At which positions in the NFL do players usually last the longest?

[JSn]

I'm just curious which positions have the longest life-span. O-Line? QB?

Anyone have any data on the subject?

Thinking specifically of our OT's, Light is 30 and Kaczur is 29. Not old, imo, but how long can they be expected to do a good job?

 

[Sicilian]

I don't have any data, but my guess would be kickers and punters. Less wear and tear, and teams are always looking to replace their crappy one with a proven vet, even if his leg's not quite as strong as it used to be.

 

[Tunescribe]

Punters followed by kickers. I think long snappers are right up there too. Offensive tackles, centers and wide receivers also seem long-lived career wise.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Punters followed by kickers. I think long snappers are right up there too. Offensive tackles, centers and wide receivers also seem long-lived career wise.

As do certain Samoan LBs.

Seriously, though, it's the Ks and the Ps (George Blanda,* Gary Anderson, Morten Andersen, and Jeff Feagles all played >20 years).

As Wikipedia notes, Happy Days--set in the 1950s--had a joke about Blanda "having a few years left," when, in fact, he was still playing in the NFL when the show aired in the 70s.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

I'm just curious which positions have the longest life-span. O-Line? QB?

Anyone have any data on the subject?

Thinking specifically of our OT's, Light is 30 and Kaczur is 29. Not old, imo, but how long can they be expected to do a good job?

Both lines-I'm not sure why, but if they're 35, they're still well in their primes. I guess it's b/c playing either line has got to do more with size and experience, not so much speed.

 

[WhiZa]

Both lines-I'm not sure why, but if they're 35, they're still well in their primes. I guess it's b/c playing either line has got to do more with size and experience, not so much speed.

That's what I was thinking. You have to have speed in todays NFL outside the trenches. ILB or TE can get away with playing a few extra years too.
QB must be the next longest outside of kickers as they are not allowed to be hit anymore.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

That's what I was thinking. You have to have speed in todays NFL outside the trenches. ILB or TE can get away with playing a few extra years too.
QB must be the next longest outside of kickers as they are not allowed to be hit anymore.

In terms of DEs having to be speed rushers, it's a bit overrated-if anything, TEs and RBs will help out OTs in at least chipping DEs when they come out across the LOS.

Even the best and youngest OTs need help in pass protection.