Richard Seymour is a veteran of many battles with Peyton Manning during the years when Patriots-Colts was the NFL’s best annual rivalry. Now Seymour will prepare to face Manning twice a year when the Raiders play the Broncos.
Seymour joked to NFL Network’s Steve Wyche that he’s going to have a hard time sleeping thinking about facing Manning this year.
“I thought having five kids gave me sleepless nights, now I have to deal with Peyton again,” Seymour said.
For as long as Seymour and Manning have been rivals, there’s no doubt that plenty of respect exists between them.
“In all seriousness, our league is a better league with Peyton and we look forward to the opportunity to face a quarterback like Peyton,” Seymour said. “It provides a measuring stick for where you are as a defense to be the best — and to be the best, you have to beat the best.”
For the first time since John Elway was the quarterback in Denver, opposing teams view playing the Broncos’ quarterback as playing the best.