Completely different players, completely different body types and completely different generations of players. Just because a DT's production went down 20 years ago as the crossed 30, does not make it relevant today. Do you think Sapp took care of his body in the offseason the way guys like Donald do?
Players that are elite can stay that way for a while, if they're willing to put in the work. Didn't we have a 40 year old left tackle on our championship squad? I seem to remember something like that. But he was probably aged out about 10 years ago, right? I thought I saw something about a 40 plus year old QB winning a superbowl a year ago. That can't be true, can it?