The NFL Hall of Fame announced on Thursday the 54 Senior Candidates, Coaches and Contributors for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Among them are Patriots Owner Robert Kraft, wide receiver Stanley Morgan and former executive Frank “Bucko” Kilroy.

All three are Hall of Fame worthy and deserved to be enshrined in Canton.

Mr. Kraft’s accomplishments speak for themselves. Since purchasing the team in 1994, the Patriots have won six Super Bowls, appeared in nine and have dominated the NFL. Kraft’s league contributions speak for themselves as well. He has played a key role in negotiating new television and CBA deals. Kraft’s contributions off the field speak for themselves. What he has done for the community in Foxboro and beyond speaks for itself. Kraft will get in. It is only a matter of time.

Stanley Morgan should already be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His numbers speak for themselves. 557 receptions, 10,716 yards and 72 touchdowns. Morgan has the highest reception average (19.4) of any receiver in league history with 500 or more receptions. Morgan was a great player on a lot of bad teams. If he played somewhere else in his career, he might have better numbers and he could already be in Canton.

Kilroy played in the NFL for from 1943 to 1956 for the Philadelphia Eagles. After his playing career was over, He was an executive and or scout for the Eagles, Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys. His greatest contributions as an executive however came with the Patriots. Kilroy held the following roles with the team.

Director Player Personnel New England Patriots. 1971-1978

General Manager New England Patriots (Twice) 1979-1982

Vice President New England Patriots 1983-1993

Scout Consultant New England Patriots 1994-2006

Kilroy was also instrumental in the development of the modern NFL Draft. His contributions to the Patriots and the NFL go unnoticed but he changed the game especially from a scouting standpoint.

Kilroy played a key role in the first part of the Patriots dynasty. He was instrumental in the team drafting players like Willie McGinest, Ty Law, Ted Johnson and Teddy Bruschi.

All three men deserve to be in Canton. Will three get in this year? No but all three should be in eventually.