NFL Free Agents 2012: 5 Veterans Left on the Open Market Who Need to Retire

Now that the NFL's free-agency period has cooled down and most of the big names have new contracts, second-tier free agents and the veterans are all that remain from the league's scrap heap. The veterans are likely looking for one more contract and one more chance to play in the NFL, but that kind of offer won't come for them all.

Here are five veteran free agents who probably won't get another contract and will end up retiring, either by choice or otherwise.

TE Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts

You didn't really know for sure what the rest of the league thought of Clark until the Denver Broncos, who brought in Peyton Manning last week, showed zero interest in signing the aging tight end. The team instead went with younger options in Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen.

While Clark is just two years removed from a 100-catch season with Indianapolis, he's also 32 years old with injury problems over last two seasons. Add in the fact that Clark was completely ineffective when on the field last season—dropping passes and looking overmatched in the run game—and it's probably time for him to call it a career. 

OT Marc Colombo, Miami Dolphins

Colombo got one more year out of his legs with the Dolphins in 2011, starting all 16 games as Miami's right tackle. But you could argue he was already running on empty in 2010, his final season with the Dallas Cowboys.

Colombo has now put together two miserable seasons as a pass-blocker, allowing 16 sacks, 20 quarterback hits and 75 pressures in 31 starts, and he probably isn't worth a roster spot at 33 years old. Unless a team is absolutely desperate for a veteran tackle, Colombo shouldn't be starting next season—and probably shouldn't be on a roster, either.  

MLB Keith Brooking, Dallas Cowboys

Brooking lost his starting spot to Sean Lee last season and then looked overmatched when the Cowboys needed him late in the season. He played just over 400 snaps, which means he's nothing more than a reserve at this point. But even for a team that needs depth inside, why Brooking?

He'll turn 37 years old in October, hasn't been effective in two years and is limited athletically. There's probably little he could contribute on special teams, too. An underrated player during his younger years, Brooking probably won't find many teams willing to give him another shot in 2012.

ILB James Farrior, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have wanted nothing to do with Farrior, releasing him after the season and declining the idea of re-signing him at a dirt cheap price.

While Pittsburgh has talent at linebacker, the team was clearly set on moving on from Farrior, which is telling in its own right. Farrior wore down at the end of 2011 and slowly became a big liability, both against the run and pass.

At 37 years old, a one-year, veteran's minimum contract may be his only option. Given that he has spent 15 years in the NFL, it may be time for Farrior to end his NFL career.   

RB Thomas Jones, Kansas City Chiefs

The NFL has de-valued the running back position enough that guys like Matt Forte and Ray Rice can't even get long-term contracts. It's also possible only one or two running backs will go in the first round of April's draft.

Given that obvious weariness of the running back position, why would any team give a guy like Jones, who is 33 years old and has over 3,000 career NFL touches on his tires, a chance for a roster spot next season? 

Jones hasn't cracked a 4.0-yard rushing average in two years and won't give a team much in the passing game. Where's the upside? If I had to bet, I'd say Jones is probably done.