Peyton Manning and the Best Greybeard at Each Position in the NFL

Peyton Manning will be back in 2012, and he headlines the list of the best greybeards currently playing in the NFL. 

What is a greybeard, you ask?

According to thefreedictionary.com, a greybeard is: "a man who is very old."

For the sake of this post, however, my only qualifications are that the player is at least 30 years old. 

Defensive End

Julius Peppers

At 32, Peppers is a newer member of the greybeard club. He is an absolute terror for opposing offensive linemen, and over the course of his ten-year career, he has forged a reputation as being one of the NFL's most complete defensive linemen.

In ten seasons, Peppers has amassed 473 tackles, 100 sacks and 36 forced fumbles. Additionally, Peppers has intercepted eight passes in his career as a defensive end. There are five-year veteran cornerbacks in the NFL who haven't matched that total. 

The best part is that it looks to me like Peppers still has a lot of gas left in his tank. Barring injury, I don't see why he can't keep playing for another five years. 

Honorable mentions: Justin Smith, Dwight Freeney and John Abraham

Defensive Tackle

Casey Hampton

Hampton (34 years old) has been anchoring the Pittsburgh Steelers defense for 11 straight years as the starting nose tackle, earning five Pro Bowl invitations in the process.

Hampton isn't going to get much pressure on the quarterback. He has only tallied nine sacks in his 11-year career. 

He is more of an unmovable granite boulder than anything else. He takes on multiple blockers on just about every down he's in the game, and he is one of the principle cornerstones for Dick LeBeau's defense.

Hampton is currently recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL, an injury he suffered in the Steelers' heartbreaking playoff loss to the Denver Broncos. He expects to be ready to play in 2012, though he may have to start the season on the PUP list.

Provided he is healthy enough to play, Hampton is easily the best greybeard at his position.

Honorable Mentions: Kevin Williams and Cullen Jenkins

Outside Linebacker

James Harrison

Harrison was a no-brainer here. 

At 33 years old, he still plays as hard as he did when he was 23. In fact, Harrison has gotten better with age. Since hitting the age of 30, Harrison has tallied 45 sacks and 20 forced fumbles.

He is one of the most intimidating players who has ever strapped on a helmet and plays the game like it is still the 1970s.

Honorable mentions: Lance Briggs and Will Witherspoon

Middle Linebacker

Ray Lewis

This is another easy choice. 

At 36, an age when most pro football players are busy coaching their sons' little league team, Lewis is still one of the most dominant, most influential and most productive players at any position in the entire league. 

He may not be quite as fast as he once was, but over the course of his 16-year career, he has developed the kind of football mind that makes up for any drop in athleticism. 

When asked about whether or not he'd return to play a 17th season in 2012, Lewis said: 

"

Is this my last time as a Raven? Absolutely not. Let me answer that question before somebody asks me. Absolutely not. It's just too much. Life offers too much. Every time you step on this field, it's a true blessing.

For us to be here now, I'm hungry again and I'm thirsty again. Every time you go through something like this, it has to drive you. I truly believe that's the only thing that makes people great.

"

And that is why Lewis is the easy choice as the best greybeard middle linebacker in the NFL.

Honorable Mentions: Brian Urlacher, London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes

Cornerback

Charles Woodson

Woodson has been playing at the highest level in his career since joining the Green Bay Packers at the age of 30. Now 35, he enters his 15th season as a pro in 2012. 

Since joining the Packers, Woodson has recorded 37 interceptions over six seasons (six interceptions a year on average). Additionally, he has tallied 10 sacks and 14 forced fumbles.

Woodson is not only one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, but he is also one of the most diverse players in the league. He is the catalyst for Dom Capers' defense in Green Bay, and he will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Honorable mentions: Ronde Barber and Nnamdi Asomugha 

Safety

Ed Reed

Since I am still a young man and didn't personally watch the NFL in the 1970s, I won't call Reed the best ever, but he is the best safety I've ever seen (this is coming from a huge 49ers fan who loves Ronnie Lott).

There is nobody better in the game at making timely interceptions than Reed, and he has turned the tide of many an important game during his career.

Reed is 33 years old, and he will be entering his 11th season in 2012. He is an instant Hall of Fame inductee once he's eligible, though I hope he can keep playing for a little while longer.

Honorable mentions: Troy Polamalu and Brian Dawkins  

Offensive Tackle

Jason Peters

Offensive linemen are tough to evaluate, unless your name is Matt Miller. 

According to Miller, Peters (age 30) is the best left tackle in the NFL today. Miller says:

"

Jason Peters has everything you want from a left tackle in today's NFL. He is quick enough to handle the speed rushers lining up on the right side of the defense, strong enough to take on five-technique defensive ends in a 3-4 scheme and smart enough to make decisions on the fly. 

"

Thank you, Matt.

Peters has been a full-time starter for the last seven years and looks good to go for another seven.

Honorable mentions: Jordan Gross and Matt Light

Offensive Guard

Brian Waters

At the ripe old age of 35, Waters has been a starting offensive guard for over a decade. After spending his first 11 seasons as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Waters joined the New England Patriots in 2011.

Waters is a well-rounded guard who plays well in both the running game and in the passing game. He is still agile for his age, which helps him in both areas, and he can still pancake opposing linebackers coming through the holes on running plays.

Honorable mentions: Brandon Moore and Eric Steinbach

Center

Jeff Saturday

Saturday has been Peyton Manning's wingman for the last 13 seasons in Indianapolis, and his strong play is a big reason for Manning's success over that span of time.

He is still one of the best centers in the NFL today. Matt Miller has him ranked No. 4 in his latest rankings, saying: "There may not be a smarter center in the NFL. Saturday is nearing the end of a brilliant career, but he's still one of the best in the league."

At 6'2" and 295 pounds, Saturday proves that you don't have to be massive to succeed as an offensive lineman in the NFL. Sometimes, smarts and agility overcome brute strength.

Honorable mentions: Todd McClure and Matt Birk

Wide Receiver

Steve Smith

Smith has been balling out for the Carolina Panthers for the last 11 years, and at age 32, he still looks like he can keep playing at this high level for another three-to-five years.

His career seemed to take a turn for the best with the inclusion of Cam Newton in 2011, and Smith ended up being the fifth-most productive receiver in the league in terms of total yardage.

Smith is one of the Panthers' all-time greats, and he will be missed around the league when he decides to call it quits.

Honorable mentions: Reggie Wayne and Wes Welker

Tight End

Tony Gonzalez

When you watch the Atlanta Falcons play next year, pay close attention to No. 88. He is the GOAT (greatest of all time), and 2012 will likely be his last year in the NFL.

Guys like Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham wish they were Gonzalez. 

For the last 15 years, he has been putting on a display unlike anything we've before seen in the NFL, and it will likely be many more years before someone matches the career numbers Gonzalez has put up.

Honorable mentions: Jason Witten and Antonio Gates

Running Back

Fred Jackson

Note: LaDainian Tomlinson will occupy this spot if he does decide to play in 2012, but as of this moment, he is contemplating retirement.

Before getting injured in 2011, Jackson was making the case as one of the top-three best running backs in the NFL.

He is a complete back, able to excel in both the passing game and the running game. 

He is a bit of a late-bloomer, and at 31, it seems like Jackson is just starting to hit his stride. 

Honorable mention: Willis McGahee

Quarterback

Peyton Manning

What can I say about Manning that hasn't already been said a thousand times before?

Manning is one of the NFL's all-time greatest players and ambassadors of the game. He is one of the few players I don't mind the sports world stopping the presses for. The spotlight should be on him at this time, and if he's healthy and playing in 2012, it will be good for the game.

Rocket arm? Check.

Unparalleled preparation? Check.

Greatest of all time? Stay tuned.

Honorable mentions: Tom Brady and Drew Brees

Follow @JesseReed78