FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Walking through radio row watching Pro Football Hall of Famer Deacon Jones giving interviews, I wondered what he must think about the big deal being made of Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams talking about delivering "remember me" shots to Peyton Manning on Sunday.

Back when Deacon played, EVERY shot was a "Remember Me" shot.

It also made me wonder if Kurt Warner will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer in five years. That seems to be a popular question around here today.

Warner's rags-to-riches story is well-documented. He got a late start to his career, so his cumulative numbers aren't staggering. But he does hold some yardage and completion percentage records that are impressive.

He also won two MVPs and a Super Bowl MVP. My initial feeling is he's definitely a first-ballot Hall. If he can take a dismal Rams franchise and win a Super Bowl, and then take a pathetic Cardinals franchise to its first Super Bowl, I think he's a Hall of Famer.

Speaking of the Hall of Fame, I will be a member of the selection committee on Saturday. We'll be discussing former Vikings John Randle and Cris Carter. I think both are Hall of Fame worthy. But their chances are limited because there are two automatic selections this year -- Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith.

That leaves 13 modern players for three spots. I think after Rice, Carter was the best receiver of the 1990s. It's a decade that's under represented at the receiver position. Of the other wideouts on the ballot besides Rice, I think Carter should get in next.

But I also think Randle has a better chance of getting in before Carter. There's a feeling among the selectors that the Hall needs more defensive players, since there are so many more offensive players in the Hall. Plus, Randle redefined the defensive tackle position to some degree (although Alan Page was the first real great pass rushing tackle).