The Pro bowl every year seems to have some not deserving to go. This year matter of fact shows how bad the fan voter is by having 3 Green Bay Packer Offensive lineman having the most fan votes in including Chad Cliffton. He only played in 5 games this year. I watched all the Packer games this year, and the Packers only have an average offensive line.

John Lynch has been mentioned here, and IMO he is completely overrated and does not deserve to make the HOF. I have posted numerous comparisons of measurables for safeties of his era at FBG, and his numbers and accomplishments are worse than those of several of his contemporaries.

As for Atwater, I find it curious that he has been eligible for 7 years, but this is the first year he has made it as a semifinalist. I doubt he'll make the finalist list. I would have no problem with him making it, but I think voting patterns would have to change for it to happen... there aren't many safeties in the HOF, and they generally had more compelling resumes.

I think John Lynch wouldn't take less time to get in the Hall of Fame than Steve Atwater. It does down to the fact he only has 2 more interceptions than Atwater despite having a longer career and 1 more pro bowl and isn't on a all decades team. John really was not known a cover guy as a safety. What also goes against him is the players he played with in Tampa Bay that could argue hide Lynch weakness. Lynch played with Warren Sapp, Darrick Brooks, and Ronde Barber. At least one of the teammates that Lynch played with will be going into the Hall of Fame in Darrick Brooks with Warren Sapp will be getting a pretty good look. Ronde Barber at this time is in the Hall of very good.

Darren Sharper is a player that may not go into the Hall of Fame right away despite having a lot of interceptions and interceptions returns for touchdowns. Paul Krause waited around 14 years to be into the Pro Football Hall of Fame matter of fact despite having 81 career interceptions.

The problem with Darren Sharper is he only has 5 pro bowls and was not the best Free Safety at the time he played. Darren Played most of his Career in the Free Safety position and that is problem because Brian Dawkins has played Free Safety most of his career. Brian Dawkins has 26 less interceptions than Sharper, but is only one Fumble recover away from being in the 20/20/20/20 club. That is over 20 interceptions, over 20 sacks, over 20 forced Fumbles and at least 20 fumble recoveries. Dawkins is matter of fact is more of a complete player than Sharper to me with Dawkins having 37 interceptions, 26 sacks, 36 forced fumbles, and 19 fumble recoveries. Brian Dawkins also is a better tackler than Darren Sharper.

These represent some great defensive players - All Decade Team Level, Hall of Fame Semi-Finalist level, but for one reason or another - getting that call for the bust in Canton will be tough.

Haley/Lloyd - The Media
Haley has 5 Super Bowl Rings (Cowboys and 49ers) but a very volatile history off-the field and negative relationship with both his own teams and the media has been a major strike against the only player with 5 Super Bowl Rings. The 1990s Pittsburgh Steelers boasted the best group of LBs of any team in the decade - and Greg Lloyd was the best of the group. But 3 former teammates (Hardy Nickerson, Levon Kirkland, Kevin Greene) all were named 1990s All-Decade team because Lloyd's sour relationship with the media.

Taylor/Kennedy - No signature moments
Taylor and Kennedy are former Defensive Players of the Year - but not only lack championships, but have no playoff success nor signature plays.

Greene - One Dimensional
Greene has more sacks than any LB in NFL History - but his playing for multiple teams will keep him from gaining an advocate that will sell voters on his relatively one-dimensional game.

Kirkland, Bennett, Lake - Just a little shy
Kirkland, Bennett, Lake all were great players that went under the radar due to lack of winning the Super Bowl. Kirkland could have been MVP for his performance in Super Bowl XXX, but the momentum of that greatness was just missed.

Atwater/Harrison -- Very Close
Before Polamalu and Reed - the Safety Position simply was not a position of heavy importance on defense. As a result, being successful and even being significant parts of championship teams -- safeties were more like offensive lineman in receiving a disproportionate lack of credit. Atwater's performance in Super Bowl XXXII made a major difference in the outcome of the game - but in typical fashion - he did not get anywhere near the attention he deserved for it. Harrison is in the same boat - with some outstanding post-season performances helping to secure both playoff and Super Bowl wins, he flew under the radar and is more known for being a "dirty" player - a reputation that is non-sense and media created - Harrison was physical.

In the end, you have 7 Super Bowls - 4 wins between them. But their under the radar "positions" present them with a challenge to overcome. Should they be in - yes. Will they -- it won't happen without a great advocate selling them to the rest of the voters and it won't happen until 6-8 years into their eligibility.