Osi, Tuck Certain Strahan Will Get Hall Call; Tuna Time?
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- If the selection committee doesn't pick Michael Strahan for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, they'll have to answer to Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck.
And nobody wants that.
The Giants' fearsome twosome said Thursday they have no doubt Strahan will be one of the names called from the 17 finalists.
"Is that even a question if he's going to get in?" Umenyiora said from the Super Bowl festivities in New Orleans. "He better get in or there's going to be some furniture moving."
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Tuck said if his former teammate isn't called "it'll be a black-gloom day for the NFL."
"I don't see how he's not a shoo-in for a first-ballot Hall of Famer," Tuck said.
Strahan retired after New York's 2007 championship season with 141.5 career sacks, including his record-setting total of 22.5 in 2001. Umenyiora said Strahan was "the greatest defensive end I've ever seen play, no question."
"The way he played year in and year out, longevity, 15-year career, winning the Super Bowl," said Umenyiora. "He's one of the greatest defensive players -- not just defensive ends -- to ever play. To this day I've never seen a guy play the way he played. He was literally beating offensive linemen up. It was truly amazing to see."
The Giants could celebrate times two on Saturday with former head coach Bill Parcells again among the finalists.
"The opportunity is there," wrote CBSNewYork.com's Ernie Palladino. "It's time for the voters to give Parcells his due."
The selection committee can pick between four and seven new members, with a maximum of five from the 15 modern-era nominees. Finalists need a minimum positive vote of 80 percent for election.
Super Bowl XLVII will be broadcast on CBS, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Strahan's a no-doubter. But what about Tuna? Be heard in the comments!
