Former Steelers kicker Gary Anderson, eligible for the first time, joins former teammate Dermontti Dawson, a finalist last year, on the list of 131 men nominated for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame that was announced yesterday.

A large contingent of former Steelers are among the group: Linebackers Kevin Greene and Hardy Nickerson, safeties Donnie Shell and Carnell Lake, coach Buddy Parker and player personnel head Art Rooney Jr., a part-owner of the team as well.

Also nominated are former Pitt players Russ Grimm, also a former Steelers coach who was a finalist last year, and defensive linemen Chris Doleman and Rickey Jackson.

Darryl Talley of West Virginia joins them, as does former San Francisco 49ers owner Ed DeBartolo Jr., who is from Boardman, Ohio.

The list of 131 will be reduced to 25 semifinalists, then 15 finalists, who will join the two seniors nominees, Dick LeBeau and Floyd Little, for the final vote to be taken Feb. 6 for the 2010 Hall of Fame class.