NFL Preview: Alex Smith and 10 Players on Their Last Chance

The NFL, unlike any other sport, frequently sees old veterans hit a wall and new rookies rise and fill these holes.

Every year, there is roughly a 25 percent turnover ratio for each NFL team compared to the MLB, where teams essentially can stay intact for years.

Here are NFL veterans that are inching toward their last chance to continue their careers in the NFL.

10. Derrick Mason

Derrick Mason is the definition of reliability. Mason has been one of the most consistent receivers of this past decade. Since 2000, he has posted eight seasons of 1,000 receiving yards or more.

His stint in Tennessee landed him yards short of a Super Bowl ring and his tenure in Baltimore failed to produce a ring as well. Unfortunately for Mason, he is getting up there in age and this could very well be one of his last seasons.

9. Brady Quinn

After arguably the most agonizing green room draft day experience, Brady Quinn has failed to do much of anything in the NFL.

After failing in Cleveland, he currently resides in Denver as the backup to Kyle Orton. As the years pass, this story looks similar to that of Matt Leinart, and I am afraid that he may never get the chance to start in the NFL.

8. Donavan McNabb

Donavan McNabb has been one of the most dominant quarterbacks of this past decade, leading the Eagles to four NFC championship appearances. 

Success seemed to halt there, though, as he never won that coveted Super Bowl ring and hasn't made another appearance in a Super Bowl since his first.

McNabb’s stint in Washington was nothing but organized chaos, and now he resides in Minnesota hoping to reinvent his career and himself. If he doesn't, however, this could very well be his last year. 

7. Michael Vick

This one may seem a bit odd especially after the numbers Michael Vick posted last season in Philadelphia, but if you think about it, one more hiccup with the law and Michael Vick’s next career opportunity will consist of nothing to do with the NFL brand.

This is without question Vick's last chance with the NFL.

6. Rex Grossman

Rex Grossman’s biggest highlight of his NFL career was his one Super Bowl appearance with the Chicago Bears. Since then, he's fallen into mediocrity and is about to lose his job in Washington to John Beck.

This situation doesn't look good at all for Grossman.  I wouldn't be shocked if this is his last chance to start in the NFL.  Or if he eventually became a permanent backup for the rest of his career.

5. Plaxico Burress

Plaxico Burress, like Michael Vick, is one run-in with the law away from receiving a fast pass out of the NFL. He recently signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets and is going to have to produce if he wants to sign any type of extension.

The difference between Vick and Burress is that Vick is still fairly young for the NFL.  Burress is considered to be on his last leg as a receiver. Look for Burress to have a good year this upcoming season.

4. Albert Haynesworth

The Washington Redskins were a season too late for Albert Haynesworth. He tore it up in Tennessee and then landed a monstrous contract with the Redskins only to horrifically underachieve.

Now he is in New England after the Patriots traded a fifth-round draft pick to obtain his rights. He has yet to play a down in the preseason and no one truly knows why. I suspect that he may have already blown his opportunity in New England with his poor attitude.

Who knows, but he is definitely on his last chance with teams.

3. Roy Williams

Roy Williams was supposed to be the next Terrell Owens when he came into the league. And Williams has posted some good numbers in the past but recently has done nothing but blow opportunities.

After giving up a lot to obtain his rights a few years back, the Cowboys have now shipped him to Chicago where he hopes to reinvent his career. Maybe Jay Cutler is the remedy for this sickness.

2. LaDainian Tomlinson

It’s hard to argue that LaDainian Tomlinson hasn't been the best running back of this past decade, especially with the fact that he has posted eight seasons of over 1,000 yards since coming into the league.

The only sad part about his situation is that most everyone seems to want to count him down and out, saying that once running backs turn 30, they hit a wall. Could this be the true downfall of one of the best runners of this generation?

1. Alex Smith

Alex Smith has the potential to be considered one of the worst first overall picks in the history of the NFL. Smith has thrown more interceptions than he has touchdowns over the years, and he's been around long enough to where any "good," top-pick worthy quarterback would never have such a statline.

In Smith’s five-year career, he's thrown 51 touchdowns. To put that in perspective, Tom Brady threw 50 touchdowns in a single season. I think it may be time to turn the page on Alex Smith