ST. LOUIS — Almost four years ago, when running back Marshall Faulk was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a first-time eligible, it signaled the beginning of the group of outstanding players from the St. Louis Rams “Greatest Show on Turf” teams that would some day also be considered for enshrinement.

Well, that day is here. The Hall announced its first cut to 26 semifinalists Tuesday, and making the list were quarterback Kurt Warner, tackle Orlando Pace and wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt.

Mike Martz, the offensive coordinator of the 1999 team that won the Super Bowl and who was the head coach when the Rams lost to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl two years later, would often say to the assembled media, “Don’t get too accustomed to this. This is a special time in a special place.”

How right Martz was. The Rams haven’t made the playoffs since the 2004 season, and haven’t had a winning season since 2003, but that hasn’t dimmed the memories of how those teams took the city and league by storm.

Aside from Faulk, whose versatility as a runner, receiver and pass protector, there was the unlikely quarterback in Warner, who took over after Trent Green blew out his knee in the 1999 preseason, and became MVP for the season and the Super Bowl. He also has the three highest passing yardage games in Super Bowl history; two with the Rams and one with the Arizona Cardinals.

There was Bruce, who ended his career with 15,208 yards, more than semifinalists Tim Brown and Marvin Harrison, but with fewer receptions, and who scored the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl win over the Tennessee Titans.

There was Holt, who compiled 13,382 yards while stringing together an NFL record six consecutive seasons with at least 1,300 yards.

And there was Pace, the giant at left tackle that eliminated pass rushers on his side, who gave Martz the confidence to spread the defense even more by frequently employing empty backfields.

Now, it is up to the 46 Hall of Fame selectors to figure out which Rams are Hall of Famers, whether it’s this year or in the years to come. It’s not an easy task, not when you consider that 11 of the total semifinalists have been finalists before, nine of whom return from last year’s vote. Five of those nine have been finalists multiple times: wide receiver Tim Brown (5), defensive end Charles Haley (5), running back Jerome Bettis (4), linebacker Kevin Greene (3) and guard Will Shields (3).

There are also four other first-time eligibles: running back Edgerrin James, cornerback Ty Law, center Kevin Mawae and linebacker Junior Seau.

At most, five of the 26 semifinalists will be enshrined in Canton in August and the current list will be pared down to 15 that will be discussed the day before the Super Bowl. The question is how many of the Rams will make the finalists list, with the potential that votes will be split among the electorate, reducing the chance for advancement.

Opinions vary from many that study the game, much less the voters. Some believe Warner, as the quarterback for the Rams and for what he accomplished in Arizona, is a slam dunk. Some say Bruce or Holt, for their prolonged excellence. And then there is Pace. Many believe “the greatest show” couldn’t have happened without him. The last three years, left tackles Willie Roaf, Jonathan Ogden and Walter Jones have been enshrined, and Pace is at least the equal of each of them.

Hall of Fame season is debate season, and this year might be one of the toughest in memory.

Howard Balzer is an award-winning sportswriter who has covered the National Football League for more than three decades and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee.