OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- It was expected to be a classic NFL matchup for years: former Rose Bowl foes Charles Woodson and Ryan Leaf battling twice a year in the AFC West, the Heisman Trophy-winning cornerback against the strong-armed quarterback. Instead, just a season after they were chosen among the top four picks in the 1998 NFL draft, the young stars are surrounded by vastly different controversies.

Leaf will be sitting out a team suspension as the San Diego Chargers (4-4) visit the Raiders (4-4) this weekend. Woodson, who has been practicing with the Oakland offense, believes he'll finally get his chance to be a two-way player this Sunday.

Leaf, the No. 2 pick in the 1998 draft, is in the middle of a four-game suspension for a verbal outburst at general manager Bobby Beathard and strength coach John Hastings. He has not played this season while rehabbing his surgically repaired right shoulder.

Woodson, the No. 4 pick in '98 and the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year last season, has been pleading with coach Jon Gruden to let him play on offense as well as defense since joining the team.

After the Raiders lost 16-9 to Miami two weeks ago, failing to score a touchdown and gaining a season-low 187 yards, Woodson met with the coach. He came away with the belief he'll play both ways against San Diego.

"I called him and let him know I wanted to talk with him," Woodson said of the Nov. 1 meeting with Gruden. "He knew I wasn't coming in to talk about cooking lessons or something.

"That was the first time we sat down, just me and him, and talked about my playing offense and really taking it seriously," Woodson said. "I knew that if I didn't take that step to go in and talk to him, I wouldn't feel right about myself."

Woodson has spent much of the past two weeks -- the Raiders had a bye last weekend -- practicing passing routes with the Oakland offense, and said he expects to finally make his NFL offensive debut after a couple of false alarms last season.

Woodson made cameo appearances on offense at Michigan while becoming the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy in 1997. He played both ways in leading the Wolverines to the national title with a win over Leaf's Washington State team in the Rose Bowl.

Gruden twice flirted with the idea last season, but never used Woodson on offense. He remains cautious in his discussion of the issue.

"The guy is a very talented football player. We have some plays diagrammed for him, and we did get a chance to practice them. There is a chance," Gruden said. "If there comes a time when I think it's appropriate, we'll do it."

The Chargers, sixth in the league on defense, will be missing strong safety Rodney Harrison for the fourth straight week with a hairline fracture in his left shoulder. They're ready to see Woodson at wide receiver.

"We certainly are aware, and would be aware of Woodson coming into the game on offense," coach Mike Riley said.

San Diego's problems go far beyond preparing for Woodson and the suspension of Leaf. The Chargers offense has produced 10 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, and their AFC-worst running game is averaging 68.3 yards per week.

Running back Natrone Means will miss his third straight game for San Diego following left knee surgery and Terrell Fletcher is questionable with a shoulder bruise, which means top draft pick Jermaine Fazande may make his NFL debut.

The Chargers, who have not scored first in a game all season, have been outscored 98-20 in three straight losses.

"What adds to this fire is we're both 4-4, we're on the bubble and we know we can't afford too many losses toward the end of the season. It's a big game," linebacker Junior Seau said. "It's a new season. We have eight games left, and we have to win at least six of the eight, and it starts Sunday."

Woodson also points to his team's 4-4 record and the need to revitalize the offense if the Raiders are to make the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

"I'm really excited. I like to play football, I like to play, man. Just having the opportunity to play offense again is really exiciting," he said. "When I go in there, I don't plan on being a decoy."

SAN DIEGO Season schedule and results

OAKLAND Season schedule and results

September 19 @Cincinnati W 34-7 September 26 Indianapolis L 19-27 October 3 Kansas City W 21-14 October 10 @Detroit W 20-10 October 17 Seattle W 13-10 October 24 Green Bay L 3-31 October 31 @Kansas City L 0-34 November 7 Denver L 17-33 November 14 @Oakland 4:05pm ET November 21 Chicago 4:15pm ET November 28 @Minnesota 1:00pm ET December 5 Cleveland 4:15pm ET December 12 @Seattle 4:05pm ET December 19 @Miami 1:00pm ET December 26 Oakland 4:05pm ET January 2 @Denver 4:15pm ET

September 12 @Green Bay L 24-28 September 19 @Minnesota W 22-17 September 26 Chicago W 24-17 October 3 @Seattle L 21-22 October 10 Denver L 13-16 October 17 @Buffalo W 20-14 October 24 NY Jets W 24-23 October 31 Miami L 9-16 November 14 San Diego 4:05pm ET November 22 @Denver 9:00pm ET November 28 Kansas City 4:15pm ET December 5 Seattle 4:15pm ET December 9 @Tennessee 8:20pm ET December 19 Tampa Bay 4:05pm ET December 26 @San Diego 4:05pm ET January 2 @Kansas City 1:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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