Three Bills among Hall finalists

Orchard Park - The day before the Super Bowl could be a big day for the Buffalo Bills.  That's when voters determine the class of 2009 for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  And the Bills have three finalists among the final 17 up for election.

Defensive End Bruce Smith, Wide Receiver Andre Reed, and team owner Ralph Wilson are among the finalists announced today.

Smith makes the list of finalists in his first year of eligibility.  The NFL's all time leader in sacks, Smith was a Pro Bowl performer 11-times during his career.  He was a first team All Pro performer eight times in his 19-years in the NFL.  Smith is considered a virtual lock for election to the Hall.

Andre Reed is a finalist for the Hall for the third time.  He is in the top ten in career receptions and receiving yardage. 

For team owner Ralph Wilson, it's the third time he's made it to the list of finalists, also.  The Bills original owner was one of the founders of the American Football League in 1959.

The other finalists for the Hall of Fame this year are Chris Carter, Dermontti Dawson, Russ Grimm, Bob Kuechenberg, Randall McDaniel, Derrick Thomas, Rod Woodson, Cortez Kennedy, Shannon Sharpe, Jon Randle, and Paul Tagliabue.  Bob Hayes and Claude Humphrey are the senior candidates.

At least four, and no more than seven men will be selected for induction to the Hall.  The voters meet in Tampa on Saturday, January 31st, the day gbefore Super Bowl XLIII.