ALAMEDA, Calif. — It’s Charles Woodson vs. Peyton Manning, and the only thing missing is Matt Hasselbeck.
The backup quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, Hasselbeck is part of the answer to the trivia question, “Who are the only players still active from the 1998 NFL draft?”
Manning went first overall to the Indianapolis Colts, Woodson No. 4 to the Raiders, and Hasselbeck lasted until the sixth round before the Green Bay Packers called.
“There are only three of us,” Woodson told Denver reporters in a conference call. “It’s a blessing to have played this long. To be only one of three from the ‘98 class, I’m proud of that.”’
Although in their 17th season, Woodson and Manning have met only six times, with Woodson winning twice with the Raiders and once with the Packers and Manning once with the Colts and twice last season the Denver Broncos.
Woodson will be shooting for his first career interception against Manning on Sunday when the Raiders (0-8) host the Broncos (6-2) at O.co Coliseum.
More remarkable than their longevity is the fact that both players are competing at such a high level at age 38. Woodson, who was moved closer to the line of scrimmage in some schemes during the bye week, is among the Raiders’ leaders with 50 tackles and has two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Manning is the NFL’s second-ranked passer behind Aaron Rodgers, has thrown a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games and has an NFL record 515 for his career, breaking Brett Favre’s all-time record earlier this season.
“We’ve both been in this game a long time, both accomplished a lot, and I think we both have a great deal of respect for what (the) other has done in this game,” Woodson said. “For both of us to still be playing 17 years later says a lot about what the game means to us. He’s done some incredible things. He’s still doing incredible things in this league.”
Manning, who thrives through knowledge and his mental approach despite declining arm strength, marveled at Woodson’s ability to get in and mix it up physically with far younger players as a free safety.
“To be playing as well as he is as a defensive secondary guy is pretty impressive,” Manning said. “He’s making plays with his cover skills and kind of roaming, ranging skills, but I see him sticking his nose and shoulders in there making tackles like he did when he was 23, 24 years old.”
Raiders interim coach Tony Sparano said of Woodson, “I’d love to drink from the fountain he’s drinking from” and thought enough of the matchup to discuss it with his team Wednesday.
“You’ve got two Hall of Fame players out there playing in a game, and it’s a quarterback and a DB, so you would expect that would be a topic of conversation,” Sparano said. “I know from my end, it’s been a real honor to coach (Woodson).”
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