Curtis Martin - Snubs - Hall Of Fame's Class Of 2012 Under Scrutiny With Bill Parcells - Eddie Debartolo Jr

INDIANAPOLIS When the Hall of Fame voting is announced each year, there is typically a loud and immediate uproar about the finalists who did not earn a spot in Canton. This year is no exception.

Before addressing that point, however, let me congratulate the Class of 2012 : Steelers center Dermontti Dawson, Vikings defensive end Chris Doleman, Seahawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, Jets running back Curtis Martin , Chiefs offensive tackle Willie Roaf, and senior selection Jack Butler, a cornerback with the Steelers in the 1950s.

Each is more than deserving and should relish his moment in the spotlight. Predictably, however, the gripes about who did not make the cut are threatening to drown out the applause of those who did make it.

The gist of the talk: How could Bill Parcells, a three-time Super Bowl participant and two-time winner, not make it? How could wideouts Cris Carter, Andre Reed and Tim Brown not get in with their Madden-like statistics? How could Eddie DeBartolo Jr., the only single owner of five Super Bowl wins, be left out? And what about linebacker Charles Haley, the only player to win five Super Bowls and a two-time NFC Defensive Player of the Year who ended his career with 100.5 sacks.

The simple answer: Easily.

There are more deserving candidates than there are available spots, which max out at five a year for modern-era nominees. I sincerely believe we voters could have presented the candidates who did NOT make the cut from 10 to five as the Class of 2012 Carter, Reed, Haley, Parcells, and cornerback Aenas Williams (seniors candidate Dick Stanfel also was not voted in) and it would've been worthy of its spot in Canton.

Another explanation for why some guys get in and others don't at least when non-voters believe they should get in is that 44 voters rarely are going to be in total agreement. There's a better chance of Republicans and Democrats agreeing on tax reform.

If you didn't like the way this year's vote went, get used to it. Things aren't going to change in future years. Consider the first-year candidates who are going to be up for consideration the next three years:

2013guard Larry Allen, defensive end Michael Strahan, left tackle Jonathan Ogden, defensive tackle Warren Sapp, quarterback Steve McNair, safety John Lynch, defensive tackle Bryant Young, kicker Morten Andersen.

2014linebacker Derrick Brooks, wideout Marvin Harrison, coaches Tony Dungy and Mike Holmgren, running back Shaun Alexander, and safety Rodney Harrison.