A regular feature profiling each of the 17 candidates for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.Name: Derrick Thomas
Position: Linebacker
Career: 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs
Pros: NFL record seven sacks in one game. Named to nine Pro Bowls. Had the most sacks in NFL during the 1990s.
Cons: Much better as a pass rusher than a run-stopper; in fact, many considered him a liability against the run.
Verdict: Although there were times when I thought Thomas was too much of a boom-and-bust player (lots of big plays but also lots of missed plays), he was such a game-changing pass rusher that I've changed my mind. He gets a vote of YES.
Previous votes:
NO: Richard Dent, Fred Dean, Ray Guy, Michael Irvin, Bob Kuechenberg, Art Monk, Andre Reed, Charlie Sanders, Gary Zimmerman, Roger Wehrli, Andre Tippett
YES: Russ Grimm, Gene Hickerson, Bruce Matthews, Paul Tagliabue, Thurman Thomas
Note: By rule, the Hall of Fame must induct between three and six new members.




