NFL

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Biggest choke jobs in sports Infamous chokers gallery /nhl/lists/Infamous-sports-chokers http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2013/05/14/051313-Choke-SW-MB_20130514022711788_136_102.JPG
Let's look at the rise and fall of QB Geno Smith Let's look at the rise and fall of QB Geno Smith /nfl/lists/geno-smith-rise-and-fall-of-new-york-jets-quarterback-050213 http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2013/04/30/geno-pi_20130430145017596_136_102.JPG
All-time best players to go undrafted in NFL /nfl/lists/undrafted-free-agents-nfl-best-careers-042912 http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/04/28/042812-NFL-CASH-ME-IF-YOU-CAN-OB-PI_20120428195329475_136_102.JPG
Day 3: Best available players Matt Barkley, Barrett Jones and Tyler Wilson are among the best available players in NFL Draft rounds 4-7. /nfl/lists/matt-barkley-barrett-jones-tyler-wilson-best-available-players-nfl-draft-rounds-4-7-042713 http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2013/04/27/042613-NFL-PHONES-RINGIN-DUDE-PI-AM_20130427012542250_136_102.JPG
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NFL 5 43 Over 30, not over-the-hill in NFL 12334358 NFL's top over-30 players on offense NFL%27s+top+over-30+players+on+offense NFL

The shelf life of hot actresses is at its longest in its storied history: Jolie, Aniston, Tony Parker’s wife, Milano (who still looks 19 in real life), Berry, McAdams (my perpetual Plan B) … All over 30, some over 40, and all as close to perfect as any of their born-after-Caddyshack-came-out counterparts. Maybe it’s the advances in makeup/surgery/personal training/photography/editing/beer, not sure, but no one’s complaining.

So what about the NFL and its own group of geriatric greats? I’ve come up with 10 such candidates on the offensive side of the ball who still appear to have plenty of air left in their tires. And as a professional courtesy, this list only extends to those under the age of 40 years and 11 months. -- Joe Concha
 

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NFL 5 43 Over 30, not over-the-hill in NFL 12333925 Peyton Manning, QB, Colts, 34 Peyton+Manning%2C+QB%2C+Colts%2C+34 NFL

Cooper’s younger brother is on pace for 5,000 yards at a 70 percent completion clip for his best season yet. Incredible considering how high the bar is set while being the greatest quarterback of all time. Yes, better than Montana, better than Elway, better than Brady (feel free to e-mail me to debate the Tracy Porter pick hurting his legacy). What other QB calls all his own plays, runs the offense to near perfection and is a consummate winner for otherwise average teams?

Joe Concha is a contributor to FOXSports.com and a Bears fan who is genuinely worried about the health and well-being of his quarterbacks moving forward for the rest of the year. E-mail pithy questions or comments to joe.concha@foxnews.com.

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NFL 5 43 Over 30, not over-the-hill in NFL 12334361 Tom Brady, QB, Patriots, 33 Tom+Brady%2C+QB%2C+Patriots%2C+33 NFL

Despite earning the names Tom Bieber and/or Justin Brady as Gisele slowly preps him for the lead for Zoolander 2, the NFL’s top-paid player is enjoying his best season since the year he shattered the record books (50 TDs against a whopping eight picks). However, Brady will see his 109 passer rating challenged in a rough stretch that includes the Ravens, Chargers, Vikings and Steelers in four of the next five weeks with no deep threat following the bye and saying bye-bye to Moss. 

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NFL 5 43 Over 30, not over-the-hill in NFL 12334607 Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts, 31 Reggie+Wayne%2C+WR%2C+Colts%2C+31 NFL

No list is complete without someone representing the U, is it? Now in his 10th year, Wayne is easily enjoying his finest season (114 yards/game). Last week’s 15-catch, 196-yard effort at Jacksonville is making everyone wonder just how Indy lost the game. Not the tallest receiver (only 6 feet) but certainly the most durable (hasn’t missed a game since his rookie year). When all is said and done, it will be Wayne, and not the mysterious Marvin Harrison, who will be seen as Peyton’s No. 1 go-to guy.

Andy Lyons - Getty Images http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/10/05/7reggie_20101005225116_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/10/05/7reggie_20101005225116_107_80.JPG
NFL 5 43 Over 30, not over-the-hill in NFL 12333924 Randy Moss, WR, Vikings, 33 Randy+Moss%2C+WR%2C+Vikings%2C+33 NFL

Age is just a number to the seven-time Pro Bowl selection, scoring 50 touchdowns after turning 30. Still, it’s hard to believe Moss was once traded from the Raiders for a fourth-round draft pick. Where is that draft pick today? Still playing professional football -- for the Hartford Colonials in the under, under, under the radar UFL. His name is John Bowie, no relation to Portland’s favorite son and eternal Michael Jordon trivia answer, Sam Bowie.

Jim Rogash - Getty Images http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/10/05/6randymoss_20101005225115_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/10/05/6randymoss_20101005225115_107_80.JPG
NFL 5 43 Over 30, not over-the-hill in NFL 12334360 LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Jets, 31 LaDainian+Tomlinson%2C+RB%2C+Jets%2C+31 NFL

It’s become very apparent Tomlinson’s alleged struggles last season (12 TDs despite 3.3 yards per carry) were more of a product of being in a pass-happy offense than the age of its feature back. Tomlinson, like Mike Vick, has simply too much left in the tank to play second fiddle to anyone, particularly in Rex Ryan’s pound-the-ball offense. Little known fact: LT was wise enough to turn down a request to become an official spokesman for EA/Madden two years ago, which likely would have led to horrific injury.

Rick Stewart - Getty Images http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/10/05/5LaDainian_20101005225115_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/10/05/5LaDainian_20101005225115_107_80.JPG
NFL 5 43 Over 30, not over-the-hill in NFL 12334359 Jason Hanson, K, Lions, 40 Jason+Hanson%2C+K%2C+Lions%2C+40 NFL

The cutoff year for this list is 1980. The number of kickers the Lions have employed since that time? Two! Yes, two! To compare, the number of kickers the Cowboys have employed in that time? 762! Jason Hanson stands as the only guy to have stayed with the same team he played for before the salary cap and free agency (surviving the Millen era might be the most impressive part). Is he just a hanger-on after hitting the big 4-0? Not quite. He accounted for 18 of the Lions’ 26 points last week, including a 52-yarder.

Mark Cunningham - Getty Images http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/10/05/4jasonh_20101005225105_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/10/05/4jasonh_20101005225105_107_80.JPG
NFL 5 43 Over 30, not over-the-hill in NFL 12334234 Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers, 30 Antonio+Gates%2C+TE%2C+Chargers%2C+30 NFL

Speaking of Drew Brees, his former favorite target isn’t just the top tight end in the NFL, but also one of its top receivers. Undrafted out of Kent State after being shunned by NBA scouts, Gates went on to find the end zone 15 times in his first two seasons without playing any kind of football since taking the SATs. Despite the absence of Vincent Jackson, he’s on pace for a 1,500-yard, 24-touchdown season (current record for tight ends is 1,290/13).

Stephen Dunn - Getty Images http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/10/05/3agates_20101005225104_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/10/05/3agates_20101005225104_107_80.JPG
NFL 5 43 Over 30, not over-the-hill in NFL 12334600 Drew Brees, QB, Saints, 31 Drew+Brees%2C+QB%2C+Saints%2C+31 NFL

Brees is quickly learning repeating is as difficult as liking Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network (as overrated as Ohio State, by the way). The Saints have looked like a team going through the motions, yet should be undefeated if not for a missed chippie kick. But Brees ain’t the reason the Saints have seemed so relatively blah this season. His passer rating (over 100), touchdown to interception ratio (7:2) and passing yards (nearly 300/game) are almost on par with last year’s magical run to the title.

Ronald Martinez - Getty Images http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/10/05/2dbrees_20101005225034_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/10/05/2dbrees_20101005225034_107_80.JPG
NFL 5 43 Over 30, not over-the-hill in NFL 12334626 Steve Hutchinson, G, Vikings, 32 Steve+Hutchinson%2C+G%2C+Vikings%2C+32 NFL

Hasn’t missed a game since the year the Angels won the World Series (this year’s prediction: Texas Rangers ... you can thank me later). Member of the NFL’s all-decade team. Seven-time Pro Bowler (has made the team every year since ’03). Makes $49 million over the life of his contract (seven years), thereby giving him the title as the highest-paid guard in Minnesota since Starbury. Reason he’s on this list at No. 9: Hutchinson blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher for the ninth time in his career in ’09.

Ezra Shaw - Getty Images http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/10/05/8steve_20101005225149_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/10/05/8steve_20101005225149_107_80.JPG
NFL 5 43 Over 30, not over-the-hill in NFL 12334357 Terrell Owens, WR, Bengals, 36 Terrell+Owens%2C+WR%2C+Bengals%2C+36 NFL

Say what you will about his attitude and his record in January, but last week’s 10-catch, 222-yard performance shows he can still dominate if targeted enough. Is it strange a future Hall of Famer has played on five teams throughout his career? Yes. Is the Owens/Ochocinco combination the most likely tandem to root against since Ronnie and Sweetheart Sammi? Yes. Is Owens still a top 10 receiver if Carson Palmer starts actually earning some of his $118 million contract? Yes.

Matt Sullivan - Getty Images http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/10/05/1TO_20101005225034_600_400.JPG http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2010/10/05/1TO_20101005225034_107_80.JPG
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http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2013/05/14/051313-Choke-SW-MB_20130514022711788_136_102.JPG Biggest choke jobs in sports Infamous chokers gallery Infamous chokers gallery Sergio and the Leafs are the latest, but certainly not the first. But are they the greatest? May 14, 2013 6:07 AM ET 1 70 /nhl/lists/Infamous-sports-chokers
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2013/04/30/geno-pi_20130430145017596_136_102.JPG Let's look at the rise and fall of QB Geno Smith Let's look at the rise and fall of QB Geno Sm... Let's look at the rise and fall of QB Geno Smith The quarterback has ridden quite a wave, starting from Heisman hopeful to reported texting addict and malcontent? May 2, 2013 8:49 PM ET 1 70 /nfl/lists/geno-smith-rise-and-fall-of-new-york-jets-quarterback-050213
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/04/28/042812-NFL-CASH-ME-IF-YOU-CAN-OB-PI_20120428195329475_136_102.JPG All-time best players to go undrafted in NFL Foster didn't reap the rewards of draft day, but it's paying off now. Apr 30, 2013 4:34 PM ET 1 70 /nfl/lists/undrafted-free-agents-nfl-best-careers-042912
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2013/04/27/042613-NFL-PHONES-RINGIN-DUDE-PI-AM_20130427012542250_136_102.JPG Day 3: Best available players Matt Barkley, Barrett Jones and Tyler Wilson... Matt Barkley, Barrett Jones and Tyler Wilson are among the best available players in NFL Draft rounds 4-7. Barkley, the biggest stud left on the board, finally will get the call. Apr 27, 2013 2:10 PM ET 1 70 /nfl/lists/matt-barkley-barrett-jones-tyler-wilson-best-available-players-nfl-draft-rounds-4-7-042713