Edgerrin James: Future Hall of Famer?

Edgerrin James has been close, tantalizingly so.

The Indianapolis Colts gave him a Super Bowl ring after their 2006 title season -- even though James was not re-signed by the club following the 2005 campaign. That's how highly they regarded his Hall-of-Fame persona in their locker room during the first seven years of James' career.
He nearly earned hardware on the field with the Arizona Cardinals in 2008, but the Pittsburgh Steelers snatched it away during the thrilling finish to Super Bowl XLIII.

James wasn't necessarily an electric back, but he moved the chains, caught the ball, found the end zone (91 times in his career) and was an invaluable pass protector for QBs Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner while quietly piling up 12,246 rushing yards (11th all-time) and 15,610 yards from scrimmage (13th).

James' best seasons were his first two. He led the NFL in rushing both years (1,553 yards in 1999 and 1,709 in 2ooo), justifying Colts president Bill Polian's decisions to trade RB Marshall Faulk and bypass Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams by grabbing James with the fourth pick of the 1999 draft.

Will it be close but no cigar again for the four-time Pro Bowler and 1999 offensive rookie of the year when his candidacy for Canton goes before the voters?

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(usatoday.com)