Deion Branch and the NFL's 10 Craftiest Vets

Deion Branch is one of many NFL vets that are playing very well in 2011. However, there are many veterans that are just crafty with the art of playing football, and that's exactly what this list is about.

These veterans are players that still are able to play the game with some authority and are on the verge of retiring in the next couple of years. No veteran is perfect, but they recreate themselves and become a key performer for their NFL team.

Deion Branch

Deion Branch had a horrible time with the Settle Seahawks before rejoining the New England Patriots in 2010. His 2011 season has been resurgent and he now had four touchdown grabs and is one of the main targets for Tom Brady to throw to.

Branch is very quick and can elude tackles easily. He has remade himself to fit the Patriots' style of play and that has made him a great player for the Pats.

Marion Barber

Marion Barber is the backup for Matt Forte on the Chicago Bears. He might not have many yards, but he has five rushing touchdowns, which is very solid for a running back.

Barber is now a red zone-only back, and that is where is power in the Bears' running attack flourishes in 2011.

Nick Barnett

Nick Barnett is the king of the Buffalo Bills' defense and leads the team with 86 total tackles. He also has two interceptions and a forced fumble.

Barnett is what helped the Bills to their hot start in 2011, and he can catch up to most wide receivers in order to tackle them to the ground. Don't expect him to quit anytime soon.

Kelly Gregg

Kelly Gregg has had limited playing time with the Kansas City Chiefs but still has 29 tackles and one sack. This one sack came against the Oakland Raiders.

All NFL teams should be watching out for him when he is on the field. He is a very big guy and can still get through an offensive line to sack the quarterback.

Roy Williams

Roy Williams has eight year's experience, and with the Bears he has underperformed. He still has speed and can catch the ball but only has 24 receptions, 335 yards and one touchdown in his time with the Bears in 2011.

This type of performance is unlike the Williams of old, and the Bears need to look toward him to return to the playoffs in 2011.

Reggie Bush

Reggie Bush's resurgence over the past month has been what has led the Miami Dolphins back into the winning column. Bush scored four times on the ground for the Dolphins in there three wins, and he still has that explosive speed.

Earlier in 2011, Bush's speed was not a factor for the Dolphins. He has made the Dolphins better on the ground and his skill as a running back is exactly what the Dolphins need.

Charles Woodson

Charles Woodson has been in the NFL for 14 years and is one of the best corners in the game. In 2011, it is no different.

Woodson has 49 tackles, two sacks and six interceptions for the 11-0 Green Bay Packers and is one of the skilled players that has been around for 14 years.

Brandon Lloyd

Brandon Lloyd was recently traded to the St. Louis Rams from the Broncos, and he still performs as well as he did in Denver.

Lloyd has four touchdown grabs in his last five games. He has 679 yards in 2011 and can beat most defensive players down the field.

Willis McGahee

Willis McGahee has been helping Tim Tebow big time to lead the Denver Broncos to the 5-1 record over their last five games. He has tallied up 775 yards and three touchdowns while rushing the ball 162 times.

McGahee uses his ability to find the hole to his advantage and blocks well for Tebow too when he runs the ball himself.

Wes Welker

Wes Welker is probably one of the best wideouts in the NFL, and he runs routes better than any other receiver in the league.

His ability to get yards after the catch is one of the greatest abilities that Welker has. Brady uses Welker as his security blanket and is the focal point of the Patriots' offense.