NFL: 10 Aging Players Who Are Over 30, but Not Over the Hill

Don't get old in the NFL. The NFL is for the young man.

The big talk right now in the league (apart from the 900 pound gorilla that is the CBA talks) is the NFL Combine. Everybody is doing their mock drafts. Where does Cam Newton fit in? Did Williams from VT score well on the tests? Everybody is thinking about the potential rookies and their landing spots after the draft.

But hold on a second.

There are some guys who have been around the league for a while who can still help some teams in more than a few ways. These players can teach the young guys not just howto play the game but how to live life in the NFL on and off the field. These players can still contribute significantly through their play. These players should not be left for dead.

This article highlights 10 players over thirty who can still contribute at a high level for a number of teams. In this article, we will look at those players and the teams those players are best suited to help right away.

The Smart Move for the Jets Was to Keep LT. Kudos to the Jets for Being Smart.

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 03: LaDanian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets runs against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 3, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Jets won 38-14. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

OK, Landanian Tomlinson's production waned in the final games last season. I'll give you that.

But there is no mistaking the fact that Tomlinson was still the leading rusher for the Jest last season. He ran for 900-plus yards, and even more valuable, he was a great go to guy for the young Mark Sanchez. Tomlinson was a often targeted receiver for Sanchez to dump off to.

There is still some gas in those tanks and if the Jets were serious about delivering on outspoken coach Rex Ryan's pledge of winning it all next season, they needed to keep LT right where he is.

I still think San Diego made a huge mistake by letting him go. I truly believe that had San Diego still had Tomlinson last year, they would have been in the playoffs.

LT knows how to win.

I for one am glad that the Jets, who seem to be on an over 30 releasing binge after letting Jason Taylor and others go recently, have decided that the future Hall of Fame running back is indeed still a part of a winning strategy.

Ricky Wiliams Continues to Defy the Odds, Season After Season

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 26: Running back Ricky Williams #34 of the Miami Dolphins breaks away from linebacker DeAndre Levy #54 of the Detroit Lions at Sun Life Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. The Lions defeated the Dolphins 34-27. (Photo by Mar

Ricky Williams turned in another season of surprising numbers, given his age. This "30-something" powerhouse ran for an average of 4.2 yards per carry in 2010.

His carries were down a bit, but that 4.2 yard average is key. He can still smash through the line and punch defenses right in the mouth.

If the Dolphins do not try and offer him an incentive driven contract, which is what should happen, I see a couple teams in the market for someone like Williams.

I think the Chicago Bears could use Williams in key short yardage situations. Chester Taylor just didn't seem to work out so well last year and Williams could provide that short yardage spark to help Cutler and company over the hump.

I can also see the Bengals as a potential landing spot for Williams. The only problem with that is the Bengals are so messed up right now that Carson Palmer would rather walk away than to play for that franchise again. That is not a very good selling point.

The bottom line is Ricky Williams is still a gamer, and he has a good one or two years left to be productive in this league.

I Understand Why the Eagles Let Brian Westbrook Go, but Someone Can Use Him

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SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 12: Brian Westbrook #20 of the San Francisco 49ers runs against the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on December 12, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

I am not naive.

I get it. I understand why the Eagles released Brain Westbrook after a good number of years of awesome production. LeSean McCoy needed to step up and he is doing just fine, thank you very much. It wasn't a bad decision on the Eagles' part.

But make no mistake.

Brian Westbrook can still grind it out. The 49ers found out last season when Frank Gore went down with an injury. Not only is Westbrook still at a high competitive level, he also happens to be one of the smartest football players around.

When you mix that football knowledge with his skill and throw in his unselfish attitude, you get a player who will stop on the goal line rather than score a touchdown as he did for the Eagles a few years back. It didn't help him personally, but it helped his team.

Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers new head coach will hopefully see what he has in Westbrook and get him resigned. If not, the over-30 free agent running back could stay on the West Coast because in my opinion, San Diego could use a leader like Westbrook in the backfield.

Handing Ryan Matthews the keys to the mansion so soon may have been a mistake. Westbrook can produce and teach Matthews at the same time.

Mike Shanahan Hasn't Won Since Elway. He Needs to Go Before McNabb.

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins on the sidelines against play against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The picture of McNabb you see here is indicative of the man. In this picture, Donovan McNabb was on the bench. He was replaced for Rex Grossman. He still has a smile on his face because McNabb is all class.

Yes, if you can believe that...

Let me say it again.

Donovan McNabb was replaced by Rex Grossman after Mike Shanahan and son decided McNabb was not their guy.

Mike Shanahan has won NOTHING since John Elway left the NFL. He doesn't know what he is doing anymore and benching McNabb in favor of Grossman (although granted, Grossman put up decent numbers) was proof of that.  It isn't that Grossman put up good numbers. It has more to do with a message to send to the team.

Donovan McNabb is still an elite NFL quarterback. The Redskins should either drop Shanahan and let McNabb choose the new head coach or trade McNabb right now and give this amazing player a new start.

I'm sure Minnesota would like to talk a deal. They have a good player in Joe Webb who could learn from McNabb for the next couple years. Leslie Frazier is a player's coach and I think McNabb would be just fine in a Vikings uniform.

Yes, I Said It. Terell Owens Is Still a Gamer If You Can Deal with the Mouth

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 25: Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a pass under pressure from Darrell Revis #24 of the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on November 25, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the

The Cincinnati Bengals are a mess and for once, it really doesn't have much to do with Terell Owens.  The simple truth is that Owens was one of the few shining stars for the Bengals last season.

Owens led the team in receiving.

While the TOcho show didn't really do as well on the field as it did in the TV talk show ratings, Owens did prove he can still play at a very high level. His time in Buffalo was not bad either.

I think there is one coach that just might be able to reign in the mouth on this man and make Owens even more productive than he has been in years.

Lovie Smith is that coach and the Chicago Bears, who need a good accomplished receiver, could be that team.

You Need a Sack Master. Call the 30-Year-Old Jason Babin.

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Jason Babin #93 of the Tennessee Titans reacts after sacking quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins during the first half at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/

In this case, Jason Babin is actually blossoming in his older age.

This first-round draft choice a number of years ago seemed to never quite live up to his billing until last year when the Titans found Jason Babin a home for the season, and he delivered with 12.5 sacks and 58 tackles.

The Titans are really in transition right now, and Babin may be lost in the shuffle as he is currently a free agent again. If he does not stay with the Titans, he may find a nice home destroying offensive lines as Washington Redskin.

My opinion of Mike Shanahan is not high, but there is no mistaking the fact that the Redskins are not going to keep Haynesworth and will have a need. Babin could fill the void.

The Bucs Actually Understand the Importance of a Player Like Ronde Barber

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TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 21: Defensive back Ronde Barber #20 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks at the scoreboard against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 21, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Ima

Kudos to the Tampa Bay Bucaneers.

Coach Morris has decided Ronde Barber is a good man to have around. He hasn't jumped on the "cut 'em 'cause they're old" bandwagon.

Barber is staying with the young Bucaneers, and he will be a great asset to them as that team gains experience. The Bucs have the sixth best quarterback in the league in Josh Freeman.

Yes, I said sixth best. He kind of creeped up on the NFL. Barber is a strong defensive presence that can help the young defenders like Gerald McCoy grow. The Bucs are a team to watch, and they have decided Ronde Barber is a part of the overall plan.

Smart move.

Randy Moss Got Spanked. Maybe He'll Act a Little Nicer in Class Now.

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Tennessee Titans warms up prior to the start of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

If you think Randy Moss can't still play football at a high level, you are mistaken.

Just because he played for the New England Patriots last season...

and the Minnesota Vikings...

and the Tennessee Titans...

doesn't mean he can't play football.

Think about this. He was released by the Patriots because he let his mouth get in the way and Bill Belichick does not play that. So he let him go and figured out a way to win without him. Thank you Deion Branch.

That sent Moss to a dysfunctional Vikings team. It is no mistake that Childress was fired himself soon after letting Moss go. That wasn't the only reason, but don't kid yourself if you think it wasn't part of the equation.

Moss then went to a team in turmoil. The Titans are now a team without a QB, and they have a new coach in Mike Munchak.  I'm not sure a new coach is what Moss needs.

He needs an established coach who will keep him in line. Hopefully, Moss learned a lesson or two last season. For the same reasons I think Owens would be a good fit, I am saying Chicago for the man with three homes. Lovie Smith just might be the cure for the cancer that Randy Moss seems to be in locker rooms.

The 40-Year-Old Jason Hanson Kicked a 52-Yard Field Goal Last Season

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Kicker Jason Hanson #4 of the Detroit Lions kicks as place kicker Nick Harris #2 holds against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field on September 26, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

I know he is a kicker, but he kicked a 52-yard field goal last season and his field goal percentage was 85.7 percent. You can't ignore those numbers.

It doesn't look like he is going anywhere, but he had to be mentioned. The Lions should hold onto to Hanson with all claws until he just can't kick anymore. Who knows, with the improvement in that team, maybe Hanson might actually get back to the playoffs.

Brett Favre Is the Elder Statesman and He Should...

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings talks at a post game press conference after a 13-20 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

I'm just kidding.

Stay retired, Brett.