Raiders Countdown to Kickoff: 54: Who wore it best, who's wearing it now

Another day passes, bringing us another day closer to Raiders regular season football. And with the mark at 54 days, we profile the player who wore the number 54 with the most distinction.

Who wore it best: LB Greg Biekert

One of the best Raider middle linebackers ever and arguably the smartest. He was selected in the 7^th round of the 1993 draft out of Colorado. He appeared in all 16 games as a rookie and took over as the fulltime starter in his second season.

For eight seasons from 1994 to 2001, he was the Raiders everyday starting middle linebacker. Over those eight seasons, he averaged 113 combined tackles. His final game in a Raiders uniform was the infamous Tuck Rule Snow Job game in New England. Most people know it was Charles Woodson to forced the fumble, but it was Greg Biekert who recovered it. Only to see it wiped away.

Biekert would return to the Raiders in 2010 as an assistant linebackers coach under Tom Cable and was promoted to linebackers coach under Hue Jackson in 2011.

Who's wearing it now: DE  Gary Wilkins

Wilkins went undrafted and tried out for the team in rookie minicamp in May and was offered a contract immediately afterward. He started 40 games in four years at Furman and was twice named first-team All-Southern Conference. Totaled 294 career tackles (150 solo), 36 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles.

The Raiders could use the pass rushers so if this 6-3, 240-pounder can show up well in training camp, he will have the opportunity.

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