Several Former Buffalo Bills Among Hall Of Fame Nominees

On Thursday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame released their list of 127 nominees for the class of 2013. Among those nominated were five players who spent the majority of their NFL careers with the Buffalo Bills, a handful of others that spent portions of their career in Western New York, and a first-time candidate from the front office.

Andre Reed leads the list, and has been a finalist six times. Steve Tasker has moved on to the semifinal round in years past, but has never been among the finalists. Cornelius Bennett, Darryl Talley and Kent Hull are all nominated (and have been before), but never moved on to the next round.

Among the first-year nominees are Sam Adams, who played with the Bills from 2003 to 2005; and Ted Washington, who was with Buffalo from 1995 to 2000. Bill Polian also sees his name on the nominees list for the first time. He was, as I'm sure you're all aware, the Bills' GM from 1984 to 1992, building the Bills teams that went to four straight Super Bowls. Drew Bledsoe, Larry Centers, Fred Smerlas, Troy Vincent and Chuck Knox all make their returns to the ballot, as well.

The list of 127 will be whittled into the 20s by November, with the 15 finalists being presented in January. The Hall's voters will gather during Super Bowl weekend to make their pleas on behalf of the candidates and vote. Mark Gaughan of The Buffalo News is the local representative .