NFL Preseason: Tony Romo and 10 Players Now Past Their Prime

All great things come to an end. The same goes for NFL careers.

The decline has to start somewhere and for some guys, this year could be the year they lose that step.

This list is going to feature a lot of guys who I think are still going to be productive players in the NFL in the 2011 season.

However, what I am trying to look at are some players across the league that can no longer be considered "elite” players in the NFL.

So here is a list of 10 players that are looking at the beginning of the end of their elite status. 

1. Tony Romo

Tony Romo is expected to put up huge fantasy numbers and lead the Dallas Cowboys to the playoffs this year.

However, I would not be surprised if Romo disappoints.

The three-time Pro-Bowler is coming off a collar bone injury. While that hurts in itself, it is not enough to cause much concern.

What concerns me is the offensive line for Dallas that might cause him to be on his back longer than (insert inappropriate line here…).

After their first preseason game, concerns about the line were very clear from head coach Jason Garrett.

They have a group of players with inexperience and a hurt starter (Montrae Holland).

They are even giving seventh-round pick Bill Nagy snaps with the first team.

Romo is not the most agile QB so he needs some time to stand tall in the pocket. If he is not able to do that, he will not be able to be as productive as he can be and he risks further injury that will slow his career.

2. Anquan Boldin

In his first season with the Baltimore Ravens, WR Anquan Boldin was disappointing. He had his lowest amount of yards and receptions since 2004. It was a very subpar year according to standards he set as an Arizona Cardinal.

With the acquisition of Lee Evans to play opposite of him, the Ravens are looking to Boldin to return to his old self.

However, Evans is no Larry Fitzgerald. While I believe Boldin is a very talented receiver, a lot of the hype surrounding him might have been because he benefited so much from Fitzgerald.

Joe Flacco is also no Kurt Warner. He is a very good QB, just not elite like Warner.

So I am not expecting Flacco to help Boldin back to the numbers he was putting up in Arizona.

3. Dunta Robinson

CB Dunta Robinson was the talk of Atlanta’s offseason last year.

However, one INT and one playoff loss later, many are questioning the massive contract he received.

Dunta Robinson was unable to perform to the level he was supposed to last year.

Not only did his play decline last year, he is also battling hamstring issues this training camp.

A nagging hamstring issue will decrease his physicality and ability to keep up with some of the top wide outs in the game.

Robinson will continue to be a solid cover man. However, he can not be depended on to be an elite CB in the NFL until he shows the hamstring is okay and that he can handle the pressure he had going into last year.

4. Devin Hester

Devin Hester has had most of his success in the NFL as a kick and punt returner while producing modest numbers as the number two wideout for Chicago.

With the rule change moving the kick off five yards up to the 35, Hester’s value is diminished as many NFL kickers can kick out for a touchback.

At best, Hester will be getting the ball in the very back of the end zone. He will have an even harder time getting a chance to return a kick.

Also, with the acquisition of Roy Williams to the WR core in Chicago, Hester may have seen his best days behind him.

There are still punt returns, but any smart punter will just kick it out of bounds.

If Hester wants to return to the Pro Bowl, he is going to have to prove his value as a WR and be more than a stud special teams player.

5. Matt Cassel

Matt Cassel turned a lot of heads last year with 27 TDs and a Pro Bowl appearance.

However, there are some good reasons to think that Cassel will probably not match that production in 2011 and the prime of his career (while short lived) is probably over.

First, the Kansas City Chiefs had the highest rushing attempts per game last year and there is no reason to think that will change.

This leads me to believe that his 27 TDs was a highly inflated number and will be super difficult to duplicate with the many rushing attempts the Chiefs take.

He also lost offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. Weis really helped that offense get to where it was last year. This combined with the much tougher schedule this year will spell trouble for Matt Cassel.

He will be a pretty good QB, but do not expect another Pro Bowl year.

6. Frank Gore

RB Frank Gore had a 2010 season shortened by injuries that caused him to miss five games. He did average over four yards per carry for the season.

Gore has been the featured back in San Francisco since his 2006 campaign where he broke out for 1600 plus rushing yards.

Coming into 2011 he is 28 years old, which is 35 in running back years.

After his injury last season he says he is back to his old self. However, he is also seeking a contract extension so he is not going to say otherwise.

To expect him to get 1,100 yards or more this year is a stretch. I know guys like LaDainian Tomlinson were able to do it, but Frank Gore is not LT.

I expect to see his production drop off as he enters yet another year of being the San Francisco 49ers feature back.

7. Jared Allen

I am afraid to write this. Jared Allen is just a beast of a man and works a lot on mixed martial arts. I do not want to see him in a dark alley, that is for sure.  

However, there is no denying these facts.

He finished last year with his lowest sack total since the 2006 season (11).

The Minnesota Vikings also lost DE Ray Edwards while Kevin Williams is also looking to bounce back from a subpar year.

This means Jared Allen will be facing offenses that will have the luxury of not having to give Allen one-on-one situations.

Do not expect his normal 14-16 sacks this year.

He also only forced one fumble last year. He had at least three in every year after his rookie season in Kansas City.

It looks like Jared Allen’s best playing days are behind him. However, he still looks to be a productive NFL defensive lineman in 2011.

8. Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates was having a fantastic year for the San Diego Chargers before injuring his foot and missing six games last season.

Gates has had a history of foot, toe, and ankle problems plague him for years.

He is another year older and the Chargers coaching staff is already talking of limiting his action this year to try and ensure his health later in the season.

All these factors look to cause a decline in his production and signal the beginning of the twilight of his career.

9. Michael Turner

Michael Turner had a very nice year with 1,300 plus yards and 12 TDs.

Turner carried the ball more than 300 times for just the second time in his career. He was injured in the year following his last 300 carry season.

He also saw his lowest yards per carry in his career (4.1).

Most troubling is his lingering groin problems. For a RB, that cannot be good.

The Falcons also re-signed Jason Snelling and drafted Jacquizz Rodgers, meaning they have some backup options to maybe limit his playing time to maintain his health.

The Falcons have a very good offensive line so he has that working for him, but do not expect his usual production.

10. Cedric Benson

Cedric Benson is someone that has had a very productive last couple of years. He has over 1100 yards rushing in each of the past two years.

However, the eight year veteran is 28 like Frank Gore. That is a pretty old age for a RB, especially a back that is going to be looked to carry an offense that features a rookie at QB (Andy Dalton) and at WR (A.J. Green).

Last year, while his yardage numbers were good, he only averaged 3.5 yards per carry and had a career high in fumbles with seven.

With opposing defenses really focusing on Benson this year, it is hard for me to think he will be as good a back as he has been in the past.

He will still be effective, just do not expect a Pro Bowl season by any stretch of the imagination.