Peyton Manning and 4 Players We're Most Excited to See Return to Field in 2012

Peyton Manning is one of a handful of great NFL players who will return after sitting out all or part of the 2011 NFL season. 

There are five guys we are really looking forward to seeing back on a football field in 2012 because of what they bring to the game. Obviously Manning leads the way, as he may be the best quarterback of all time when his career finally comes to a close. 

Here's the complete list of players we're most excited to see return to action in 2012.

Peyton Manning

The NFL just isn't the same without Peyton Manning. Love or hate the four-time MVP, there is no arguing that he is one of the best to ever line up under center. It was weird not seeing him gyrating, flapping, yelling and making crazy gestures at the line of scrimmage in 2011. 

I'm a life-long San Diego Chargers fan, and now Manning is in my team's division and I'm looking forward to seeing him back in the league. That says something.

Since he entered the NFL as the No. 1 pick in the 1998 NFL draft, Manning has been a phenomenal ambassador for football and has also put up incredible numbers. He's a future Hall of Famer and anytime a guy like that returns to the league, it's a good thing.

I'm anxious to see if Manning still has it or if his multiple neck surgeries and a year out of football have really had a profound effect on his ability. 

Adrian Peterson

When Adrian Peterson tore his left ACL and MCL while also damaging his meniscus in Minnesota's second-to-last game last season, people around the league were devastated. Even if you don't pull for the Vikings, it was a big loss, as Peterson is one of the NFL's best players.

No one knows exactly when Peterson will return, but he reportedly considers himself "50-50" to participate in training camp at this point. It may be a few weeks into the season before we actually see him in a game, but the league will be better when the 27-year-old is back and healthy.

Peterson is a four-time All-Pro, and in just five NFL seasons he has rushed for 6,752 yards and 64 touchdowns. He's the kind of guy you tune into games you don't care about just to watch run the football. 

Here's hoping he's back to his old self soon.

Matt Forte

Matt Forte is easy to like. He's a versatile running back who goes about his business the right way, even though the Chicago Bears have been stiffing him on a contract extension for more than a year.

The 26-year-old running back was in the midst of putting together a career year when he suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain that ended his season after 12 games. In those 12 contests, Forte rushed for 997 yards and three touchdowns on just 203 carries (4.9 yards per carry). He also caught 52 passes for 490 yards and another score.

While he hasn't been able to find the end zone consistently, the Tulane product has been Chicago's best offensive weapon since he entered the league in 2008. 

Now that Forte has been battling with the Bears over an extension for so long and is coming off of his first Pro Bowl season, I want to see what he'll do this season. He has to be motivated to show Chicago that he's worth far more than the team is offering him.

Randy Moss

How can you not want to watch the Randy Moss show in San Francisco? The seven-time Pro Bowler will be a part of what was an anemic passing attack in 2011, and the first time he gets frustrated with 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, the confrontation on the sidelines could be explosive.

Throw in a head coach like Jim Harbaugh who isn't shy and we have a combustible group of players that could be fascinating to watch. 

On top of all that, Moss is a lot of fun to watch. He may be 35 years old, but I'm willing to bet he's still fast and still has the skills to make plays in the NFL. 

Based purely on the numbers, Moss is one of the best receivers in football history, and based purely on his attitude, he's one of the most combustible. 

I can't wait to see what happens in San Francisco in 2012.

Jahvid Best

Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best is undoubtedly one of the most exciting players in the NFL, but he has struggled mightily with concussions in his career, leaving his future in doubt.

Best was a full participant during the first day of OTAs for the Lions, which is a good sign after he played just six games in 2011. 

So far in his career, Best has 945 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 255 carries, while adding 774 yards and three scores on 85 receptions. He is a multi-threat running back who has the speed and shiftiness to score every time he touches the ball.

Best's talent is rare, he is one of a few players who can break a big play out of nothing thanks to his natural athletic ability and speed. When added to a Lions offense that is already explosive, he makes the team that much more dangerous.

With all that has gone on lately with concussions in football, it will be good seeing the 23-year-old Best bounce back and hopefully move on from the issues that have dogged him in the past. He could be special if he can stay on the field.