We just keep countin’ down to the Raiders season opener. Just 61 days left and with that, we feature the man wearing that number in Silver & Black.
C Rodney Hudson
The Raiders lured Hudson from their division rival Chiefs by making him the highest paid center in the league. He had a Pro Bowl caliber season in 2015, but it went unrecognized due to team’s overall poor run offense. Last season, with the addition of Kelechi Osemele, the unit was complete and dominated defenses on the ground as well as in pass protection.
Hudson’s play was consistent and steady as the league’s top pass blocking center in both 2015 and 2016 (and probably before that which earned him his big contract). It just took Pro Bowl voters a while to finally recognize him for it. So, after just two seasons, we can now say...
Who wore it best: C Rodney Hudson (2015-present)
This is a recent development. Hudson joined the Raiders in 2015 and as of this season, when he was named a starter in the Pro Bowl, he becomes the best to ever wear number 61, taking it from his predecessor, Stefen Wisniewski.
Lil Wiz had a few decent seasons as the Raiders’ starting center. But following a rough 2014 season, the team was looking to make an upgrade. There was just one center set to hit the market who could be a sure upgrade and that was Hudson. He has lived up to all hopes the team had in him.
This is the third time in the countdown this year that the player wearing the number now has taken the mantle as the best to wear it. Number 89 Amari Cooper and number 66 Gabe Jackson were the others.
Also see: Hudson comes hungry, you leave happy with the JHOP Pancake House T-shirt
Loading comments...