Predicting Which NFL Veterans Will Hang Up Their Cleats After 2012 Season

The NFL is filled with veterans that are approaching the age of retirement, and several big names will call it quits after the 2012 season. 

Between natural aging and the physical stress of an NFL career, the following veterans are amazing to have lasted this long. But at some point each player has to know when to make the decision to walk away from the game. 

Let's predict six big-name veterans who will call it quits after the 2012 season has concluded, and figure out why it's time. 

Ronde Barber, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ronde Barber of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may just be the most talented player on this list, which is saying something considering he is 37-years-old and in his 16th season. 

Barber has consistently been one of the best defensive secondary players in the NFL throughout the course of his career. 

This year is no exception. Barber has notched 77 tackles, four interceptions, one sack and a forced fumble. 

Overall, Barber has accumulated almost 1,000 combined tackles and 47 interceptions. He's one of the greats, but this offseason will likely be the end to a special career. 

Jeff Saturday, C, Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Jeff Saturday is yet another 37-year-old NFL veteran on this list, but he's been slugging it out in the trenches for 14 seasons. 

Saturday had spent his entire career with the Indianapolis Colts before joining the Packers following a contract dispute.

Saturday has by no means been perfect this season, but he's been good enough on an overall mediocre line. 

It's obvious Green Bay was an attractive place given the chance at a Super Bowl, but either way, Saturday is slowly regressing and will likely call it quits this year. 

Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens

For Ray Lewis, the time is now. The 37-year-old linebacker has missed significant time this year with an injured triceps. When he's been on the field, Lewis has appeared a step slower than usual. 

It's an end that has been coming for quite some time, but after 17 years it's only a natural conclusion. Lewis has amassed over 1,300 combined tackles in that timespan as the heart and soul of the Baltimore defense, but age is finally catching up to him. 

Another season wouldn't do his career justice. 

Yeremiah Bell, S, New York Jets

Yeremiah Bell was one of the more underrated secondary players for quite some time during his tenure with the Miami Dolphins. 

Now with the New York Jets, Bell is approaching the end of his career after nine seasons. 

Bell grabbed 76 total tackles this year for a mediocre defensive unit, putting his career total well over 630. 

At this point Bell is playing at a mediocre level, but he's been rapidly dropping off in talent. That will ultimately culminate in his decision to hang up the cleats this offseason. 

Donald Driver, WR, Green Bay Packers

Donald Driver has had an outstanding career with the Green Bay Packers, but like many other 37-year-old veterans on this list, he's liable to call it quits after this season. 

Driver has amassed well over 10,000 yards to go with his 61 touchdowns in 14 seasons, but at this point he doesn't really see playing time anymore. 

While Driver would love nothing more than to play for five more years, his body simply doesn't agree. He's lost a step and is nothing more than a possession receiver at this point in his career. 

Driver has had a criminally underrated career, but a successful one nonetheless. This offseason would be the perfect time for him to walk into the sunset. 

Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago Bears

At 34 years old in his 13th NFL season, Chicago Bears inside linebacker has still been one of the most productive players for the team. 

Unfortunately, injuries may spell the end of his NFL career as early as this offseason. 

Urlacher had issues with his knee which has resulted in a massive loss of speed, and he's also battling a hamstring injury that will sideline him until the playoffs or longer. 

Overall, Urlacher has racked up over 1,200 total tackles and has been the main cog in the Bears defense for years. Due to the physicality of the position, Urlacher's career will come to an end this offseason thanks to injuries.

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