1985 Bears: January 2009 Archives

TAMPA, Fla.--A long wait for Richard Dent will continue.

The defensive end, who spent the majority of his career with the Bears, was denied in his fifth bid as a finalist on the ballot for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Bruce Smith was elected in his first year on the ballot as was cornerback/safety Rod Woodson, who spent the majority of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The others who will be inducted in ceremonies Aug. 8 in Canton, Ohio, are Randall McDaniel, Derrick Thomas and Ralph Wilson Jr. Wide receiver Bob Hayes, a senior player, was also elected.

PITTSBURGH--Rookie head coach John Harbaugh is one victory away from the Super Bowl and another opportunity to promote Dave Toub as a potential head-coaching candidate.

The 11-5 season by the Baltimore Ravens, and their two road playoff victories have already given Toub some momentum because of the coaching history the men share. They come from a special teams background that some have been reluctant to consider. Call it the Frank Gansz Effect. Gansz, one of the most widely respected special teams coaches in the league over the last 30 years, was promoted from that position to head coach in Kansas City. He promptly went 8-22-1 before being replaced by Marty Schottenheimer.

Some believe Gansz's struggles made owners less likely to consider special teams coaches. But Harbaugh was the special teams coordinator in Philadelphia for nine seasons before jumping over to the secondary in 2007. That propelled him to the job in Baltimore and has some league insiders believing that Toub will soon be considered. Of course, Toub worked under Harbaugh for the Eagles before joining Lovie Smith's staff in 2004.