clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Tony Boselli and Jimmy Smith on the 2015 Hall of Fame ballot

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced their preliminary ballot for the 2015 class and several former Jaguars players earned a spot.

Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

The Jacksonville Jaguars have several former players on the Pro Football Hall of Fame's preliminary ballot for the class of 2015, including wide receiver Jimmy Smith and offensive tackle Tony Boselli.

A second-round pick with the Dallas Cowboys, and later a member of the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad, Smith was a member of the inaugural Jaguars team in 1995. He played a minor role in the team's first season, but blossomed (along with the team) in 1996. In his 11 seasons with the Jaguars, he fell short of 1,000 yards just twice. His 12,287 career receiving yards ranks him 19th on the all-time list, above the likes of Michael Irvin, Charlie Joyner, and Don Maynard.

Dominant doesn't quite do Boselli justice, however. He made the Pro Bowl in five of his first six seasons. He was an All-Pro from 1997 through 1999. He's on the NFL All-Decade team for the 1990's.

In a time where there were some very good offensive tackles, such as Jonathan Ogden and Bruce Armstrong, Boselli made a big name for himself in the smallest market in the league. But what separates Boselli from the other great offensive tackles of his day was his athleticism. He was game-listed as 6'7" and around 320 pounds, but the guy sure didn't play like it.

Oh, and Torry Holt and Tra Thomas are on there too, but who's really counting them?

Here's the full nomination ballot by position:

Quarterbacks: (4) – Randall Cunningham, Rich Gannon, Phil Simms, Kurt Warner

Wide Receivers: (9) – *Tim Brown (also KR), Isaac Bruce, Gary Clark, Henry Ellard (also PR), *Marvin Harrison, Torry Holt, Sterling Sharpe, Jimmy Smith, Rod Smith

Tight End: (1) – Mark Bavaro

Running Backs: (14) – Shaun Alexander, Ottis Anderson, Tiki Barber, *Jerome Bettis, Roger Craig, Stephen Davis, Terrell Davis, Eddie George, Priest Holmes, Edgerrin James, Daryl Johnston, Jamal Lewis, Herschel Walker (also KR), Ricky Watters

Offensive Linemen: (23) – Willie Anderson (T), Tony Boselli (T), Jeff Bostic (C), Lomas Brown (T), Jim Covert (T), Bill Fralic (G/T), Jay Hilgenberg (C), Chris Hinton (G/T), Kent Hull (C), Joe Jacoby (T), Jon Jansen (T), Mike Kenn (T), Jim Lachey (T), Kevin Mawae (C/G), Mark May (G/T/C),Tom Nalen (C), Nate Newton (G), Orlando Pace (T), Chris Samuels (T), Mark Schlereth (G), *Will Shields (G), Tra Thomas (T), Steve Wisniewski (G)

Defensive Linemen: (12) – Al "Bubba" Baker (DE), Jerome Brown (DT), Carl Hairston (DE/DT), *Charles Haley (also LB), Jevon Kearse (DE), Dexter Manley (DE), Charles Mann (DE), Steve McMichael (DT/NT), Fred Smerlas (NT), Greg Townsend (DE), Ted Washington (DT/NT), Bryant Young (DE)

Linebackers: (13) – Cornelius Bennett, Tedy Bruschi, *Kevin Greene (also DE), Ken Harvey, Clay Matthews, Willie McGinest (also DE), Karl Mecklenburg, Matt Millen, Sam Mills, Junior Seau, Chris Spielman, Darryl Talley, Zach Thomas

Defensive Backs: (16) – Eric Allen (CB), Steve Atwater (S), Joey Browner (S), LeRoy Butler (S), Thomas Everett (S), Rodney Harrison (S), Ty Law (CB), Albert Lewis (CB), *John Lynch (S), Terry McDaniel (CB), Tim McDonald (S), Frank Minnifield (CB), Shawn Springs (CB), Troy Vincent (CB/S), Everson Walls (CB), Darren Woodson (S)

Kickers/Punters: (5) – *Morten Andersen (K), Gary Anderson (K), Jason Elam (K), Sean Landeta (P), Nick Lowery (K)

Special Teams/Position Players: (2) – Brian Mitchell (RB/PR/KR), Steve Tasker (also WR)

Coaches: (14) – Don Coryell, Bill Cowher, *Tony Dungy, Tom Flores, Mike Holmgren, Jimmy Johnson, Chuck Knox, Buddy Parker, Richie Petitbon, Dan Reeves, Lou Saban, Marty Schottenheimer, Clark Shaughnessy, Dick Vermeil

*finalist in 2014