Anderson joined the Vikings at age 39 following a lengthy stint in Pittsburgh and pit stops with Philadelphia and San Francisco. In his debut season donning the Norseman logo, he became the first kicker to convert 100 percent of his extra points and field goals in the regular season (min. 10 point-after attempts and five FG tries), earning him his lone First-Team All-Pro nod. Anderson’s 2,434 points scored ranks third in NFL annals, behind fellow kickers Adam Vinatieri (2,673) and Morten Andersen (2,544).

The feats of Foreman and Marshall are esteemed in Vikings and NFL lore.

Foreman transcended his position, setting a record at the time for the most receptions in a campaign by a running back with 73 in 1975, which happened to be his second consecutive season finishing in the Top 5 on the Most Valuable Player ballot. Foreman was drafted 12th overall in 1973 and was honored as the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. He’s one of 21 running backs with at least 1,500 career carries, 350 catches and 75 scrimmage TDs (10 of those players already are members of the exclusive HOF fraternity).

Marshall’s case for a bronze bust and Gold Jacket is the strongest.

The epitome of an “NFL Iron Man,” Marshall made 289 starts in a row for Minnesota counting playoff contests. After a single season with Cleveland in 1960, he helped usher in the Vikings expansion into the NFL and captained them on and off the field. Revered by players, coaches and historians, he is arguably one of the biggest whiffs by the HOF committee, in that he deserved to be immortalized a long, long while ago.

Marshall’s 129.5 sacks ranks 25th on pro-football-reference.com’s leaderboard; his 29 career recoveries of opponent fumbles set an NFL record tied by Hall of Famer Jason Taylor; and his 168 Approximate Value (AV), an attempt to put a single number on the seasonal value of a player, is tied for 31st with 49ers greats and deserving Gold Jacket wearers Ronnie Lott and Steve Young. Marshall indeed belongs there.

Other “senior” players still vying for a seat at the table with Vikings ties are RB Roger Craig and WR Art Powell. The former wore Purple and Gold for two seasons (1992-93); the latter played in one 1968 game.

Here’s the updated list of modern-era nominees, as well as the rundown of senior players in contention.