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The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the initial list of 126 modern era nominees for the 2014 NFL Hall of Fame class, which will be whittled down to just five enshrinees, with an additional two senior nominees.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are well-represented in the list, with 12 players and coaches having passed through Tampa on their NFL journeys. Four names stand out, though: Warrick Dunn, Derrick Brooks, Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden are in their first year of eligibility, and each of them has a shot at the Hall of Fame. Warrick Dunn and Jon Gruden are somewhat unlikely to make it in, at least on their first ballots.
Derrick Brooks is almost certain to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2014, though, one year after his teammate Warren Sapp entered the Hall. Brooks defined the weakside linebacker position, collecting 11 Pro Bowls and 9 All-Pros in the process, as well as a Defensive Player of the Year Award and two Man of the Year awards. Few players have a resume like that.
Similarly, Tony Dungy dug Tampa Bay out of the dregs of the NFL and turned them into a perennial contender, later winning a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts. He's not a lock to make it in -- but he's extremely likely to be enshrined on his first ballot.
One final player of note is John Lynch, who enters his second year of eligibility.
Buccaneers on the list: Warrick Dunn(1), Tim Brown, Derrick Brooks(1), Keyshawn Johnson, Keenan McCardell, Lomas Brown, Dexter Manley, Joey Browner, John Lynch, Sean Landeta, Tony Dungy(1), Jon Gruden(1)