Roger Craig, Tom Coughlin advance in Hall of Fame consideration - ESPN

Versatile running back Roger Craig and two-time Super Bowl-winning coaches Tom Coughlin and Mike Shanahan advanced to the next stage of consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The selection committees cut down the list of candidates from 31 seniors and 29 coaches and contributors to 12 in each category in results announced Thursday.

The 12-person committees for each group will meet next month to pick up to three senior candidates among players who last played no later than 1998, and one coach and contributor. The finalists will be part of the Hall's Class of 2024 if they are supported by at least 80% of voters next January.

Craig was a key part of San Francisco's dynasty in the 1980s with his ability as a physical runner and as a receiver out of the backfield. In 1985, Craig was the first player to have 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season, and he led the NFL with 2,036 yards from scrimmage in 1988 when he helped the 49ers win the Super Bowl.

Craig was also part of the title-winning teams in San Francisco in the 1984 and 1989 seasons. His 410 yards from scrimmage in those Super Bowl wins are the third-most, behind only Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Franco Harris.

Among the other senior candidates are 1981 league MVP Ken Anderson, 1978 Defensive Player of the Year Randy Gradishar, and AFL star receivers Otis Taylor and Art Powell.

The other remaining semifinalists are Maxie Baughan, Joe Jacoby, Albert Lewis, Steve McMichael, Eddie Meador, Sterling Sharpe and Al Wistert.

Anderson was a four-time Pro Bowler for Cincinnati and won the MVP when he helped the Bengals reach their first Super Bowl before losing to San Francisco. When Anderson retired after the 1986 season, he ranked sixth all