With 26 candidates for the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame, perhaps they should simply choose by position.

But how do you decide between head coaches Bill Parcells and Don Coryell? I think Tuna is on the menu.

Paul Tagliabue gets in as the only commissioner listed.

Ed DeBartolo Jr. is the only owner. Advance.

George Young of the Giants gets the nod over Green Bay’s Ron Wolf among G.M.s.

I love all the defensive backs, but I’m ranking them Aneas Williams, Steve Atwater, Donnie Shell, once in the Panthers’ front office.

Cris Carter gets the nod at wide receiver over Andre Reed and Tim Brown.

Curtis Martin is my running back rather than Jerome Bettis, Roger Craig or Terrell Davis.

Any of the three offensive linemen, Dermonti Dawson, Will Shields and Willie Roaf would be an exceptional choice.

Defensive linemen and linebacker types begin with Charles Haley, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Kevin Greene, Karl Mecklenburg and Clay Matthews Jr.

Greene, who was with the Panthers for two stints recorded 160 sacks, more than Lawrence Taylor and the late Derrick Thomas.

What about current or recently retired players?

You know ol’ No. 4 Brett Favre is a lock. Peyton Manning is a first ballot; brother Eli is coming on strong. Tom Brady is more of a sure thing than Peyton. Ben Roethlisberger will get plenty of support, but not as much as Drew Brees.

There are some brilliant wide receivers who will receive the ultimate honor, including Larry Fitzgerald, Roddy White, Steve Smith (perhaps in the Pugilist category), Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Andre Johnson, Marvin Harrison and Hines Ward.

Tony Gonzalez is a sure thing at tight end.

Linebackers and defensive linemen: Michael Strahan, Brian Urlacher, Mario Williams, John Abraham, Julius Peppers, Demarcus Ware and Jared Allen. Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Warren Sapp, the Ravens trio of Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata and Ray Lewis.

The defensive backs are headed by Charles Woodson, Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and Champ Bailey.

The premier running backs line up behind LaDainian Tomlinson and Edgerrin James. The Ravens’ Jamal Lewis holds records. Then there are Adrian Peterson, the Jaguars’ Fred Taylor, Shaun Alexander and possibly Corey Dillon.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick will be automatic.