One NFL Veteran from Each Team Most Likely To Retire After 2011

With two weeks left in the 2011 NFL season, thoughts turn towards the new crop coming into the league in 2012. My thoughts also involve the veteran players most likely to retire after the season is over. 

Every year, the NFL is flooded with fresh new faces eager to prove their worth. This is something we all look forward to with great anticipation. 

Every year, the NFL also loses veteran players due to career-threatening injuries, retirement and plain lack of interest in players that don't have anything left in the tank.

These are the players that could decide to call it quits, riding off into the sunset and dreaming of the cushy network job they hope to land.

Arizona Cardinals: Joey Porter

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Joey Porter is in his 13th season, and he has started to decline over the course of the last two years. Porter is a four-time Pro Bowler, and he is only two sacks shy of the 100-mark for his career.

Originally drafted in the third round (73rd overall) of the 1999 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Porter has been a force to be reckoned with in the league ever since. Porter had three seasons of 10-plus sacks, and his 17.5-sack performance in 2008 was good enough for second place in the NFL that year.

Porter hasn't been the same dominant player since joining the Cardinals in 2010, and his 2011 campaign has been almost fruitless. Porter hasn't been active since Week 7 with a knee injury.

Porter has acknowledged the fact that he's getting older. 

"

"That’s hard to accept, but, at the same time, I still feel like I can play. My thing is, I’m trying to give myself the best chance to be healthy. I feel like when I’m healthy, I can still go out there and play football with anybody. But it gets tougher when you get older."

"

This might be the last year for Porter, and we wish him well.

Atlanta Falcons: Mike Peterson

Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Mike Peterson is 35 years old in his 13th season out of Florida. He has played backup this season to fifth-year starter out of South Florida Stephen Nicholas and started four games when Nicholas went down with injuries.

Peterson has had a solid career as a starter in this league for the Indianapolis Colts, the Jacksonville Jaguars and finally for the Falcons. This is the first season that he's been a backup since being drafted in the second round (36th overall) of the 1999 NFL draft by the Colts.

I expect the Falcons to get younger and faster in the draft, and it won't surprise me to see Peterson retire after the 2011 NFL season.

Baltimore Ravens: Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis is in his 16th season with the Baltimore Ravens. He is 36 years old, and his body isn't as spry as it used to be. People have been wondering if he'll retire for the last three years, and I think this season might finally be his last.

Lewis' legacy is already long-established, and there isn't much left Lewis could accomplish besides winning another Super Bowl. 

After starring at the University of Miami, Lewis has been a dominant force for the Ravens since day one, and he has the awards to prove it. Lewis has been selected to the Pro Bowl 12 times, has been named an All-Pro seven times, has won two AP Defensive Player of the Year awards and was a Super Bowl MVP. 

Every career comes to an end at some point, and I think Lewis' might finally be over.

Buffalo Bills: Andra Davis

Andra Davis is in the twilight of his career in his 10th season out of Florida. Davis was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round (141st overall) of the 2002 NFL draft. 

Davis spent seven productive years in Cleveland before signing a two-year deal with the Denver Broncos through free agency in 2009. The Broncos released Davis after only one season.

Since joining the Bills in 2010, Davis has only made seven starts out of 20 games, and his production this year is barely noticeable, as Davis has recorded only 12 tackles.

The linebacker position is a young man's game, and Davis is getting old.

Carolina Panthers: Olindo Mare

Carolina Panthers kicker Olindo Mare isn't exactly old as far as kickers go, but usually kickers that stick around for 20-plus years do so because of their excellence. Mare hasn't been excellent this year. In fact, he's been below average.

Mare was an undrafted free agent out of Syracuse. He played his first 10 seasons with the Miami Dolphins before playing one season for the New Orleans Saints, two seasons for the Seattle Seahawks and then the last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers.

Mare is hitting at 76 percent this season, which isn't great, and his longest field goal is only 45 yards.

I expect the Panthers to look for a better player at this position next year, and I'm not sure if there are any more teams willing to give an aging kicker with accuracy issues a spot on their roster in 2012.

Chicago Bears: Patrick Mannelly

Before being injured in Week 11 of this season with a ruptured ACL, Patrick Mannelly had played in 147 consecutive games for the Chicago Bears as their long-snapper.

Mannelly was originally drafted by the Bears in the sixth round (189th overall) of the 1998 NFL draft. He is the longest-tenured player on the Bears roster, and he was considered to be quite the ironman.

Long-snappers don't take as many hits as most NFL linemen, and there is always a chance Mannelly might return for a 15th season in 2012, but I don't expect him to do so.

Cincinnati Bengals: Bobbie Williams

Bobbie Williams was originally drafted in the second round (61st overall) of the 2000 NFL draft out of the University of Arkansas by the Philadelphia Eagles. He had been an offensive tackle in college, and Williams spent the entire 2000 season inactive as he transitioned to guard.

He took over full-time starting duties as a guard for the Eagles in 2003, and he has been a starter in the league ever since. 

Unfortunately, Williams was put on injured reserve after suffering a season-ending broken ankle in Week 14's loss to the Houston Texans.

Williams will be 36 years old in 2012, and I'm not sure how many teams will want to give him one of their precious roster spots even if he does decide to try and come back.

Cleveland Browns: Eric Steinbach

Eric Steinbach is one of the better offensive guards in the NFL. He unfortunately suffered a back injury that required surgery and put him on the Browns' injured reserve for the 2011 season. The surgery was a success, but spinal issues are always questionable.

I have no doubt in my mind that Steinbach will attempt to come back and play for the Browns next year. He is, however, the only player on the Browns roster that might not be back in 2012.

Dallas Cowboys: Keith Brooking

Keith Brooking has had a stellar career as a starting middle linebacker in the NFL. He is in his 14th season out of Georgia Tech and was drafted with the 12th overall pick of the 1998 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons.

He had been a full-time starter in the league since 1999 until Sean Lee overtook him on the Dallas Cowboys depth chart. Brooking wasn't too happy about that development, but it seems like the Cowboys made the right decision.

Despite his long and productive career, Brooking has lost a few steps in his old age. Aging linebackers who have lost speed aren't exactly in high demand these days, and I don't know if he'll have any suitors for his services next year.

Denver Broncos: Brian Dawkins

Brian Dawkins has been a superstar in his 16 NFL seasons, and he hasn't exactly slowed down much in the twilight of his career. He should be a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection.

Originally drafted in the second round (61st overall) of the 1996 NFL draft out of Clemson by the Philadelphia Eagles, Dawkins has a resume almost as impressive as Ray Lewis'. Dawkins has been named to eight Pro Bowls and was selected to six All-Pro teams. 

The Broncos have already drafted his replacements, as Rahim Moore out of UCLA and Quinton Carter out of Oklahoma are now starting for the team.

Dawkins sat out the last game with a neck injury, and I believe 2011 will be his last season in the NFL.

Detroit Lions: Jason Hanson

Jason Hanson, at age 41, is in his 20th season. He has played every single season for one team, the Detroit Lions. Hanson was originally a high draft pick for a kicker, as he was picked up in the second round (56th overall) of the 1992 NFL draft.

Hanson has had an enormously successful career, and there is really no reason to think he will not come back for year No. 21. The Lions are a young team, however, and he is the only player on the roster that might not be back in the NFL next year.

Green Bay Packers: Charles Woodson

Like the Detroit Lions, the Green Bay Packers are a young team. Charles Woodson is playing as well today as he did 10 years ago, and he might even be better now than he was then. There is no real evidence to suggest that he doesn't want to return for a 15th season in 2012.

If the Packers go on to win a Super Bowl and Woodson is able to fully participate in the game, I could see him deciding to ride off in the sunset to retire on top.

Houston Texans: Jake Delhomme

Jake Delhomme wouldn't even be in the NFL right now if it weren't for a couple of injuries to the Houston Texans quarterbacks. He is still just an emergency starter should something terrible happen to rookie T.J. Yates.

Things weren't always like this for Delhomme, however. His career should be viewed as a success, especially when you consider he was undrafted coming out of college. 

Delhomme should be remembered for the couple of fantastic seasons he and the Carolina Panthers put together, in 2004 and 2005. He led the team to Super Bowl XXXVIII where they were defeated by the New England Patriots.

I don't expect to see Delhomme again. He will surely retire after the season.

Indianapolis Colts: Kerry Collins

It's been 17 years since the Carolina Panthers spent a first-round pick (fifth overall) in the 1995 NFL draft to select Kerry Collins out of Penn State.

He has played for six NFL teams in his career, and he has never been more than an average-quality starter, although he did manage to lead the New York Giants to Super Bowl XXXV, losing to Trent Dilfer and the Baltimore Ravens.

He, like Jake Delhomme, shouldn't even be in the NFL this year, but the Colts got desperate when Peyton Manning went out with his neck injury and foolishly pulled Collins off of his couch.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Aaron Kampman

Aaron Kampman was placed on injured reserve earlier this year for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the second time in as many seasons. 

Kampman was originally a fifth-round pick (156th overall) of the 2002 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers. He had a few big-time seasons for the Packers, recording 37 sacks between 2006-2008. 

Things changed when the Packers went from a 4-3 to a 3-4, and Kampman struggled to play outside linebacker, only recording 3.5 sacks in 2009. 

He was signed by the Jaguars in 2010, and he hasn't been able to stay active since then.

Kansas City Chiefs: Thomas Jones

Thomas Jones is in his 12th season out of Virginia. He was originally a first-round pick (seventh overall) of the 2000 NFL draft for the Arizona Cardinals. 

Jones' first four years in the league were spent mostly as a backup, and it wasn't until 2004 that he became a featured back for the Chicago Bears. Since then, he has spent three years each with the Bears and then the New York Jets before ultimately ending up in Kansas City with the Chiefs.

Since joining the Chiefs, Jones' production has been down significantly, and his age (33) is starting to show in a big way. I don't expect him back for another season in 2012.

Miami Dolphins: Jason Taylor

Jason Taylor has been threatening to retire for a few seasons, and I think this is the year he actually calls it quits. 

Taylor was originally drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round (73rd overall) of the 1997 NFL draft out of Akron. He has spent most of his career with the Dolphins, with the exception of one year in Washington with the Redskins and one year in New York with the Jets.

Taylor will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at some point, as his 138.5 sacks is the sixth best in the history of the NFL.

Minnesota Vikings: Antoine Winfield

Antoine Winfield is a versatile defensive back for the Minnesota Vikings who is on the injured reserve list after a broken collarbone put him out in Week 10. This was after already missing four games with a neck injury.

At 34 years old and with 13 seasons in the NFL under his belt, perhaps Winfield has had all he can take. He was always a physical cornerback, unafraid to step up in the running game and tackle running backs.

It wouldn't surprise me if Winfield has played his last down in the NFL.

New England Patriots: Andre Carter

Andre Carter suffered a season-ending knee injury in Denver as the Patriots took on the Broncos in Week 15.

Originally the seventh overall selection in the 2001 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers, Carter has been an able pass-rusher throughout his career, if not a bit erratic. He recorded 10 or more sacks four times in his 11 seasons, but he also recorded five or fewer sacks four times in that same period of time.

It will be tough for him to come back and find a spot in the league, being that he will be a 33-year-old coming off of knee surgery next year. I suspect he's played his last down.

New Orleans Saints: John Kasay

John Kasay is another fine kicker who has found long life in the NFL. He is 42 years old and in his 21st season as a pro. He was originally drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in fourth round (98th overall) of the 1991 NFL draft.

He has played for only three teams in his long career, spending 16 years with the Carolina Panthers following his time in Seattle until this season, his first with the Saints.

Amazingly to me, Kasay has only been to one Pro Bowl. 

New York Giants: Stacy Andrews

Stacy Andrews was viewed as a project coming out of Mississipi, and he was a fourth-round (123 overall) selection in the 2004 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He struggled to crack the starting lineup for his first three seasons until he finally broke through in 2007. 

Andrews started two seasons for the Bengals before signing a massive six-year free-agent contract with the Philadelphia. He never could justify the contract, though, and ended up restructuring the deal the very next year. 

Andrews was then traded to the Seattle Seahawks for an undisclosed draft pick and then released one year later. Finally, the New York Giants picked him up, but they ended up putting Andrews on season-ending injured reserve after he was hospitalized with pulmonary embolisms in both his lungs.

New York Jets: LaDainian Tomlinson

LaDainian Tomlinson will ship directly from the gridiron to Canton for enshrinement into the Professional Football Hall of Fame when he retires. I think this year might be his last.

Tomlinson was originally drafted by the San Diego Chargers with the fifth overall pick of the 2001 NFL draft. He spent nine glorious seasons with the Chargers, running for over 1,000 yards in each of those years. 

He was unceremoniously released after the 2009 season and was signed by the New York Jets to a two-year $5 million contract, which runs out after this season. 

Oakland Raiders: Lito Sheppard

Lito Sheppard was cut by the Oakland Raiders at the end of training camp this season, but the team brought him back after a rash of injuries hit their secondary.

Although Sheppard isn't particularly old, at 30, he has lost the mojo he had earlier in his career. Since 2008, Sheppard has only two interceptions and has only started 20 games.

Originally a first-round selection (26th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2002 NFL draft, Sheppard gave the Eagles three amazing years, intercepting 14 passes between 2004-2006. 

I don't expect to see him on anyone's roster in 2012.

Philadelphia Eagles: Juqua Parker

Juqua Parker came into the NFL as an undrafted rookie out of Oklahoma State, and he has lasted 11 seasons as a quality starter for two teams, the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles. 

After spending his last three-and-a-half years before 2011 as a starter, Parker's abilities have declined and he hasn't started a game this season.

There isn't much room in the NFL for a 34-year-old backup defensive end. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Smith

Aaron Smith is currently on the injured reserve for the Pittsburgh Steelers as he tries to recover from season-ending neck surgery. 

Smith was the best 3-4 defensive end in the NFL for a decade before getting injured. He is another late-round gem discovered by the Steelers organization, as they drafted him in the fourth round (109th overall) of the 1999 NFL draft.

Next year Smith will be 36 years old and coming back from neck surgery. Something tells me he'll retire.

San Diego Chargers: Takeo Spikes

Takeo Spikes is in his 14th season out of Auburn, and he was a first-round draft selection (13th overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1998. He has had the misfortune to have never been on a team that made it to the playoffs. 

His current team, the San Diego Chargers, have an outside chance to make it into the 2011 NFL playoffs, though I doubt they'll make it in. That would be just Spikes' luck.

I don't see him coming back for another season after 2011. He has lost a few steps, and the Chargers will be needing to get younger, not older, in 2012.

San Francisco 49ers: Moran Norris

Moran Norris should have retired a couple of years ago. The San Francisco 49ers should have cut him a couple of years ago, too, but I digress.

Norris was drafted originally in the fourth round (145th overall) of the 2001 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints. He has since bounced around and has played for four teams. 

He was largely responsible for Frank Gore's best season as a pro, when he ran for 1,695 yards in 2006.

He won't play again in the NFL.

Seattle Seahawks: Jimmy Wilkerson

Jimmy Wilkerson has been a career backup in his nine seasons in the NFL. The one exception was in 2009 where he started 15 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He only made 12 tackles in 2010 in a limited role for the New Orleans Saints, and Wilkerson has been inactive all year with the Seattle Seahawks.

I don't expect him to make an NFL roster next year.

St. Louis Rams: Al Harris

Al Harris is a 37-year-old cornerback, a veteran of 14 seasons in the NFL. The St. Louis Rams picked him up as an emergency measure to fill a roster spot only to lose him to a season-ending knee injury. 

Harris was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round (169th overall) of the 1997 NFL draft, only to be cut by them and picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles.

He ended up having a successful career, especially for the Green Bay Packers between 2004-2009. 

There is no way he comes back to play in 2012.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ronde Barber

Ronde Barber will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer whenever he does decide to hang up the cleats. I think this is his last season in the NFL.

Originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round (66th overall) of the 1997 NFL draft, Barber has played at a high level for the same team for 15 years.

Barber has been selected to five Pro Bowls, three first-team All-Pro teams and has won a Super Bowl.

He is the greatest Buccaneer to have ever played, and his leadership and abilities will be missed.

Tennessee Titans: Matt Hasselbeck

Matt Hasselbeck has been an excellent starting quarterback since 2002. He took the Seattle Seahawks to Super Bowl XL, a game that the Seahawks lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He was brought in to the Tennessee Titans in 2011 to be a stopgap as rookie Jake Locker learns how to play quarterback in the NFL. 

Hasselbeck has been banged up late this season, and Locker has shown he's the future of the franchise right now. I don't know if Hasselbeck will actually retire after this season, but I won't be surprised if he does decide to turn in his helmet for a desk job in 2012.

Washington Redskins: Phillip Buchanon

Phillip Buchanon has spent the 2011 season either suspended (four games) or on the injured reserve list for the Washington Redskins. Buchanon has had a solid NFL career, with 20 career interceptions.

Buchanon was originally drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the first round (17th overall) of the 2002 NFL draft. He played three years for the Raiders before being traded to the Houston Texans for draft picks in 2005. 

Buchanon spent one full season in Houston before being released after four games in his second year with them. He was then signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he spent three productive seasons.

He spent one year in Detroit playing for the Lions before ending up in Washington. 

He won't be back next year.