Peyton Manning: Surgery Adds Manning to List of NFL Players on Their Last Legs

Surgery Adds Peyton Manning to List of NFL Players on Their Last Legs

After undergoing the second neck surgery in 15 months, Indianapolis Colts star quarterback Peyton Manning is getting older.

I guess never really looked at him as someone who wouldn’t stop playing until he was in his 40s, but now there is uncertainty.

Colts owner Jim Irsay told the USA Today:

"

Let the backup quarterback tell the new receivers which route to run, let them throw a little bit more, versus him throwing as much. He's so motivated to really work with the guys. It's like a baseball pitcher. As they get older, you want to limit how many throws the arm's taking. We try to encourage that, where you want to see less throws. But this is something that's not going to affect the longevity of his career.

"

Manning is one of the best the game has ever seen and his process of slowing down has been one of the harder things to watch as a fan of the NFL.

The problem is, some of the biggest names in the sport are getting older and they may be in the twilight of their careers.

Imagine a world without Manning’s precision passes keeping defensive coordinators up all night, can you? I don’t think I can.

This slideshow is of the top five star players who might be nearing the end of their respective careers. Enjoy!

5. Asante Samuel

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Sidney Rice #18 of the Minnesota Vikings in action against Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 28, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

For the Philadelphia Eagles, Asante Samuel has been one of the best cornerbacks in franchise history.

In three years with the Eagles, Samuel has 20 interceptions and 101 combined tackles and has been a major part of the success of Philadelphia’s defense.

The problem is that Samuel will be 31 by the time next season is over and his skill set may start to reflect that.

Samuel has always been a cornerback who thrives on taking risks, so as he gets older, those risks will start to not pay off anymore.

With the Eagles right in the middle of contention, the best route for the Eagles to take would be to sign free agent corner back Nnamdi Asomugha and let Samuel match up against the opposition’s No. 2 receiver.

4. Wes Welker

Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

HONOLULU - JANUARY 30: Wes Welker, #83 of the New England Patriots tries to reel in a pass during the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on January 30, 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii. NFC won 55-41 over the AFC. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

As a whole, the New England Patriots offense seems to be getting old and it seems to have happened over night.

Tom Brady, Matt Light and even wide receiver Wes Welker are getting older and there is no easy way to spot the end. Welker may be closer to the end than he thinks.

Over the four years Welker has spent in Bill Belichick’s system, the speedy receiver has amassed 432 catches and 22 touchdowns. That sounds like the perfect slot receiver to me, and he is.

Even with all of that success, Welker is 30 years old and his speed won’t last forever.

My concern is that his new found lack of speed will put him in dangerous situations across the middle that could leave him seriously injured. I hate to see great players overstay their welcome and it costs them physically.

3. Brian Urlacher

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears looks over at Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers before the snap in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/G

After 10 years in the National Football League, Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher is still one of the most dominant players in the sport.

The Bears defense was one of the biggest reasons they made it to the NFC Championship game and they look to build on that success for this year.

Urlacher was 11th in the NFL with 125 combined tackles and added four sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles.

Even with all of the success Urlacher had last season in Chicago, the problem is that he will be 33 years old when this season starts.

While I still believe there is plenty of fuel in the tank, but don’t be shocked if his Hall of Fame career came to an end within two years.

2. Frank Gore

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 14: Frank Groe #21 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during their game against the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park on November 14, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The 49ers were a mess last year, but the one constant every season has been the stellar running and catching skills of running back Frank Gore.

Gore has been one of the best running backs in the NFL for the past few seasons and his stats back that up. He has averaged over 1000 rushing yards and 400 passing yards over the last four seasons.

The problem with Frank Gore is that he hasn’t played a full season in that same four-year period. All of his success has been great, but it’s all for not if Gore is gone for extended periods of time.

At 28 years old, his legs aren’t as fresh as they were coming out of school and the years of being a work horse might be burning him up.

Gore will be the mainstay in San Francisco for this year and probably next, but after that, there are serious questions.

1. Peyton Manning

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 09: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts gives instructions to his team during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is one of the greatest players to play the game and his talent in the pocket is like nothing we have seen before.

Manning has thrown for over 3,700 yards each of his 13 career seasons with the Colts and has thrown 399 touchdowns.

The problem here is that Manning is 35 years old and even with the usually stellar offensive line in Indianapolis, he is damaged goods.

It seems like the key to keeping Manning on the field as long as possible will be to slowly take his foot off the throttle. That’s all fine and well, but will Manning be able to handle not controlling every aspect of HIS offense.

The realization that Manning is not the everlasting man is starting to creep up on the Colts organization and you better believe that they will do whatever they can to keep Manning upright.