The NFL Hall of Fame has announced that defensive end Michael Strahan and two players who tried to block him are among the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  The two who tried to block him were offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden of the Ravens  and guard-tackle Larry Allen of the Cowboys and the 49ers. Joining the first-year eligible players is defensive tackle Warren Sapp from the Buccaneers and the Raiders. Strahan, Ogden and Sapp are all owners of Super Bowl rings.

Other finalists are running back Jerome Bettis, who played for both the Rams and the Steelers; receivers Cris Carter from Kansas City, Tim Brown and Andre Reed; LB-DEs Charles Haley, who has five Super Bowl rings and Kevin Greene; guard Will Shields; defensive back Aeneas Williams; coach Bill Parcells; and former owners Edward DeBartolo Jr. of the 49ers  and Art Modell of the Browns (which moved to Baltimore to become the Ravens).

The two senior nominees are defensive tackle Curley Culp, who played for three teams (Chiefs, Oilers and Lions) and linebacker Dave Robinson, who played for the Packers and the Redskins.

Between four and seven new members will be selected Feb. 2, the day before the Super Bowl, in New Orleans.

By Nancy Morris