The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced their most recent class on Saturday and just like every year, the debate on those selected has been intense.  Fans are bashing the Sabol selection and are confused on why players like Charles Haley or Cris Carter weren’t selected over the founder of NFL Films.  Unfortunately, what takes place in the voting room is kept secret so we’ll never know how this occurred.  In my opinion, this shouldn’t be that much of a debate.  The man revolutionized sports with his coverage of the NFL.  There would be no NFL Network if it wasn’t for him.  Carter, Haley and other finalists will get in.  When they get in is the question.  Here are my predictions for the next few years of Hall of Fame voting.

2012

Curtis Martin – Barely missed it this year.  One of the league’s all-time great rushers and good guys.  Next year is his year.

Andre Reed – The former Bill has waited for quite a while now.  Carter has better stats but if this year’s voting was any indication then it looks like Reed is first in line for the receivers.

Bill Parcells – Parcells will be newly eligible in 2012 and I expect him to hear his name called right away.  A two-time Super Bowl winning coach and defensive innovator, he’s a lock.

Dermontti Dawson – Dawson was a mainstay in the Pro Bowl during his career and should take his place in Canton next year.

Charles Haley – With five Super Bowl rings from two different teams and the backing of his Hall of Fame teammates, Haley barely missed the cut this year.  Look for him to barely make it IN next year.

2013

Cris Carter – A long wait for Carter but he will finally hear his named called in 2013.

Will Shields – In only his second year of eligibility, I think Shields can find his way in.  A perennial Pro Bowler and one of the best at his position of all-time.

Michael Strahan – A first time eligible candidate in 2013, he’s a lock to have his name called.  His stats, Super Bowl ring and even his personality make him a favorite to lockdown a spot early.

Larry Allen – A mainstay on All-Pro teams in the 90′s and early 2000′s, Allen is regarded by some to be the best guard of all time.  Throw in his three rings and he’s a lock in his first year.

Jerome Bettis – Bettis didn’t make the final ten this year but look for that to change in 2012 and eventually get in the door in 2013.

2014

Jonathan Ogden – Ogden is eligible in 2013 but with two other lineman going in, I expect him to wait a year until ’14.  One of the greats at left tackle, he could sneak into the 2013 class.

Willie Roaf – The Saints tackle became eligible this year but will have to wait a few years to be elected.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see his name called before 2014 but for the sake of predictions, I’m going with this year.

Cortez Kennedy – Another player that will have to wait for the logjam to loosen.  Kennedy was a finalist this year but I think the former Seahawk will be bumped down the line in years to come.

Warren Sapp – Continuing the lineman trend, Sapp should be elected in his second year of eligibility.  A force during his prime and owning a Super Bowl ring, he’s a shoe-in.

Tony Dungy - The former Colts coach is newly eligible in 2014 and unless he changes his stance on a return to coaching, look for him to make it in the first year.  His championship with the Colts and turnaround of the Buccaneers franchise, have all but guaranteed his spot.

2015

Walter Jones – Regarded as maybe the greatest left tackle of all-time, this is a gimme.

Junior Seau – Another all-time great at his position who’s longevity of production will not go unnoticed in his first year.

Kurt Warner – This one will spark debate in the voting room but in the end, I think he makes it his first year.  His numbers, championship and back-up to MVP story will do the trick.

Orlando Pace – Joining his former teammate Warner, Pace should conclude the last of the first-time eligible candidates to get in.  If Walter Jones didn’t exist, Pace would be regarded as the best left tackle of his era.

Tim Brown - The former Raider probably would cry if he read this since he was eligible this year but I don’t see it happening for him until this spot.  Sorry Timmy.

2016

Brett Favre – He finally hung it up this year.  Despite a controversial last few years, no one can argue that he’ll be entering Canton in 2016.

Marvin Harrison – One of the most consistent receivers ever, Harrison is eligible in 2014 but won’t be elected until 2016.

Isaac Bruce – Cleaning up the latest wide receiver logjam, Bruce will join his fellow Rams from the 2015 class in 2016.

Paul Tagliabue – The former Commish has been eligible for a few years now and under this prediction, it looks like his wait will continue for some time.

Chris Doleman – A strong candidate this year, I see Doleman having to wait for some time due to new and more deserving candidates.  There is no doubt that he is hall worthy and wouldn’t be shocked to see him enter Canton sooner than listed here.

Feel free to let us know your picks in the comments.

- Andy