Reed denied HOF again

INDIANAPOLIS – So close, yet so far for Buffalo Bills great Andre Reed. The Bills’ all-time best receiver advanced to the final 10 in the voting for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for a third year in a row. But when the voting to reduce the field went down to the final five, Reed was eliminated. Reed was among 15 modern-era finalists for a sixth straight year. The modern-era players elected to the Class of 2012 were center Dermontti Dawson, defensive end Chris Doleman, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy and running back Curtis Martin and tackle Willie Roaf. Seniors candidate Jack Butler of the Pittsburgh Steelers also was elected. Reed likely was a victim of a splitting of the vote at the receiver position. Minnesota great Cris Carter and Oakland great Tim Brown were the other receivers among the 15 finalists. Brown was eliminated in the cut-down to 10. Carter advanced with Reed to the final 10. The strong likelihood is voters only picked one receiver to get to the final five, and Re...