Hall of Fame Thumbnails

Thumbnail looks at the 15 finalists for induction in 1994 into the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

DAN DIERDORF, offensive tackle, center St. Louis (1971-83) Although he never played in a Super Bowl, Dierdorf was a perennial all-star. After being taken in the second round from Michigan, he played in six Pro Bowls and was chosen All-Pro five times. Three straight years he was picked by the players association as the best blocker in the NFL. If inducted, it would also be a homecoming: he was born in Canton in 1949.

TONY DORSETT, running back Dallas (1977-87), Denver (1988) A Heisman Trophy winner, Dorsett came from Pitt to pile up 12,739 yards rushing and add 398 receptions for 3,554 yards. He also played in two Super Bowls and five NFC title games. Eight times he topped 1,000 yards rushing in a season. He lived up to his initials with 90 touchdowns.

CARL ELLER, defensive end Minnesota (1964-78), Seattle (1979) As one of the anchors of the Vikings’ “Purple People Eaters” line, he made it a habit of dumping opposing passers. Over one three-year span, he had 44 sacks. During his tenure, the former player at the University of Minnesota helped the Vikings win 10 division crowns.

BUD GRANT, head coach Minnesota (1967-83, 1985) The stoic man on the sidelines for the Vikings had an 18-year record of 158-96-5. Four times he led his team to the Super Bowl, but lost each time. Before his NFL coaching career, he played six years in the NFL and Canadian Football League and also coached 10 years in the CFL, where he won four championships.

JIMMY JOHNSON, cornerback San Francisco (1961-76) A first-round pick as a two-way star at UCLA, Johnson had 34 catches for 627 yards and four touchdowns as an offensive player in 1962. But he was better known for catching opposing passes. In 15 years as a starting defensive player for the San Francisco 49ers, he intercepted 47 passes. Brother of former decathlon champion Rafer Johnson.

CHARLIE JOINER, wide receiver Houston (1969-72), Cincinnati (1972-75), San Diego (1976-86) Although 92 players were taken before him in the draft, the Grambling product finished his career with 750 catches for 12,146 yards and 65 touchdowns. Seven times he caught 50 or more passes in a season and three times he topped 70 receptions. He played more years as a receiver than any player ever and stands fourth in all-time receptions.

LEROY KELLY, running back Cleveland (1964-73) Only an eighth-round draft pick out of Morgan State, Kelly went on to lead the NFL in rushing in 1967-68 and total 7,274 yards for his 10-year career with the Cleveland Browns. His stats might have even been better, but he spent his first two seasons backing up Jim Brown.

PAUL KRAUSE, safety Washington (1964-67), Minnesota (1968-79) Krause intercepted more passes (81) than anyone in NFL history. During four seasons with the Washington Redskins and 12 with the Vikings, Krause played in four Super Bowls and eight Pro Bowl games. He intercepted passes in seven straight games in 1964, then picked off passes in six games in a row three years later.

TOM MACK, offensive guard Los Angeles Rams (1966-78) Although he never made it to a Super Bowl, Mack had more than his share of postseason exposure. Eleven times in his 13 years, he was selected to play in Pro Bowls. One reason was his durability; he never missed a game due to injury in his career. Like his contemporary and fellow finalist Dierdorf, he was a Michigan man.

MEL RENFRO, cornerback, safety Dallas (1964-77) An All-American halfback and track star at Oregon, he excelled in the secondary and as a kick returner for the Cowboys. His first 10 seasons, he was named to the Pro Bowl. He stopped opposing offenses with 52 interceptions, and fueled the Dallas offense with more than 3,000 yards in kick returns. His final game was a victory in the 1978 Super Bowl.

JACKIE SMITH, tight end St. Louis (1963-77), Dallas (1978) A 10th-round pick from Northwestern Louisiana, Smith was known as a punishing blocker who had terrific hands. He had 480 receptions for 7,918 yards and 40 touchdowns and retired as the leading receiver among tight ends.

JOHN STALLWORTH, wide receiver Pittsburgh (1974-87) With Lynn Swann he formed perhaps the most formidable tandem of deep threats ever on one team. Caught 537 passes for 8,723 yards and 63 touchdowns, but was at his best in four Super Bowl victories. Scored winning touchdown on a 73-yard catch and run in 1980 Super Bowl and still holds records for career average per catch (24.4 yards) and single-game average (40.3) in the Super Bowl.

LYNN SWANN, wide receiver Pittsburgh (1974-82) In just his second season, and first as a regular, he had 49 catches and league-high 11 touchdowns, then won MVP honors in 1976 Super Bowl with four receptions for 161 yards. His 364 receiving yards is a Super Bowl career record. His 336 catches in nine seasons included 53 touchdowns.

RANDY WHITE, defensive tackle Dallas (1975-88) The Outland and Lombardi award winner out of Maryland when he was chosen as the No.2 pick overall, White led the Cowboys to three Super Bowls. In his first season as a starter, he shared the Super Bowl MVP award in 1978. The 1978 NFL defensive player of the year, he totaled 111 sacks for his career.

KELLEN WINSLOW, tight end San Diego (1979-87) Winslow was the prototype of a fast tight end who could turn a short pass into a long gain. Twenty-six times in his nine years he had more than 100 yards receiving in a game. In his second and third seasons as a pro he had 89 and 88 catches. In a 1981 playoff win over Miami, he had 13 receptions for 166 yards and also blocked a field goal to send the game into overtime. He finished with 541 career catches for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns.