison. It’s not a knock on Marvin Harrison. I think he’s a Hall of Fame receiver and that he will make it.
“But as you know from Tim Brown and Andre Reed and last year with Cris Carter it takes us forever to get receivers in. I just think justice needs to be served that if there is a receiver to go in this year that it be Andre Reed. Then maybe Harrison makes it in next year.
“I think on the fringes not in any order, throw Reed in, you’ve got Charles Haley, Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown and Will Shields. They’re on the fringe for the number four or number five spot.”
When asked how he would rank the three receivers among the 15 finalists this year (Tim Brown, Marvin Harrison, Andre Reed), Clayton said Reed was his top guy.
“This is just my opinion and it could change in the room, but I would go Reed first, Harrison second, Tim Brown third,” Clayton said.
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