Charles Woodson

Charles Woodson continues to be one of league's best playmaking defensive backs even at age 39. A week before his match up against the Broncos Woodson revealed that he had been itching to finally get an interception off of Peyton Manning.  He got his wish and then some.  Woodson intercepted Manning twice showing the athletic ability of someone half his age.  In doing so he became the oldest defensive player to record two interceptions in one game.  He and Manning also became the oldest Quarterback-interceptor duo in league history.  

"I have at least 10 years left in me" said Woodson when asked by Jim Rome if he could play until he was 50.  "I'm a young 39, not an old 39" he added before alluding to his athletic interceptions against Manning.  Woodson is currently tied for the league lead in interceptions with four and also already has five pass deflections.  It is certainly no question that he can continue to play, but we will have to play the waiting game to find out if he can actually make it to 50.

Charles Woodson has always been a freak athlete and his accolades certainly prove that. He won the Heisman award at Michigan along with a National title and back to back All-American honors.  He's been on seven NFL All-Pro teams.  He's won defensive rookie of the year as well as defensive player of the year.  He's been to eight Pro Bowls and two Super Bowls, winning in 2010 with the Green Bay Packers.  He is the only player in NFL History with 60 interceptions and 20 sacks and he's still setting records.  If Woodson can indeed play until he's 50 and at a high level he might be eyeing Paul Krause's record of 81 interceptions.  His four interceptions this season put his career total up to 64, which is already tied for sixth with Ed Reed on the all time leader board.  Woodson seems like a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we just might have to wait until 2031 to see it.  

Steve Smith Sr.

Steve Smith Sr. has been defying his own age in recent years.  Last week in a loss to the Bengals, Smith recorded 183 receiving yards on 13 catches and 2 touchdowns. What was most impressive about his performance by far was his 50 yard touchdown on a fourth and five play.  He caught the ball before the first down marker and slipped past one defender to gain the first down.  He then slipped past two more and toed the sideline before making his way into the endzone.  This kind of agility is not something you would expect out of a 35 year old receiver in the NFL, but perhaps father time is catching up to the once great Carolina Panther.  In last night's victory over the Steelers Smith suffered a lower body injury and recorded only 4 receptions for 24 yards against a lackluster secondary.  However, Smith has dealt with his fair share of injuries in his time, only playing in all 16 games in just five of his 15 years in the NFL. This one seemed minor but kept him out for the remainder of the game.

Smith stated at the beginning of the year that this would be his final NFL season.  Yet, going into week four he was third in the league in receiving yards.  It seems like there still plenty of gas left in his tank, but he may still stick to his word.  It would be nice seeing him go out on top.  After all he's gone through two periods in his career where fans could have questioned whether he was losing a step.  In 2010 he only managed 554 yards in 14 games. The following year after drafting Cam Newton the Panthers saw Smith return to form, gaining nearly 1,400 yards and averaging a career best 17.6 yards per catch.  After failing to hit the thousand yard mark again in 2013 Smith and the Panthers parted ways.  He was obviously upset by this saying that there would be "blood and guts everywhere" when he matched up against his former team.  He also added "you're gonna find out week 4" after an 80 yard touchdown scored in week one of the 2014 season.  At 34 he topped the thousand yard mark for the eighth time in his career.

If Smith decides to retire at the end of the year he is certainly worthy of consideration for the Hall of Fame. As of week 4, 2015 he has amassed 13,635 yards and 75 touchdowns and may even catch his thousandth pass by the end of the year.  Many will remember Smith for his angry playing style, his constant smack talk with defensive backs, fights, his strive to play through injuries, and his persona. Smith is perhaps the last of the premodonna receivers of the 2000's left in the league and still never fails to entertain.  The league will certainly be in a new chapter once this ageless wonder decides to hang it up. Whether that be this year or not Steve Smith Sr. has left his mark.