Canton, Ohio and the Hall of Fame are in the rear-view mirror for another year, but a question lingers: Now that Art Monk and Darrell Green are enshrined, who's the next Redskin with a solid shot?

In order to address that question, let alone answer it, you need first to delineate a few things.

That's because the playing field of candidates can involve basically institutional Redskins, or those who played here for a majority of their careers, or those who have had short stints with the organization.

Among born and raised Redskins, Russ Grimm could be next. Chris Samuels may one day have a serious shot. And, if special teamers deserve the honor, then Brian Mitchell, a 10-year Redskin, certainly is in the conversation.

Here's an early look at how things may shape up in 2009 and in the years to come as far as Redskins and the Hall are concerned:

-- RUSS GRIMM

Russ Grimm was one of the 17 finalists last year. The Redskins were his only team as a player, between 1981 and 1991.

His speed and strength were crucial to the Redskins' running attack and Grimm was selected to four straight Pro Bowls. He was named All-Pro and All-NFC in the years 1983 through 1986.

Now an assistant head coach in Arizona, Grimm appeared in five NFC championship games and four Super Bowls. He was elected to NFL's 1980s All-Decade Team.

-- JOE JACOBY

One of 26 semifinalists in the Class of 2008, Joe Jacoby was one of the dominant offensive linemen on one of the NFL's all-time dominant offensive fronts.

He and Grimm were the trademark "Hogs" on three Super Bowl championship teams.

From the point of view of Redskins fans, wouldn't it be great to see Grimm and Jacoby honored in the same year, as was the case with Green and Monk?

-- GARY CLARK

Gary Clark, in his 11 NFL seasons, caught 699 passes for 10,856 yards and 65 touchdowns.

He had 100-yard receiving games 27 times while wearing the Redskins uniform and was a four-time Pro Bowler. He led his team in receiving seven times (1986, 1987, 1989-1992, 1994), and won two Super Bowls with the Redskins.

What's more, Clark was the first receiver in NFL history to catch at least 50 passes in his first 10 NFL seasons. Only Marvin Harrison has done that.

-- BRIAN MITCHELL

Brian Mitchell, as a Redskin (1990-1999), Eagle (2000-2002) and New York Giant (2003), was one of the game's most dangerous kick returners.

Mitchell is the NFL's second all-time leader in total yardage (23,330). His 14,014 yards from kickoff returns and his 4,999 punt return yards both are NFL records. His 13 special teams touchdowns are also an NFL record.

-- CHRIS SAMUELS

Chris Samuels, the Redskins' left tackle from Alabama, has made it to the Pro Bowl five times in eight tries so far. That's more than Grimm and Jacoby acheived in their remarkable careers.

Samuels may push double-digits in Pro Bowl appearances before calling it a career. He would need a Super Bowl ring or two to enhance his chances, of course.

-- JASON TAYLOR

With Michael Strahan now retired, new Redskin Jason Taylor ranks as the league's active sack leader with 117. The NFL's all-time sack leaders are Smith (200), Reggie White (198) and Kevin Greene (160), so Taylor needs several big seasons before reaching that level.

He's a six-time Pro Bowler who enters 2008 as one of the game's premiere defensive ends. He has achieved most of his NFL success with the Miami Dolphins.

-- BRUCE SMITH

Bruce Smith, up for Hall induction in 2009 for the first time, is essentially a lock for the Hall as the NFL's all-time sack leader with an even 200.

He achieved that distinction as a Redskin, but by the time he arrived in Washington (2000-2003) Smith's pass-rushing skills were a shadow of what they had been in Buffalo between 1985 and 1999.

-- ANDRE REED

Andre Reed's 951 career receptions were third all-time in NFL history at the time of his retirement.

A long-time Buffalo Bill, Reed played with the Redskins in 2000, making a modest contribution. He was one of the 17 finalists for the Class of 2008.