It’s almost inappropriate to talk about Hall of Fame snubs because you’re basically questioning the legitimacy of someone else’s induction. While you can certainly debate the worthiness of someone’s inclusion into football immortality, once they’ve done enough to earn the votes required to enter, it’s unnecessary and uncouth.  That said, there was a player left out of this year’s class that was so alarming, he has to be an absolute lock in 2016. Let’s take a look at Orlando Pace and some others who could be making the trip to Canton in 2016.

Orlando Pace

Is there a rule that you can’t elect left tackles into the Hall of Fame in back to back years? Because it’s the only reason one can think of, as to how Orlando Pace didn’t become a first ballot guy. While he never received the publicity that Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Torry Holt, or Isaac Bruce received, Pace was as important as any of them when it came to the success of the “Greatest Show On Turf.” They had a nick name for crying out loud. How many offenses have nicknames? Pace was the first-overall pick in the draft by the St. Louis Rams in 1997, was a Super Bowl champion, 7-time Pro-Bowler, and 5-time All-Pro. It’s an absolute travesty that Pace isn’t a first ballot Hall of Famer, and it would be a complete shock if he didn’t land in Canton in 2016.

Brett Favre

Despite the fact that Brett Favre’s career got really weird, and even sometimes creepy towards the end, there’s absolutely no question that he’ll be enshrined in Canton. Flip flopping on retirement, bouncing from Green Bay to New York to Minnesota, and junk pics aside, Favre is still an iconic NFL figure. Before you consider any of his stats, what made many gravitate to Favre was his youthful exuberance on the football field. Nobody ever had more fun on a football field than Favre, and it may be what he’s remembered for, as much as for his stats. Favre being the first guy that comes to mind when the word gunslinger is thrown around helps him as well. Despite throwing quite a few ill-advised passes and interceptions in his career, many write his mistakes off as almost an endearing part of his gunslinger status. When you’re as great as Favre was, and people will write off your mistakes, you’re a lock to be a first ballot guy.

Terrell Owens

Is it possible that Terrell Owens’s antics could cost him a chance to be a first ballot Hall of Famer? Perhaps, but it sure as hell shouldn’t. T.O. was one of the most physically gifted players to ever play the receiver position, and while he didn’t have the greatest hands in the history of the game, his numbers are impossible to argue with. Owens finished his career with 1,078 receptions, 15,934 yards and 153 touchdowns. Owens is second all-time in career receiving yards behind Rice, and third in career receiving touchdowns behind Rice and Randy Moss. Owens’ career was mired by controversy and warn-out welcomes, but he was still one of the greatest receivers to ever play the game. Also, while Owens had a habit of getting himself into hot water, he always came across as a guy who had trouble controlling his emotions, as opposed to being a total jerk. That stuff probably shouldn’t matter, but the voters are human beings, and they’re lying if they pretend it isn’t a factor.

Tony Dungy

Yes, there will always be some knuckleheads who will claim that Tony Dungy only won a Super Bowl because of Peyton Manning, but Dungy’s impact on so many in the game can’t be overlooked.  From future members like Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison to newly inducted members like Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks, Dungy played a huge role in the careers in some of the league’s all-time greats. While some would like to give those great players the credit for Dungy’s successes, a talk with those players would reveal how much Dungy meant to many of them. Dungy wasn’t just the coach who led Manning and the Indianapolis Colts to their only Super Bowl championship, he was the coach to forever change the culture of shape of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. No, it wasn’t Tony Dungy’s team that Jon Gruden coached to a Super Bowl championship as some have suggested, but it was lessons learned under Dungy that taught some of that nucleus to be champions. Dungy transforming the Buccaneers, and becoming the first African-American head coach to win a Super Bowl suggests he’ll be in the Hall. Don’t be surprised if next year is the year.

Marvin Harrison

It’s good to be Peyton Manning’s right hand man. While some may consider the success of Reggie Wayne and others to play with Manning a sign that Harrison was only a product of Manning, those critics have poor memories. Early in their careers, Harrison was as big a part of Manning’s success as Manning was Harrison’s. Harrison was never the fastest receiver on the football field, but he was almost always the best.  Harrison’s near perfect route running and ability to make the sideline catch as well as anyone, made him a perfect complement to Manning. Having a receiver who will always be where you think he’s going to be is hugely important to any quarterback, and it’s what’s made less than explosive athletes like Wes Welker and even Brandon Stokley favorite targets for Manning. Harrison led the league in receptions and in yards twice, and was a 8-time pro-bowler. Harrison also caught passes for at least 1,000 yards eight times in his career. There have been better receivers in the NFL, but Harrison was as consistent as any, and that’s what made him a perfect running mate for Manning. With Andre Reed and Tim Brown getting in the last couple of years, the log jam at receiver is clearing up, and that should open the door for Harrison in 2016.