A Battle Of Senior Slingers Elway-Moon Matchup Is Definitely One For The (Old) Ages

One is third in NFL history in completions and yardage and ninth in touchdown passes.

The other is fourth in completions and yardage and seventh in touchdowns.

One, at age 37, took all of three days to recover from a ruptured biceps tendon. The other is 40, the oldest player in the league and only one year younger than Seattle offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski.

The starting quarterbacks in the Kingdome today, Denver’s John Elway and Seattle’s Warren Moon, have resumes that compare with the best ever in the NFL.

Elway, of course, has tormented Seattle through the years. He’s 16-9 against the Seahawks. And he’s landed hard on Moon’s win-loss record. Elway’s 4-1 against Moon. In 1992, Moon was 27 of 36 for 325 yards and three touchdowns - and still saw Houston lose to Denver, 26-24.

Three times Moon has passed for more than 300 yards against Denver. Only once, 42-14 in 1991, did he get a victory.

“The funny thing is at 40 (Moon) and 37 (Elway), they’re probably in better shape than a lot of quarterbacks in the NFL,” Denver coach Mike Shanahan said.

“You combine their ages and they’re about my age, or how I feel right now,” said Seahawks coach Dennis Erickson, still dealing with Jet lag.

Denver defensive lineman Alfred Williams admits he asked for Moon’s autograph years ago. “Warren,” Williams told the Denver Post, “is my favorite player.”

Elway injured his biceps tendon during a preseason game against Miami in Mexico City. “When I first saw him come off the field, I thought, ‘There goes John for the season,”’ Denver running back Terrell Davis said. “The trainer came back and said he ruptured his biceps. I thought he diagnosed it wrong.”

“He’s had less problems than before,” Shanahan said. “It’s amazing.”

Moon was slowed by an ankle injury a year ago. He’s being pressed into service because starter John Friesz broke his thumb last Sunday.

Moon is a bit rusty, but not because of his age.

“Being a backup he had a lot of snaps during the preseason, which was good, and of course last week (during practice) he didn’t have any,” Erickson said. “You’re not talking about a guy that can’t play anymore. I expect Warren to come in and play well.”

Mile-high depression

Denver had it all last season. Until the home playoff loss to Jacksonville.

But it’s obvious the Broncos are still confident.

“I don’t think you get over something like that,” Davis said. “It’s definitely been motivation for me and the team to do better in the playoffs.”

Davis is already talking playoffs, and the Broncos have played just one game.

“It’s hard to say if last year was a good year or not,” he added. “I do think we have the team that can ultimately win it (the Super Bowl).”

Fresh start

Seattle, meanwhile, needs to eliminate last Sunday’s 41-3 loss to the New York Jets from its memory.

It’s way too early to press the panic button, Erickson said.

“I’ve never had a team play like that,” he said. “It’s been a hard week, but it’s over. We don’t have the luxury to feel sorry for ourselves. If we do, we’re going to get the same (today) … “And again, I’ll tell you this is the same football team that we thought a week ago at this time had a chance to do some really good things. I still believe that.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Photos

MEMO: Two sidebars appeared with the story: 1. HAWKS VS. BRONCOS The game: 1 p.m. at Kingdome, Seattle. Coaches: Seattle - Dennis Erickson, 15-18, third season. Denver Mike Shanahan, 22-11, third season; 30-23 overall, fifth season. The records: Seattle is 0-1, Denver is 1-0. The series: Denver leads 24-15. Last week: Broncos topped Kansas City 19-3. Seattle was squashed 41-3 by the Jets. The line: Denver by 6-1/2. On the air Television: NBC, with Dick Enberg, Phil Simms and Paul Maguire. Radio: KXLY (920 AM) with Steve Thomas and Steve Raible.

2. NFL ALL-TIME LEADERS Pass attempts 1. Dan Marino 6,930 2. Fran Tarkenton 6,467 3. John Elway 6,420 4. Warren Moon 6,021 Pass completions 1. Dan Marino 4,144 2. Fran Tarkenton 3,686 3. John Elway 3,650 4. Warren Moon 3,521 Passing yardage 1. Dan Marino 51,741 2. Fran Tarkenton 47,003 3. John Elway 45,280 4. Warren Moon 43,876 Touchdown passes 1. Dan Marino 369 2. Fran Tarkenton 342 3. Johnny Unitas 290 4. Joe Montana 273 5. Dave Krieg 261 6. Sonny Jurgensen 255 7. tie, Warren Moon, Dan Fouts 254 9. John Elway 251