Tagliabue tries again to reach Hall

He failed to get the necessary votes a year ago.

PHOENIX (AP) — Paul Tagliabue gets another crack at making the Pro Football Hall of Fame today, and Darrell Green and Cris Carter are the only first-time eligibles who made the finals.

Tagliabue, commissioner during the NFL’s biggest period of prosperity, retired in 2006, replaced by Roger Goodell. He failed to get the necessary votes for election a year ago.

In his 17 years in charge, the league experienced no labor stoppages, while its TV contracts skyrocketed. There also were expansions to Jacksonville, Charlotte, Cleveland and Houston under his watch, and several teams moved into new stadiums, many of them built with public funds.

But some people, including some journalists who have a vote, found Tagliabue to be unapproachable and uncooperative.

Still, as one of Tagliabue’s supporters said: “Can you write the history of the NFL, the most successful professional league in America, and not include Paul Tagliabue?”

Green is a rarity in that he played two decades with one team, the Washington Redskins. He was nearly as fast at the end of his stellar career as a cornerback and punt returner as he was when he first broke into the league from Texas A&I in 1983.

And that means fast: For years, Green was considered the NFL’s quickest player.

“If you think you know fast, then you need to have seen Darrell Green run,” Carter said. “A lot of guys thought they could outrun him, but they couldn’t.”

Green holds the record for consecutive seasons with an interception (19), and had 54 picks for 621 yards and six TDs. A member of the 1990s All-Decade team, Green made seven Pro Bowls.

Often during his career, he covered Carter, who retired in 2002 with 1,101 receptions, and 130 TD catches, both second overall to Jerry Rice. Carter also made the 1990s All-Decade team and his 122 receptions in 1993 set an NFL record since surpassed by Marvin Harrison.

He’s also served as a mentor to younger receivers, particularly Randy Moss early in Moss’ career in Minnesota. Carter made eight Pro Bowls.

Two other receivers are finalists: Art Monk and Andre Reed.

Monk retired in 1993 with records for most consecutive games with a reception (164) and career catches (820). Both have been surpassed, but Monk didn’t play in as wide-open an era on offense as other receivers. He was one of the most consistent possession and third-down receivers in the league throughout his 14 pro seasons.

Reed was the main receiving threat on the prolific Buffalo Bills of the late 1980s and early 90s. A key to the team’s four straight AFC titles, he went from Kutztown State in Pennsylvania to Jim Kelly’s top target in Buffalo, and gained 13,095 on 951 catches, third all-time when he retired.