Carter, Green should be locks

Cris Carter and Darrell Green, the only first-year eligible players to make the semifinals in balloting for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, deserve strong consideration for entry.

Not only were they among the best ever at their positions, but they were strong leaders on good teams.

Carter overcame some early off-field problems in Philadelphia to become a standout receiver with the Vikings, where he was Mr. Clutch. Carter’s great hands and superb route-running helped him make 122 catches in consecutive seasons (1994 and ‘95); only Marvin Harrison with a phenomenal 143 in 2002 and Herman Moore with 123 in 1995 had more in one year.

If not for Carter’s strong guidance, who knows how disruptive Randy Moss might have been in Minnesota -- perhaps even as much as Moss was in his two disappointing seasons in Oakland before joining New England this year.

Carter also is well-respected by players and executives throughout the league for his outspoken but fair-minded comments on HBO’s “Inside The NFL,” where he tackles most of the tough subjects, including Sean Taylor’s death last week.

Carter, who often went up against Green during their careers, finished with 1,101 catches for 13,899 yards and 130 touchdowns. An eight-time Pro Bowler, he ranks second in receptions and touchdown catches.