2012 NFL Free Agency: 7 Players Who Won't Be Signed and Will Eventually Retire

As the 2011-2012 season draws to an end with the playing of Super Bowl XLVI, the National Football League will get down to the never-ending business of preparing for another campaign, beginning with February's NFL scouting combine and continuing with the annual feeding frenzy that is free agency starting on March 13.

However, for a number of aging NFL stars the telephone may not ring as we move into the spring, and for the following players this past season most likely marks the end of the proverbial line.

Donovan McNabb: QB, Free Agent

To say that the 2011 season was a disappointment for quarterback Donovan McNabb would be an understatement of galactic proportions, as the 13-year veteran was an unmitigated disaster in part of a season with the Minnesota Vikings before being benched and then released.

The rotund signal-caller may have gone to six Pro Bowls over his career, but that seems like a million years ago.

Given his age, rapidly declining skills and the lack of interest he generated after his release even from teams that had been beset by injuries at the position, it looks like McNabb will be spending more time at Golden Corral than on a football field next season.

Ronde Barber: CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber has enjoyed a stellar career in the National Football League over his 15-year career, racking up nearly 1,000 tackles, 27 sacks, 43 interceptions and winning a Super Bowl.

However, Barber looked every bit of 36 years old at times last season, and given that a rebuilding Tampa team will almost certainly address its secondary in the NFL draft and/or free agency, it's a distinct possibility that Barber has played his last game not only for the Buccaneers but also in the NFL.

Chad Ochocinco: WR, New England Patriots

For several seasons wide receiver Chad Ochocinco was one of the finest pass-catchers in the National Football League, topping 1,000 receiving yards in seven of eight seasons from 2002-2009 while with the Cincinnati Bengals.

He was also one of the most of the most entertaining players in the league, regularly concocting elaborate touchdown celebrations and maintaining a hilarious Twitter account that he used to treat fans to dinner, tickets to games and more.

However, Ochocinco was an absolute non-factor after being traded to the New England Patriots in the offseason, catching only 15 passes for 276 yards and a score in limited playing time in 2011.

As fun a ride as it's been, it's becoming more and more apparent that the Ocho show won't be renewed for another season, and there are no reruns in the NFL.

Thomas Jones: RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City running back Thomas Jones was once a fine NFL ball-carrier, topping 1,000 rushing yards five times in his 12-year career, including rushing for a career-high 1,402 yards in 2009 while a member of the New York Jets.

Jones hasn't reached that total in his two seasons combined in Kansas City, however, and after nearly 2,700 career carries the end of the line may have arrived for Jones, as evidenced by his anemic 3.1 yards per carry in 2011.

Keith Brooking: LB, Dallas Cowboys

Keith Brooking is a five-time Pro Bowl linebacker who has tallied 1,225 tackles, 21 sacks and 13 interceptions over the course of a 14-year career prowling the middle of the defense for the Atlanta Falcons and then Dallas Cowboys.

However, Brooking is also a 36-year-old player who looked woefully slow last season, and with promising youngster Bruce Carter set to join Sean Lee at inside linebacker it's highly unlikely that Brooking's services will be needed in Dallas next season—or anywhere else, for that matter.

Bob Sanders: S, San Diego Chargers

In an effort to shore up the back end of their secondary, the San Diego Chargers signed safety Bob Sanders, who was once of the most feared hitters in the NFL while with the Indianapolis Colts, to a one-year free-agent contract before the 2011 season.

Unfortunately for Sanders, the injuries that have proved to be the bane of his professional football career once again reared their ugly head, and Sanders was only able to appear in two games, amassing 12 tackles.

Sanders has missed a staggering 53 of 64 games over the past four seasons, and given his inability to stay on the field it's highly improbable that he will generate any interest on the open market.

After all, what's the point of having a player on your roster who's never able to play?

Kevin Faulk: RB, New England Patriots

New England Patriots running back Kevin Faulk has been a valued, if somewhat unheralded part of the New England offense for much of his 13-year career, topping 1,000 total yards twice and winning three Super Bowls with the team.

However, Faulk tore his ACL two games into the 2010 season, began the 2011 campaign on the PUP list and, at 35 years old, the diminutive but versatile back seems to have lost most of his explosiveness.

Sadly, it appears his long tenure with the Patriots (and solid career in the NFL) may be coming to an end.