INDIANAPOLIS (92.3 The Fan) – Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer will cast the Hall of Fame vote for Cleveland this year.

Cabot, who has covered the Browns for the Cleveland Plain Dealer for 23 years, replaces Tony Grossi who was removed from the Browns beat last week.

The paper says that Joe Horrigan, the Hall’s vice president-communications/exhibits, who oversees the vote, contacted Cabot who will serve as an alternate for this year.

Headlining the list of 17 Hall of Fame class candidates this year are running backs Jerome Bettis and Curtis Martin; wide receivers Cris Carter, Andre Reed and Tim Brown as well as head coach Bill Parcells and owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr.

The 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame class will be voted on by the 44-person committee in Indianapolis and announced on Saturday.